The search for Balagiga Church bell by

by lovena villacrusis

Rolando Orbita Borrinaga a local historian from the University of the Philippines who was accused of acquiring hereditary madness is on search for the return of the Balagiga Bell.

The Church bell was in the United States custody for decades as their tribute from the American soldiers who were victims of Filipino terrorist in Samar. The church bell is owned by the Spanish who terrorize Philippines and left the bell in accident to avoid confronting the invading American occupier.

Gordon elected Red Cross conference vice chair By Veronica Uy

SENATOR Richard Gordon, who is also chairman of thePhilippine National Red Cross, was unanimously elected by the Council of Delegates as vice chairman of the 29th International Conference of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies held in Geneva, Switzerland. “Senator Gordon’s election is a historic and proud occasion for our country,” said Ambassador Enrique Manalo, Permanent Representative of the Philippines to the United Nations in Geneva. “The Philippines is now in the forefront of the effort to create the necessary conditions for the alleviation of human suffering in this part of the world,” he added.
Dr Mohammed Al-Hadid, chairman of the Standing Commission and president of the Jordan National Red Crescent Society was elected chairman.
Among the major achievements of the conference was the incorporation of the Red Crystal, a politically and religiously neutral emblem, as an additional emblem of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement.
The Red Crystal has the same status as the Red Cross and its Islamic cousin, the Red Crescent, and can be used in areas of religious conflict where the Red Cross might be taken as a Christian symbol.
Al-Hadid declared: “This is a historical moment for the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement. We urge all governments to respect the Red Crystal, in addition to the Red Cross and Red Crescent.”
Also, the ICRC has now recognized the Palestine Red Crescent Society and the Israeli National Society and Magen David Adom, and the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies will admit both National Societies.
The International Conference of the Red Cross and Red Crescent brings together representatives of the 183 national Red Cross and Red Crescent societies, the International Federation and the ICRC, with representatives of the 192 states that are party to the Geneva Conventions.
The International Conference has the sole authority to consider and adopt resolutions on major, current humanitarian issues.The Council of Delegates is the Movement’s highest internal decision-making body. It approves the provisional agenda as well as the officers of the International Conference.