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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.

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 […]
The Café At Hyatt brings two Asian cuisine delights this June and July!
May 26, 2016

The Café At Hyatt brings two Asian cuisine delights this June and July!

 MANILA – This coming June and July, Hyatt will bring two great Asian cuisine to the Philippine shores! Embark on a culinary journey as you have a taste of China and India’s cuisine offerings at The Cafe. Go back in time to the origins of Silk Road and the spice trade which are responsible for the complex flavor profiles that the world enjoys today.     This June 14 to 19, have a taste of the flavors of food from the region of Guangdong, China where Cantonese cuisine originated. Hyatt City of Dreams Manila and Hyatt Regency Dongguan come together to bring this culinary experience to guests through the mild, fresh and […]
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 […]
June 30 is Philippine Presidential Inauguration
May 24, 2016

June 30 is Philippine Presidential Inauguration

As mandated by the 1987 Constitution, the Philippine presidential inauguration is set to happen on June 30. The inauguration is being held to mark the start of a new term of the President of the Philippines.   Rodrigo Duterte (Photo by Edwin Tuyay)   There were instances in the past that the inaugurations of previous PH presidents were held at a different time and place. However, it usually takes place in Quirino Grandstand in Luneta. Usual attendees for the event are the President and Vice President-elects and their families, members of the congress, cabinet, Supreme Court justices, local officials, representatives of other countries and organizations, securities, and the general public. […]
BDO signs MOU with Aozora Bank
May 24, 2016

BDO signs MOU with Aozora Bank

BDO AND AOZORA. (Seated L-R) Nestor Tan, President and CEO of BDO Unibank, Shinsuke Baba, President and CEO of Aozora Bank, and Romeo Co Jr., Senior VP of BDO Unibank formally sign the MOU on May 23.   In an effort to cooperate and give assistance to Japanese clients here in the Philippines, BDO Unibank and Aozora Bank, Ltd. of Japan signed Memorandum of Understanding this May 23, in Makati City. The said purpose of this partnership will cover merger and acquisition advisory and investment banking services. This collaboration on select bank services is seen to benefit Japanese clients who see Philippines as a potential investment spot. Aozora handpicked BDO […]
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. […]
List of Credible Websites in PH that you should know of
May 24, 2016

List of Credible Websites in PH that you should know of

  In this social media world where a credible post is just like finding a needle in a haystack, it’s a must that you should know that what you share is based on truth and does not spread false info. Think of it as a friendly help: by sharing only credible news, you and others won’t become a victim of wrong information. Here are some websites which you can rely on for credible, factual, and objective information: NEWS AND PUBLIC AFFAIRS 1. Rappler As a social news network that’s purely online-based, Rappler’s diverse content of well-researched news is one of the most credible news sources. Rappler makes news for current […]
Rodrigo Duterte as a leader
May 24, 2016

Rodrigo Duterte as a leader

The presidency is all but official. Four out of the five candidates have conceded to the now-presumptive president Rodrigo Duterte. When the votes for president are canvassed on May 25, none of that will matter because there’s no one left to challenge Duterte.   CHANGE IS COMING. These words echoed throughout his campaign, and now, he gets a crack at turning our country around. (Photo courtesy of Keith Kristoffer Bacongco via Wikimedia Commons).   Most people have only seen the tough-talking Davao City Mayor from what he has shown in his sorties. Only the citizens of Davao City know what Rody Duterte is like as a leader. Here are four […]
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 […]
List of satirical websites you should be aware of
May 19, 2016

List of satirical websites you should be aware of

Let us first define what “satire” is. According to Oxford Dictionary, satire is a literary work that uses wit, irony, or sarcasm to expose, ridicule, or to scorn. Satire is intended to be humorous, meaning that its purpose is to draw attention to issues, but these are not a reliable source of information.     With the increase of people using social media sites nowadays, a lot have already been misled by different satire sites that produce news-like content but are really false information. To help you out, Primer lists top 5 satirical websites that you shouldn’t deem as reliable sources:   (Photo grabbed from says.com) 1. Adobo Chronicles (https://adobochronicles.com/) […]
VIDEO: Heavyweight Boxing Champion David Haye Takes A Jab at Meat Industry in PETA Ad
May 19, 2016

VIDEO: Heavyweight Boxing Champion David Haye Takes A Jab at Meat Industry in PETA Ad

‘The Hayemaker’ Credits Vegan Food With Giving Him a Powerful Physique Manila — Heavyweight boxing champion David Haye has proved he’s as kind as he is strong by starring in a PETA Asia campaign promoting the knockout power of vegan meals. In the ad (available here), Haye appears with his fists up in a boxing stance next to the words “I’m David Haye, and I Eat Vegan.” In an exclusive video Q&A, Haye speaks passionately about his performance in the ring since ditching meat: “I’ve put on good lean muscle, feel strong, healthy, no injuries.” He explains that he made the decision to eat vegan after watching the documentary Earthlings, […]
5 Reasons why Arla Cheesy spread is your perfect merienda partner
May 18, 2016

5 Reasons why Arla Cheesy spread is your perfect merienda partner

We all love snack time. And we love it more if we get to eat delicious food that makes our tummy happy. Have you ever wondered what could possibly give an interesting flavor to your usual merienda pack? Here’s a great discovery: Arla, the country’s first real cheese spread.     To convince you why it’s your perfect merienda partner, here are 5 reasons why: 1. It’s as real as it can get. Made from almost 90% fresh cow’s milk, you know that you get your money’s worth by getting only the best cheesy spread for your snack. Having only 5 ingredients, you know that it’s natural without added preservatives. […]
Surfer-Chef JP Anglo shows his twin passions in new TV show
May 18, 2016

Surfer-Chef JP Anglo shows his twin passions in new TV show

For acclaimed chef JP Anglo (Owner of Sarsa and Kafe Batwan restaurants and judge at Master Chef Philippines), conquering his fears to live out his passion is definitely worth it and makes him a step closer to truly living life to the fullest. “I got into surfing because when I moved to Australia to work, I lived by the beach and I wanted to learn how to surf,” Chef JP shares. “My love for surfing started to deepen when I started surfing more regularly. Nothing beats that stoked feeling when you catch a wave letting go of all the fear; it’s a natural high and it’s infectious.”     The […]