It will be a special holiday in all schools on Monday, February 22, as the country commemorates the 24th anniversary of the EDSA People Power Revolution.

Pursuant to Republic Act No. 9492, all holidays, except those which are religious in nature, are moved to the nearest Monday unless otherwise modified by law, order or proclamation.

In July last year, President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo signed Proclamation No. 1841 declaring the regular holidays, special (non-working) days, and special holidays (for all schools) for the year 2010.

Under the proclamation, February 22, or the Monday nearest February 25, was declared a special holiday to serve as an “inspiration to all Filipinos everywhere as we continue to chart our collective course as a nation and as a people.”

The country yearly celebrates the February 25, 1986 People Power revolution which restored basic liberties such as free speech, freedom of assembly and a free press after 14 years of Martial rule.

The Senate ratified Wednesday night the bicameral conference committee (BCC) report on the “Expanded Senior Citizens Act,” seeking to exempt the elderly from paying the 12 percent value added tax (VAT).

The VAT exemption will apply to the following: medicines and essential medical supplies, accessories and equipment; fees of attending physicians; medical, dental fees and diagnostic and laboratory fees; fares for buses, jeepneys, taxis, AUVs, shuttle services, public railways, domestic air transport and other vessels; utilization of services in hotels, restaurants and similar establishments; admission fees in cinemas, theaters and other places of culture, leisure and amusement;  funeral and burial services for the death of senior citizens.

In addition, indigent senior citizens would also be granted a monthly stipend of P500 and assistance of P2,000 to their next of kin when they die.

Senior citizens may also enjoy a five percent discount on their water and electric bills on the condition that the utilities are named under the senior citizen residing in the household, and the consumption for electricity and water should be below 100 kilowatt-hours and 30 cubic meters per month, respectively.

The “Expanded Senior Citizens Act” will be forwarded to Malacanang for the President’s signature.

December 30th is the commemoration of the death anniversary of Dr. Jose Rizal, the Philippines’ National Hero, whose execution by Spanish colonial authorities in 1896 triggered the Philippine Revolution. This year is his 113th death anniversary.

Rizal was executed by firing squad on Dec. 30, 1896 at Manila’s Luneta Park, now Rizal Park. His execution was meant to silence the then emerging defiance by Filipinos of their Spanish colonial masters but his death produced the opposite effects. It inspired the Filipinos to revolt.

Dr. Rizal advocated mass education for Filipinos, representation in the Spanish Cortes (parliament) and eventual independence from Spain via peaceful means. Spain today strongly considers the Philippines, which it ruled as a colony for nearly four centuries, as special daughter country.

Rizal’s advocacy of institutional reforms by peaceful means rather than by violent revolution makes him Asia’s first modern non-violent proponent of political reforms.

The Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park  is one of the most distinguished biodiversity conservation areas of the Philippines. It is located about 50 km north of the city of Puerto Princesa, Palawan, Philippines.

It is known for scenic natural beauty, intact old growth tropical rainforest, interesting wildlife, pristine white sand beaches and a spectacular limestone formation that possess a most impressive cave system.

The main focus of the park  is an 8.2 km long underground river that is reputed to be the longest navigable underground river in the world.

A distinguishing feature of the river is that it winds through a cave before flowing directly into the South China Sea. It includes major formations of stalactites and stalagmites, and several large chambers.

At the mouth of the cave, a clear lagoon is framed by ancient trees growing right to the water’s edge. Monkeys, large monitor lizards, and squirrels find their niche on the beach near the cave.

A. PASSPORT REQUIREMENTS FOR FIRST-TIME APPLICANTS:

• Personal Appearance is required.

• Duly accomplished application form.

• Birth Certificate (BC) in Security Paper (SECPA) issued by the National Statistics Office (NSO) or Certified True Copy (CTC) of BC issued by the Local Civil Registrar duly authenticated by NSO.

• Three (3) colored photos of the applicant taken against a royal blue background. Applicant should be in decent attire with collar. Photo must be of good quality, and must have been taken within the last six (6) months. Photo size: 4.5 cm x 3.5 cm. Facial image size: Not less than 3 cm. DFA has the right to reject photos that do not comply with specifications and international standards.

• Proof of identity / Supporting documents indicating full name, date and place of birth and citizenship

• Other Supporting documents.

Additional Requirements:

• For married women, who want to use surname of their spouse

• Marriage Contract (MC) in Security Paper issued by NSO or Certified True Copy issued by the Local Civil Registrar duly authenticated by NSO.

• For married women who would like to revert back to their maiden name

If already widowed: Death Certificate of the deceased husband;

• If marriage is annulled: Certified true copy and photocopy of the first page and the dispositive portion of the judgment on annulment and NSO-issued MC with the annotation on the annulment decree;

• If divorced: Certified true copy and photocopy of the first page and the dispositive portion of the judgment on divorce secured by foreign spouse authenticated by the Philippine Embassy or Consulate where the divorce is obtained.

For Minors (below 18 years old)

• Personal appearance of either parent (if minor is of legitimate status).

• Personal appearance of mother (if minor is of illegitimate status)

If minor is NOT traveling with either parent:

• Original and photocopy of DSWD Clearance

• Affidavit of Support and Consent

If both parents are abroad:

• Affidavit of support and consent (must be authenticated by the nearest Philippine Embassy or Consulate General if not executed before a Consul).

