DOE Ups Power Supply to Typhoon-hit Areas

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The DOE and its partners are continuously bringing back power supply to typhoon-affected areas in Southern Luzon and Eastern Mindanao.

“We are maximizing our assets and resources for the resumption of electricity in the soonest possible time in the hard-hit areas, where hundreds of distribution poles went down,” Energy Secretary Alfonso Cusi said.

The National Grid Corporation of the Philippines reported that all transmission facilities affected by Typhoon Nina have already been restored bridging generation facilities to distribution lines in the concerned towns and provinces in Bicol as of Jan. 9.

Power was also 100 percent restored in homes in the provinces of Batangas, Occidental Mindoro, Camarines Norte and Sorsogon.

Meanwhile, restoration of power facilities continues in the provinces of Quezon (84.62%), Oriental Mindoro (91.18%), Camarines Sur (58.9%), Albay (47.75%) and Catanduanes (18.92%).

Restoration of households already reached 76.34% or 1,311,828 households, in which 406,578 are still up for restoration.

There are only three transmission facilities in Siargao, Surigao del Norte and Surigao del Sur that were affected by Tropical Depression Auring, according to the NGCP report.

These transmission facilities namely Butuan-Placer 138kV line 1, Placer-Madrid 69kV line, and Placer-Surigao 69kV line are already being restored.

“The energy sector is united in promoting consumer welfare by providing power supply to our kakabayans affected by the typhoons in the soonest possible time,” Cusi said. “We always have to be ready and prepared since these typhoons will continue to hamper our energy systems. We are trying to come up with better and effective measures every time we are faced with such challenges."

Traslacion 2017: Post Event Report on the Philippines' Biggest Religious Event

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The Philippines continue to hold the Traslacion eventhough there are so many reasons why it sends the wrong lessons to our people, especially the youth. The January 9 procession reenacts the image's Traslación (literally, "transfer") in 1787, or solemn relocation to the Minor Basilica from its original shrine in what is now Rizal Park.

A Spaniards' galleon was partly burned wherein the more than life size (sculpture) image of Jesus Christ of Nazarene was on board. Miraculously, the sculpture suffered lesser damage but has changed its original color into black. That was the original story about the "Black Nazarene."

CBCP Public Affairs Executive Secretary Fr. Jerome Secillano says the statue of the Black Nazarene was brough to the Philippines in the 17th century, but the devotion to statue only started in the 1950s. He says some of the sacrifices devotees go through during the Traslacion are part of the "purification process" they identify with on a personal level.

Less in number but not in fervor. There was a substantial drop in the number of devotees for this year's Traslacion. Still, tens of thousands make a vow – or panata – to take part in the most massive display of Catholic faith in the Philippines. This tradition is distinctly Filipino and is not part of the basic traditions of the Roman Catholic Church worldwide. The people's unwavering devotion to the Black Nazarene is a tedious and lengthy task with the Traslacion covering a 6.9-kilometer route starting from the Quirino Grandstand and ending at the Quiapo Church.

Devotees jostle for a chance to get near the Black Nazarene. The cross-bearing statue is believed to have healing powers, in the hope that the touching of towels would bless them and heal their illnesses. Helping pull the ropes of the carriage also has some sort of significance as the sacrifice is expected to bear bountiful rewards.

Anthony Engelen Prefers Step-by-Step Process in Securing Title Shot

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Mixed martial arts standout Anthony Engelen (5-2) acknowledges that there will be no shortcuts to achieving his dream of becoming a world titleholder in ONE Championship.

Engelen stressed that he is not in a hurry and would rather take the long road to a championship crack than prematurely contend for the gold-plated strap.

According to Engelen, there are certain aspects of his overall game that he has to improve and keep an eye on before getting an opportunity to vie for the coveted ONE Featherweight World Championship belt.

“I would like to remind myself to keep growing as a fighter. I always try to watch all my fights and constantly evaluate myself. I want to improve in the things that I was not happy about and work harder on it every time,” he said.

The 31-year-old Dutch Indonesian fighter believes that he has to prove himself worthy of a title shot as ONE Championship’s featherweight bracket has a long list of contender.

ONE Championship has a stacked featherweight division, which has been often described as a shark tank.