WELLNESS IN ENVIRONMENT: Philippine fishery talks move to formal level. Taiwan and the Philippines are currently holding their first formal fishery talks in decades, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said yesterday. The goal of the talks, which began on Monday in Taipei, is to discuss the implementation of proposals made at a previous meeting in June on maintaining order in the waters where the two countries’ exclusive economic zones overlap, ministry spokesperson Anna Kao (高安) confirmed. “We also hope to further implement a consensus reached during the preparatory meeting and establish institutionalized negotiations,” she said.--Taipei Times

Philippine fishery talks move to formal level - Taipei Times: "Despite being pressed by the media, Kao declined to provide further details on the talks’ agenda, the officials who are heading the discussions and whether a joint statement will be issued after the talks. “The talks are ongoing,” she said. “We’ll reveal related details after the talks are completed.” The June 14 meeting, which was billed as a “preparatory” talk, came in response to an incident on May 9 in which a Philippine Coast Guard personnel opened fire on a Taiwanese fishing boat in the two countries’ overlapping maritime territories. The incident left 65-year-old Taiwanese fisherman Hung Shih-cheng (洪石成) dead and triggered a diplomatic standoff that lasted until early August. One of Taiwan’s conditions for ending the stalemate was to open talks on ensuring a safe environment in which fishermen from both sides can operate."

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Wellness in Arts: Philippine Opera Company’s ‘Ang Bagong Harana’ returns onstage. Due to insistent public demand, Philippine Opera Company’s Ang Bagong Harana returns on stage on Oct. 11 to 20 at the Carlos P. Romulo Auditorium, RCBC Plaza, Makati City. Ang Bagong Harana takes off from the success of Philippine Opera Company’s musical revue “Harana.” Harana is a Tagalog word that connotes a traditional form of courtship in which a man woos a woman’s affection by singing love songs. The harana or kundiman became a mainstream musical style with veteran performers, namely Diomedes Maturan and Ruben Tagalog, popularizing it until the late ‘60s. Unfortunately, with the advent of newer music genres, “harana” has been left behind. Today, the young generation may not even know its real essence as far as Filipino folk traditions are concerned because they are more drawn to western influences. This is the reason why the Philippine Opera Company brings back Ang Bagong Harana. “We need to remind ourselves of how beautiful our music is and how much our souls can be enriched by hearing these songs sung again,” said Karla Gutierrez, artistic director. “

Philippine Opera Company’s ‘Ang Bagong Harana’ returns onstage | Arts and Culture, Lifestyle Features, The Philippine Star | philstar.com: "“Ang Bagong Harana is a must-see production for every Filipino because it represents the very best that we, the Filipino race, can be. The show is an effective way of communicating our greatness as a nation. This will be a musical treat for foreigners, too!” Karla added.

Ang Bagong Harana will feature Philippine theater’s celebrated singers — Karla Gutierrez, Aizel Prietos, Cris Go, Janine Santos, KL Dizon, Lawrence Jatayna, Michael Odoemene, Nazer Salcedo, Al Gatmaitan, Jurgen Unterberg with the Ramon Obusan Folkloric Group.

Directed by Floy Quintos, Ang Bagong Harana will have a limited run on Oct. 12, 18, 19 at 8 p.m. with matinees on Oct. 11 at 2 p.m. and 3:30 p.m. on Oct. 20."

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PEACE UPDATE: Aquino flies to besieged Zamboanga City. President Benigno Aquino III has flown to Zamboanga City Friday amid an ongoing standoff between the military and renegade members of the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF). “President Aquino en route to Zamboanga City to assess the situation on the ground w/ concerned agencies,” Deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte said via Twitter. Aquino left Manila 7:30 a.m. and is expected to arrive in the besieged area at around 10 a.m., Palace officials said. His visit comes amid reports that some members of the so-called Nur Misuari faction of the MNLF are planning to lay down their arms. - Yahoo! News Philippines

Aquino flies to besieged Zamboanga City - Yahoo! News Philippines: "Interior Secretary Mar Roxas denied rumors that some 80 armed men surrendered Thursday night, even as he noted that talks continue.

Armed Forces spokesperson Lt. Col. Ramon Zagala meanwhile said they are confirming reports that 20 MNLF members have been killed.

The firefight in Zamboanga City erupted after a Monday attack by alleged followers of MNLF leader Nur Misuari who has earlier declared independence for Mindanao.

Violence has crippled the city and has forced thousands of Filipinos to stay in cramped evacuation centers.

In a statement Thursday, presidential spokesperson Edwin Lacierda warned the MNLF fighters to stand down or face the full force of the military.
“[T]hey should not entertain the illusion that the state will hesitate to use its forces to protect our people,” Lacierda said.   "

