News & Current Events

SMC Telco acquired by PLDT and Globe
May 31, 2016

SMC Telco acquired by PLDT and Globe

A P69.1-billion deal and a promise to improve their services; these are the makings of the joint deal by Philippine Long Distance Telephone Co. (PLDT) and Globe when they acquired Sam Miguel Corporation’s (SMC) Vega Telecom and its prized 700-MHz frequency. The deal was confirmed by both PLDT and Globe last Monday, May 30. Both telecommunications giants agreed to an even split in acquiring SMC’s Vega Telecom, which includes the 700 MHz frequency it would have operated in. They also bought out New Century Telecoms and eTelco, Inc., which had ties to SMC.   FASTER MOBILE INTERNET. Globe and Smart, the country’s largest mobile service providers, will benefit the most […]
Oil price hike takes effect today
May 31, 2016

Oil price hike takes effect today

Motorists were welcomed by a shock this morning as various oil companies announced new prices as price hike takes effect today. At 6:01 am today, prices rose P0.35 per liter for gasoline, P0.55 per liter for kerosene, and P0.40 per liter for diesel and biodiesel for majority of the oil companies in the Philippines. The adjustments have been made “to reflect movements in the international petroleum market” as stated by SeaOil Philippines Inc in a report.     Some oil companies, like Petron Corp., have not yet announced the price adjustments, but it is expected it to be between P24.75 and P29.60 per liter for diesel, and 36.35 to 43.45 […]
Congress proclaims newly elected PHL President Duterte, Vice President Robredo
May 30, 2016

Congress proclaims newly elected PHL President Duterte, Vice President Robredo

PHL PRESIDENT AND VICE PRESIDENT. Davao City mayor Rodrigo Duterte and Camarines Sur representative Leni Robredo have been officially proclaimed by congress as the newly-elected President and Vice President of PH. (Photo grabbed from cnnphilippines.com)   Exactly a month before taking office, the Philippine congress proclaims President-elect Rodrigo Duterte and Vice President-elect Leni Robredo on Monday afternoon (May 30) in Batasang Pambansa in Quezon City. The said joint session was convened by the Senate and the House of Representatives as they took up the report of the National Board of Canvassers (NBOC). The said proclamation was not attended by Duterte, and was reported to be in Davao to sign documents […]
Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra, set to perform at Carnegie Hall
May 30, 2016

Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra, set to perform at Carnegie Hall

THE PHILIPPINE PHILHARMONIC ORCHESTRA.  One of top musical ensemble in the Asia-Pacific region is set to perform at New York’s famed Carnegie Hall. Photo grabbed from lifestyle.inquirer.net   PH’s leading orchestra Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra (PPO) is set to perform at the world-renowned Carnegie Hall in New York on June 18 for their USA concert tour. This performance is a historic first for PPO as they are also the first orchestra from the Philippines to perform in US, and at this famed arts centre in New York. This is also part of the orchestra’s “MILESTONES: Celebrating the Filipino Spirit.” This concert is spearheaded by Principal Conductor Olivier Ochanine. The concert will […]
400-year old church bell returns back home to La Union
May 30, 2016

400-year old church bell returns back home to La Union

After more than 100 years, the church bell which was seized by American soldiers during the Philippine-American war, was returned back home to its rightful place in Bauang, La Union.   SAN PEDRO BELL. After 115 years, the bell is finally back home to Bauang, La Union as it was reinstalled in the church and unveiled by Capt. Dennis Wright and Bauang Mayor Eulogio de Guzman. Photo by Richard Balonglong, grabbed from inquirer.net   The return of the bell was made possible as it was transported from West Point Community in New York, USA and arrived in the Philippines on May 17. The bell, known as the San Pedro bell, […]
Switchfoot uploads Float MV shot in Manila
May 27, 2016

Switchfoot uploads Float MV shot in Manila

With the music video shot in the streets of Tondo, Switchfoot has finally released the music video on their YouTube channel on May 25.     Their song “Float,” which is part of their new album Where The Light Shines Through is their first single released. The music video is filmed by Philippine based production house Thirty Six-O Media, which also shot their concert last March 27 in the country. The music video was shot entirely in Tondo, Manila, perfectly capturing the stills of Pinoy culture. People from Tondo were also part of the said music video. According to CNN report, the idea of shooting the video in the busy […]
PH auto industry 2016 will surpass vehicle sales target, said Carmudi PH
October 04, 2016

PH auto industry 2016 will surpass vehicle sales target, said Carmudi PH

Online car platform Carmudi has expressed firm belief that the country’s automotive industry is poised “substantially” to surpass the annual target, following the sales figures generated during the first quarter of 2016.   ABHISHEK MOHAN. Carmudi Philippines’ Managing Director   Carmudi Philippines Managing Director Abhishek Mohan is positive that the local automotive industry will exceed the 350,000 to 370,000- sales targets for the year, following the reported 106,176 sales from Automotive Manufacturers of the Philippines, Inc. (CAMPI) and the Truck Manufacturers Association (TMA). “It’s only four months into the year and they have already covered almost one-third of their annual target. Based on this trend, sales should continue the upward […]
Duterte plans on working up 911 nationwide
May 27, 2016

