On this day... July 29

CEBU, Philippines – In 1892, the sophisticated actor William Powell was born in Pittsburg, Pennsylvania. His mother claimed he made speeches as soon as he could talk, and at school he developed "an almost visible mantle of aloofness." Abandoning a career in law for the stage, he was reportedly spotted in an actors' bar by the legendary John Barrymore, who demanded that Powell be given a screen test. His suave manner and elegant dress rapidly earned him a reputation as a Hollywood aristocrat, and his film career was further enhanced by his portrayal in 13 films of Nick Charles, the debonair, wise-cracking Thin Man based on Dashiell Hammett's detective stories. His suavity backfired on him, however, when he flashed a consciously casual smile at a celebrity spotter, who yelled, "Get that! Just because I've seen all his films, he thinks he knows me!"

.In 1890, Vincent Van Gogh died of a bullet wound. Suffering from acute depression and the noise of the city, which was "bad on his head," he'd shot himself in the chest, then stumbled to an inn, where doctors pronounced his condition inoperable. He survived nearly two days, suffering little pain and calmly awaiting his end smoking his pipe. He had always asserted that dying held no fear for him, and was convinced his would be "a smiling death." When it came, he was in the arms of his beloved brother Theo, saying, "Do not cry. I did it for the good of everybody."

- from Today's the Day! By Jeremy Beadle

In Christian history -

. In1974, in Philadelphia 11 women were ordained as Episcopal priests in the Church of the Advocate. The ordination was later ruled invalid by the House of Bishops, but on October 17, 1974, the House approved in principle the ordination of women as priests. The ordinations of the 11 women were finally approved on September 16, 1976.

- from This Day in Christian History

By William D. Blake   

In the Philippines -

. In 2005, Forbes Magazine listed President Gloria Arroyo as the "fourth Most Powerful Woman" in the world, with United States Secretary Condoleezza Rice topping the list and beating out presidents, celebrities and businesswomen. Also in the list were: Newcomer Ukraine Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko (at number 3), eBay chief executive Margaret Whitman (at number 5), TV talk show host Oprah Winfrey (at number 9), Melinda Gates, the wife of Microsoft billionaire Bill Gates (at number 10), Imprisoned Myanmar leader Aung Sang Suu Kyi (at number 15), U.S. Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton (number 26), British author JK Rowling (number 40) and U.S. First Lady Laura Bush (number 46). The Forbes rankings are based on a composite of visibility (measured by press citations) and economic impact. - www.kahimyang.info

In Cebu -

. In 1880, Jose Alonso, Asturias municipal president and representative of Cebu's 7th district to the Philippine Assembly, was born.

. In 1932, Gabriel M. Reyes of the secular clergy was appointed as the first Archbishop (and 21st Bishop) of Cebu.

. In 1944, Japanese troops raided the town of Mambaling and arrested and massacred civilians in what was a day of infamy of the Japanese occupation.

- from Cebuano Studies Center, University of San Carlos