News Briefs
Tugboats start extricating troubled Navy flagship in WPS
Two Philippine tugboats have arrived at Hasa-Hasa (Half Moon) Shoal in the West Philippine Sea (WPS) to immediately start extricating the Navy flagship, BRP Gregorio del Pilar, which ran aground there last week.
Armed Forces spokesperson Col. Edgard Arevalo said the tugboats—M/T Vigilant and M/T Trabajador, both owned by the Malayan Towage and Salvage Corp.—may start the extraction process during high tide.
Joint task force “Goyong” commander Commodore Rommel Galang is “determining how they can successfully extricate the ship with least collateral damage to herself and the environment,” Arevalo said.
AFP public affairs office chief Col. Noel Detoyato said the grounding caused the detachment of the frigate’s right propeller. —JEANNETTE I. ANDRADE
Manila Cathedral honors first Filipino cardinal
Rufino Cardinal Santos, the first Filipino cardinal who also led the reconstruction of the Manila Cathedral 60 years ago, was honored on Monday with the raising of his “galero” to the cathedral ceiling.
The ceremony was preceded by a Eucharistic celebration presided over by Manila Archbishop Luis Antonio Cardinal Tagle. Santos’ galero, a red hat with a tassel that was formerly given to cardinals as a symbol of their responsibility, was found in a dark corner of the Archdiocesan Museum of Manila’s stock room recently.
Although the use of the galero was abolished in 1969, the tradition of suspending a galero from the church ceiling to honor a departed cardinal has continued. When Jaime Cardinal Sin died in 2005, his galero was also raised to the dome of the Manila Cathedral. —TINA G. SANTOS
Mutya pageant marks golden milestone with 50 beauties
The Mutya ng Pilipinas pageant has assembled its biggest lineup of aspirants, gathering 50 delegates from around the country and overseas Filipino communities. The contestants were presented to the media at Ascott Makati on Monday.
Mutya ng Pilipinas president Hemilyn Escudero-Tamayo, who was a finalist in the pageant’s 2005 edition, said the candidates are “driven to pursue their dreams, yet [they are] still anchored to their roots.”
The pageant marks a golden milestone with four perpetual crowns, provided by Hoseki Fine Jewels and designed by Knoi Esmane, going to the winners who will represent the country in the Miss Asia Pacific International, Miss Tourism International, Miss Tourism Queen of the Year International and Miss Global Beauty pageants. —ARMIN P. ADINA
