News & Current Events

German passport, most powerful in the world — H&P
September 01, 2016

German passport, most powerful in the world — H&P

If you’re a German citizen and you often travel in and out of Germany, then congratulations! You’re holding the world’s most powerful passports.   THE MOST POWERFUL. You can visit 177 countries without a visa if you have this as your passport. (Image grabbed from Wikimedia Commons)   In a study done by international citizenship and planning firm Henley and Partners, the German passport ranked first out of the 199 countries listed, with German passport holders able to visit 177 out of a total of 218. It toppled 3-time frontrunner United Kingdom (UK), which shared the third spot with France, Italy, Spain, and Finland, whose citizens/passport-holderse can visit 175 countries without a […]
PH team is overall champion in International Dragon Boat Tournament
September 01, 2016

PH team is overall champion in International Dragon Boat Tournament

The Philippine Navy Dragon Boat Team was awarded as the overall champions in the recently held 2016 Ordos International Nadam Dragon Boat Tournament in Inner Mongolia, China.   PH NAVY DRAGON BOAT TEAM IS OVERALL CHAMPION. These four medals were their award in the Ordos International Nadam Dragon Boat Tournament. (Image grabbed from Philippine Dragon Boat’s Facebook page)   In a report published by GMA News, the Philippine Embassy in China announced the said victory by the Philippine team held last August 21 to 26. The team is composed of 22 Navy members and two civilians and was declared the overall champion in four categories namely 300-meter full race, 500-meter […]
Bicol International Airport set to be completed in 2018
September 01, 2016

Bicol International Airport set to be completed in 2018

The Bicol International Airport (BIA) will be completed in 2018, according to Department of Transportation (DOTr) Secretary Arthur Tugade.   BICOL INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT. The airport that will be opened in Daraga, Albay in 2018. (Image grabbed from philippineflightnetwork.com)   In a report by The Standard, Transportation secretary Tugade vowed to speed up the completion of the said P4.7-billion airport in Daraga, Albay. The project is included in the first 10 big projects approved by the National Economic Development Authority-Investment Coordinating Committee. According to Albay Representative Joey Salceda, the airport would draw “at least five million tourists by 2025. The project is also seen to generate 235,000 jobs in the next […]
Filipino doctor recognized in US for championing reproductive health
September 30, 2016

Filipino doctor recognized in US for championing reproductive health

Dr. Marvin Masalunga became the first Southeast Asian doctor to join the 120 Under 40 campaign for youth leaders who champion the cause of reproductive health around the world. The 40 winners come from all over the world and from different fields, such as journalism, civil society, medicine, and research.
Globe Telecom changes access number from 8888 to 8080
August 31, 2016

Globe Telecom changes access number from 8888 to 8080

In line with the usage of the new government complaint hotline 8888, major telecommunications service provider Globe Telecom has changed their Globe and Touch Mobile (TM) access number to 8080.   GLOBE TELECOM. Globe changes access number from 8888 to 8080. (Image grabbed from Globe’s Facebook page)   According to a phone interview with Globe Telecom’s Customer Service Representative, this change took effect on August 25, 2016. This was done for the turnover of 8888 as the new complaint hotline for the Philippine government. However, customers who transact through 8888 will still be accommodated by the mobile service brand, but the confirmation message is now being sent via the new […]
Google launches #LovePhilippines social media campaign
August 31, 2016

Google launches #LovePhilippines social media campaign

In a social media campaign launched on August 29, Google Philippines reminds Filipinos to inspire Filipinos to love the country through #LovePhilippines.   #LOVEPHILIPPINES. A year-long campaign in the Philippines to spread love in the country. (Gif Image by Google Philippines)   In a post shared by Google Philippines on their Facebook page, a year-long social media campaign called #LovePhilippines aims to spread love for the country, by creating posts about “interesting tidbits about the country, culture, and its people.” According to Manila Bulletin’s report, this is part of Google’s commitment to “equip Filipinos with pieces of information that are relevant to their lives.” Through these online campaign materials both […]
PH Madrigal Singers win the grand prize at a choral competition in Italy
August 31, 2016

PH Madrigal Singers win the grand prize at a choral competition in Italy

The Philippine Madrigal Singers’ victory at the 64th International Choral Competition in Arezzo, Italy qualifies them for the European Grand Prix to be held in Tolosa, Spain scheduled in 2017.   (Image grabbed from Philippine Madrigal Singers Facebook)   The good news was shared by Chris Millado, the Artistic Director and Vice Ppresident at the Cultural Center of the Philippines, via his Facebook account, August 28 (Sunday).  “The Philippine Madrigal Singers win the Grand Prix in the 64th International Choral Competition in Arezzo, Italy qualifying them for the European Grand Prix in Tolosa, Spain in 2017. The Philippine Madrigal Singers have won the European Grand Prix twice. If they are […]
PAL to change flight schedules starting Sept. 1
August 31, 2016

