Popular Filipino impersonator and satirist Willie Nepomuceno passes away, 75

BY ROBERT REQUINTINA

Jul 26, 2023 08:51 AM

  

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AT A GLANCE

• 'We ask for your continued prayers. Thank you very much.'

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Willie Nepomuceno as former President Joseph Estrada (Images courtesy of Facebook)

Willie Nepomuceno, a popular celebrity known for his impersonations of personalities such as former presidents Ferdinand E. Marcos, Joseph Estrada, Comedy King Dolphy, and others, passed away today, July 26. He was 75.

Willie Nepomuceno as Juan Ponce Enrile

Nepomuceno's demise was announced by his family on social media. The full post:

"To our family, loved ones, and friends, 

"It is with deep sadness and heavy heart to announce the passing of our beloved father, WILLIE NEPOMUCENO on July 26, 2023, at the age of 75. He has peacefully joined our creator.

Willie Nepomuceno as Dolphy

"Details of his wake will be announced soon.

"We ask for your continued prayers. Thank you very much."

His family did not say the cause of his death.

Super Typhoon 'Egay' (Doksuri) tracker

5 dead, 2 hurt as steel bridge collapses in Davao City

BY ANTONIO COLINA IV

Jul 25, 2023 01:48 PM

  

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DAVAO CITY – At least five workers died and two others were injured after a steel bridge  under construction collapsed in Sitio Kibakak, Barangay Malamba, Marilog District, Davao City at 3:30 p.m. on Monday, July 24, an official of the Davao City Police Office (DCPO) said on Tuesday, July 25.

Police Capt. Hazel Tuazon, DCPO spokesperson,  identified the casualties as Cris Napao, 44, a mason; Jimboy Liga, 28, a boom truck operator; Elmer Sayson, 44, a foreman; Jay Bangonan, 22, a mason; and Rolando Abing, 40, married, a laborer. 

Injured were identified as Meljay Bero, 29, a laborer, and Jonathan Dispo, 38, a mason. 

They were taken to the Southern Philippines Medical Center (SPMC) here for treatment.

Tuazon said that based on initial investigation, the bridge suddenly collapsed for “unknown reason” and plunged 60 feet into the river.

Seven workers of the contractor, Bojus Sun Builders and Supply Corp., were trapped under a pile of debris.

Tuazon said they were working on the side panel using a boom truck directly below the bridge when it gave in.

Personnel of the City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office were dispatched to retrieve the bodies.

Parts of Cagayan under Signal No. 4 due to Super Typhoon Egay

1,543 views Jul 25, 2023

Pagasa raises Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal No. 4 over the northeastern portion of mainland Cagayan due to Super Typhoon Egay | 🎥 : Ryan Leagogo/INQUIRER.net

Borges hat-trick as Brazil put on the style; Germany also win big

BY AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE

Jul 25, 2023 00:30 AM

  

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AT A GLANCE

• Ary Borges was the star of the show at the Women's World Cup on Monday, July 24, hitting a hat-trick for an impressive Brazil, while Germany also won big to begin their campaign.

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ADELAIDE (AFP) -- Ary Borges was the star of the show at the Women's World Cup on Monday, July 24, hitting a hat-trick for an impressive Brazil, while Germany also won big to begin their campaign.

Brazil's forward Beatriz (center) celebrates after a goal of her team during the Australia and New Zealand 2023 Women's World Cup Group F football match between Brazil and Panama at Hindmarsh Stadium in Adelaide on Monday, July 24. (AFP)

Italy were also victors but needed an 87th-minute header from substitute Cristiana Girelli to squeeze past Argentina 1-0.

Brazil have featured at all eight previous Women's World Cups -- and never won it. 

Far tougher challenges lie ahead -- they face France next -- but their 4-0 thumping of debutants Panama was the perfect start for Swedish coach Pia Sundhage's side.

The stylish victory was all about 23-year-old attacking midfielder Borges.

As well as her hat-trick she also set up the other -- her backheel to tee up Bia Zaneratto at Hindmarsh Stadium in Adelaide capping off a sweeping team move and the best goal of the competition so far.

Some of the Panama players and fans were in tears during their national anthem, underlining what it means to them to be at the World Cup for the first time.