• Special Power of Attorney (must be authenticated by the nearest Philippine Embassy or Consulate General if not executed before a Consul designating the representative by name and authorizing him to apply for a passport on behalf of the minor).

• Passport and photocopy of the passport of the traveling companion of the minor.

• Identification Card and photocopy thereof of the duly authorized person.

For Muslim applicants

• For those whose births were registered:

Please refer to requirements for first time passport applicants.

For those whose births were not registered:

• Late registered Birth Certificate (BC) in Security Paper (SECPA) issued by the National Statistics Office (NSO)

• Original and photocopy of Voter’s Affidavit or other supporting documents indicating date and place of birth and citizenship, identity and tribal affiliation.

• Certificate from the Office on Muslim Affairs (OMA)

For converts:

• Submit annotated Birth Certificate (BC) in Security Paper (SECPA)

• Court Order granting change of name

• Shari’ah Court Order

• OMA Certificate of Conversion

• Additional supporting documents may be required when necessary.

B. REQUIREMENTS FOR RENEWAL OF PASSPORT:

Brown Passport or issued prior to 01 May 1995

• Old passport and photocopy of passport pages 1,2,3 (amendment). The pages showing latest Bureau of Immigration departure and arrival stamps.

• Supporting document with complete middle name.

Green Passport or issued after 01 May 1995

• Present passport and photocopy of inside and back cover.

• The pages showing latest Bureau of Immigration departure and arrival stamps.

• For illegitimate minor, personal appearance of mother is required.

For married women, who want to use surname of their spouse:

• Personal Appearance is required

• Marriage Contract (MC) in Security Paper issued by NSO or CTC issued by the Local Civil Registrar duly authenticated by NSO.

For Minors (below 18 years old): Personal appearance of either parent is required.

• If minor is NOT traveling with either parent:

• Original and photocopy of DSWD Clearance

• Affidavit of Support and Consent

• If both parents are abroad:

• Affidavit of support and consent (must be authenticated by the nearest Philippine Embassy or Consulate General if not executed before a Philippine Consul).

• Special Power of Attorney (must be authenticated by the nearest Philippine Embassy or Consulate if not executed before a Philippine Consul designating the representative by name and authorizing him to apply for a passport on behalf of the minor).

• Passport and photocopy of the passport of person travelling with the minor.

C. PASSPORT FEES:

Regular Processing

• (14 working days)

• 44-Page = P 500.00

Expedited Processing

• (7 working days)

• Additional P 250.00

Replacement of Lost valid Passport

• 44-Page = P 700.00

D. LIST OF SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS:

• Marriage Contract

• Voter’s Registration Record

• PRC / IBP ID

• Baptismal Certificate

• Land Title

• Seaman’s Book

• Driver’s License

• Income Tax Return (Old)

• Government Service Record

• Old SSS-E1 form/or digitized SSS-ID

• School Form 137 or Transcript of Records

• Other documents that show full name and birth details of applicant and citizenship

E. DOWNLOAD PASSPORT APPLICATION FORM:

• PASSPORT APPLICATION FORM

The Santacruzan is a popular religious festival held in many towns and cities throughout the Philippines as the highlight of the month-long celebration of Flores de Mayo during the month of May. It is usually celebrated with a parade of decorated floats and elaborately dressed characters, representing various aspects of the Virgin Mary and other figures. The festival was introduced to the country during the Spanish period and continues to be celebrated by Filipinos all over the world.

Department of Tourism together with Intramuros Administration will bring back the glamour of the 1900s Manila Carnival Queen in this year’s Santacruzan sa Intramuros.

Santacruzan sa Intramuros will be held on Sunday, May 29, starting at Fort Santiago at 5:30 p.m., passing through Gen. Luna, Sta. Potenciana, Sta. Lucia and Anda Streets, ending at Clamshell 1 at 6:30 p.m. Mounted by the Intramuros Administration in cooperation with Camp Suki, the event features debutantes and models in gowns reminiscent of the traditional Maria Clara. The santacruzan adds color to the Pasundayag Northern Mindanao activities ongoing at the Philippines’ Bests (Wow Philippines) area.

There’s something that Puerto Princesans are happy about these days. Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park now tops the search for the “New 7 Wonders of Nature”, outranking Tubbataha Reef, also in Palawan, Chocolate Hills in Bohol, and Mayon Volcano in Albay which are among the nominees.

Popularly known as “Underground River”, it is the world’s longest navigable underground river.

The local government has vigorously promoted the national park. Recently, Mayor Edward Hagedorn spearheaded the “U R a Wonder of Nature” campaign which gives free tours to the park, and in turn, invite more votes for the Underground River in the 7 wonders of nature search.

I guess it’s no wonder why it is now at No. 1.

Earlier, President Arroyo has urged the Filipinos to vote for the Philippines’ four entries.

Currently, Tubbataha Reef in Palawan ranks fourth, Chocolate Hills and Mayon Volcano at 5th and 11th, respectively.

Voting is open until December 31, 2008 through the new 7 wonders’ website.

Too bad only one natural site per country can be a finalist.  But hey, whether it’s Palawan or Bohol or Albay, it’s still in the Philippines.