Tag Archives: Philippines

In 2017, Only Women Will Be Allowed In Manila’s Black Nazarene Procession

January 9, 2016 Pol Pinoy Leave a comment

MANILA, Philippines (The Adobo Chronicles) – Each year, on the 9th of January, some 12 Million Catholics — mostly men — line the streets of Manila in a religious procession honoring the image of the Black Nazarene. It is a decades-old tradition meant as a way to atone for one’s sins and to ask for favors in the coming year from the revered statue of Jesus Christ enshrined in Manila’s Quiapo Church.

The image, which was carved by an anonymous Mexican artist sometime in the 17th century, depicts Jesus bearing the cross en route to his crucifixion. The statue is renowned in the Philippines and considered miraculous by many Filipino Catholics. It is widely believed that the image’s dark color was a result of it being charred in a fire in the galleon ship that brought it to the Philippines from Mexico.

In modern times where women’s rights are becoming front and center even in a machismo society like the Philippines, Filipinas are starting to assert their equality with men. Yes, even in a religious tradition like the Black Nazarene procession.

So, next year, when the procession rolls out again in Manila, only women will be allowed.

This is the result of a petition signed by 10 Million Filipina Catholics asking Rome to declare 2017 as Women’s Year For the Black Nazarene. Pope Francis signed the declaration last January 8th, the eve of the 2016 procession in Manila.

In 2018, the procession will revert back to an all-male event. However, the papal directive provides for an all-women procession once every four years, coinciding with the Leap Year.

International, Technology, Travel

Philippines Is First Country To Purchase Human Passenger Drone From China

January 9, 2016 Pol Pinoy Leave a comment

LAS VEGAS, Nevada (The Adobo Chronicles ) — Chinese drone maker Ehang Inc. has unveiled what it calls the world’s first drone capable of carrying a human passenger, and the Philippines was the first country to place an order for use by President NoyNoy Aquino.

The Guangzhou, China-based company pulled the cloth off the Ehang 184 at the Las Vegas Convention Center during the CES gadget show. In a company video showing it flying, it looks like a small helicopter but with four doubled propellers spinning parallel to the ground like other drones.

The electric-powered drone can be fully charged in two hours, carry up to 220 pounds and fly for 23 minutes at sea level, according to Ehang. The cabin fits one person and a small backpack and even has air conditioning and a reading light. With propellers folded up, it’s designed to fit in a single parking spot.

It is designed to fly about 1,000 to 1,650 feet off the ground with a maximum altitude of 11,500 feet and top speed of 63 miles per hour.

After setting a flight plan, passengers only need to give two commands, “take off” and “land,” each controlled by a single click on a Microsoft Surface tablet, the company said.

The traffic in Metro Manila in the Philippines is so bad that even the president cannot navigate its streets and thoroughfares without being stuck on the road for hours at a time.

“The human drone is perfect for the president so he can go about his daily duties without having to worry about traffic, especially in Metro Manila,” according to a spokesperson for Aquino.

While the spokesperson refused to disclose Aquino’s weight, he assured reporters that the president definitely weighs less than 220 pounds.