Janella Salvador mourns passing of Twinkie, her cat for 17 years
Actress Janella Salvador is reeling from the loss of another furry friend, this time, of her cat Twinkie whom she had looked after since 2006......»»
Janella Salvador nagluluksa sa pagpanaw ng alagang pusa
LABIS ang kalungkutang nadarama ng Kapamilya actress na si Janella Salvador matapos pumanaw ang alagang pusa na si Twinkie. Nitong Lunes, January 16 ay ibinahagi niya sa kanyang Instagram account ang malungkot na balita patungkol sa alaga. 17 years nang nasa pangangalaga ni Janella si Twinkie dahil regalo pa ito sa kanya ng inang si […] The post Janella Salvador nagluluksa sa pagpanaw ng alagang pusa appeared first on Bandera......»»
Best experience of my life : Janella Salvador embraces motherhood, wants to make son Jude proud
Still a young actress at 24 years old, Janella Salvador's acting credits range from Nikki in "Be Careful With My Heart" to Valentina in "Darna" but the role she has embraced the most is being a mother......»»
Manila’s iconic clock tower’s lights shut off as city mourns passing of former mayor Lim
The Manila City Hall complex went dark on Saturday night (Aug. 8) as the lights of the building’s iconic clock tower were switched off to mourn the passing of former Manila mayor Alfredo “Fred” Lim. (Isko Moreno FB page/ MANILA BULLETIN) It was a tribute of the Manila city government to the former mayor “in its own little way” while the country still battles the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic, current Mayor Francisco “Isko Moreno” Domagoso said. Domagoso, who served as Lim’s vice mayor during the latter’s mayoral term from 2007 to 2013, announced the death of his former partner via Facebook Live. “Nais ko pong ipabatid sa inyo ang isang malungkot na balita sa atin bilang taga-lungsod, bilang batang Maynila. Si dating Mayor Alfredo Lim ay sumakabilang buhay na po, dala nang pagkaka-infection nya sa COVID-19 (I’d like to inform you of some sad news, as residents of Manila, that former mayor Alredo Lim has passed away due to COVID-19 infection),” he said. “Ilang araw na po ang nakakaraan ngunit di na po kinaya ng kanyang katawan (He had been ill for some days but could not longer continue fighting),” he added. Lim was 90. Moreno said there “are a lot of things” to give and words to say to Lim. But the city can only show its respect to him for now by turning the lights off of the clock tower as “the proper time is yet to come.” “Kanina po, bilang tanda ng ating pakikiramay sa maliit nating kaparaanan ay…pinapatay po natin ang ilaw ng clock tower, na sagisag ng pag-asa ng Maynila (Earlier, as a sign of our sympathies in our own little way, we turned off the lights of the clock tower, which symbolizes the hope of Manila),” Domagoso said. The iconic clock tower, which was completed in the 1930s, is the largest clock tower in the Philippines, reaching close to 100 feet in height. It is illuminated every evening. “Ngunit di naman ibig sabihin na wala na tayong pag-asa. Ito ay isa lamang tanda ng ating paggalang sa maliit nating kaparaanan, habang kinakaharap natin ang pandemyang ito, ang isang taong naglingkod, mabigyan man lang nating ng kaunting pagpapahalaga (But this doesn’t mean that we don’t have hope. This is just a sign, in our own little way while we face this pandemic, of our respect for a person who served, that we give him a simple acknowledgement),” he added. The current local chief executive cited Lim’s contributions in the city of Manila, including his hospital projects that still benefit residents. “Hindi natin makakalimutan ang paglilingkod niya sa ating lungsod, sapagkat hanggang sa ngayon ay patuloy na pinakikibangan ng mga batang Maynila ang mga programa at proyekto ng minamahal nating mayor. Ilan diyan ay patuloy na nakikita ninyo — Sta. Ana Hospital, Gat Andres Bonifacio, Sampaloc (We will not forget his service to our city, because up to now the people of Manila stil benefit from the programs and projects of our beloved mayor. Some of those you still see — Sta. Ana, Gat Andres Bonifacio, and Sampaloc [hospitals]),” Domagoso said. “Ang isa sa pinakamalaki na di makakalimutan na program ng ating dating mayor ay ang Unibersidad de Manila, na ito’y nagbibigay ng libreng tertiary education na hanggang ngayon ay nagagamit ng mahihirap nating kababayan na nagnanais na magkamit ng edukasyon (One of the biggest and most unforgettable programs of our former mayor was the Unibersidad de Manila, that gives free tertiary education that up to now may be availed of by our poor countrymen who wish to obtain an education),” he added. Domagoso also said Lim “had been an effective” public servant as he gave the public safety and security whenever they went to Manila. Aside from being mayor from 1992 to 1998 and from 2007 to 2013, he said, Lim also became the city’s chief of police and the head of the National Bureau of Investigation, dedicating 50 years of his life to serving the public. “Noong ako po’y manalong mayor, siya po ay aking pinuntahan agad para po humingi ng mga payo kung paano susugpuin ang kriminalidad sa ating lipunan at paano patitinuin ang mga bahagi ng gobyerno sa ating pamahalaang lungsod (When I won as mayor, I immediately went to him to ask for advice on how to crack down on criminality in our society and how to reform some areas of our city government),” he said. Domagoso encouraged the public to emulate Lim, noting that like the latter, Filipinos can also serve the country well and with honesty. The current mayor called on his constituents to include Lim in their prayers......»»
