At least 3,000 were witnessed to have joined the protest after knowledge of one of the victims who died at the Port Said stadium was from Suez. The protesters proceeded to hurl stones and Molotov cocktails at the headquarters of the security forces. Police retaliated with tear gas and open fired according to a witness.

Protesters claimed that security forces were inactive during the Wednesday riot when soccer fans invaded the pitch after local team Al-Masry defeated Cairo’s Al-Ahly. About 10,000 gathered in front of the Interior Ministry.

“Either they will die or we will die,” an Al-Ahly soccer fan grunted as he joined the march of 10,000-strong mob to Cairo.

The two men of Suez died of gunshot wounds and at least 15 protesters were wounded.

More die in protests following soccer riot in Eygpt : quality content from The Daily Inquirer

I thought the 50/50 split would seal a May 5 superfight between the Filipino and American. Then the lights slowly dimmed after Bob Arum expressed that May 5 was too soon because he wanted Pacquiao’s cut to fully heal first, looking for a November match instead. Also, Arum and trainer Freddie Roach were considering other matches and rematches between Cotto and Marquez since Floyd and Manny has a history of failed negotiations.

Now the light is completely out, Floyd will be moving up to 154 pounds to challenge the new and improved current WBA Light Middleweight champ Miguel Cotto, while talks between Manny and undefeated WBO Light Welterweight champ Timothy Bradley.

Mayweather wrote on twitter, calling Pacquiao “Miss Pac man” is “ducking him.” Really? Though flamboyant Floyd offered the Sarangani congressman $40 million for the fight, it was not a 50/50 split.

Pacquiao’s manager Michael Koncz said he offered Mayweather a 55-45 split of fight revenues, with the winner collecting the 55.

“Because it’s a prizefight,” Koncz said. “If you were the better fighter, you get the 10% bonus – $15 million to $25 million more than the other guy. That was my final offer with a $50 million guarantee to each fighter. That was rejected.”

“For Floyd to say Manny never wanted this fight, or ducked it, is totally absurd,” he added.

And I thought Floyd was confident he can beet Manny, why wouldn’t he agree to Koncz’s offer, sounded good for someone claiming to be unbeatable. Who’s chicken remains unclear (yeah right), but definitely Floyd won’t be able to duck his way out of 90 days in jail for battery.

Mayweather will fight Cotto instead : quality content from The Daily Inquirer

I’m still referring to that Sunday’s epic match (that I just couldn’t get over with) between the Miami Heat and the Chicago Bulls when the Bulls gave the Heat a scare after inching towards that deficit at the end of the last quarter. Rose had a chance to tie the game but failed to at the foul line, Miami won 97-93.

Did I say it was unforgettable game? Not yet, but it is. Epic match and epic dunk from James during the 1st quarter. Dwayne Wade sends the ball flying for an alley oop to an athletic James who soars over the Bulls’ five-foot-eleven point guard John Lucas III for a one-handed dunk. James flew bending his knees at the exact moment Lucas was getting ready to screen. Boom!  It was amazing!

Kids, don’t try this in your games, you could get seriously hurt.

LeBron James jumps over John Lucas for a dunk! video inside : quality content from The Daily Inquirer

Executive Judge Oscar P. Noel Jr., is the volunteer Presiding Judge of the Sarangani Province’s Justice on Wheels. In order to speed up determination of cases, the mobile court carries with it the court staffs during its conduct of hearings in the municipalities of Sarangani

Malacañan Palace, January 30, 2012 — Galing Pook Foundation has announced the winners of its national search for the ten best local governance programs. LGUs are recognized by the awards body for innovative programs that have gained measurable positive results, empowered its people, and enhanced service delivery.

This year’s winners are Albay; an Inter-local Health Zone (ILHZ) composed of the municipalities of Real, Gen. Nakar, Infanta and Panukulan in Quezon Province; Limasawa, Southern Leyte; Alimodian, Iloilo; Bohol and one of its municipalities, Maribojoc; Sarangani Province, Misamis Oriental, Upi in Maguindanao, and Zamboanga del Norte.

The Galing Pook awarding ceremony for these notable local governance programs was held today in Malacañan Palace with President Benigno S. Aquino III handing the awards to this year’s winners.

The Galing Pook award recipients have winning entries ranging from justice enhancement program, empowerment of indigenous people, to mental health management.

A total of 137 entries were submitted this year: 55 from Luzon, 33 from Visayas and 49 from Mindanao. Of this year’s 10 awardees, seven are past honorees (Sarangani, Misamis Oriental, Upi in Maguindanao, Zamboanga del Norte, Infanta in Quezon, Bohol and Albay).

Upi residents enjoying the services provided by the Upi Community e-Center.

Albay Province: Health strategy for MDG attainment

With a policy declaring the Millennium Development Goals (MDG) as top priority in 2007, Albay is now either close to achieving or has achieved the major indicators under MDG4 (reduce child mortality), MDG5 (improve maternal health care), MDG6 (combat HIV/AIDS, malaria and other diseases), MDG1 (eradicate extreme poverty and hunger) and MDG7 (ensure environmental sustainability). The province has also been certified by Philhealth as having come close to universal health coverage.

