MetroBriefs

Fire hits residential area in Mandaluyong City

A fire of a still unknown origin hit a residential area in Mandaluyong City on Monday afternoon. FO3 Edgardo said the fire started at the corner of Magalona and Daang Bakal Streets in Barangay Harapin ang Bukas at 6:05 p.m. At press time, the fire had reached the second alarm and Mandaluyong firefighters were still putting it out. Niña Calleja

Teenager drowns in river in Quezon City

A 14-year-old boy jumped into a river in Quezon City after his parents scolded him. Unfortunately, he did not know how to swim and he drowned. The body of John Hendric Bardoquillo, a resident of E. Rodriguez Sr. Avenue, was fished out of the San Juan River near the Mabolo Alley in Barangay Damayang Lagi at 6:45 p.m. on Sunday. Case investigator PO2 Alvin Quisimbing learned from the boy’s friends that the victim did not know how to swim and that he was often being scolded at home. On that day, the boy bade goodbye to his friends, telling them he would be gone one day. It was the victim’s friend, Benjie Pastor, who told the police that after eating lunch, he and the victim, along with other boys, went on a stroll beside the river. Suddenly, the victim took off his shirt and dove into the river. He never surfaced again, prompting his friend to report his disappearance. Barangay officials then called the Philippine Coast Guard for help. Julie M. Aurelio

Robber killed at police checkpoint

A knife-wielding man who allegedly held up a tricycle driver and his passengers was killed at around Sunday midnight after he was shot by a policeman. The slain man, described as between 25 and 30 years old, around 5’ 6” tall and of medium build, was declared dead on arrival by attending doctors at Tondo Medical Center from two gunshot wounds. SPO2 Milbert Balinggan of the Manila Police District homicide section said the shooting happened at around 12 a.m. on Monday at the corner of Road 10 and Pacheco Street in Tondo. Earlier, 46-year-old tricycle driver Jose Cantuba was ferrying his passengers and corn vendors Jessie Lopez and Bryan Evangelista on Road 10 when the man got on the vehicle and rode behind Cantuba. The man then wielded a knife, declared a hold-up and demanded that everyone give him their valuables. Spotting a police checkpoint, Cantuba caught the attention of the policemen who promptly acted to accost the robber. However, when SPO2 Ramon Tabora and PO1 Jake Balberde grabbed him, the robber tried to stab them, prompting PO1 Alfred Sunga to fire at him twice.  Jeannette I. Andrade

St. Teresa of Avila celebration on 28th

Members of the family of Teresian Carmel worldwide are preparing for the coming 5th birth centenary of St. Teresa of Avila (also known as St. Teresa of Jesus), the 16th century Carmelite reformer beatified by Pope Paul V in 1614, canonized by Gregory XV in 1622 and proclaimed a doctor of the Church by the Servant of God Paul VI in 1970. In the Philippines, a National Commission  for the celebration of her birth centenary, consisting of representatives from the Discalced Carmelite Friars, nuns and seculars and chaired by Rev. Fr. Danilo Fauste, OCD, has been organized to spearhead the events in the different Carmelite monasteries, dioceses and parishes nationwide between now and March 28, 2015. This will also include celebrations for the IV Centenary of St. Teresa’s beatification in 2014. The preparations will be launched with a Eucharistic celebration to be held on March 28 at 6 p.m. at Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Shrine Parish, Doña Juana Rodriguez Ave. in New Manila, Quezon City. For more information, call the National Commission at (632) 722-4667 or e-mail [email protected].

PWU hosts “Rock and Rebuild” on Tuesday

On its 93rd founding anniversary, Philippine Women’s University (PWU) launches its renovation and rejuvenation project with “Rock and Rebuild,” a ceremonial groundbreaking of the Paseo at 10 a.m. Tuesday, on the Taft campus in Manila. Leading the ceremonies is PWU President Francisco Benitez who will give the opening remarks, along with Vice Presidents Dr. Vivien Talisayon, Ma. Luisa Mirasol, Freddie Reyes and Board Trustee Monico Jacob who will deliver the keynote address. Built in 1919 when PWU was established, the Paseo, known then as the quadrangle or open theater, was the venue of graduation rites, stage plays, sport events, parties and all university milestone events during the late ’20s till the ’60s. It was renamed Bayanihan Paseo during the ’70s.

Game fowl trade show set on March 29

The 1st Philippine Poultry and Game Fowl Trade Show will be held from March 29 to April 1 at the People’s Village, Tiendesitas en Frontera Verde, corner Ortigas and C-5 Avenues in Pasig City. The event will feature the latest trends and innovations in products for fowl farmers, latest equipment and practical know-hows.  For info, call Dennis Hipolito at 0922-8151994 or Manny Araneta at 0922-8554299.