Simply the best: Rock queen Tina Turner has died at 83
Rock legend Tina Turner, the growling songstress who electrified audiences for decades, has died at the age of 83, a statement said Wednesday. "It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Tina Turner," read the statement on the official Instagram page of the eight-time Grammy winner. "With her music and her boundless passion for life, she enchanted millions of fans around the world and inspired the stars of tomorrow. "Today we say goodbye to a dear friend who leaves us all her greatest work: her music. All our heartfelt compassion goes out to her family. "Tina, we will miss you dearly." Turner, who had been living in Switzerland in her final years, first encountered fame with her husband Ike Turner. The pair recorded a number of hits together throughout the 1960s and 1970s, in a musical partnership in which she was clearly the more talented. After their troubled and violent marriage collapsed -- she fled in 1976 mid-tour -- Tina Turner forged a wildly successful solo career. The following decades gifted the world instantly recognizable hits like "What's Love Got to Do With It?", "Private Dancer" and the anthemic "The Best". Her "We Don't Need Another Hero" featured on the soundtrack to "Mad Max Beyond Thunderdome," the 1985 post-apocalyptic thriller starring Mel Gibson. A decade later she oozed her way through "Goldeneye," joining the select ranks of artists who have sung in the James Bond franchise. The post Simply the best: Rock queen Tina Turner has died at 83 appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
El Salvador mourns 12 killed in soccer stadium stampede
El Salvador was in shock Sunday after 12 people died and hundreds were injured in a stampede at a soccer stadium, as the country's president vowed an investigation. Authorities said initial reports pointed to a crush of fans who tried to enter the 35,000-seat Cuscatlan Stadium in the Central American country's capital San Salvador to watch a game between two local teams, Alianza and FAS. The match was suspended as emergency personnel evacuated people from the stadium, where hundreds of police officers and soldiers gathered as ambulance sirens wailed. Carlos Fuentes, spokesman for the emergency services group Comandos de Salvamento, said they were treating more than 500 people for various injuries, while civil protection authorities said 88 people in total were hospitalized. The stampede apparently started after a stadium gate fell, causing people to crowd together, Fuentes said. Fredy Alexander Ruiz, a 28-year-old survivor, said he was "traumatized from seeing people thrown on the ground, dead, bruised, with their faces stepped on." The stampede started 10 minutes into the game and after it was suspended even the players joined in the frantic rescue efforts. "I had five people on top of me that were suffocating me," said Ruiz. "Thank God, I was able to grab the foot of a policeman, and he and a friend of mine pulled me out." El Salvador's President Nayib Bukele said authorities would investigate the incident and those responsible would be punished. "Everyone will be investigated: teams, managers, stadium, box office, league, federation," Bukele said on Twitter. He warned that "whoever the culprits are, they will not go unpunished." Survivor Sandra Guzman described chaos at the stadium in the moments the stampede began. "A huge crowd of people fell on me. I couldn't even breathe, they were choking me," Guzman, 40, told AFP early Sunday as she was leaving the Rosales National Hospital. When she was in front of the stadium gate that collapsed, she said, "people were pushing me to get in. They did not give me a chance to go back." She panicked when people toppled onto her, Guzman said. "I fainted, and when I woke up I was in the hospital." The Salvadoran Football Federation (Fesfut) said in a statement it "deeply regrets" the events that occurred at the stadium and "expresses its solidarity" with the families of those "affected and killed." "Fesfut will immediately request a report of what happened and will communicate the relevant information as soon as possible," it said. Due to the incident, the federation said "all soccer is suspended at the national level" on Sunday. The chief of world soccer body FIFA offered his condolences after the "tragic" stampede. The tragedy comes seven months after 135 people, including more than 40 children, were killed in a stampede following a football match in Malang, Indonesia. The post El Salvador mourns 12 killed in soccer stadium stampede appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Preserving the Philippine Eagle sanctuary in Bukidnon
The preservation of the environment has never been more critical than it is today. The world is facing a dual crisis: climate change and biodiversity loss. These crises are interconnected and addressing them requires an integrated approach. The Filinvest Group, through subsidiary FDC Misamis Power Corporation, has partnered anew with the Philippine Eagle Foundation to establish an initial 20-hectare reforestation and carbon sink area in Barangay Guilang-guilang, Manolo Fortich, Bukidnon. Under the Memorandum of Agreement recently signed by FDC Misamis and PEF, within the next three years, PEF will lead the reforestation of the grasslands planting endemic species, while FDC Misamis will provide funding for the entire project. Within the project area is Mt. Tago, home to a pair of Philippine Eagles — female Kalabugao and male Guilang-guilang — and their eaglet Maluko. PEF first released Kalabugao into the wild in 2010 after nursing her back to health, following a period where she was kept as a pet by a local farmer. After her release, Kalabugao crossed to the new-found territory at Mt. Tago, where she met Guilang-guilang. Their first nesting attempt failed but succeeded the following courtship season, successfully hatching Maluko. Just recently, PEF, along with forest guards, spotted their second eaglet. According to PEF research and development director Dr. Jayson Ibanez, Kalabugao's milestone "became the world's first case of a rescued, rehabilitated and released juvenile Philippine eagle surviving to sexual maturity and breeding in the wild." The Philippine eagles have thrived in the area through the years with the help of the local community, specifically the Guilang-guilang Apo Datu Nanikonan Association, Inc., as the site is part of their ancestral domain. Carbon