Tag Archives: Philippines

International, Language, Religion, Travel

POPE FRANCIS WILL ADDRESS FILIPINOS IN TAGALOG DURING VISIT TO THE PHILIPPINES

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imageThe Vatican, Italy (The Adobo Chronicles) – Filipino Church leaders preparing for Pope Francis’ visit to the Philippines in January have announced that the head of the Roman Catholic Church will speak in English during his speeches and meetings with the Filipino people. This, despite the fact that the Argentinian pontiff is not as comfortable with English as he is in Latin and Spanish.

Today, however, The Vatican once again surprised many who are closely watching the Pope’s pronouncements and activities. It was revealed that Francis has instead chosen to speak in Tagalog while visiting the Philippines. He is currently taking Tagalog lessons from a private coach in Rome.

Tagalog (Pilipino) is the national language of the Philippines. It draws on many Spanish words (The Philippines was under Spanish rule for many centuries before the U.S. brought Hollywood into the country).

Pope Francis said that so far, learning Tagalog has been a breeze, saying that in fact, he didn’t have to re-learn many words and phrases which have the same meaning in both Tagalog and Spanish, like ‘Padre’ (father), ‘relihiyon’ (religion), ‘krus’ (cross), and ‘Espirito Santo’ (Holy Spirit).

Perhaps the only phrase the Pope will not get quite right is ‘noche buena’ which douesn’t mean ‘a good night’ in Tagalog. Rather it means ‘midnight feast.’ As in food.

International, Politics, Religion, Travel

POPE FRANCIS TO SKIP MEETING WITH AQUINO DURING VISIT TO THE PHILIPPINES

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Pope Francis
Pope Francis

The Vatican, Italy (The Adobo Chronicles) – Church officials in the Philippines have just publicly released the itinerary of Pope Francis when he visits the country January 15-19, 2015.

It will be a busy schedule for the charismatic leader of the Roman Catholic Church. It includes a meeting with President NoyNoy Aquino and other government officials, a visit with the victims of last year’s Typhoon Haiyan (Yolanda) in Tacloban, a youth rally at the the oldest Catholic University in Asia (University of Santo Tomas), and a shopping spree at the SM Mall of Asia.

Upon receiving details of his Philippine schedule, Pope Francis said that he will skip the meeting with Aquino at Malacañang, the presidential palace.  Instead, the Pope said he would like to spend an extra day in Tacloban, the city hardest hit by the devastating typhoon.

In explaining his decision, Pope Francis said that it has come to his attention that Aquino had skipped a trip to Tacloban during activities commemorating the one-year anniversay of Yolanda. Many believe that Aquino’s decision was politcally motivated, Tacloban being the turf of his political nemesis, the Romualdezes (including former First Lady Imelda Romualdez Marcos).

“I will atone for this sinful act of Aquino by spending more time with the people of Tacloban,” the pontiff said. “If Aquino wants to meet with me, he can meet me in Tacloban,” he added.

International, Military, Politics

PHILIPPINES’ UNHOLY ALLIANCE: AQUINO AND MARCOS

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Imelda Marcos and NoyNoy Aquino
Imelda Marcos and NoyNoy Aquino

Manila, Philippines (The Adobo Chronicles) – It is now an open book. The feuding Marcos and Aquino families have kissed and made up, and they have a secret plan to maintain their respective political dynasties in the Philippines.

Imelda Marcos’ late husband President Ferdinand E. Marcos is believed to be responsible for the assassination of President NoyNoy Aquino’s father, Ninoy. NoyNoy’s mother, President Cory Aquino was largely responsible for the ouster and exile of the Marcoses in the late 1980’s.  Imelda’s son, Bongbong is now a senator while daughter Imee is now a governor (Imelda herself is a member of the House of Representatives).  NoyNoy’s sister, TV host and actress Kris Aquino is … well, we digress.

Imelda and NoyNoy could no longer hide their unholy alliance and were seen for the first time in public being intimate at the wake of Elaine Cuneta, mother of singer-actress Sharon Cuneta. Sharon’s father, the late Pablo Cuneta, was a mayor of Pasay City in Metropolitan Manila  and served in elective office for a record 50 years.

Informed sources told The Adobo Chronicles that Imelda and Noynoy have been meeting secretly over the last two years. Aquino has been seeking the wise counsel of Imelda who is credited to be the driving force and inspiration behind Ferdinand E. Marcos’ 21-year rule as Philippine President.

NoyNoy’s 6-year term as president ends in 2016 and many suspect that he wants to continue being president beyond 2016, which the Philippine Constitution does not allow.  So he is exploring alternative ways to accomplish his goal – either through a constitutional amendment or through the unspoken words, “Martial Law.”

And who else other than Imelda can be a better adviser to Noynoy on either alternative? Experience is key.

And so, the political dynasties live on …