Duterte plans on working up 911 nationwide

The known emergency call number 911 may now be accessible in the Philippines as incoming president Rodrigo Duterte are now having talks with privately-owned Pure Force and Rescue Corp. regarding the said emergency system.   Photo grabbed from henyopinoy.com   According to reports from the Manila Bulletin, Pure Force and Rescue Corp CEO Jojo Soliman has disclosed to the said news agency that he presented his plan regarding the citizen safety and rescue app that the public can use for emergency and immediate dispatch. According to Soliman, he explained the application to Duterte which has a landline number 86-505 which prompts concerned government agencies to view reported emergencies in the […]
Malagos Chocolate wins anew
May 27, 2016

Malagos Chocolate wins anew

Davao City has yet another reason to be happy as Malagos Agri-Ventures Corp. was awarded the silver medal by the Academy of Chocolate’s Eighth Golden Bean Awards held in London.   AWARD-WINNING. Malagos Chocolate has been recognized anew as one of the world’s best. Photo courtesy of Malagos Chocolate website.   Their Malagos 100% Unsweetened Chocolate won silver in the Drinking Chocolate Plain category, joining Akesson’s Organic’s 75% Brazil Choc Drops, Drinking Chocolate and Pump Street Bakery’s Single Origin Drinking Chocolate. This marks the company’s third international award in fine chocolate competition. In 2015, they received the Bronze for the Best Unflavored Drinking Chocolate during the Academy of Chocolate Awards […]
Fullmetal Alchemist gets live-action film in Winter 2017
May 26, 2016

Fullmetal Alchemist gets live-action film in Winter 2017

Anime and manga fans may have something to look forward to in 2017, as Warner Bros. Japan recently gave the green light for a live-action film of hit manga series Fullmetal Alchemist.   MARK YOUR CALENDARS. Fullmetal Alchemist is set to be released in Japan something in Winter 2017. Photo grabbed from Hagaren Movie Twitter account.   The film will be directed by Fumihiko Sori, who also directed live-action adaptations of Ping Pong (2002) and Ashita no Joe (2011). It will have an all-Japanese cast led by Ryosuke Yamada of Japanese idol group Hey! Say! JUMP, who will play the role of Edward Elric. Winry Rockbell will be played by […]
Sid Lucero is named best actor at LA Film Fest
May 25, 2016

Sid Lucero is named best actor at LA Film Fest

Yet another Filipino actor bagged a best actor award in an international film festival!     After Jaclyn Jose’s win at the prestigious Cannes film festival in France, another Filipino has made the country proud as Sid Lucero won as Best Actor in the 19th LA Comedy Festival held in California. Held last May 12 to 22, 2016, the said film festival is the largest comedy festival in the United States which recognizes not just only films, but also live comedy acts, screenplay competition, theater, and music videos. Lucero won the award by playing the lead role Antonio “Toto” Estares in the film Toto. The indie comedy film, directed by […]
DOST PAGASA announces start of rainy season
May 25, 2016

DOST PAGASA announces start of rainy season

RAINY DAYS. DOST PAGASA announces rainy season has finally begun. (Photo grabbed from worldngayon.com)   Get your raincoats and umbrellas ready: rainy days are coming! State weather bureau PAGASA has officially announced the start of rainy season on Tuesday, May 24. The shift from dry season to wet season has been officially declared by the Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA), where its deputy administrator of operations, Dr. Landrico Dalida Jr., said that the widespread rainfall in the past few days manifested the said changes. Also, weather specialists have announced that people can expect more rains in the coming days, especially during the afternoon.  People living in low-lying […]
Duterte will allow medical marijuana in PH
May 25, 2016

Duterte will allow medical marijuana in PH

In a move that might see him at odds with doctors and the Department of Health (DOH), presumptive president Rodrigo Duterte says he supports the use of medical marijuana.   DUTERTE IS OKAY WITH medical marijuana, but says recreational use will still be prohibited. Photo courtesy of Rody Duterte Facebook page.   During a press conference held last Monday, May 23, Duterte told reporters that modern medicines already use medical marijuana as an ingredient. “There are medicines right now being developed or are already in the market that contains marijuana as a component,” he told reporters. Recreational marijuana, on the other hand, will still be prohibited under the law. Under […]
Duterte to allow burial of Marcos patriarch
May 24, 2016