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WHO News: International Association for Suicide Prevention and the World Health Organization are encouraging people all over the world to light a candle in observation of the 11th annual World Suicide Prevention Day. "For us, it's an opportunity to get the word out about the programs we have on the prevention side," Deborah Heim, co-chair of the Schuylkill County Suicide Prevention Task Force, said Monday. The suicide rate has been on the rise in Schuylkill County in recent years, Heim said. "The only thing that we see a lot of are people with relationship issues and a lot of drug and alcohol involvement. But I don't know if there are any trends, if you will," Heim said. According to the website for the U.S. Census Bureau at census.gov, the population in Schuylkill County in 2012 was 147,063. "From 2002 to 2008, there were, on average, 18 suicides per year in the county. Then in 2009, the year after the Great Recession, if you will, it jumped up to 35," Schuylkill County Coroner Dr. David J. Moylan said previously. Heim said there were 20 suicides in 2010. In 2011, there were 19 and in 2012, there were 32. In July, Moylan said there had been 14 suicides in Schuylkill County so far in 2013. As of Monday, it was up to 17, Heim said. The theme of this year's World Suicide Prevention Day is "Stigma: A Major Barrier for Suicide Prevention" according to IASP website at www.iasp.info. "Nearly 1 million people worldwide die by suicide each year. This corresponds to one death by suicide every 40 seconds," according to the site. It's estimated that 25 percent of people who commit suicide suffer from mental illness, according to the site. "Yet a significant number of those with mental illnesses who die by suicide do not contact health or social services near the time of their death. In many instances, there are insufficient services available to assist those in need at times of crisis. This lack of access to appropriate care is one of the many factors that magnify the stigma associated with mental illness and with suicidal ideation and behavior," according to the site. There are numerous resources in the area for people suffering from depression, community groups looking to learn more about suicide prevention and families suffering from the loss of a loved one who took their own life.

Organizations encourage everyone to observe World Suicide Prevention Day - News - Republican Herald: "There are numerous resources in the area for people suffering from depression, community groups looking to learn more about suicide prevention and families suffering from the loss of a loved one who took their own life.

At Schuylkill Health, the emergency department at Schuylkill Medical Center-South Jackson Street performs mental health screenings for people with suicidal tendencies.

"Its not a free service but we would never turn anybody away, and if anyone is suicidal, they can come right to the emergency department and we can screen them to see what level of treatment they needed," Helene Creasy, program director for behavioral health services at Schuylkill Health, said Monday.

People with suicidal tendencies can also call a Local Crisis Line promoted by the Schuylkill County Suicide Prevention Task Force, 877-9WE-HELP, according to Heim.

The task force was formed in 1996 in response to state statistics that showed Schuylkill County had one of the highest suicide rates in the state, Heim said."

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HEALTH UPDATE: DOH begins high school vaccination program. Health department officials launched the program at the Baguio City National High School with a simple program and a ceremonial vaccination. Health teams will go from classroom to classroom to provide the measles, mumps and rubella vaccine and the tetanus and diphtheria vaccine to students who have a letter of consent from their parents. The program is part of the country’s 2007 commitment to eliminate vaccine preventable diseases, including measles, mumps, rubella and diphtheria. As part of the program, the department’s goal is to provide booster MMR and Td vaccines to approximately 19,600 high school students in 22 public high schools in Baguio City. The department will also provide vaccines to students in the provinces of Apayao and Abra | Vaccine News Daily

Philippines DOH begins high school vaccination program | Vaccine News Daily: "The program is part of the country’s 2007 commitment to eliminate vaccine preventable diseases, including measles, mumps, rubella and diphtheria. As part of the program, the department’s goal is to provide booster MMR and Td vaccines to approximately 19,600 high school students in 22 public high schools in Baguio City. The department will also provide vaccines to students in the provinces of Apayao and Abra."

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WOMEN'S CAUSES: To advance women's role in the economy, the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), together with the Philippine Commission on Women (PCW) and a local private sector organization, will attend the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation-Women and the Economy Forum (APEC-WEF) in Bali, Indonesia this month. "We look forward to the opportunities in the upcoming Women and the Economy Forum will present for the Philippine hosting of the APEC Women and the Economy Summit in 2015," DTI Undersecretary for Management Services Nora K. Terrado said. This forum is the third WEF, which is organized under the main theme of "Women as economic drivers". It is a follow up to the Women and the Economy Summit 2011 in San Francisco, and the WEF 2012 in St. Petersburg.

Department of Trade and Industry of the Republic o : DTI to attend APEC Women and the Economy Forum in Bali: ""Through our participation in the discussions during this forum, we hope to contribute substantially in the collective efforts to advance women's role and participation to achieve gender equality in economic development in the Asia-Pacific region," Terrado added. "As the lead government agency in the country's hosting of the APEC-WES in 2015, the DTI has recently collaborated with a local women's private sector organization," she said."

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WELLNESS IN EDUCATION: Outstanding Teachers Awarded by Metrobank. These are: Fely A. Batiloy of Special Education Integrated School for Exceptional Children (Iloilo City); Dr. Mitchel V. Rodriguez of Odiongan Central School (Gingoog City); Cherry G. Vinluan of Guagua Elementary School (Guagua, Pampanga); Rodel C. Sampang of Pedro Guevarra Elementary School (City of Manila); Dominique J. Maquiran of the University of the Philippines High School in Iloilo (Iloilo City); Dr. Maria Teresa M. Bautista of Bacnotan National High School (Bacnotan, La Union); Marcelo T. Otinguey of Ampusongan National High School (Bakun, Benguet); Maria Lorna L. Garnace of Philippine Science High School, Eastern Visayas Campus (Palo, Leyte); Dr. Alfredo C. Robles, Jr. of the De La Salle University (City of Manila); and Dr. Emilyn Q. Espiritu of the Ateneo de Manila University (Quezon City).

Metrobank Foundation confers outstanding Filipinos | Sun.Star: "Since 1979, Metrobank Group founder and Chairman Dr. George S.K. Ty believes that leadership in business entails leadership in community service as well. Beyond serving as an expression of gratitude and a reward for their excellence, its recognition programs for outstanding Filipinos have become a testament to the abilities and potential of our democratic institutions and people to bring about change.

Now on its 29th year, SOT, in partnership with the Department of Education (DepEd) and the Commission on Higher Education, honors the teaching profession, recognizing those who exhibit competence, remarkable dedication to their work, and effective educational leadership, as well as their various community involvements.