sink management, eagle preservation and the involvement of indigenous peoples are essential components of environmental sustainability. These issues are interrelated, thus a balanced approach is necessary for long-term success. "FDC Misamis understands that managing carbon sinks is necessary to mitigate the impacts of climate change while preserving the Philippine eagle is crucial to maintaining biodiversity. Indigenous peoples, who have longstanding relationships with these ecosystems, play an essential role in ensuring these efforts succeed," said FDC Misamis president and CEO Juan Eugenio L. Roxas. [caption id="attachment_132490" align="aligncenter" width="525"] PHOTOGRAPH COURTESY OF THE FILINVEST GROUP | Officials of PEF, FDC Misamis, GADNAI and LGU Manolo Fortich during the unveiling of the GADNAI Kapulinagan Carbon Forest: (from left) PEF research and development director Dr. Jayson Ibañez, PEF executive director Dennis Salvador, FDC Misamis president and CEO Juan Eugenio L. Roxas, GADNAI chairman and head claimant Datu Honorio Sumohoy, Manolo Fortich municipal administrator Joey Gaid and Guilang-guilang barangay captain Glenn Sumohoy Gulle.[/caption] "We are happy to link GADNAI with FDC Misamis and help build this new partnership. Hopefully, this collaboration will prosper into the future not only for the eagles but for the benefit of the people and ultimately for the nation's interest," said PEF executive director Dennis Salvador. GADNAI plays a critical role in reforestation's success. Part of the project component is capacity building for locals and providing alternate livelihood. Indigenous communities have often been excluded from conservation efforts or have had their knowledge and practices disregarded. Their involvement in these efforts can promote social and environmental justice. "By recognizing and respecting GADNAI's rights and contributions, we can work toward a more equitable and sustainable future," added Roxas. FDC Misamis owns and operates a 405-megawatt thermal baseload power plant in Villanueva, Misamis Oriental, which significantly contributes to the stability of the Mindanao grid. Its parent company, FDC Utilities, Inc., the power and utility arm of the Filinvest Group, is also pursuing the development of sustainable energy projects such as solar, hydropower, biomass and waste-to-energy projects. The carbon sink management program is the Filinvest Group's second project with PEF. Initial conservation efforts started in 2019 when Filinvest, through FDCUI, adopted Philippine Eagle PE-A-84-WM022 formally, now known as Dagitab. The post Preserving the Philippine Eagle sanctuary in Bukidnon appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Bill gifting P1M to 101-year-old Pinoys passed
The House of Representatives has approved on the third and final reading the bill gifting Filipinos who reach the age of 101 a cool P1 million in cash. Garnering 257 votes, the bill improved on the previous law giving P100,000 incentives to those 100 years of age. House Bill 7535 will also grant Filipino citizens P25,000 upon reaching 80, 85, 90, and 95 whether they are living here or abroad. Those 101 years old will likewise get greetings from the president of the Philippines. Through the legislation, the House “would like to honor our countrymen for their years of service to the country and for their discipline in ensuring that they live a long, healthy, and fruitful life,” said Speaker Martin Romualdez. “Of course, we also want our octogenarians and nonagenarians to enjoy this benefit while they still can without having to wait until 101 years old, so we also provided a cash gift for them,” he added. National Commission of Senior Citizens is set to implement the measure when it formally becomes law. Senior Citizens party-list Rep. Rodolfo Ordanes said the new grant will not only help the centenarians’ families financially but also bolster the morale of the elderly. There are an estimated 662 Filipino centenarians, according to the Department of Social Welfare and Development. Aside from Ordanes, the other principal authors of the bill are Representatives Jude Acidre, Sonny Lagon, Daphne Lagon, Brian Yamsuan, PM Vargas, Toby Tiangco, Salvador Pleyto, Roy Loyola, LRay Villafuerte, Loreto Amante, Jam Baronda, Eric Yap, Edvic Yap, Paolo Duterte, Migs Nograles, Lani Mercado-Revilla, and Gus Tambunting. The post Bill gifting P1M to 101-year-old Pinoys passed appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Of battles and bottles: Books on Norzagaray and Philippine history and culture
Whether it’s heavy rains or times of drought, attention is given to the level of water in a number of water reservoirs in the country, which are mostly located in the island of Luzon. One of these reservoirs, which are massive engineering feats of the 20th century, is the Angat Dam in the province of Bulacan, which supplies water for irrigation in the Central Luzon province and adjacent Pampanga and for domestic use in Metro Manila. A common misconception is that this dam is in the town of Angat as its name suggests, but it is geographically and politically located within the town of Norzagaray. The dam was built in the 1960s at the upper portion of the Angat River, hence the name. Apart from the Angat Dam, Norzagaray has another dam called Ipo, located downstream from the former. The present Ipo Dam was completed in 1984 but the old one which was replaced by the current one was completed in 1938 and was the site of the Battle of Ipo Dam in 1945. Historic battles In that battle, the dam was taken by the Filipino and American forces from members of the Shimbu group of the Japanese army commanded by General Shizuo Yokohama, which had control of the important water supply installations for Manila and its environs. Half a century prior, the town also had its share of history during the battles for Philippine independence. In the Philippine Revolution against Spain, a local unit of the Filipino revolutionaries was organized by Sinfroso de la Cruz and made the Pinagrealan Cave in the village of Minuyan as their hideout and secret meeting place. His group was involved in battles against the Spanish forces in Norzagaray, Angat and San Jose in 1896 to 1897. Now, the said cave is a tourist destination in the town together with other natural and cultural sites. These pieces in Norzagaray’s history are discussed in the recently released book, Casaysayan ng Norzagaray Año 1860, by Bulacan historian and cultural advocate Jaime Salvador Corpuz. [caption id="attachment_130022" align="aligncenter" width="525"] Photographs courtesy of Jaime Corpuz | A book on the history of Norzagay, Bulacan.