Duterte to allow burial of Marcos patriarch

Presumptive President-elect Rodrigo Duterte may have struck another nerve with the Filipino people in saying he will allow the remains of the late President Ferdinand E. Marcos to be buried at the Libingan ng mga Bayani (Heroes’ Cemetery).   A LONG-STANDING ISSUE. Duterte will allow Marcos’ burial at the Libingan ng mga Bayani (Heroes’ Cemetery) as a Filipino soldier. Photo courtesy of Rody Duterte official Facebook page and Marion S. Trikosko via Wikimedia Commons   In a press briefing held on Monday, May 23, Duterte said he will allow the burial of the late dictator “not because he is a hero but because he was a Filipino soldier, period.” He […]
Duterte wants three-child policy in PH
May 23, 2016

Duterte wants three-child policy in PH

Amidst the possibility of having conflicts with the church, presumptive president Rodrigo Duterte wants to push for family planning once he assumes office on June 30, 2016.   REALIST FIRST. Presumptive President Rodrigo Duterte wants to improve on the country’s family planning program, including adding a three-child policy. Photo courtesy of Patrick Roque via Wikipedia.   In a report from CNN Philippines, Duterte spoke to reporters on May 22 about bringing back family planning after talking to one of his supporters who had 10 children. He said couples should only have two to three children at most for them to properly raise their kids. He cited the country’s problem with […]
Filipino Actress Jaclyn Jose wins Best Actress at Cannes Film Festival
May 23, 2016

Filipino Actress Jaclyn Jose wins Best Actress at Cannes Film Festival

Seven years after Brillante Mendoza won best director for Kinatay in 2009, the Philippines gets to enjoy another win at the 69th Cannes Film Festival, with veteran actress Jaclyn Jose bagging the Best Actress award for Ma’Rosa.   ANOTHER FIRST FOR THE PHILIPPINES as veteran actress Jaclyn Jose wins the Best Actress Award at the Cannes Film Festival. Photo courtesy of Thomas Leibreich FDC via the Cannes Film Festival website.   Jose was in tears as she accepted the award onstage with Mendoza and her daughter, Andi Eigenmann. She played Rosa Reyes, a mother and store owner in Manila who sells drugs with her husband, played by Julio Diaz, to […]
Filipina student, awarded for her anti-tumor malunggay research
May 23, 2016

Filipina student, awarded for her anti-tumor malunggay research

ARIANWEN ROLLAN. Cebu City NHS’s Arianwen Rollan wins award for her research at the IISEF 2016. Photo by Amper Campana of Sun Star Cebu   Cebu City student Arianwen Rollan was awarded by Qatar Foundation for her medical science research at the 2016 Intel International Science and Engineering Fair (IISEF). Rollan’s research on the anti-tumor properties of malunggay seeds won $1,000 at the IISEF 2016 which was organized by the Society for Science & the Public, known for being the “world’s largest science research competition for high school students.” Rollan, a student of Cebu City National High School, was among eight students from the Philippines who participated in the event. […]
PHL is fastest-growing economy in Asia
May 20, 2016

PHL is fastest-growing economy in Asia

With its 6.9% Gross Domestic Product growth, Philippines is now the fastest-growing economy in Asia, even faster than China’s 6.7% and Vietnam’s 5.7% GDP, as reported by the government this Thursday.     According to the National Economic Development Authority (NEDA), Philippines registered the fastest growth rate among the 11 selected economies. Second fastest-growing economy is China at 6.7%, Vietnam at 5.5%, Indonesia with 4.9%, and Malaysia at 4.2%. Also, according to NEDA, this 6.9% growth from January to March is the “highest quarterly expansion in nearly three years.” This strong lead was possible through the services and industry sectors according to the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA). Other sectors that […]
12 new senators of PHL proclaimed
May 27, 2016

12 new senators of PHL proclaimed

  In the proclamation held at the Philippine International Convention Center, 12 new senators of the 17th Philippine congress have been officially declared on Wednesday (May 18) afternoon. Garnering 18,607,391 votes is Franklin Drilon, who topped this year’s senatorial race. He is followed by Joel Villanueva, who was the then director general of Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA), who got 18,459,222 votes. Third on the list is Vicente Sotto III, who has served two terms in the senate before. Sotto got 17,200,371 votes. On the fourth spot is reelected senator Panfilo Lacson, who got 16,926,152 votes. Both Sotto and Lacson were a no show during the proclamation. Landing […]
What’s been happening in the race for VP?
May 20, 2016

What’s been happening in the race for VP?

In what will probably come down as the tightest vice presidential race in history, contenders Cong. Maria Leonora “Leni” Robredo and Sen. Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos, Jr. are both claiming victory.   NECK AND NECK. Cong. Leni Robredo (left) and Sen. Bongbong Marcos (right) have both claimed victory a week after the elections ended. Photos courtesy of lenirobredo.com and bongbongmarcos.com via flickr.   This hotly contested race has seen its share of celebrations, allegations of cheating, and early proclamations of victory. After scouring the internet, here’s what we know about the race for the second highest post in the country so far: • Out of the six candidates, four have already […]