News & Current Events

Beep cards can now be used as payment at Cavitex
August 12, 2016

Beep cards can now be used as payment at Cavitex

Attention, drivers! With its trial run on August 8, beep cards can now officially be used by owners of Class 1 vehicles at the Manila-Cavite Expressway (Cavitex) for toll payment.   BEEP CARDS NOW ACCEPTED AS TOLL PAYMENT. (Photo grabbed from unlijavarice.com)   Beep cards, a tap-and-go technology made by AF Payments Inc., (AFPI) are now accepted as toll payments for those driving Class 1 vehicles such as pick-ups, vans, and cars. According to Peter Maher, president and CEO of AFPI, “extending the use of beep cards as a payment option at CAVITEX represents another step towards making the beep card an all-in-one travel card for commuters and even private […]
6 More Must-See Things in Cinemalaya
May 19, 2022

6 More Must-See Things in Cinemalaya

  The Cinemalaya Philippine Independent Film Festival has got avid movie-goers to see the best films produced by up and coming talented filmmakers in the Philippine film industry. Currently in its 12th run, it still aims to produce local’s best depicting reality through cinematic visuals which promotes Filipino art when it comes to filmmaking. The event is held every year in July to August at the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) in Pasay City. Probably unknown to many, aside from the films showcased during the whole festival, there are so much more to see during this week-long festival everyone will enjoy as well. Here are some of the things […]
(Exact) Change has come: “No Shortchanging” bill lapses into law
August 10, 2016

(Exact) Change has come: “No Shortchanging” bill lapses into law

It’s something that seems to happen only in the Philippines: one minute you’re paying for everything you bought; next thing you know, you’re either digging in your pockets looking for loose change or receiving candy from the sales person. If you don’t you’ll either go out of the store without change or without the product you wanted to buy.   UNDER REPUBLIC ACT 10909, all establishments will be required to have change. No ifs, ands, or buts.   Well, this, and other situations similar to this, will soon be a thing of the past thanks to Republic Act (R.A.) 10909, also known as the No Shortchanging Act of 2016. RA […]
PH driver’s license validity to be extended for 5 years starting October
August 11, 2016

PH driver’s license validity to be extended for 5 years starting October

The Land Transportation Office (LTO) will be implementing the 5-year validity of driver’s license in the Philippines which will start in October 2016.   Philippine driver’s license for non-professional   This implementation is in accordance by President Rodrigo Duterte’s State of the Nation Address (SONA) wherein he stated that he wants to lessen queues in the said government agency. The implementation was made by LTO chief Edgar Galvante, where professional and non-professional licenses will have 3-year validity and shall expire on the driver’s birthday. This new rule will start first in the National Capital Region (NCR) and will eventually spread out to other regions in the country. However, this 5-year […]
Infographic: The Ultimate One Stop Guide and Resource for Pokémon Go Beginners
August 09, 2016

Infographic: The Ultimate One Stop Guide and Resource for Pokémon Go Beginners

Filipinos got their hands on Pokémon GO exactly one month after the hit augmented reality (AR) game was released in Australia, New Zealand, and the United States. In less than a week, it took over the country in the same way that Angry Birds, Candy Crush, and Clash of Clans did during their prime. It has also jumped to the top of the Play Store as the most popular free app in the country, easily beating Facebook and other social media apps. The Ultimate One Stop Guide and Resource for Pokémon Go Beginners The crazy stats behind the latest and biggest mobile game. The powerful combination of nostalgia and modern, […]
Catch ‘Em All! Pokémon GO finally released in PH
August 06, 2016

Catch ‘Em All! Pokémon GO finally released in PH

After a long wait and more anticipation than who will win the NBA Finals, Pokémon GO has finally been released in the Philippines   CONFIRMED! After weeks of waiting, it’s finally in the Philippines! A post on the official Pokémon GO Facebook page confirmed earlier today, August 6, that the hit augmented reality (AR) game has finally hit Philippine shores along with other countries in Asia and Oceania. The post has since gone viral, with over 31,000 reactions, nearly 18,000 shares and almost 4,000 comments as of this writing. Niantic earlier released the hit mobile game in Central and South America in anticipation of the 2016 Rio Olympics. To date, […]
2016 Rio Olympics is all set up for its Opening Ceremony on August 5
August 05, 2016

2016 Rio Olympics is all set up for its Opening Ceremony on August 5

(Photo grabbed from: https://www.olympic.org/the-ioc) There’s only a few hours left before the Rio Olympics 2016 conduct its much-awaited opening ceremony and Rio is now busy submitting to its mission of putting its best face on ahead of Friday’s event at the Maracana stadium in Rio de Janeiro. Many is confused as the date of the opening ceremony is quite conflicted with time – basically, it will be on August 5, but really it’s on August 6. Telegraph.co.uk website made it all clear: “It’s kicking off at a civilised 20.00 local time, which means midnight on Friday night / Saturday morning if you’re following it from the British Isles. We’d guess […]
Government hotlines get more prank calls than legitimate emergencies
August 01, 2016