[/caption] Corpuz also presents different facets of the town’s culture and heritage including the Dumagat ethnic group, which also inhabits the area, being a part of the Sierra Madre Mountain Range; its foundation as an independent town from Angat in 1860; its church dedicated to San Andres de Apostol; the Philippine-American War, Commonwealth and World War II; educational development; barangays; known personalities; and the history of the Norzagaray, Culture, History, Arts and Tourism Council, the publisher of the book. The book, an added resource in the study of local histories, is a product of a cultural heritage mapping done more than five years ago. Uncapping the history of bottles Corpuz also recently launched another book on the history of bottles in the country, the first of its kind in the Philippines. A novelty and an important undertaking, the book MaBOTEng Usapan: Samu’t Saring Kuwentong Bote is his joint project with fellow author Kyle Gianan, who is popularly known as the “Filipino Picker.” It was co-published by Corpuz’s Bahay Makabayan in Marilao, Bulacan and Gianan’s Museo ng Kahapon in Mandaluyong. The book presents the various stories about bottles in the country including those that are now considered rare such as the Balintawak Beer, Halili Beer and Mactan Softdrinks of San Miguel in Bulacan. [caption id="attachment_130023" align="aligncenter" width="525"] A book on the history of bottles in the Philippines.[/caption] The book is replete with information on the role of bottles in Philippine movies and old print advertisements. It even tells about how bottles for alcoholic drinks were reused as disinfectant alcohol bottles during the early stages of the coronavirus pandemic. This book is important as it delves into a lesser known or lesser discussed aspect of Philippine society and history. These bottles are artifacts that are historically, culturally, economically, scientifically and socially significant. They are mute witnesses in the planning of revolutions and important events as well as significant social gatherings. This undertaking by Corpuz and Gianan is laudable and is definitely a source of “ma-boteng usapan” among its readers. The post Of battles and bottles: Books on Norzagaray and Philippine history and culture appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Late Governor Padilla feted
Nueva Vizcaya Governor Carlos Padilla will be remembered for his soft-spoken, non-combative, unobtrusive, level-headed nature, said Speaker Martin Romualdez, honoring his former colleague in the House of Representatives. Padilla who was serving his third consecutive term as governor, died due to a heart attack on Friday. He was 78. “Our deepest sympathies, thoughts and prayers are with them, especially his wife, former Gov. Ruth Padilla, and his children — Carlos ‘Jojo’ II, Ruthie Maye and Carlo Paolo, and his grandchildren — at this difficult time of grief and mourning,” Romualdez said on Saturday. He added: “We will always remember Gov. Carling Padilla as a great leader of his province and a humble colleague in the House of Representatives. He was always soft-spoken, non-combative, unobtrusive, level-headed.” Prior to his stint as Governor in 2016, Padilla served in the House for 29 years, beginning in 1987 and ending in 2016 for several three-year terms, including six years as an assemblyman in the Batasang Pambansa during Martial Law. While in Congress, he served as a deputy speaker and a minority leader. The late governor started his political career as the first mayor of the old Dupax town, before it was split into three municipalities. He also served as the first mayor of Dupax del Norte when the town was split into Dupax del Norte, Dupax del Sur and Alfonso Castañeda. Meanwhile, during his tenure in the lower chamber, he authored the Free High School Education Act of 1988, and Republic Act 6728 which provides assistance to students and teachers in private education. He also authored laws establishing schools in his province such as the Nueva Vizcaya State University and Philippine Science High School-Cagayan Valley campus in Bayombong town. Deputy Speaker Camille Villar, meanwhile, said that House members will continue to draw inspiration from Padilla’s important contributions in public service for many years. Cibac Partylist Rep. Bro. Eddie Villanueva also mourned his peer’s passing who he deemed as a real man of the masses and a statesman. “I am deeply saddened by the passing of a dear friend and a compatriot in the fight against injustices and poverty in the country — Gov. Caloy Padilla — whom I know to be one of those who genuinely love this country and the Filipino people. He’s a real man of the masses, statesman and champion of the welfare of the people, particularly Novo Vizcayanos. Caloy will be forever missed and remembered,” said Villanueva. With Padilla’s passing, Vice Governor Jose took over as the governor of Nueva Vizcaya on Friday in accordance with the law on succession. The post Late Governor Padilla feted appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Ablan: Resignation nothing to do with Rappler report
An official of the Department of Education on Friday broke his silence on a malicious report published by Rappler alluding to him as one of the officials who resigned over a messy laptop deal contracted by officials in the previous administration. Atty. Michel Kristian Ablan, DepEd Undersecretary for Administration, told the Daily Tribune that he relinquished his post on 28 April for personal reasons, contrary to a Rappler report that he quit from his post, along with Assistant Secretary Christopher Lawrence Arnuco, due to the laptop fiasco. “It (resignation) had nothing to do with the laptop or Transpac reports of Rappler. In due time, I will answer point by point the issues raised by those reports in order to clear my name,” Ablan said. He added that as a Career Executive Service officer or CESO, he will be transferring to the CESO pool of the Career Executive Service Board. In a Facebook post on Friday, Ablan clarified that he was not the one who entered into the laptop contracts. “I don’t know why it’s being linked to me. These contracts were entered into by the previous DepEd Admin,” his post read. Rappler’s two-part