News & Current Events

New MRT Trains, up and running next weekend
April 18, 2016

New MRT Trains, up and running next weekend

Good news to all avid MRT commuters! The new trains have been installed and are expected to be up and running by next weekend. The MRT has been the one of the major forms of transportation and throughout the years, commuters grew in numbers. Originally, the plan was to launch the trains by the end of March but sadly, requirements like the 5,000 mileage test runs were not met, resulting to the delay in the train’s debut. As the rest of the trains are tested and installed, it is likely that the MRT-3’s daily fleet of 14 – 16 will increase to 20, increasing the current capacity of 600,000 estimated […]
9 new National Artists, awarded by PH President Aquino
April 15, 2016

9 new National Artists, awarded by PH President Aquino

In a ceremony held in Malacañang last April 14, President Aquino awarded 9 new National Artists, with 6 of them awarded posthumously.   NEWLY-AWARDED NATIONAL ARTISTS. The national artists and representatives of those awarded posthumously gathered for a photo with Aquino. Photo by Krizjohn Rosales, grabbed via philstar.com Three of the national artists were named National Artist in 2009, and the others were named last 2014. The Order of the National Artists (ONA) is the highest recognition given to outstanding artists in their respective fields, who have given significant contributions to the field of “music, dance, theater, visual arts, literature, film and broadcast arts, and architecture and allied arts.” Those […]
COMELEC finalizes voting hours on May 9
April 14, 2016

COMELEC finalizes voting hours on May 9

It’s final. The Commission on Elections (COMELEC) has decided that on May 9, the casting of votes will be done from 6 a.m. to 5 p.m., according to Resolution No. 10088.   Make sure to get up early on May 9, as the polls open an hour earlier than usual. (Photo via delfindakila via tumblr)   With this change comes an earlier call time for the Board of Election Inspectors. They should now meet at the polling place no later than 5 a.m. on Election Day. This also means that opening the vote counting machines should be opened no earlier than 5 a.m, “and in the presence of poll watchers, […]
Metro Manila hits records highest temperature at 36.3˚C
April 14, 2016

Metro Manila hits records highest temperature at 36.3˚C

Manila just got hotter. At 36.3˚C, Metro Manila has recorded yet another high last April 12, 2016, according to the state weather bureau Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA).     This temperature was registered at the Science Garden in Quezon City at 3:00 pm, beating the previously recorded highest at 35.7˚C last April 11, Monday. In March this year, PAGASA has warned that the country may have record-breaking heat in the coming months. It was in May 11, 1969 when the hottest temperature was registered in the country in Tuguegarao, Cagayan at 42.2˚C. On the other hand, Metro Manila hit its highest at 38.5˚C on May 11, […]
Facebook Messenger now has chat bot platform
April 13, 2016

Facebook Messenger now has chat bot platform

You may soon find yourself making reservations, checking for the news, or order something online via Facebook Messenger the same way you talk to your friends using the app.   Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg delivering the keynote at today’s F8 Facebook Developer’s Conference.   Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg announced earlier today at the F8 developer conference that they would be launching a platform that will allow developers and businesses to build bots inside Messenger. These chat bots will allow a user to interact with businesses, brands, or services within the app itself. Think along the lines of getting CNN’s top headlines or buying something online through Messenger. According to The […]
A review of PiliPinas 2016: The Vice Presidential Debate
April 11, 2016

A review of PiliPinas 2016: The Vice Presidential Debate

“Less mudslinging, more focus on the issues.” This was how most people described PiliPinas 2016: The Vice Presidential Debate, held last Sunday (April 10) at the Quadricentennial Pavillion of the University of Sto. Tomas.   ISSUE-CENTRIC. Mudslinging was still present, but issues were discussed more often than not.   The first and only vice presidential debate sanctioned by the Commission on Elections (COMELEC) was informative to say the least. It had less entertainment value than the previous presidential debates, but the vice presidential hopefuls made up for it by giving answers that addressed issues and not each other.   Hecklers to Marcos: Never again Sparks flew before the debate proper […]
Pacquiao defeats Bradley in what could be his ’final fight’
April 11, 2016

Pacquiao defeats Bradley in what could be his ’final fight’

Winning via a clear unanimous decision, world-renowned boxing champ Manny Pacquiao defeated Timothy Bradley in a 116-110 scorecard by all three ringside judges last April 9 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas.   PACQUIAO VERSUS BRADLEY. In a 116-110 scorecard, Pacquiao defeats Bradley in their welterweight showdown. (Photo via cnn.com)   Knocking Bradley down at the seventh and ninth rounds, Pacquiao overpowered Bradley in their 12-rounds of welterweight match. This is Pacquiao and Bradley’s third match, wherein Pacquiao beat the latter in two fights. Eleven months after his much talked about loss to Mayweather, there have been speculations whether this fight against Bradley was going to be […]
ZALORA holds 1st Style Awards
April 10, 2016