Government hotlines get more prank calls than legitimate emergencies

The country’s emergency hotline 911 was officially launched this morning. It logged almost 2,500 calls in its first 7 hours, but had an alarmingly high number of dropped and prank calls.   CHANGE HAS BEGUN. Emergency services would have been within easy reach, if not for the sheer volume of dropped and prank calls. Photo grabbed from Presidential Communications Operation Office Facebook page   In a report from news website GMA News Online, the 911 hotline received 1,119 drop calls, 304 prank calls, and only 75 calls with legitimate concerns. According to a report from the Philippine Information Agency (PIA), Philippine National Police (PNP) Chief Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa warned […]
PNP targets bars and clubs in Makati, Taguig next for drug inspection
August 05, 2016

PNP targets bars and clubs in Makati, Taguig next for drug inspection

Announced on July 29 (Friday), the Philippine National Police (PNP) will be focusing on high-end bars and clubs in Makati and Taguig cities for drug inspections among regulars who are usually wealthy youths and celebrities.   (Photo grabbed from: foreignstudents.com)   According to Senior Superintendent Tomas Apolinario, head of the Southern Police District, they have already coordinated with owners and managers of posh bars and clubs to conduct a random inspection and patrol with the PNP personnel. “They are there to observe and even use the comfort rooms because as we all know, it is in the comfort rooms where the party drugs are being passed,” he added. Apolinario also […]
Red Charity Gala: The Annual Red Cross Charity Ball
May 29, 2024

Red Charity Gala: The Annual Red Cross Charity Ball

The glitz and glamour does not necessarily mean that it’s always just about fashion. Sometimes, it’s also has a deeper purpose. We introduce you to Red Charity Gala.   Various fashion outfits on stage   The Red Charity Gala is an “annual benefit charity fashion event which highlights the creativity and craftsmanship of Filipino fashion designers. Started in 2009, it first featured the collection of designer Dennis Lustico. For the past years, the Red Charity Gala was made for the benefit of Philippine Red Cross, a health and humanitarian organization, and also for Assumption High School Batch 1981 Foundation.  Since it started, they have already featured several well-known fashion designers […]
PLDT, Smart might not charge for calls to 911, 8888
July 29, 2016

PLDT, Smart might not charge for calls to 911, 8888

Subscribers of PLDT and its subsidiary, Smart, might just be able to breathe a sigh of relief if they ever find themselves in an emergency as the telecommunication giant is willing to give people free access to hotlines 911 and 8888, but only if the government says so. Also read: Think before you call: Globe charges P5 for 911 calls   DID THEY ONE-UP GLOBE TELECOM? Probably not, because they will only give free access if the government says so. File photo.   In an interview with the Philippine News Agency (PNA), Ramon Isberto, head of PLDT/Smart Public Affairs said “If the government will instruct us to make it free, […]
PH to host Miss Universe 2016
July 29, 2016

PH to host Miss Universe 2016

Department of Tourism (DOT) Secretary Wanda Teo has confirmed at a press conference, Thursday (July 28), that the Philippines will be hosting the next Miss Universe pageant.   (AP Photo/Bullit Marquez via Philstar)   The idea was initially rejected by President Rodrigo Duterte because he was mainly concerned about the big expenses of hosting the pageant. He was later on convinced after a meeting with Miss Universe 2015 Pia Wurtzbach last July 18. Teo said the government is not going to spend a single centavo and it will be the private sector that would shoulder the expenses. DOT is also considering the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City to […]
JICA-run youth volunteer program wins Asia’s Nobel Prize
July 29, 2016

JICA-run youth volunteer program wins Asia’s Nobel Prize

The Ramon Magsaysay Award Foundation (RMAF) just announced the recipients of its prestigious Ramon Magsaysay Award, and Japan International Cooperation Agency’s (JICA) youth volunteer program is one of the six awardees.   THE RAMON MAGSAYSAY AWARD will be given to six awardees this year, including JICA’s youth volunteer program, the Japan Overseas Cooperation Volunteers. Photo grabbed from Ramon Magsaysay Award Foundation official page   Japan Overseas Cooperation Volunteers (JOCV) will be honored this year for their “idealism and spirit of service in advancing the lives of communities other than their own,” according to the citation by the RMAF. Established in 1965, JOCV is a JICA-run program that aims to provide […]
BFP now ready for 911 response
July 28, 2016