report published on 1 and 2 May showed Transpac’s letter dated 18 November 2022 addressed to Ablan, demanding P34.5 million payment for the controversial laptops. The Senate, in January, released its Blue Ribbon committee report on the overpriced and outdated laptop procurement through the Procurement Service of the Department of Budget and Management during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2021, a year before Ablan joined DepEd. Ablan is a former Undersecretary for Administration and Finance at the Presidential Communications Operations Office and concurrent Program Director of the Freedom of Information. The result of the five hearings of the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee showed that the contract for the supply and delivery of laptops for public school teachers under the 2021 DepEd Laptop for Teachers Procurement Project was overpriced by at least P979 million. Aside from administrative cases, the committee also recommended the filing of graft, falsification of public documents, and perjury charges against the following officials: • Former DepEd Undersecretary Alain del B. Pascua; • DepEd Undersecretary Annalyn M. Sevilla; • Former DepEd Assistant Secretary Salvador C. Malana III; • Director Abram Y.C. Abanil; • Former PS-DBM OIC executive director Lloyd Christopher Lao; • Former PS-DBM OIC executive director Jasonmer L. Uayan; • Bids and Awards Committee Chairman Ulysses E. Mora; • Engineer Marwan O. Amil; and • Other members of the Special Bids and Awards Committee I and SBAC technical working group and secretariat of DepEd or PS-DBM. Ablan, on 22 November 2022, invited DepEd computer suppliers to a dialogue at Oranbo Elementary School in Pasig City, reminding them to adhere to the agreed technical specifications of items, rather than focus on the color and other non-technical aspects of the laptop. Wanting to provide the best that the DepEd budget can afford for its learners, he told suppliers that there has to be a way for the Department to ensure that the laptops are in good running condition for at least three years. "We have laptops that break in less than two years. So that's my one concern. I want, when you say there is a service center when you brag that you have a mobile repair unit, make sure that you really have a mobile repair unit," Ablan was quoted as saying during the dialogue. The post Ablan: Resignation nothing to do with Rappler report appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Former Security Bank chairman passes away
Security Bank Corp. mourns the passing of its chairman, Alberto Villarosa......»»
10 Metro Manila officials in study tour of bike-friendly Netherlands
Filipino bicycle community, rejoice: Metro Manila mayors are taking you seriously. At least enough to fly to the Netherlands to study how the nation became the most bicycle-friendly country. Top city officials represented the Metro Manila Development Authority in a study tour of the European nation that has integrated the use of bicycles into its daily life as well as in its culture. Since the 1920s, the Netherlands developed the bicycle culture and the bike has become “the patriotic means of transportation.” There, traffic rules take cyclists into consideration that they don’t have to wear helmets. Infrastructure is also planned out with bicycles in mind. The Metro Manila city officials also sought to learn things about water management, flood control, inclusive and sustainable mobility, and circular economy. The official delegation includes Mayor Joy Belmonte of Quezon City, Mayor Ruffy Biazon of Muntinlupa, and other officials from San Juan, Caloocan, Malabon, Navotas, Pasay City, Valenzuela, Mandaluyong, and Pateros The officials visited two modern bicycle parking facilities built under canals and rivers in Amsterdam. One is the Stationsplein Underwater Bike Parking Facility which opened on 26 January. It is the largest bicycle parking facility in the city. It can store almost 7,000 bicycles. Taking four years to build at a cost of 65 million euros or approximately P3.67 billion, the bike garage was constructed under the river in front of the Amsterdam Central Train Station. The city officials also visited another underwater parking that can accommodate 4,000 bikes along IJ Boulevard in Amsterdam. Biazon cited the design which allows easy parking and promotes cycling as “last-mile transportation” for train commuters. Belmonte said there are a lot of pointers she can apply for Quezon City which has the largest bicycle road network in the country with 93 kilometers of bike lanes. Quezon City has also installed bike ramps on 40 footbridges and underpasses, milestones already for the local bike community but still a long way to go compared to that of the Netherlands. Based on Dutch Cycling Embassy data, roughly 63 percent of Amsterdam citizens ride a bike daily on 767 km of cycle paths and bicycle lanes throughout the city. The Netherlands has more bicycles than people, with over 22 million bicycles for its 18 million residents. Bicycles saw a massive popularity rise during the pandemic, causing improvements in the infrastructure, especially along Edsa, Macapagal Ave., C5 and Ayala Ave. In 2021, the Department of Transportation and the Department of Public Works and Highways completed 313.12 kilometers of bike lanes passing through 12 cities in Metro Manila. In total, the country now has 497 km of bike lane network that can handle 1,250 cyclists per hour per meter of bike lane. According to the DPWH, there is a plan to build 1,778 km more bike lane projects across the entire country. The post 10 Metro Manila officials in study tour of bike-friendly Netherlands appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Ogie Diaz’s mother, 87, passes away