But this was a debut they will probably want to forget as Brazil put on an exhibition of flowing, attacking football.

As a result Brazil top Group F after Jamaica surprisingly held France 0-0 on Sunday.

Popp double

Earlier, Alexandra Popp scored twice as Germany thrashed Morocco 6-0 for the biggest win of the tournament so far.

The lower-ranked teams at the first 32-team Women's World Cup have generally held their own, indicating a closing of the gap in women's international football.

But two-time champions Germany blew away Morocco, the first Arab team at a Women's World Cup.

The Germans are among the favorites once again, along with holders the United States, England, Spain and France, and they showed why with a clinical performance in front of a near sell-out crowd of more than 27,000 in Melbourne.

In their 32-year-old skipper Popp they have one of the best goal-scorers around and she took full advantage of some poor Morocco defending with simple close-range finishes.

Klara Buehl made it three straight after half-time to end the match as any kind of contest, before two own goals and a late sixth from Lea Schueller.

"Today we came up against a team that was superior. It was David and Goliath," said Morocco's French coach Reynald Pedros.

Colombia face South Korea on Tuesday also in Group H, in the final match of the first round of group games.

Super sub

Argentina had never won a game at the Women's World Cup after appearing at three previous finals -- and the wait goes on after going down to Italy in a fiery clash that yielded six yellow cards.

Juventus veteran Girelli was Italy's savior, coming on as a substitute in the 83rd minute and scoring the winner with a superb header just four minutes later in front of nearly 31,000 fans in Auckland.

"I am really happy for me and my teammates because we deserved the victory," said Girelli, who scored a hat-trick against Jamaica at the 2019 World Cup.

"To win in that way, even though we had to suffer, is important," added the 33-year-old, surely now a contender to start the next match against Sweden even if she had no complaints about being an impact substitute.

"If all the games are like this then there is no problem," she said.

"Honestly, obviously every player wants to play 90 minutes, but I will settle for every game being like that. The main thing was the victory."

Argentina coach German Portanova felt the result at Eden Park was harsh on his side.

"It was a very even match," he said. "At times we controlled it and they did not have many opportunities.

"The result was somewhat unfair. A draw would have been the right score."

Also on Tuesday, co-hosts New Zealand return to action when they face debutants the Philippines in Wellington.

In the third match of the day, Switzerland play former champions Norway.

PH Blu Girls absorb thrashing against powerhouse Japan

BY REYNALD I. MAGALLON

  

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AT A GLANCE

• The Philippine women’s softball team succumbed to world powerhouse Japan in just four innings, absorbing a 13-0 demolition in the WBSC 

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The Philippine women’s softball team succumbed to world powerhouse Japan in just four innings, absorbing a 13-0 demolition in the WBSC Women’s Softball World Cup 2023 at Campo Comunale di Softball in Italy late Sunday night, July 23 (Manila time).

Glory Alonzo of PH Blu Girls (WSBC photo)

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The world ranked No. 2 Japanese proved to be too much for the Blu Girls, immediately asserting their dominance in the first inning with seven runs including an inside-the-park home run from Kyoko Ishikawa.

The Blu Girls pitchers in Celyn Ojare, Glory Alonzo and Ann Antolihao tried everything they got to try and make the Japanese batters uncomfortable but they were simply too poised for the Filipinas even scoring six more runs in the second inning.

The Filipinas remained winless through two games after also absorbing a 5-0 defeat against Canada while Japan now stands at the second spot of the Group C standings with a 2-0 record behind the 3-0 slate of host Italy.

The world No. 26 Blu Girls gun for the breakthrough win against fellow winless team and No. 22 team Venezuela Monday afternoon.