BFP now ready for 911 response

In a video posted on 911 Philippines’ Facebook page, Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) trucks were seen to diffuse water with colors as an indication of their readiness to respond for disaster and emergency calls to 911.   (Screengrabbed from 911 Philippines’ Facebook post)   As one of President Rodrigo Duterte’s priorities in his administration, the 911 hotline for disaster and emergency response is now in the works, with its launch on August 2016. This hotline shall be used nationwide for connection with emergency response resources such as when it comes to disasters like “fire, typhoon, earthquake, landslides, tsunami, flood, terrorist attack, hazardous material emergencies, civil disturbance, riot control, search […]
Think before you call: Globe charges P5 for 911 calls
July 28, 2016

Think before you call: Globe charges P5 for 911 calls

Globe subscribers should think before calling 911 once it’s up and running next month, as the telecom giant will charge an extra P5 per call on top of their regular voice charges.   NO PRANK CALLS. Or, at least that’s the idea for all Globe Telecom subscribers. (Image grabbed from yugatech.com)   In a statement released yesterday, Globe General Counsel Atty. Froilan Castelo said that the extra charge was “suggested by the government to discourage prank calls.” Castelo also said that “Globe Telecom is ready to transmit voice calls for emergency hotline 911 and complaint hotline 8888 on August 1, as directed by the government.” They are also hastening their […]
International furniture store IKEA to open soon in the Philippines
July 27, 2016

International furniture store IKEA to open soon in the Philippines

In a report posted by news website Inquirer.net on Wednesday (July 27), popular international furniture brand IKEA is set to open a branch here in the Philippines.   IKEA store in Japan. (Photo grabbed from www.acclaro.com)   Although no details have been posted yet as of press time, the news gained mostly positive reactions, making it a trending topic in social networking site Twitter at the 11th spot. IKEA is a known global brand that sells ready-to-assemble furniture, appliances, and accessories that started in Sweden in 1943. According to a report by Reuters in 2008, it was named as the “world’s largest furniture retailer.” With over 300 stores in 48 […]
Disciplined, informed, involved Filipino: #DU30UnangSona
July 25, 2016

Disciplined, informed, involved Filipino: #DU30UnangSona

President Rodrigo Roa Duterte (PRRD) called for disciplined, informed, and involved Filipinos for our country to truly rise from the ashes. He said that for our country to achieve success, “We have to help each other for then and only then can we truly prevail.” This comes after a one-hour, 32-minute State of the Nation Address (SONA).   PRESIDENT RODRIGO ROA DUTERTE delivers his first SONA, which lasted for an hour and 32 minutes. Photo courtesy of PTV   His SONA was unlike any first SONA delivered by other presidents, i.e. he did not blame previous administrations for their mistakes.   NO MORE FINGERPOINTING. Image courtesy of Presidential Communications Operations […]
Wall Street Journal features BPO Company TaskUs in the Philippines
July 25, 2016

Wall Street Journal features BPO Company TaskUs in the Philippines

On June 21, Business Processing Outsourcing (BPO) company TaskUs, was featured by Wall Street Journal (WSJ) on how the company turned the call center into a cool tech startup.     TaskUs OFFICE. (Photo grabbed from TaskUs Facebook)   In a report by Eva Tam of WSJ, it features TaskUs as a call center which has a setup that will make you feel like you are in a Silicon Valley startup. This idea, to build a workplace that does not look like your typical call center, has funky chairs, a gym, large cafeteria, and a napping area. Here are some pictures from Instagram app taken at TaskUs offices:   Watching. […]
No more ‘His Excellency’: just call him President Duterte
July 21, 2016

No more ‘His Excellency’: just call him President Duterte

Change has come in more ways than one as President Rodrigo Roa Duterte tells everyone in government to drop the words “His Excellency” from all official communications, events, or materials.   “HIS EXCELLENCY” NO MORE. In a memorandum issued on July 15, Duterte asked everyone in government to not address him as “His Excellency. TOTO LOZANO/PND   A memorandum signed by Executive Secretary Salvador C. Medialdea was issued on July 15, 2016 saying that Duterte shall only be addressed as “President Rodrigo Roa Duterte” in all official communications, events, or materials.   A COPY OF THE memorandum telling everyone in government to not address the President as “His Excellency” and […]
NAIA Secretary says sorry for emergency runway closure
July 20, 2016

NAIA Secretary says sorry for emergency runway closure

EMERGENCY. Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade apologizes for emergency runway closure. Photo by Ariel Fernandez of mb.com.ph   The Department of Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade has now apologized for the inconvenience brought by the sudden emergency closure of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) on Monday evening. Also read: Know your rights as air passengers in the Philippines At least 14 international flights were canceled on Monday, due to the sudden closure of the NAIA Runway 0624 because of an emergency repair when the asphalt got peeled off in the runway. This closure was said to have been made to ensure the aircrafts and passengers’ safety. In a video interview, Tugade […]