Some of the Catholic faithful at Baclaran Church continue their prayers after attending Mass on the occasion of Ash Wednesday. In his homily marking the start of the Lenten season, Pope Francis, who remains confined for hospital treatment since Feb. 14, acknowledged the “social and political realities of our time” as he urged the flock “to turn back to God and go beyond ourselves, sharing each other’s needs and nurturing the hope of a fairer world.” —MARIANNE BERMUDEZ
BOOST TO NUTRITION EFFORTS
President Marcos and Health Secretary Teodoro Herbosa on Friday lead this year’s National Nutrition Awarding Ceremony at Crowne Plaza Manila Galleria in Quezon City, as they honor nutritionists and other health workers in the local governments for their efforts in carrying out nutrition programs in their localities. In his remarks, Mr. Marcos urged all local government workers to “intensify our commitment to breaking the cycle of intergenerational malnutrition by looking after the welfare of our people—especially pregnant women, mothers and their children.” —MARIANNE BERMUDEZ
SPARING FISH FROM THE HEAT
Fishpond workers in Binmaley town, Pangasinan, on Thursday segregate smaller “bangus” (milkfish) from bigger ones to be transferred to bigger ponds. An association of fish farmers has encouraged their members to deepen the water level in fish cages by at least 1 meter amid the rising heat index this week which affected the province and other parts of the country, before the rains this weekend caused by easterlies and the continuing northeast monsoon. —WILLIE LOMIBAO
ARMY DRILLS
The Philippine Army on Friday holds an exercise in Capas, Tarlac, as it tests the firepower of 10 Sabrah light tanks purchased last year from Israel defense contractor Elbit Systems. This was the first time the tanks were used in the Army drills this week ahead of the joint exercise with US troops scheduled in April. —PHILIPPINE ARMY
PIONEERING WOMAN DOCTOR
Members of activist group Akbayan on Friday offer a wreath at the historical marker for Dr. Olivia Salamanca in the plaza named after her on Taft Avenue, Manila. Salamanca was among the pioneering Filipino physicians who were trained in the United States at the beginning of American colonial rule in the country. After graduating in 1910 from the Woman’s Medical College of Pennsylvania—the first medical school in the United States to accommodate women students— Salamanca was among the doctors who led the development of tuberculosis treatment in the Philippines, before she herself succumbed to the disease three years later at the young age of 24. Salamanca, who was also a poet and musician, was honored by women activists on the eve of International Women’s Day on Saturday. —RICHARD A. REYES