🔴TRAVEL UPDATE: IT IS OFFICIAL - PBBM LIFTED THE STATE PUBLIC HEALTH EMERGENCY

President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has formally lifted the state of public health emergency declared due to the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) pandemic, Malacañang announced on Saturday. Marcos on Friday issued Proclamation 297, lifting the nationwide declaration of a public health emergency due to Covid-19, Presidential Communications Office (PCO) Secretary Cheloy Garafil said in a statement. “All prior orders, memoranda, and issuances that are effective only during the State of Public Health Emergency shall be deemed withdrawn, revoked or canceled and shall no longer be in effect,” according to the proclamation. Source: https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1206185

‘Egay’ intensifies into typhoon; Signal No. 4 or 5 may be raised

BY ELLALYN DE VERA-RUIZ

Jul 24, 2023 00:24 AM

  

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AT A GLANCE

• Tropical cyclone Egay intensified into a typhoon, with maximum sustained winds of 120 kph near the center and gusts of up to 150 kph.
• According to the current forecast scenario, the highest wind signal that may be hoisted is Signal No. 4 or 5.
• While traversing the Balintang Channel, Egay has the potential to become a super typhoon with winds of over 185 kph by Wednesday, July 26.

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Tropical cyclone Egay (international name: Doksuri) strengthened into a typhoon as it moved east-northeast across the sea near the Bicol region on Sunday, July 23, said the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA).

In its 11 p.m. bulletin, PAGASA said the typhoon was last spotted 490 kilometers (km) east-northeast of Daet, Camarines Norte, and is moving west-northwestward at 10 kph.

Egay intensified into a typhoon, with maximum sustained winds of 120 kilometers per hour (kph) near the center and gusts of up to 150 kph. 

Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal No. 2 was hoisted over the northeastern portion of Catanduanes due to the expected strong winds from the approaching storm.

Meanwhile, Signal No. 1 was raised in the rest of Catanduanes, Camarines Norte, Camarines Sur, Albay, Sorsogon, Batanes, Cagayan including Babuyan Islands, Quirino, northeastern portion of Nueva Vizcaya, Apayao, Kalinga, Abra, Ifugao, Mountain Province, northern portion of Aurora, Northern Samar, Eastern Samar, and Samar.

“Minor to moderate impacts from gale-force winds are possible within any of the areas where Wind Signal No. 2 was raised. Minimal to minor impacts from strong winds are also possible within any of the areas where Wind Signal No.1 is hoisted,” PAGASA said.

According to the current forecast scenario, the highest wind signal that may be hoisted is Signal No. 4 or 5, it pointed out. 

(PAGASA)

Egay may become super typhoon by July 26

PAGASA said Egay is expected to continuously intensify in the next few days.

While traversing the Balintang Channel, it has the potential to become a super typhoon with winds of over 185 kph by Wednesday, July 26.

“Interaction with the rugged terrain of Northern Luzon and Southern Taiwan will trigger a period of weakening by late Wednesday as it moves over the waters near Southern Taiwan,” PAGASA said.

Landfall not ruled out

PAGASA said Egay’s track forecast in the current bulletin had a “considerable” shift.

In the next 12 hours, the weather disturbance may move west-northwestward or westward before turning northwest over the Philippine Sea east of Northern and Central Luzon.

“A brief period of west northwestward movement from Tuesday night to Wednesday morning will bring Egay over the Balintang Channel, resulting in a close approach over the Batanes-Babuyan Islands area,” PAGASA said.

“A landfall scenario over Batanes-Babuyan or northeastern mainland Cagayan is not ruled out since this is within the envelope of the forecast confidence cone,” it added.

Egay may leave the country’s area of responsibility on Thursday, July 27.

Brace for heavy to torrential rains

PAGASA warned that Egay may bring heavy to torrential rains over parts of Luzon in the next few days.

On Monday, July 24, Catanduanes, the northeastern portion of Camarines Sur, and northern portion of Camarines Norte may experience heavy rains (50-100 millimeters).

On Tuesday, July 25, intense rains (100-200 millimeters) are expected in Babuyan Islands and the northeastern portion of mainland Cagayan, while heavy rains may prevail over the rest of Cagayan, the eastern portion of Isabela, Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, Abra, and Apayao.

On Wednesday, July 26, torrential rains (more than 200 mm) may affect Batanes, Babuyan Islands, northeastern portion of mainland Cagayan, Ilocos Norte, and the northern portion of Ilocos Sur.

Intense rains may also persist in Cagayan, Apayao, Abra, the rest of Ilocos Sur, and northern portion of La Union, while heavy rains may prevail over the rest of La Union, Benguet, western portion of Mountain Province, and Kalinga.