Real, Gen. Nakar, Infanta and Panukulan in Quezon Province: Community-based mental health management

Mental distress afflicted a number of flash flood survivors that claimed hundreds of lives during the November 2004 typhoons that hit Infanta and Gen. Nakar in Quezon. The event gave rise to the community-based mental health program to support victims suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder and other psychological problems. The program pools together resources from various sectors to address and fill in gaps in mental health care and the shortage of mental health professionals in the ReINaPan area, an Inter-local Health Zone (ILHZ). The psychiatric consultations, coupled with administration of medicines, proved to be successful with 110 new cases in 2006 to only 28 new cases in 2010.

Limasawa, Southern Leyte: Poor municipality can eliminate malnutrition

Limasawa’s LGU developed an innovative nutrition plan which reduced the prevalence of malnutrition among pre-school and school children and promote healthy living among adults. With effective program components in place, the residents of the municipality are now healthier with the rate of malnutrition among pre-school children down from a high of 8.8% in 2004 to 2.61% in 2009 and from 6% to 2.17% among school children. Limasawa showed that even a poor, 6th class island-municipality can eliminate malnutrition through ingenious strategies.

Alimodian, Iloilo: Bringing high schools closer to home

In 2005, the municipality of Alimodian used to have only 2 secondary schools catering to 51 barangays. The congested classrooms forced teachers to hold classes in hallways and even under trees. The collective effort of the LGU, the Department of Education and the Parent-Teacher Association led to the construction of four new campuses in the municipality. The establishment of high schools closer to the communities allowed the families to reduce their school expenses and has improved the academic performance of the students.

Bohol Province: Rabies prevention and elimination

In March 2007, the provincial local government unit of Bohol developed its Rabies Prevention and Elimination Program (BRPEP) to help eliminate rabies cases in the province. The BRPEP initially involved 124 government employees and spearheaded a massive information drive. The results were dramatic with rabies-related deaths decreasing by 50% in 2008 and there have been no reports of death by rabies since October 8, 2008. Bohol has since become one of the provinces in the country to integrate lessons on rabies and responsible pet ownership in the curriculum of all its elementary schools.

Maribojoc, Bohol: LGU-led cadastral survey

In 2008, Maribojoc became the first LGU-led participant to DENR’s Land Administration and Management Project 2 (LAMP2). Land valuation has since appreciated and there has been an increase in Real Property Tax (RPT) collection. The tenurial status of title holders have been secured at a minimal cost and land grabbing has been reduced. Boundary disputes that were resolved led to improved relations between neighbors.

Sarangani Province: Justice on Wheels

The LGU in Sarangani designed the Justice Enhancement and Empowerment Program (JEEP) to hasten the disposition of cases involving indigent litigants whose family member remained a detainee in jail because of the slow pace of litigation. JEEP involved the provision of a mobile court dubbed “Justice on Wheels” (JOWs), a bus that has been configured into a court room so that hearings can be conducted inside it when the bus is deployed to the municipalities. This program started in 2006 and has since halved provincial jail inmates from 600 to 286.

Misamis Oriental: Turning red to green

Sitio Lantad’s transformation from a war zone in the 80’s to a Special Agrarian Reform Community in 2007 is a prime example of how peace and development efforts should be pursued – not by might, but through sincere and concrete efforts to reach out and make a difference in people’s lives. The Misamis Oriental LGU’s painstaking efforts to build roads and open up the community for trade and commerce helped them gain the trust of the Higaonons, indigenous people of Sitio Lantad. The eventual peace-building program demonstrates the paradigm shift from reactive to a proactive council advancing social equity, people empowerment and access to the best possible social services.

Upi, Maguindanao: Rural community e-center

In 2004, Upi’s LGU realized that better access to information could substantially improve their situation, which led them to establish their Community e-Center (CeC). This encouraged other government agencies to pursue their Information and Communications Technology (ICT) projects in the municipality. Like most privately-run businesses, the CeC offers a host of ICT services, but what sets it apart is that it ventured into broadcast media to expand its reach. There are more than 750 CeCs in the country, but Upi CeC remains the only fully-operational center in Maguindanao Province.

Zamboanga del Norte: Empowering the Subanen people

After suffering from countless indignities, discrimination and ridicule for several decades, the marginalized Subanen people were brought into the mainstream of government processes through the Provincial Indigenous People Coordinating Unit (PIPCU). Its primary task is to promote the welfare of the Subanen people and to empower them economically, socially and politically. The creation of the PIPCU encouraged the Subanen people to participate in community development and government processes.

Best local governance programs get Galing Pook : quality content from The Daily Inquirer

With a minute left and Miami leading by one, Rose failed to sink his free throws. It was a grand battle as James also failed his. In the closing seconds Rose had the chance to tie the game but again missed. The referee then blew his whistle, a contested call that brought Chris Bosh to the foul line and won the game for Miami.