Talent manager, vlogger and entertainment writer Ogie Diaz disclosed in a Facebook post on Sunday, 23 April, that her mother, Carmen Diaz Pandaan, has died at the age of 87. "Salamat sa lahat ng pakikiramay sa pagpanaw ng aking mahal na ina, si Aling Mameng" (Thank you for all your condolences on the passing of my beloved mother, Aling Mameng), wrote Diaz. "87yo, hindi na kami choosy. At least, naipikit niya ang kanyang mga mata na kumpleto ang kanyang mga anak" (She was 87 years old, and we're not complaining. At least, she closed her eyes with all of us her children present). "Higit sa lahat, I’m proud to say na naibigay ko naman sa nanay ko ang lahat ng pangarap niya sa buhay. Salamat sa lahat ng sakripisyo at pagiging selfless, Nay! Mahal kita. Magkasama na kayo ngayon ni tatay" (Above all, I'm to proud I was able to give my mother everything she dreamed of life. Thank you for all the sacrifices and for being selfless, Nay! Now you're with tatay). In a follow-up post, Diaz said the interment will be on Friday, 28 April. "Sa Friday at 2pm ay simula na ng pagbiyahe ng aking mahal na ina (Carmen Diaz Pandaan) sa kanyang huling hantungan kapiling na ng tatay ko, tulad ng kanyang request" (Sa Friday at 2pm, my beloved mother will begin her journey toward her final resting place with our late father, per her request). "Malungkot, oo. Pero mas masaya ako kasi masaya na ang nanay, dahil pahinga na siya. Na-enjoy naman niya ang 87 years of existence" (It's sad, yes. But we're happy that our mother is now at rest, and she was able to enjoy her 87 years of existence). The post Ogie Diaz’s mother, 87, passes away appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
A1 marks 25 years with a concert in Manila
The popular British–Norwegian boy band A1 is set to make a comeback in Manila in October, just in time to celebrate their 25th anniversary in the music industry. This is a highly anticipated event for their Filipino fans who have been waiting for the group’s return to the Philippines after their successful concert in 2018. Thus, their upcoming tour is aptly called Twenty Five. A1 has been back to their original line-up, which consists of Paul Marazzi, Christian Ingebrigtsen, Mark Read and Ben Adams, since Paul re-joined the group in 2018 for their 20th Anniversary Reunion Tour, now five years on the band return to celebrate their musical milestone. The concert, which will be held at the New Frontier Theater, Araneta Center in Quezon City, promises to be a night of pure nostalgia and great music for A1 fans. Performing their classic hits from their impressive discography including “Like a Rose,” “Everytime,” “Same Old Brand New You” and “Caught in the Middle” to name a few that Filipinos learned to love over the years. Likewise, the group feels ecstatic to perform in Manila once again. Back in 2020, A1 got a fantastic reaction when Ben performed a duet of “Like a Rose” with popular Filipino star Morissette as an online performance during lockdown. A1 toured Denmark in 2021 and Sweden in 2022. In September 2022 they commenced a headline tour of the UK, where they performed songs from their forthcoming album, although original dates were moved due to pandemic closures and then the Queen’s passing during the tour. Presented by Concert Republic, A1: Twenty Five-Manila will be held at New Frontier Theater on 14 October, 8 p.m. Tickets will go on sale starting 28 April, 12 noon. Available at all TicketNet outlets or log onto Ticketnet.com.ph. The post A1 marks 25 years with a concert in Manila appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Fugitive Teves claims ‘persecution’
Suspended Negros Oriental Representative Arnie Teves claimed that the military and police raided one of his properties in Bayawan City without a search warrant. “This is real persecution already. This is too much. It’s not right anymore. It’s wrong. The trampling on human rights is too much. Shouldn’t you have freedom and peace in your home and community? Now it’s gone,” he said in Filipino in a press briefing conducted remotely yesterday. Teves is a suspect in the 4 March 2023 assassination of Negros Oriental Governor Roel Degamo. One of Teves’ lawyers, Ferdinand Topacio, said his client is being subjected to “harassment” as government forces also raided a poultry farm that Teves owns in Bayawan even during the celebration of Eid’l Fitr or the Feast of Ramadan on Friday. Approximately 15 short and high-powered firearms, explosives, and ammunition were found during the initial raid on Teves’ property and two other homes allegedly owned by his relatives on 10 March. Teves’ camp decried as illegal the raid on his properties by the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group on 25 March. The authorities have linked his younger brother, former governor Pryde Henry Teves, to the killing of Degamo. The embattled lawmaker talked with the media through his Facebook page, where he said he hoped the raiders did not plant evidence. Teves also sought the help of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to stop government agents from raiding his properties without a search warrant. The President, however, had refused to be drawn into Teves’ problems, saying the legislator should just return home to face the charges. Suspension from House His plea to Marcos came days after he revealed in an interview that he had also sought the help of a colleague in returning home after he had insisted on remaining abroad because he did not feel safe. Last 22 March, the President urged the embattled lawmaker to return to the country, assuring him of tight security upon arrival. Teves is also facing charges over loose firearms and a series of killings in the province in 2019. He has been out of the country since 28 February and his failure to return home to perform his congressional duties and face the allegations leveled against him prompted his two-month suspension by the House ethics panel. PDP, Beijing party solidify ties The meeting was aimed at strengthening economic and cultural cooperation between China and the Philippines. Members of the major political party Partido Demokratiko Pilipino-Lakas ng Bayan or PDP Laban yesterday met with their counterparts in the International Department of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China or IDCPC at the Sheraton Hotel in Pasay City. Former president and PDP Laban chairman Rodrigo Duterte joined the meeting via Zoom, along with vice chairman Alfonso Cusi, Senator Robinhood Padilla, Former Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea, Secretary General Melvin Matibag, and the party’s Council of Elders and national executive committee. The meeting was aimed at strengthening economic and cultural cooperation between China and the Philippines. The party leaders and the IDCPC delegation, led by the Director-General of the Asian Bureau Peng Xiubin, discussed methods for strengthening their relationship. Given his high approval rating of over 80 percent even upon his retirement, the conference was significant because former President Duterte’s influence within the party could affect its future direction. In addition, the meeting highlighted the growing relationship between the Philippines and China, as both countries have made efforts in recent years to strengthen trade and investment ties. China has made significant contributions to infrastructure and exchange programs in the cultural and educational realms. The Philippines’ strategic location and swiftly expanding economy in Southeast Asia make it a key player in the region. Therefore, establishing strong alliances with other nations, particularly China, is crucial for its future growth and development. The meeting signified a turning point in Philippine politics. It emphasizes the importance of international relations and political parties working together to influence the country’s future, as well as in the strengthening of “people-to-people” ties. The post Fugitive Teves claims ‘persecution’ appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
