‘We needed to be in the Philippines’: Tabernacle Choir highlights Filipinos’ importance
Following a successful and viral performance with The Tabernacle Choir in December 2022, acclaimed Filipina Broadway singer and actress Lea Salonga reunites with the internationally-renowned choir for its first ever concert in the country, the second stop for the group’s “Hope” world tour......»»
5 things you didn’t know Filipinos designed, invented
Be proud! At the recent opening of “Art x Design: A Special Reception of the 50 Years of Philippine Design and Beyond” exhibition in National Museum of Fine Arts, it was revealed that there are at least five things that Filipinos indeed designed and invented and have since been useful not only to Filipinos, but to humankind......»»
Migration boom: Filipinos studying in Canada up by 50% in 2023
More Filipinos are arriving in Canada by droves to further their education there with nearly 49,000 Filipinos holding Canadian study permits in 2023, an increase of around 50% from the previous year......»»
Jinggoy Estrada acquitted of plunder, convicted of bribery | The wRap
The wRap highlights: Jinggoy Estrada, The change, Filipinos in K-pop.....»»
Filipinos want money over love for Valentine’s Day 2024 | The wRap
The wRap's highlights: Valentine's Day 2024, Israel-Hamas war, Super Bowl LVIII.....»»
P250 billion needed to provide water for 40 million Pinoys
The government needs at least P250 billion to provide potable water and sanitation to at least 40 million Filipinos with no access yet to clean and safe drinking water, a ranking official of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources said yesterday......»»
FPRRD opposes disguised Charter change initiative
Former President Rodrigo R. Duterte has vehemently opposed the disguised People’s Initiative for Charter change, denouncing the cash-for-signature campaign as repugnant and a disgraceful act during a YouTube interview with Banateros Brothers on January 22, 2024. Duterte emphasized his disapproval of the initiative, urging for it to be halted, particularly criticizing the payment of individuals to sign the documents. He warned that such actions could lead to a new Constitution that might destroy the nation and open avenues for political abuses. Duterte stressed the importance of democracy in the Philippines, asserting that those seeking to remain in power should go through the electoral process. He highlighted that a well-performing and non-corrupt individual would retain power, while those with poor performance would be ousted through the electoral process. Expressing satisfaction with the current Constitution, Duterte argued that it has contributed to stability, reducing conflicts with groups like the New People's Army (NPA). He strongly advised against meddling with the Constitution, cautioning that it would only bring trouble to the country. Duterte pledged active opposition to the initiative, stating that he would campaign against it. Additionally, residents of Calinan District, Vice President Sara Duterte, and Representatives Isidro Ungab and Paolo Pulong Duterte have also voiced opposition to the People's Initiative for Charter Change. Margarita Atty. Migs Nograles, the representative of the Pwersa ng Bayaning Atleta (PBA) Partylist, alleged to have started the cha-cha signature campaign, has yet to issue an official statement on the matter as of the latest update. Related stories include the denouncement of alleged `vote buying’ in signing the petition for Cha-cha by Davao City lawmakers, Vice President Duterte's condemnation of the cash-for-signature drive, and a prayer rally against PI’s Cha-cha on Jan 28......»»
‘Sing nat’l anthem 1,000 times’: Dela Rosa says pro-ICC Filipinos don’t love PH
MANILA, Philippines — Filipinos who are in favor of the investigation by the International Criminal Court’s (ICC) should be made to sing the Philippine national anthem 1,000 times to revive their love for the country, said Senator Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa. Dela Rosa, who was among those mentioned in the crimes against humanity complaint before.....»»
Delivery drivers urge Mayor Baste for business permit exemption
Title: Delivery Drivers Seek Exemption from Business Permit Requirement A group of delivery drivers in Davao is urging Mayor Sebastian Duterte to exempt them from the mandatory business permits. The drivers, including those from various delivery apps such as Grab and FoodPanda, are concerned about the financial burden imposed by the business permits, which range from P2,000 to P6,000. They argue that this requirement is unique to Davao City among all cities and provinces in the Philippines. Grab rider Rolando Atico emphasized the need for solidarity among all delivery drivers, regardless of the app they work for. He urged fellow drivers to support each other, as the financial impact may extend beyond just Grab and FoodPanda. Atico also requested Mayor Duterte to reconsider the requirement and reinstate the previous occupational permit, which only cost P125. The group is facing a 30-day deadline to obtain the business permits, and they are citing financial constraints as a reason for their request for an extension. Failure to comply could result in their removal from the delivery platforms, jeopardizing their livelihoods. Additionally, they are advocating for changes to Davao City's Revenue Code, proposing a model similar to Cebu City, where only an occupational permit is required. The drivers are also calling for an inquiry into the lack of transparency and unilateral actions of food delivery companies, particularly concerning rider capitalization and financial concerns. They believe that a thorough investigation will help ensure fairness and equity in their financial obligations and working relationship with the delivery companies. Maribel Paguican, the Business Bureau officer-in-charge, stated that non-certified delivery riders categorized as service contractors must obtain a business permit. She mentioned two permits for occupational and business activities, with a discounted structure for delivery riders. However, concerns have been raised about increased taxes, potentially ranging from P3,000 to P6,000, along with an additional tax on top of the declared income of P1,400. The delivery drivers' plea for exemption from the business permit requirement reflects their concerns about the financial impact and the potential threat to their livelihoods. Their call for solidarity and support from fellow drivers highlights the urgency of the situation. This story sheds light on the challenges faced by delivery drivers in Davao and the implications of the business permit requirement on their financial well-being. It also underscores their efforts to seek fairness and equity in their working relationship with the authorities and delivery companies......»»