ZALORA holds 1st Style Awards

ZALORA Philippines, Asia’s online fashion hub, recently launched the first ever ZALORA Style Awards to recognize personalities that gave tremendous change in the fashion industry at the Valkyrie, The Palace Pool Club on Thursday (April 7).   Patty Grandidge hosted the ZALORA Style Awards   It aims to recognize local talents for their achievements with its five awards namely Fashion Designer of the Year, Fashion Game Changer of the Year, Male and Female Style Star of the Year and Fashion Stylist of the year. “In celebration of ZALORA Philippines’ fourth anniversary, we are proud to host our first ever ZALORA Style Awards to honour the country’s key players in fashion,” […]
The much-awaited English magazine is now available!
April 12, 2016

The much-awaited English magazine is now available!

  Started as a Japanese magazine, Primer Primer has been trusted by the Japanese community in providing reliable information about the Philippines. Through its course, the magazine has featured bits and pieces of information to help out expats with their stay in the Philippines. Following that, Philippine Primer brings forth its first edition of the English version, a handy guide that features what you need to know about PH. For Philippine Primer’s first issue, we bring you ideas to start your summer right! Make the most out of your summer solstice this April and discover ideas as you flip through the pages.   WHAT’S INSIDE?   Street On our Street […]
Apo Whang-Od featured in Toronto art exhibit
April 08, 2016

Apo Whang-Od featured in Toronto art exhibit

Filipino pride shines anew as the legendary tattoo artist Whang-Od is featured in Tattoos: Ritual. Identity. Obsession. Art. at the Royal Ontario Museum in Toronto, Canada.   A LEGEND. Whang-Od is just one of the featured artists at the “Tattoos: Ritual. Identity. Obsession. Art.” exhibit. Photo by KayLeen B. Kwet.   At 98 years old, Whang-Od is known as the last mambabatok of her tribe in Kalinga. Her way of tattooing is pambabatok, is seen as a dying art by many in the Philippines. It involves the use of a mixture of charcoal and water tapped onto the skin by using a thorn from a pomelo tree and bamboo. People […]
Celebrated videographer Jason Magbanua, to work for free
April 08, 2016

Celebrated videographer Jason Magbanua, to work for free

Known as the Holy Grail of wedding videographers, Jason Magbanua has announced in his blog that he will offer his services for free.   JASON MAGBANUA. Master videographer Jason Magbanua will work for free, as his “not too foreign experiment.” (Photo via jasonmagbanua.com)   Last Tuesday (April 5), Magbanua posted on his blog a photo of himself, holding a placard with “will work for free” on it. According to the top lensman, he wanted to go back to his roots by shooting alone as a “creative exercise.” To those who would like to avail of his services for free, you have to fill up this form (http://bit.do/jmagwillworkforfree). Magbanua will then […]
Direct flights to New Zealand to be available in December
April 06, 2016

Direct flights to New Zealand to be available in December

Filipinos may soon find themselves going to “Middle Earth” more often with regular nonstop flights between Auckland and Manila coming later this year.   FLYING IS FASTER. Starting December 2016, you can now fly to “Middle Earth” via Air New Zealand’s nonstop flights between Manila and Auckland. (Photo via Future Atlas)   Air New Zealand announced on Tuesday that they will be launching direct flights between Manila and Auckland three times a week by the end of 2016. “With over 40,000 Filipinos in New Zealand, the traffic between both countries is growing quickly. In the last 12 months, it grew by 20% alone”, Stephen Jones, Chief Officer for Strategy, Networks […]
Mount Apo to be closed for trekkers until further notice
April 04, 2016

Mount Apo to be closed for trekkers until further notice

Due to the immense forest fire that devastated several hectares of Mount Apo’s peak, concerned officials and the Protected Area Management Board of Southern and Central Mindanao (PAMB) have unanimously decided to keep the mountain off-limits to any human activity indefinitely.   MT. APO FIRE. Indefinite closure for Mt. Apo was decided upon the meeting of officials regarding the recent fire incident in the mountain. Photo by the Bureau of Fire Protection Davao, grabbed via sunstar.com.ph   This was in relation to the forest fire that started from a campfire allegedly by three mountaineers who camped at the peak of the mountain that left without making sure that the campfire […]
PM Abe wants Japan to be a ‘tourism-oriented developed country’
April 04, 2016

PM Abe wants Japan to be a ‘tourism-oriented developed country’

