News & Current Events

Duterte’s First SONA: What to expect
July 19, 2016

Duterte’s First SONA: What to expect

We’re only 6 days away from President Rodrigo Roa Duterte’s (PRRD) first State of the Nation Address (SONA) on July 25 at the Batasang Pambansa or the House of Representatives in Quezon City. SONA is the annual progress report of our country. It is presented by the President every year in July, and is always held at the Batasang Pambansa. In attendance are the country’s congressmen, senators, executive secretaries, UN dignitaries, the Vice President, their families (if they so choose), and any of the president’s personal guests.   HIS FIRST SONA. After being sworn in as president, PRRD will deliver his much-awaited SONA this July 25. (Photo courtesy of Presidential […]
A first for the PBA: Janine Nicandro is first female referee
July 19, 2016

A first for the PBA: Janine Nicandro is first female referee

Change has come to the oldest continuing basketball league in Asia as Janine Nicandro made her debut as a referee for the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) at the opening game of the Governor’s Cup held last Friday, July 15 at the Smart Araneta Coliseum in Cubao, Quezon City.   A FIRST FOR THE PBA. Janine Nicandro dons the black and white for the first time as a PBA referee. (Photo courtesy of Inquirer.net)   “Yung dito po talaga, nakaka-tense po. Nakaka-kaba, pero masaya po,” (It’s very tense and nerve-racking here in the PBA, but it’s fun) said Nicanor, a 23-year-old marketing graduate from Laguna State Polytechic University (LSPU), during a […]
4DX cinemas now open at UP Town Center and Greenbelt 3
July 18, 2016

4DX cinemas now open at UP Town Center and Greenbelt 3

Your movie experience just got a whole lot better.     This July, the Ayala Malls opens 4DX cinemas in Greenbelt 3 and at the University of the Philippines (UP) Town Center.  4DX Cinemas are motion picture technology augmented with environmental effects such as “seat motion, wind, rain, fog, lights, and scents” along with its audio and visual presentation. This 4DX technology in Ayala Malls provides “high technology motorized recliner seats” and state of the art effects to let the moviegoers feel more connected to the movie. The cinema evokes a luxurious vibe to make the movie-watching more comfortable as ever.   Ayala Malls’ motor recliner seats and Movie Snackbar […]
Starbucks’ Buy 1 get 1 promo starts July 18!
July 18, 2016

Starbucks’ Buy 1 get 1 promo starts July 18!

Coffee lovers, there are more reasons to indulge in your favourite cup of handcrafted coffee today!     Starbucks’ Choco Hazelnut Mocha will be up for grabs in their Buy 1 Get 1 promo starting July 18 (Monday) to July 20 (Wednesday). There are no requirements needed to be able to avail this promo, just head on to any Starbucks stores nationwide in any time of the day and bring someone to share the coffee with you! You may avail the promo in any size, but there is a limit of (1) purchased beverage per customer per transaction. This promo is valid for hot and iced variants in all Starbucks […]
Regular taxis now allowed in NAIA
July 18, 2016

Regular taxis now allowed in NAIA

REGULAR TAXIS ALLOWED. NAIA allows regular taxi cabs to pick up arriving passengers from the airport. Photo grabbed from rappler.com   Good news for all airport travelers! The Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) has now started to allow regular taxi cabs to pick up arriving passengers, starting July 18. According to Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA) General Manager Ed Monreal, around 97,000 passengers arrive in NAIA every day. This new scheme will help “reduce travelers’ waiting time for taxis, and will also help them give more choices for transportation,” as stated in a Philstar report. These regular taxis will be located in the following pick up points: NAIA Terminal 1 […]
15 Days of Duterte
July 19, 2016

15 Days of Duterte

It has been two weeks since President Rodrigo Duterte started his 6-year presidential term in the Philippines. We’ve witnessed quick and constant social and economic progress as little as two days after he gave his inaugural speech last June 30. One example are photos of an unusually clean and clear Divisoria (a very busy shopping place in Recto, Manila) and Baclaran Market that have gone viral on social media. Also read: Rodrigo Duterte as a leader While numerous evidences are tossed everywhere for everyone to see, is Duterte’s promise of a better Philippines in 6 months really possible? Is change really coming? Let’s round up some of the most notable acts of the Duterte […]
Free Wi-Fi in select transportation systems and hubs, soon in Manila
July 13, 2016

Free Wi-Fi in select transportation systems and hubs, soon in Manila

FREE WIFI. The Department of Transportation and Smart Communications, Inc. signs Memorandum of Understanding to provide Wi-Fi access for transport passengers in PH. Photo grabbed from dotc.gov.ph   The new administration of the Philippines is set to make the country stay connected on the internet by tapping the country’s largest phone carrier, PLDT, to provide free Wi-Fi in 21 transport hubs within 100 days. According to a Rappler report, it was Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade and President Rodrigo Duterte who asked and wanted for an accelerated Wi-Fi rollout. It was also them who tapped PLDT, but the whole agreement is not exclusive to the company as other telecommunication providers can […]
#Chexit: PH wins case on West Philippine Sea vs China
July 12, 2016