Japan policy paper to focus on US, Philippines to counter China
Tokyo [Japan], March 23 (ANI): Japan released a draft of its annual foreign policy report stating that it will pay attention to the importance of boosting collaboration with the United States and the Philippines to counter China's assertive behaviour in the Indo-Pacific region, Kyodo news reported on Thursday. The Diplomatic Bluebook for 2024 will also underscore that Tokyo "cannot afford to waste even a moment" to solve.....»»
Japan policy paper to focus on US, Philippines to counter China
Tokyo [Japan], March 23 (ANI): Japan released a draft of its annual foreign policy report stating that it will pay attention to the importance of boosting collaboration with the United States and the Philippines to counter China's assertive behaviour in the Indo-Pacific region, Kyodo news reported on Thursday. The Diplomatic Bluebook for 2024 will also underscore that Tokyo "cannot afford to waste even a moment" to solve.....»»
Philippines to repatriate Filipinos from crisis-hit Haiti
The move comes after Foreign Affairs Secretary Enrique Manalo approved the declaration of Alert Level 3 in Haiti, signifying the voluntary repatriation for Filipinos there......»»
Kaspersky Report: 1 in 3 Filipinos Face Threats from USBs, Removable Devices
Global cybersecurity company Kaspersky is urging Filipinos to be wary of careless plugging of USBs into their computers unless they have been scanned following the release of data that 36.80% of users in the Philippines were attacked by local threats from January to December 2023. Local threats are malware spread through removable media such as […].....»»
Hotel Sogo, Victoria Court trending among Filipinos before Valentine’s Day, report
MANILA, Philippines — Hotel chains Hotel Sogo and Victoria Court trended among Filipinos in the days leading up to Valentine’s Day this year, with the former garnering over two million reach on social media, a social listening report revealed. A report from Capstone-Intel released on February 14 showed that Filipino social media users loved to.....»»
2.4M Dabawenyos working as of Oct 2023
The October 2023 Preliminary Employment report by the Philippine Statistics Authority-Davao Region (PSA-Davao) reveals that 64 percent of the 3.780 million Dabawenyos aged 15 and above are part of the labor force, indicating that 2.42 million individuals are employed. This represents a 1.8 percentage point increase from the previous year. The report also highlights a 97.1 percent employment rate in the Davao Region as of October 2023, with a 2.9 percent unemployment rate, lower than the national average. Despite this, the region still maintains the highest employment rate in the Philippines. Additionally, the report compares employment rates across different regions, with Soccsksargen, Barmm, Central Luzon, CAR, Caraga, Western Visayas, Cagayan Valley, Mimaropa, and Central Visayas surpassing the national average. The Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (Barmm) records the highest labor force participation rate among 17 regions, while the Zamboanga Peninsula has the lowest rate. The data is collected through the Labor Force Survey (LFS) conducted quarterly and monthly by the PSA central office and its regional statistical services offices. The Davao Region, with nearly 6 million inhabitants, remains the 7th most populous region in the country......»»
Asia Album: Highlights of Philippine International Hot Air Balloon Fiesta
© Provided by Xinhua TARLAC PROVINCE, the Philippines, Feb. 18 (Xinhua) -- Colorful hot air balloons in various shapes adorned the sky of Tarlac Province, the Philippines, providing a visual feast for visitors.The 24th Philippine International Hot Air.....»»
Asia Album: Highlights of Philippine International Hot Air Balloon Fiesta
© Provided by Xinhua TARLAC PROVINCE, the Philippines, Feb. 18 (Xinhua) -- Colorful hot air balloons in various shapes adorned the sky of Tarlac Province, the Philippines, providing a visual feast for visitors.The 24th Philippine International Hot Air.....»»
CNN Philippines shutdown rumors circulate amid financial troubles | The wRap
The wRap highlights: CNN Philippines, Kris Aquino, Oppenheimer.....»»
200 artists, 9 galleries to mount experiential ALT Philippines 2024
Five critically acclaimed artists, live performances, a silent auction and daily tours with an art curator are some of the highlights at this year's ALT Philippines. .....»»
Samal resort gets notice of violation over hawksbill turtle hatchlings
The Department of Natural Resources-Davao Region (DENR-Davao) has issued a notice of violation to Isla Reta Beach Resort in Samal for the illegal possession of hawksbill turtle hatchlings. The resort violated Republic Act 9147, which prohibits the exploitation of wildlife resources and their habitats. The law strictly prohibits collecting, hunting, or possessing wildlife or their by-products, with penalties including imprisonment and fines. In response to the notice, the resort's owner must release the turtle hatchlings within a day, or face legal action. Despite the resort's intention to care for and release the hatchlings after six months, DENR-Davao found 130 hatchlings inside styro boxes and emphasized the critical importance of immediately releasing them to ensure their survival. The Philippines recognizes five sea turtle species, with hawksbill and leatherback classified as critically endangered. DENR-Davao encourages individuals to report wildlife sightings and pledges to conduct public awareness campaigns for wildlife conservation. Isla Reta Beach Resort faced criticism for unauthorized plans to raise the hatchlings......»»
US tells Marcos: Ask and we are here
The United States is ready to assist the Philippines during times of need, US Ambassador MaryKay Carlson assured President Marcos on Tuesday, as the envoy highlighted how the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement between the two countries has helped the Philippines in the delivery of urgently needed aid......»»