PAGASA said the southwest monsoon, or “habagat,” enhanced by Egay, may also bring significant rains over the next three days, particularly in Zambales, Bataan, Palawan, Occidental Mindoro, Antique, Negros Occidental, Negros Oriental, Aklan, Capiz, Iloilo, and Guimaras.

“Under these conditions, flooding and rain-induced landslides are possible, especially in areas that are highly or very highly susceptible to these hazards as identified in hazard maps and in localities that experienced considerable amounts of rainfall for the past several days,” PAGASA warned.

How many types of Germanic languages are there? What are the differences between them? Are they similar at all?

Massimo Saracino

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Following

Knows English

There are four groups of Germanic languages, with a high or partial intelligibility within each group, but poor intelligibility between groups.

The first group includes English and Scots.

The second groups include German, Yiddish, Swiss-German, Austro-Bavarian, and Luxembourgish.

The third group includes Dutch, Flemish, Afrikaans, Frisian, and Plattdüutsch (Low German).

The forth group includes the Nordic Germanic languages: Swedish, Norwegian (both variants), Danish, Faroese, Icelandic.

This map shows the Germanic languages in their current presence as first language in Europe, showing for Germany the areas where traditionally Austro-Bavarian and Plattdüutsch were spoken (German, i.e. Hochdeutsch, is based on Central German). The only missing Germanic languages in the map are Afrikaans, Luxembourgish, and Yiddish; Swiss-German is doubtfully clustered with Austro-Bavarian; the red line defines the region of Nordic Germanic languages.

Never let go of our faith

By Fr. Roy Cimagala

Chaplain

Center for Industrial Technology and Enterprise (CITE)

Talamban, Cebu City

Email: roycimagala@gmail.com

TO be guided by our Christian faith should always be an abiding thing for us. We should never just rely on our own intelligence and the many ways and forms of human estimation. These can only do so much, but without faith, they cannot reach the ultimate goal meant for us.

We are somehow reminded of this reality in that gospel episode where some leading Jews approached Christ asking for a sign of who he really was. (cfr. Mt 12,38-42) That was when Christ told them about the many signs in the past that should answer their question. He told them about Jonah, the men of Nineveh, the Queen of the South and Solomon.

Faith, of course, is a difficult thing to deal with. And that’s mainly because it is something supernatural that contains truths that simply are mysterious to us. What makes us accept it is explained in the Catechism as follows:

“156 What moves us to believe is not the fact that revealed truths appear as true and intelligible in the light of our natural reason: we believe "because of the authority of God himself who reveals them, who can neither deceive nor be deceived". 

And it continues: “So that the submission of our faith might nevertheless be in accordance with reason, God willed that external proofs of his Revelation should be joined to the internal helps of the Holy Spirit.’

“Thus, the miracles of Christ and the saints, prophecies, the Church's growth and holiness, and her fruitfulness and stability ‘are the most certain signs of divine Revelation, adapted to the intelligence of all’; they are ‘motives of credibility’ (motiva credibilitatis), which show that the assent of faith is ‘by no means a blind impulse of the mind’.”

We should really be concerned about developing an operative faith. Our faith should not remain only at the theoretical, intellectual level. It has to be a functioning one, giving shape and direction to our thoughts and intentions, our words and deeds. In fact, it should shape our whole life. 

The ideal is that we feel it immediately and continually. Indeed, it should be like an instinct such that whatever we think, say or do, or whenever we have to react to something, it is our faith that should guide us before anything else.

We have to understand that it is our faith that gives us the global picture of things, since it is God’s gift to us, a gratuitous sharing of what God knows about himself and about the whole of creation. It is meant for our own good, for us to live out our true dignity as children of God.

It is a kind of knowledge that will lead us to our eternal life. It will make us relate everything in our earthly life, both the good and the bad, to this ultimate goal in life which is to be in heaven with God, a state that is supernatural. But it is a divine gift that we need to take care of. It is like a seed that has to grow until it becomes a big tree and bears fruit.

For this, we really need to have a living contact with Christ who is the fullness of God’s revelation to us. He is the substance, the content and the spirit of our faith. So, the first thing that we have to do is to always look for him in whatever thing we are thinking, saying or doing.