#Chexit: PH wins case on West Philippine Sea vs China

PH WINS. The West Philippine Sea rightfully belongs to PH, The UN Arbitral Tribunal said. Photo grabbed from dzrhnews.com   On Tuesday afternoon, the United Nations Arbitral Tribunal has finally decided on ruling the arbitration case in favor of the Philippines regarding the case of West Philippine Sea (South China Sea) against China. In a press release made public by the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague, Netherlands, it was stated that “The Tribunal concluded that there was no legal basis for China to claim historic rights to resources within the sea areas falling within the ‘nine-dash line.” Also, The Tribunal was said to found that “China had violated […]
Gotta Catch ‘em All: Pokemon Go in the Philippines
July 12, 2016

Gotta Catch ‘em All: Pokemon Go in the Philippines

It’s already taken over people’s lives in the US, Australia, and New Zealand. It’s the latest craze that’s sweeping the globe: Niantic’s Pokémon GO.   IT’S ALMOST READY TO take over the world of mobile gaming. Pokémon GO, an augmented reality (AR) game lets users feel like they are capturing live Pokémon. Image courtesy of Pokémon Go Philippines.   But what exactly is Pokémon GO, and why have Filipinos been posting or sharing memes and videos about it? What is Pokémon GO? First things first: what is Pokémon GO? In this blog post on their website, creator Niantic Labs described the game in the best possible way. It’s an app […]
911 emergency, 8888 complaint hotlines to be launched in PH this August
July 12, 2016

911 emergency, 8888 complaint hotlines to be launched in PH this August

The 911 emergency and 8888 complaint hotlines will be available 24/7 in the Philippines this coming August, according to Presidential Communications Secretary Martin Andanar.   (Photo credit: Pilipinas 911)   The hotline number ‘8888’ will serve as the hotline for citizen complaints, while ‘911’ emergency hotline will be for nationwide emergency response center. Dialing these hotline numbers will make the emergency process easier and more efficient for the citizens because it immediately connects with all the government’s emergency response resources, like ambulances, fire-fighters, rescue technicians and the police. While this rescue system was first launched and effectively used in Davao in the Philippines, President Rodrigo Duterte said he would like […]
Globe Telecom expands in Japan
July 11, 2016

Globe Telecom expands in Japan

Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) in Japan and their loved ones here in the Philippines need not worry about lost connections as Globe Telecom expands its coverage to Japan via GlobeTel Japan Inc.   ALWAYS STAY CONNECTED. Set to open its doors in Japan to better serve their customers both here and in the land of the rising sun, Globe has been offering DUO JAPAN promo dedicated to Filipinos in Japan to stay connected with their loved ones. (Photo credit: Globe Telecom official Facebook page)   In a statement released last Monday, July 4, Globe said the move puts the company in a “better position to serve the communications needs of […]
DOH set to prioritize ‘mental health’
July 11, 2016

DOH set to prioritize ‘mental health’

On July 7, the Department of Health (DOH) signed a memorandum on July 7 in partnership with the Natasha Goulbourn Foundation (NGF) to establish a 24/7 suicide counseling hotline in the country.     The hotline, which will be called “Hopeline,” is expected to roll out in September. This phone-based hotline shall be used for crisis support for depression and suicide prevention. This will also serve as a “portal to link people with deep emotional crisis to mental health professionals such as psychologists, psychiatrists, counselors, and other concerned institutions” which can help them with their needs. HOPELINE will be facilitated by trained “crisis responders” who shall answer the calls and […]
The July Issue of Philippine Primer is Now Available!
July 08, 2016

The July Issue of Philippine Primer is Now Available!

Philippine Primer: English edition saunters the ins and outs of Ayala Avenue this July!   Street: Ayala Avenue Ayala Avenue is Makati’s central business district and is dubbed as the ‘Wall Street of the Philippines’. This cosmopolitan and fast-paced business locale is also home to some of the metro’s finest establishments that cater to urban lifestyle needs.  The stretch of Ayala offers endless dining options as well as some laidback attractions. Here we feature the stops that should definitely be on your list of hang-out places for some good food and chill time. Check out the food courts located in high-rises that offer cheap to fancy food choices. Scout for […]
PPO gets renowned Japanese maestro as new music director
July 07, 2016

