VANESSA JOINS WOMEN’S MARCH. Former New People’s Army fighter Vanessa de los Reyes joins the annual commemoration of the International Women’s Day. Delos Reyes was wounded in a firefight versus govt troops and is currently out on bail and has to face charges. (Ace R. Morandante/davaotoday.com)

WOMEN’S MONOLOGUE. Some cast of the play “The Vagina Monologues” performs a tableau to show their solidarity with women during the 104th commemoration of the International Women’s Day in Davao City. The play, by feminist writer Eve Ensler, was translated in the vernacular by Palanca-awardee Don Pagusara and will start in June of 2014. (Ace R. Morandante/davaotoday.com)

VHONG IN THE STREETS. A crowd gathers around a television set in a sidewalk located in the corner of Ponciano and San Pedro streets, one of Davao City’s busiest intersection, to watch Vhong Navarro appear for the first time on his noontime show after being involved in a controversy. (Ace R. Morandante/davaotoday.com)

Political prisoner Vanessa delos Reyes raised her fist at a press conference Friday announcing her temporary release as the court granted bail. Delos Reyes was a New People’s Army fighter until she was injured in the spine during an encounter in 2011 and placed under hospital arrest for three years. Family, schoolmates and cause-oriented groups had campaigned for her release on humanitarian grounds. (Ace R. Morandante/ davaotoday.com)

Believers flock the San Pedro Church in Davao City to be marked with an ashen cross in the forehead. This Catholic tradition called the Ash Wednesday formally opens the Catholic season of Lent. (Ace R. Morandante/davaotoday.com)

Manong Lito, 64, tirelessly crafts rubber boss out of worn-out tires in his street shop along Acacia St., Davao City. (Ace R. Morandante/davaotoday.com)

Women rights advocates announce activities for the coming International Women’s Day. (L-R) Lorna Mandin of city government’s Integrated Gender Development Division and Mae Ann Sapar of Gabriela Southern Mindanao. (Ace R. Morandante/davaotoday.com)