PAL to change flight schedules starting Sept. 1

Schedule of some domestic flights of the Philippine Airlines (PAL) will change on September 1, 2016 onwards, as announced on the airlines’ website. As a result of the changes in flight schedules, the following flights are cancelled:   (Image grabbed from news.abs-cbn.com)   PAL said that notifications will be made, advising the affected passengers of their new flight schedules. Passengers may also opt to rebook, reroute flights, or request for a full refund. They also have the option to reroute their flight to the nearest destination of their choice subject only to any applicable fare conditions or to request for a full refund of the ticket within 30 days from […]
Apple teases iPhone 7 release with special event
August 31, 2016

Apple teases iPhone 7 release with special event

Apple users will soon have confidence when talking about new Apple devices as the tech giant just sent out invites to their keynote on September 7, 2016 in San Francisco, California. NEW IPHONE? Who knows, but this event is certainly enticing. (Screen grabbed from Apple)   In typical Apple fashion, the media invite did not include details on what the keynote would talk about apart from the date and time of the keynote. The website, meanwhile, gave everyone a chance to watch the keynote live via streaming as long as you met the requirements for those who want to watch from the comfort of their home, office, or anywhere else […]
PH travelers may now bring up to 50K: BSP
August 31, 2016

PH travelers may now bring up to 50K: BSP

Frequent travelers to and from the Philippines no longer have to worry about overseas charges or having credit cards when they go outside the country as the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP), or the Central Bank of the Philippines, raised the bar for bringing cash last Friday, August 26.   NO NEED TO GO HERE if you’re bringing more than P10,000 in or out of the country. Image by Ramon F. Velasquez, grabbed from Wikimedia Commons   According to BSP Circular No. 922 series of 2016, “A person may import or export, or bring with him into or take out of the country, or electronically transfer, legal tender Philippine notes […]
Megaworld to spend P5 billion to build three new hotels in the country
August 31, 2016

Megaworld to spend P5 billion to build three new hotels in the country

As part of Megaworld’s strategy to grow its recurring income, the company will build three new hotels under its third hotel brand, Savoy, which will be worth P5 billion.   (Image grabbed from megaworldcorp.com)   According to Megaworld’s Senior Vice President Jericho Go, Savoy Hotel is set to open in Boracay, Cebu and Manila. “Megaworld is spending P5-billion to build the three Savoy Hotels in Boracay, Cebu and Manila. Part of our goal is to make this hotel brand visible in our other townships across the country,” said Go. Boracay Newcoast will have a 530-room Savoy Hotel, envisioned to be a first-class resort hotel which would feature the country’s first […]
PH is 20th happiest nation in the world
August 30, 2016

PH is 20th happiest nation in the world

In the recent report of Happy Planet Index (HPI), the Philippines ranked 20th as the happiest country in the world.   PH IS 20TH HAPPIEST NATION. Philippines gets a 35.0 overall rating, according to Happy Planet Index (HPI). (Image grabbed from executivechronicles.com)   The Philippines garnered an overall rating of 35.0, placing in the 20th spot as one of the happiest nations in the world according to HPI by the New Economics Foundation, United Kingdom’s (UK) leading think tank. To get the rating, the HPI measures four factors namely well-being (how satisfied are the residents of the said country), life expectancy (average number of years expected to live), inequality of […]
Singapore gives vote of confidence to Duterte
August 29, 2016

Singapore gives vote of confidence to Duterte

The Philippines may be headed in the right direction after all. In a recent roundtable discussion with the Manila Times, Singaporean Ambassador to Manila Li Peng Kok said “I think your president has many challenges to face and to deal with. But what’s striking is that he’s got a very comprehensive agenda and his ensemble is very experienced and very capable. He’s going to do it.”   BETTER RELATIONS? There might be, what with the praise given by Ambassador Li Peng Kok. (Images grabbed from philstar.com)   She also said that it was the Philippines’ time, pointing out that the country’s economic growth “is amazing and it has steadied for […]
Philippines will host Nuclear Energy Conference
August 28, 2016

Philippines will host Nuclear Energy Conference

The Philippine government will host the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and International Framework for Nuclear Energy Cooperation (IFNEC) Conference on the prospects of nuclear power in the Asia-Pacific region from 30 August to 1 September 2016 at the Diamond Hotel in Manila.   (Image grabbed from gov.ph)   The conference will be lead by the Department of Energy (DOE) as host agency, together with the Department of Foreign Affairs, the Department of Science and Technology through the Philippine Nuclear Research Institute (PNRI) and the National Power Corporation, member-states in the Asia-Pacific region will gather to discuss common issues and challenges related to the introduction of a nuclear power program. […]
First eco-school building in PH to be erected in Tarlac
August 28, 2016

