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News in the Philippines

Stay in the loop with your go-to source of blogs in the Philippines! Know the latest happenings and trending news in Manila and across the country.

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 […]
Manila is making history: History Con 2016
August 25, 2016

Manila is making history: History Con 2016

Manila is on its way to making history as the gates have officially opened for History Con 2016, happening from today till August 28 at the World Trade Center. HISTORY’S BIGGEST STARS HAVE GATHERED. Make your way to the World Trade Center for History Con 2016 now!   SHARED HISTORY. Representatives from each country’s embassy came and shared their piece of history with the Philippines.   The opening was graced by some of the biggest names and representatives from HISTORY Channel along with partner embassies Australia, the United States, Mexico, and Israel, with each envoy sharing their country’s history with the Philippines. If you missed the opening, here are 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 […]
Australia’s #First70Years: Lighting up Apayao
August 26, 2016

Australia’s #First70Years: Lighting up Apayao

Access to electricity has been a constant problem in the Philippines, especially in remote areas such as Apayao, Benguet. In 2014, the Australian Government, in partnership with the People’s Organization for Social Transformation Development Network, Inc. (POST) and Department of Social Welfare and Development (DDD), worked together in the hopes of bringing a brighter future for communities, especially in school children of poor, Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) beneficiaries in Apayao. “We organized the three barangays in the municipality of Pudtol, Apayao and this is where the need for solar lighting for these pupils was conceptualized and developed. Sometime in 2013, POST requested a Renewable Energy Expert and was granted by the Australian Red Cross the […]
Prego is giving big discounts on weekdays!
August 25, 2016

Prego is giving big discounts on weekdays!

Every day is a cheat day at Prego Italian Restaurant, City of Dreams Manila! Dine with them every weekday from 3:00 pm – 6:00 pm and get 30% off on their selected pastas and pizzas.     For inquiries and reservations, please call  02-893-4155. Terms & Conditions • Offer is only valid on WEEKDAYS from 3:00 – 6:00 PM. • Promo runs all-year-round. • Other discounts and vouchers cannot be combined with this offer, including Senior Citizen and PWD discount • 30% discount promo is only valid on selected pastas and pizzas* For more information, please click here.
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 […]
World’s largest pearl? 34kg giant pearl found in Palawan
August 24, 2016

World’s largest pearl? 34kg giant pearl found in Palawan

The world’s largest natural giant pearl may have just been found in Palawan if the Puerto Princesa Tourism Office gets it certified as the biggest in the world.   PERLAS NG PUERTO. Dubbed by the Puerto Princesa as “Perlas ng Puerto” (Pearl of Puerto), could this really be the largest natural giant pearl in the world? (Photo by Aileen Amurao via her Facebook account)   Dubbed by the tourism office as “Perlas ng Puerto,” the giant clam shell-shaped pearl weighs in at a staggering 34 kilograms. According to City Tourism Officer Aileen Cynthia Amurao, the pearl was owned by a relative and was considered a “lucky charm.” Her relative, a […]
New World Manila Bay bartender, to represent PH in IBA-World Cocktail Championship
August 30, 2016

New World Manila Bay bartender, to represent PH in IBA-World Cocktail Championship

To represent the Philippines in the World Cocktail Championship 2016, three-time medalist and New World Manila Bay Hotel’s bartender Jessie Ray Clasicas will again be competing for the International Bartenders Association (IBA)-World Cocktail Championship on October 16 to 21, at the Imperial Hotel Tokyo, in Japan.   JESSIE RAY CLASICAS. (Photo grabbed from bartending.lv)   Clasicas, who has already been awarded as a three-time world medalist, will be showcasing his expertise when it comes to the art of bartending as he will be having Mozart Vodka for the main ingredient in the competition. According to Travelife’s report, “his inspiration behind the cocktail was a mix of flavors that will bring […]
AsiaPOP Comicon Manila 2016 released its final Roster of Celebrity Headliners
August 24, 2016

AsiaPOP Comicon Manila 2016 released its final Roster of Celebrity Headliners

Fandoms unite! Stars from some of your favorite series are coming to Manila for the biggest pop culture gathering in the country dubbed, AsiaPOP Comicon Manila 2016 (APCC Manila), which is slated on August 26 to 28 at the SMX Convention Center in Pasay City.     First on the list of Hollywood celebrities is Nicholas Hoult. He is best known for playing mutant scientist Beast in X-Men: First Class and X-Men: Days of Future Past, War Boy Nuxin in Mad Max: Fury Road, protagonist Jack in Jack the Giant Slayer, and R in Warm Bodies.     Joe Dempsie aka Gendry in the HBO hit series Game of Thrones […]
Baby girl born on a Cebu Pacific flight, awarded 1-M travel reward points
August 23, 2016

Baby girl born on a Cebu Pacific flight, awarded 1-M travel reward points

Last August 19 (Sunday), a Filipina gave birth to a healthy baby girl while onboard a Cebu Pacific plane flight from Dubai to Manila.   (Photo from Missy Umandal Facebook via Inquirer.net)   With the help of Cebu Pacific’s cabin crew and two other flight passengers who happened to be registered nurses, a baby girl named Haven, born 32 weeks premature, was successfully delivered about four hours after a Cebu Pacific plane left Dubai. Since this is the first time that such an “extraordinary” event happened in Cebu Pacific’s 20 years in operation, the baby was awarded 1 million GetGo points with no expiration and are transferable under the carrier’s […]
Hall M: Asia’s first Marvel Showcase to be launched at AsiaPOP Comicon Manila
August 23, 2016