PDP, Beijing party solidify ties
Members of the major political party Partido Demokratiko Pilipino-Lakas ng Bayan or PDP Laban yesterday met with their counterparts in the International Department of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China or IDCPC at the Sheraton Hotel in Pasay City. Former president and PDP Laban chairman Rodrigo Duterte joined the meeting via Zoom, along with vice chairman Alfonso Cusi, Senator Robinhood Padilla, Former Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea, Secretary General Melvin Matibag, and the party’s Council of Elders and national executive committee. The meeting was aimed at strengthening economic and cultural cooperation between China and the Philippines. The party leaders and the IDCPC delegation, led by the Director-General of the Asian Bureau Peng Xiubin, discussed methods for strengthening their relationship. Given his high approval rating of over 80 percent even upon his retirement, the conference was significant because former President Duterte’s influence within the party could affect its future direction. In addition, the meeting highlighted the growing relationship between the Philippines and China, as both countries have made efforts in recent years to strengthen trade and investment ties. China has made significant contributions to infrastructure and exchange programs in the cultural and educational realms. The Philippines’ strategic location and swiftly expanding economy in Southeast Asia make it a key player in the region. Therefore, establishing strong alliances with other nations, particularly China, is crucial for its future growth and development. The meeting signified a turning point in Philippine politics. It emphasizes the importance of international relations and political parties working together to influence the country’s future, as well as in the strengthening of “people-to-people” ties. The post PDP, Beijing party solidify ties appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Chatbot, am not
Two little mounds of flesh, So soft, so round, so fair, Upon a chest of snow, Two little buds of air. Two little peaks of joy, So sensitive, so sweet, That when touched, They stand erect, entice. Two little points of love, So full of life, so warm, That when they’re kissed They give thrills of joy. Two little cups of milk, So sweet, so pure, so white, That filled they give A nourishment so bright. Two little symbols of The love that God has given, To womankind to show Motherhood’s joys — Bard, waxing poetic on women’s bosoms ChatGPT, while still in continuous development since its release in November 2022, has taken the world by storm because its use of artificial intelligence, or AI, has allowed it to hold open-ended conversations with humans in written form. But rave about ChatGPT we’d rather not because OpenAI’s creation is just a more advanced and sophisticated variant of what personal assistants like Alexa, Siri, or Hey Google have been doing for many years now through smart devices, albeit only verbally or graphically. ChatGPT, I’d dare say, is more evolutionary than revolutionary. Suffice it to say, though, that we can see sooner than later chatbots and personal assistants crossing over into each other’s digital realms to cover all platforms whether written verbal, photos, videos, or robotics. Their very human creators (greed is exclusive to man, right?) would all do that because convergence holds the key to making money from disruptive or game-changing concepts like AI. Mind you, AI can be made to do a lot more things other than Google’s Bard being told to generate (did I say write?) that paean of a poem above on women’s nurturing nature. AI, as you read this, is already powering self-driving cars, smart cities, customer service, and revolutionizing education through customized tutorials. But AI, as a branch of computer science, deserves a series of columns. So enough of this digression and let’s go back to the specifics of those AI-powered chatbots, with me wearing my Daily Tribune technology editor’s hat. Am no expert here, but who can claim to be one when even Google’s top executives admitted in an interview with 60 Minutes that they could not put a finger on how Bard, their answer to ChatGPT, works? You know, just like opening Pandora’s or Forrest Gump’s box of chocolates: Either you get all of the evils of the world pouring out because of AI, or life’s gooey, mouth-watering goodness, or both. Who knows what the future holds? Going back to ChatGPT, which has gotten a headstart over Bard but may eventually cave in from the power of Google’s superlative search engine and wealth, there’s a certain depth of response that people get from it. Alexa or Siri could not hold a candle to ChatGPT in making some lazy people think they can use the AI chatbot instead of doing actual research or in passing themselves off as writers even at the risk of being exposed as plagiarists. One daughter told me that, in college, they have unmasked ChatGPT users among their peers, having analyzed the plagiarized works vis-a-vis what the chatbot does and its formula for responding to prompts. In most cases, ChatGPT throws in a structured response broken down into three parts: Introduction, body (where it does its data dumping, information overload), and conclusion, she told me. Likewise, perfection is a giveaway when somebody who could not even write a single grammatically passable sentence suddenly becomes Mark Twain-ish. As AI chatbots can get overly formulaic, it would not take rocket science to decipher a chatbot-generated piece of writing, notwithstanding Google’s attempt at selling Bard as one infused with black magic, a pathetic attempt at marketing hype. The post Chatbot, am not appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Paris court gives Canada-based professor life for 1980 synagogue bomb