First eco-school building in PH to be erected in Tarlac

Last time we wrote about James Jao, he was putting up Eco houses in different parts of the country. At the time, he also had two other projects lined up: eco-schools in Bohol and Tarlac.  Well, one of those is almost done, as the College of Holy Spirit (CHS) academic building in Tarlac is nearing completion. Jao, an advocate and pioneer of eco-architecture and sustainable development in the country, posted an update on his latest project.   (Image grabbed from James Jao’s Facebook page)   He won the design bid for the CHS academic building early last year, beating out four other contenders.  In an report from news website Sun.Star, […]
The PH Billionaires club grows: Forbes’ 50 Richest Filipinos
August 26, 2016

The PH Billionaires club grows: Forbes’ 50 Richest Filipinos

Top business magazine Forbes just named their 50 Richest Filipinos, and it features a record number of billionaires: 21.     Some of the most recognizable names are: ● SM Investment Corp. owner Henry Sy at number 1, with a net worth of $13.7 billion ● JG Summit Holdings, Inc. Chairman Emiritus John Gokongwei, Jr. at number 2, worth $6.8 billion ● LT Group head Lucio Tan at number 4, with $4.9 billion ● Jaime Zobel de Ayala and his family at number 7, with a net worth of $4.1 billion ● Vista Land and Lifescapes Inc. founder Manuel Villar at number 12 with $1.84 billion ● Ramon S. Ang […]
From No. 28, PH now No. 27 in FIBA World Ranking
August 26, 2016

From No. 28, PH now No. 27 in FIBA World Ranking

As released by FIBA after the 2016 Rio Olympic Games, the Philippines moved 1 step from No. 28 to No. 27 in the FIBA World Ranking.   (Image grabbed from smartgilasbasketball.com)   The Philippines is ranked No. 3 in Asia while China still at No. 1 (14 overall) and Iran, one of the lowest rankers at No. 2 (25 overall). On the other hand, USA and Spain remained at No. 1 and 2 respectively while Serbia climbed to No. 3 after taking the Silver Medal in the 2016 Rio Olympics. Nigeria was the highest climber from No. 25 to 16 while Germany fell from Rank 20 to 29. Donning the […]
Triathlete Omar Paredes becomes first Filipino finisher of World’s Toughest Triathlon
August 25, 2016

Triathlete Omar Paredes becomes first Filipino finisher of World’s Toughest Triathlon

Here’s yet another feat for the Philippines in the world sports industry — Filipino triathlete Omar Paredes became the first Filipino finisher of the Isklar Norseman Extreme Triathlon held in Eidjford, Norway.   LAARNI AND OMAR PAREDES holding the much coveted black shirt at the Norseman triathlon   Paredes, who works as a coach of the Herbalife triathlon team in the Philippines, was the first Filipino to join the said triathlon and also the first to get the much-coveted black shirt awarded to the first 160 athletes to arrive at the finish line. In a press conference held at the Museum Café in Makati, Paredes narrated his story on how […]
Change has come: Philippine crime rate down by 31%
August 24, 2016

Change has come: Philippine crime rate down by 31%

On the second day of the senate hearing regarding the alleged extrajudicial killings (EJK), Philippine National Police (PNP) Chief Ronald Dela Rosa reported the number of crimes in July 2016, which was significantly lower compared to last year.   CRIME RATE IN PH LOWERED. (Photo grabbed from Rappler)   According to Dela Rosa, there was a “very significant decrease” in rape incidents and a “downward trend” in crimes such as murder, homicide, homicide, robbery, theft, car theft, motor theft, and physical injuries. 11, 800 crimes were tallied in July 2016 compared to that of July 2015 that recorded 17,105, as seen in a video of the press conference from CNN […]
#DindoPH: Typhoon enters PAR but will not make landfall
August 24, 2016

#DindoPH: Typhoon enters PAR but will not make landfall

A typhoon known internationally as “Lionrock” just entered the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) and is now known as typhoon “Dindo.”   TYPHOON DINDO WAS LAST seen 1,200 East Northeast of Itbayat, Batanes. (Satellite image from Dost_pagasa Facebook page)   A severe weather bulletin issued by the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) at 1 p.m. today said that Dindo will have maximum sustained winds of 130 kph near its center and gustiness of up to 160 kph. Dindo will not make landfall as it is expected to stay within the same area, roughly 1,200 km East Northeast of Itbayat, Batanes. It is expected to move South Southwest […]