Hall M: Asia’s first Marvel Showcase to be launched at AsiaPOP Comicon Manila

AsiaPOP Comicon (APCC) Manila 2016 is touted as the biggest three-day pop culture extravaganza. For three days, visitors will be inundated with everything related to pop culture, including a first for Asia: Hall M. But what exactly is Hall M?   NOTHING LIKE IT. It’s Asia’s first, and we’re hoping it won’t be the last.   Hall M is a showcase of Marvel content in gaming, television, and movies. It’s an exclusive look at what lies ahead for Marvel: all the sights, sounds, and spectacles you won’t see anywhere else. Fans will be treated to never-before-seen footage – apart from the San Diego Comic Con – of Doctor Strange at […]
Selected Filipino films to compete in Film Festival in Europe
August 22, 2016

Selected Filipino films to compete in Film Festival in Europe

The Filipino film industry is continuously excelling in the world stage as six films from the Philippines are competing in various categories at the International Filmmaker Festival of World Cinema Berlin in Germany from October 22 to 29.   IADYA MO KAMI. (Photo grabbed from showbizninjaph.blogspot.com)   Sourced from Inquirer’s report, part of the films included to premier in the film fest is Iadya Mo Kami (Deliver Us), vying for four trophies in the Foreign Language film section for best lead actor (Allen Dizon), supporting actor (Eddie Garcia), director (Mel Chionglo), and foreign language feature film. It is also competing for top honors in a film festival in Italy on […]
The newest branch of St. Marc Café is now open at Evia Lifestyle Center, Las Pinas
August 30, 2016

The newest branch of St. Marc Café is now open at Evia Lifestyle Center, Las Pinas

The 6th addition to the growing outlet of the popular specialty bakery and patisserie from Japan, St. Marc Café in the Philippines just marked a sweet landing at Evia Lifestyle Center, Las Pinas last July 15.     Though this branch of St. Marc is the newest in the country, nothing much has changed from their other previous branches in Greenbelt, SM Megamall, UP Town Center, SM North Edsa and Robinson’s Place Manila, when it comes to its interiors. The branch still exemplifies the same cosy and welcoming ambience, good service and friendly staff and surely the excellent food.   PERFECT PLACE for some chill time with friends!   But […]
PH to Withdraw from UN: Is it possible?
August 24, 2016

PH to Withdraw from UN: Is it possible?

President Rodrigo Roa Duterte strikes again in his early morning press conference held yesterday, August 21, at the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Depot in Davao City: he asked the United Nations (UN) to remove the Philippines from the organization.   (Photo of Pres. Duterte from Presidential Communications Operations Office; UN Logo grabbed from Wikimedia Commons)   He started by saying that the government already had numbers on how many lives the drug trade has affected versus the number of bodies the war on drugs has taken. He also criticized the UN by asking where they were during the country’s worst times. “When were you here the last […]
Curtains drawn as Rio Olympics comes to an end
August 22, 2016

Curtains drawn as Rio Olympics comes to an end

The biggest international sporting event in the world ends its 31st season as Olympics 2016 held in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil concludes the two-week long event on August 21.   HEROES OF THE GAMES. Olympic athletes walk during the Closing ceremony of Olympics 2016 in Rio. (Photo grabbed from npr.org)   The three-hour concluding ceremony showcased Brazilian culture through a colorful event as thousands of fans and competing athletes ended the game by a street carnival parade. Highlights include human formation of iconic Rio landmarks such as the Christ the Redeemer and Sugarloaf Mountain, Brazilian model Izabel Goulart leading a parade of women and dancers joined by a sound track […]
From #Rio2016 to #Tokyo2020: the Olympic hand-off to end all Olympic hand-offs (to date)
August 22, 2016

From #Rio2016 to #Tokyo2020: the Olympic hand-off to end all Olympic hand-offs (to date)

The 2016 Rio Olympics have finally come to a close. The US tallied the most gold medals in the tournament, with Michael Phelps, Katie Ledecky, and Simone Biles leading the way; Usain Bolt immortalized himself with his third straight 100-meter gold medal, and the Philippines gets its first taste of Olympic hardware 20 years after it won silver at the 1996 Atlanta Games. Also read: Curtains drawn as Rio Olympics comes to an end These were good highlights, but none would probably compare to what Japan just pulled off during the closing ceremonies.   YES, YOUR EYES ARE NOT DECEIVING YOU. That is Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe with a […]
Mega Harbor port Project, set to be implemented in Davao City
August 22, 2016

Mega Harbor port Project, set to be implemented in Davao City

In a press release by the Philippine News Agency (PNA), the P39-billion Mega Harbor Project in Davao City is set to be implemented towards creating a “Global Mindanao.”   MEGA HARBOR PORT PROJECT. (Photo by MAO Signing | Jeshleo Carungay, grabbed from magmanews.com)   This mega harbor port development project, which is to be put into operation in Davao City, aims to enable Davao to bloom as the capital of East Asia Growth Area (EAGA). Also, according to Mega Harbour Chairman Reghis M. Romero II, this project can help the entire Philippines to take advantage of this strategic location in Southeast Asia. Based on the description of the project, this […]