Foreigners may find Japan to be a much easier place to get to if Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe’s plans will push through.   TOWARDS A TOURISM-ORIENTED JAPAN. PM Shinzo Abe talking to his Tourism Council last March 30 about reforms and things that need to be done to make Japan more tourist-friendly.   Last March 30, PM Shinzo Abe met with the “Council for the Development of a Tourism Vision to Support the Future of Japan”, where they talked about reforms that need to be implemented to turn Japan into a “tourism-oriented developed nation”. One of PM Abe’s plans is to open government facilities, such as the Akasaka Palace […]
MMDA to revive ‘no-contact’ policy
March 31, 2016

MMDA to revive ‘no-contact’ policy

This April 15, the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) will be reviving its “No-Contact Policy” which will make use of Closed-Circuit Television (CCTV) cameras to record violations of motorists around Metro Manila.   NO CONTACT POLICY. This policy will be revived to catch motorists violating traffic rules in Manila roads. Photo by Aaron Favila, grabbed from philstar.com   According to Inquirer report, No-Contact Policy Head Ronnie Rivera said that they are already testing and fine-tuning the quality of feed in the cameras. They are also checking if the cameras can see the plate numbers of motorists on the road from afar. One hundred cameras are said to be needed for […]
Wakay Air now offers Batanes flights
March 30, 2016

Wakay Air now offers Batanes flights

For those who have been wanting to fly to Batanes, now’s the time to do so as Wakay Air is now offering flights to Batanes since it landed at Basco Airport last Friday (March 29).   WAKAY AIR. Last March 29, Wakay Air’s maiden flight to Batanes took place as it landed in Basco Airport. (Photo via Wakay Air’s Facebook page)   As one of the most popular travel destinations in the Philippines, Batanes has always been a favorite place of tourists to visit. However with the cost of transportation and its unpredictable weather, it has become somehow inaccessible compared to other provinces in the Philippines, particularly because Batanes is […]
Switchfoot shoots music video in Tondo
March 30, 2016

Switchfoot shoots music video in Tondo

Filipino fans of Switchfoot better watch out for their next music video: they might just see a familiar place.   ROCKING IN THE MIDDLE OF THE STREET. Switchfoot performs for the people of Tondo, Manila in their new music video. (Photo via Church Simplified Facebook page)   American alternative rock band Switchfoot chose Tondo, Manila as the location for their music video in their upcoming album. According to a report from CNN Philippines, the band chose Manila as “an ode to Jerome (Fontamillas).” Fontamillas is the band’s keyboardist, and has been with the band since 2001. He is also the lone Filipino member of the band. Church Simplified, who brought […]
AKB48 sister group in Manila to be called MNL48
March 29, 2016

AKB48 sister group in Manila to be called MNL48

AKB48, a famous Japanese girl group of 48 members from Achihabara, Tokyo, will soon have a sister group in Manila called MNL48, as announced in their concert last Friday (March 26).   AKB48. The “A.K.B”. stands for “Akihabara,” which is the place where the group was formed, and “48” is the number of members.   Known for their unique concept, AKB48 performs everyday in a theatre in Achihabara and has a sub-group that enables them to have simultaneous performances in other events. Occasionally, they have “handshake events,” which is like a meet and greet for their fans. Being known as a social phenomenon, they announced the birth of their sister […]
PH campaign period for local posts officially begins
March 29, 2016

PH campaign period for local posts officially begins

With the approaching Philippine nationwide election this May, the Commission on Elections (COMELEC) has already given the go signal for local candidates to start campaigning this March 26 for their respective government posts.   LOCAL CAMPAIGN PERIOD STARTS. Expect motorcades and proclamation rallies in provinces and cities in Metro Manila. (Photo by Mark Balmores via mb.com.ph)   Originally scheduled to start on March 25, Friday, it was moved days after in observance of Good Friday during the Holy Week. The schedule is set to run until May 7, 2016. With the start of the campaign period, various acts are prohibited during its extent, such as the appointment or hiring of […]
‘Wicked’ to return in Manila this 2017
March 28, 2016

‘Wicked’ to return in Manila this 2017

In a post by Concertus Manila on their Facebook page, it was announced that the beloved Broadway musical phenomenon Wicked is coming back to Manila this 2017.     Dubbed as one of the greatest musicals of all time, the spectacular world of wizards and spells will soon enchant us again as the people from the Land of Oz returns after their show in Manila last January 2014. With its successful run in 2014, Wicked comes back to stage another great show, reported to be on February 2, 2017. “Wicked: The Untold Stories of the Witches of Oz” is based on Gregory Maguire’s novel called “Wicked: The Life and Times of […]