“This is surreal right now, knowing that I had a chance to win the game,” Rose said. “And this time it didn’t work out.” Rose scored 34 points for his team.

Bosh finished with 24 and grabbed 12 rebounds. Wade who really struggling chipped in 15.

Heat fries Bulls, epic game : quality content from The Daily Inquirer

Last Monday, Boston was down by five players and two starters but proceeded to plow Orlando with a 31-point deficit. Yesterday, Orlando bounced back and defeated the Pacers and looked forward to shame the Celtics in tonight’s game.

It was a brief celebration and everything was going well for Orlando in the first half with 58-37, and the third quarter was in similar fashion. It was Orlando all the way until the game reached its last 12 minutes.

Pierce and Moore sparked a comeback for Boston at the start of the 4th quarter with a 15-1 run. Then Orlando went sour with 0-for-7 from the field, missed 5-of-6 free throws and gave three turnovers. Pierce scored 24 points and dished 10 assists.

The Celtics played without Rajon Rondo, Ray Allen and Jermaine O’ Neal who are all in the injured list.

Celtics overtakes 27 point Magic lead and wins! : quality content from The Daily Inquirer

The Pacers lost to the Bulls in a rugged first round of the playoffs, and this is them saying “we’re out to get you this season” as Indiana showed their improvement from the five-game loss to the Bulls last April.

The Bulls missed the presence of their starting forward Luol Deng due to a wrist injury. Derrick Rose apparently didn’t like the Pacers’ celebration.

“I’ll never forget how they celebrated just from winning this game,” the ace point guard told reporters. “I can’t wait to play them again.”

Rose lead the Bulls with 24 points, scoring only 2 points in the final round. Bulls are now 8-1.

Bulls finally taste defeat at home, Rose ticked : quality content from The Daily Inquirer

Howard has an accumulated 10,657 points nudging Nick Anderson to the second place with 10, 650.

The ball-shouldered center has already amassed several NBA and franchise records, leading the league three times in the rebound department, twice in the block category and double-doubles. He is the youngest player in the league’s history to reach one, two, three, four, five, six and seven thousand career rebounds and the youngest player to lead in rebound and blocks.

Meanwhile, the Magic bounced back from an embarrassing defeat against the Boston Celtics. They defeated the Indiana Pacers with 102-83. Howard was equally happy overtaking Anderson after a 3rd quarter dunk and a convincing win.

“We got a good win against a good team. Indiana hadn’t lost at home and had been playing great basketball all year. So it feels good to get a good win and I’m proud of my team,” the Howard said.

Orlando is set on to avenge their loss against the Celtics tonight.

Dwight Howard becomes Magic’s all-time leading scorer : quality content from The Daily Inquirer

Silver arqueta containing the relic of the true cross of Christ

Most Rev. Socrates B. Villegas, DD, Archbishop of Lingayen-Dagupan will preside the Holy Mass together with Most Rev. Florentino F. Cinense, DD, Bishop of Tarlac with other bishops and priests. The exposition and veneration of the relic of the Holy Cross follows after the Eucharistic celebration and will last up to 4:00 p.m.

The actual fragment of the true cross is encased in a silver arqueta found at the foot of the altar and enclosed by grilled doors. Closely guarded by local authorities, the relic is venerated by monks seven times a day and is exposed for public veneration twice a year, January 30 and September 14.

Everyone is invited to come early as limited parking slots are available, the gates of the monastery will open at 5:00 a.m. There will be food kiosk within the picnic area, but guests may bring their own snacks and refreshments. Foods are also available for sale.

For inquiries, please contact the Monasterio de Tarlac Information Office at (045) 4933002, 09162508414 or visit http:/monasterio-de-tarlac.weebly.com

Celebration of the Holy Eucharist to mark 5th enshrinement anniversary of the relic of the Holy Cross : quality content from The Daily Inquirer

The election period has been set from April 15 to June 1, and the canvassing of ballots, on June 2, 2012. Former Supreme Court Senior Justice Josue Bellosillo chairs the UPAA Election Committee, with Prof. Ruby Alcantara and Prof. Wendell Capili as members.

Only members in good standing are eligible for nomination. These refer to regular or honorary members who have paid the annual (P300) or life (P2,000 / $50) membership fees as the case maybe.

Nominations for the Board may be made by any accredited UPAA alumni chapter or association based in UP colleges, schools or institutes, or elsewhere in the Philippines and abroad. Likewise, any group of at least 25 UP alumni may nominate their candidates, provided all those nominating are members in good standing of the UP Alumni Association.

The UP Alumni Association was founded in 1913, five years after the founding of UP. It has a total of 166 accredited chapters in the Philippines and abroad (as of July 2011).

Complete details may be found in Circular 2011-07 and the Implementing Rules and Guidelines. Visit the UPAA website http://www.upalumni.ph for complete details.

Nominations for UPAA Board for 2012-2015 now accepted; Committee sets Feb. 29 deadline; election period, Apr. 15 to June 1 : quality content from The Daily Inquirer