PPO gets renowned Japanese maestro as new music director

The Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra (PPO) is set to reach new heights as renowned Japanese conductor Yoshikazu Fukumura is presented as the new music director during a press conference held at Hotel Jen in Pasay City yesterday, July 6.   A NEW DAY FOR THE PPO. Maestro Yoshikazu Fukumura is welcomed by CCP President Raul M. Sunico and CCP Vice President and Artistic Director Chris B. Millado.   Maestro Fukumura takes over for outgoing music director Maestro Olivier Ochanine, who concluded his term as music director last April 30 2016. He is recognized as one of the most revered maestros in Japan, being the former music director of Tokyo Ballet, Kyoto […]
Cebu named as one of top summer destinations by top Japanese travel website
July 06, 2016

Cebu named as one of top summer destinations by top Japanese travel website

Ring the Filipino pride bell anew as another Philippine destination, Cebu, was named to AB-Road’s top summer destinations for 2016.   CORAL REEF BEACH. According to ab-road.net, Cebu is the third most popular summer destination for 2016. In the photo is Coral Reef Beach, a popular destination within Cebu. Photo courtesy of Patrick Tumalad via flickr.   In a press release dated July 4, 2016, AB-Road.net, an overseas travel search and comparison site, revealed its top summer destinations for Japanese looking to go overseas for short-term trips. Cebu ranked third among the destinations listed, which includes Oahu, Hawaii and Taipei, Taiwan, ranked first and second respectively. Other destinations that made […]
Forever free: Admission to National Museum free of charge
July 05, 2016

Forever free: Admission to National Museum free of charge

Filipinos are getting more and more involved in their history and heritage thanks to events held in different museums across the archipelago. The National Museum of the Philippines took notice and has now opened its doors to everyone FOR FREE last July 1. Also read: National Museum: Get to Know the Country through the Eyes of Time   NO NEED TO WAIT FOR THE NEXT BIG EVENT. The National Museum recently announced that general admission to the museum as well as all its branches will be free of charge starting July 1, 2016. (Photo credit: National Museum of the Philippines Official Facebook page)   Yes, you read that right. Admission […]
Tropical Storm “Butchoy” expected to enter PAR later today
July 05, 2016

Tropical Storm “Butchoy” expected to enter PAR later today

Less than a week after “Ambo” brought rains to the country, another tropical storm is set to bring more rain to parts of the Philippines. Severe tropical storm Butchoy (international name “Nepartak”) is set to enter the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) on Tuesday afternoon, July 5.   FIRST IN JULY. TS Butchoy will be the first out of many tropical cyclones to hit the country this year. Image courtesy of PAGASA.   According to the latest public weather forecast from the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA), Butchoy was last spotted 1,460 km east of Virac, Catanduanes. The tropical storm brings maximum sustained winds of 105 kph […]
July 6 declared a non-working holiday for Eid’l Fitr
July 04, 2016

July 6 declared a non-working holiday for Eid’l Fitr

Malacanan Palance has announced that July 6, Wednesday, is officially a regular holiday throughout the Philippines in observance of Eid’l Fitr (Feast of Ramadan). The announcement was delivered by Presidential Spokesperson Ernesto Abella in a press briefing, Monday (July 4).   (Photo credit: cdn2.theweek.co.uk)   Eid al-Fitr is an important event celebrated by the Muslims for three days after the end of the month of fasting. It is the first day marking the end of the Ramadan. In accordance to Republic Act No. 9177, only the Office of the President can declare the Eid al-Fitr as a regular holiday, upon the recommendation of the National Commission of Muslim Filipinos. Thus, […]
Rodrigo Duterte: Philippines’ 16th President Inauguration
June 30, 2016

Rodrigo Duterte: Philippines’ 16th President Inauguration

Duterte taking his oath joined by his children (from left to right) Veronica, Sebastian, Sara and Paolo. Photo source: http://media.philstar.com/   After winning the election by a landslide last May 9th, President – elect Rodrigo “Rody” Duterte took his oath at 11:45 am Thursday, June 30 as the new and 16th President of the Philippines at the Malacanang Palace. A total of 627 guests were invited including incoming cabinet members and family of the new President. Before the oath taking ceremony, Duterte paid a brief courtesy call to the former president, Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III and send him off via departure honours for the outgoing President. In his speech, President […]
Sofitel Philippine Plaza Manila runs their 4th year for the Manila Half Marathon
June 29, 2016

Sofitel Philippine Plaza Manila runs their 4th year for the Manila Half Marathon

MANILA Philippines June 26 2017–Sofitel Manila Plaza Manila together with Runrio promotes wellness and a healthy lifestyle as it hold this year’s Sofitel Manila Half Marathon dated on the 21st of August 2016 at CCP Complex Open Field.     For over four years, they have partnered with the country’s foremost running event organizer, RunRio, led by Coach Rio de la Cruz which brings the much-awaited event to a new venue. Now taking off from the CCP Open field, they are expecting for a bigger number of participating runners to fill-up the entire place together with the organizers in able  to generate more funds for the Virlanie Foundation. “Over 4,300 […]