A Paris court on Friday sentenced a Lebanese-Canadian sociology professor to life in prison in absentia for the 1980 bombing of a synagogue in the French capital that left four people dead. The court followed the prosecutor's request for the maximum possible punishment against Hassan Diab, now 69 and a resident of Canada, a decision that was met with silence in court. Some victims and their families could be seen embracing at the end of three weeks of proceedings during which the suspect's box remained empty throughout. Prosecutors had said in their closing arguments Thursday that there was "no possible doubt" that Diab, the only suspect, was behind the attack. Diab, speaking to reporters in Ottawa, called the verdict "Kafkaesque" and "not fair." "We'd hoped reason would prevail," he said, adding that he expects Canada not to send him back to France to serve the sentence. In the early evening of October 3, 1980, explosives placed on a motorcycle detonated close to a synagogue on the Rue Copernic in Paris's chic 16th district, killing a student passing by on a motorbike, a driver, an Israeli journalist, and a caretaker. Forty-six others were injured in the blast. The bombing was the first deadly attack against a Jewish target on French soil since World War II. No organization claimed responsibility but police suspected a splinter group of the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine. French intelligence agents in 1999 accused Diab of having made the 10-kilogram (22-pound) bomb. They pointed to Diab's likeness with police sketches drawn at the time and handwriting analyses that they said confirmed him as the person who bought the motorbike used in the attack. They also produced a key item of evidence against him -- a passport in his name, seized in Rome in 1981, with entry and exit stamps from Spain, where the attack plan was believed to have originated. In 2014, Canada extradited Diab at the request of the French authorities. However, investigating judges were unable to prove his guilt conclusively during the investigation and Diab was released, leaving France for Canada as a free man in 2018. Three years later, a French court overturned this earlier decision and ordered Diab should stand trial on charges of murder, attempted murder, and destruction of property in connection with a terrorist enterprise. Canada's Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said at a press conference after the verdict was announced that "we will look carefully at next steps, at what the French government chooses to do, at what French tribunals choose to do". "But we will always be there to stand up for Canadians and their rights," he said. Denials Most of the evidence presented against Diab was based on intelligence sources, and his lawyers had again argued the case should be thrown out. "I'm in front of you to avoid a miscarriage of justice," celebrity defense lawyer William Bourdon told the court Thursday, saying that an acquittal was "the only judicial decision possible". Diab has claimed he was sitting exams in Lebanon at the time of the attack, backed up by statements from his ex-partner and former students. His conviction means he will now again become the subject of an arrest warrant, which risks stoking diplomatic tensions between France and Canada after his first extradition took six years. David Pere, a lawyer for some of the people present in the synagogue at the time of the bombing, said his clients were "not motivated by vengeance nor looking for a guilty person's head to stick on a pike... they want justice to be done". Diab has won some backing from NGOs, including Amnesty International, who said his assertion that he was in Lebanon at the time of the attack was credible The post Paris court gives Canada-based professor life for 1980 synagogue bomb appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Maja Salvador, out sa Eat Bulaga
Nagpaalam na sa Eat Bulaga ang aktres na si Maja Salvador at ayon sa isang statement ay dahil umano ito sa kanyang paghahanda sa kasal nila ng kanyang fiancé na si Rambo Nuñez Ortega. Sa statement ng Crown Management Agency na siyang namamahala sa aktres ukol sa pamamahinga nito sa noontime program, pormal na inanunsyo ang pag-alis ng aktres sa longest noontime show sa bansa. “Crown Artist Management would like to announce that with Maja Salvador’s upcoming wedding, and with all the uncertainties surrounding Eat Bulaga, she will be leaving the noontime show for the time being,” ayon sa pahayag ng CAM. Dagdag nito, isa sa mga pangarap ng aktres na natupad ay ang maging bahagi ng Dabarkads ng “Eat Bulaga” ngunit dahil na rin sa mga nangyayari ay pansamantala muna itong magpapahinga. Naipaalam na rin ito sa management ng naturang programa. “Becoming a Dabarkads in Eat Bulaga was a dream of Maja that came true one and a half years ago, but for now, we have to give it a pause. This decision was already communicated to their management, so we’re hoping for your utmost understanding. Maja wishes Eat Bulaga, its hosts and staff, all the best! Maraming salamat Dabarkads!” saad ng statement. Hindi pa naman sigurado kung kailan ang final episode ni Maja sa “Eat Bulaga”. Marami naman sa mga netizens ang nag-aabang kung tuluyan na ring magpapaalam ang kanyang kaibigan na si Maine Mendoza sa programa. Aware naman ang lahat na tulad ni Maja, abala rin si Maine ngayon sa pag-aasikaso ng kanyang nalalapit na kasal sa actor-politician na si Cong. Arjo Atayde. Nakatakda rin kasing magpakasal si Maine sa buwang ng Hulyo kaya naman usap-usapan kung maging siya ay aalis. The post Maja Salvador, out sa Eat Bulaga appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Cebu’s Eva Patalinjug: From Bb. Pilipinas titleholder to lawyer
CEBU CITY, Philippines – Cebuana beauty queen Eva Psychee Patalinjug earns another title five years after she won as Bb. Pilipinas Grand International 2018. Patalinjug is now a lawyer after passing the 2022 Bar Examinations, the results of which the Supreme Court (SC) released on Friday, April 14. The beauty queen also confirmed the […] The post Cebu’s Eva Patalinjug: From Bb. Pilipinas titleholder to lawyer appeared first on Cebu Daily News......»»