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Father shoots son dead for disrespecting mom in Cebu City
CEBU CITY, Philippines – He was only requested to turn off the lights of his hut, but his disrespectful response to his mother’s order ultimately led to his death. The fatal shooting of a 28-year-old jobless man by his own father in Barangay Lahug, Cebu City on Monday night allegedly stemmed from months of constant.....»»
Davao City Council moves hearing on traffic-causing road construction works
DAVAO CITY (MindaNews – 26 March) – The Davao City Council rescheduled to Tuesday, April 2, the second hearing on the suspended road construction works in the locality after key officials from the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) – Davao region failed to show up Friday. The DPWH-Davao key officials are reportedly in […].....»»
Barred Coral Snake seen in Cebu: Beauty and death rolled into one
CEBU CITY, Philippines – A barred coral snake, locally known as “udto-udto” is a slender snake of short length, typically found in gardens or nearby agricultural lands in the Philippines. While they are common in the Philippines, they are rarely spotted due to their small size and their ability to hide effectively. Barred coral snakes.....»»
The colorful and inspiring life of Cebu’s ‘Duster King’
CEBU CITY, Philippines—Cebu’s active running scene is filled with individuals who stand out. One of them is Leonecel Arban, popularly known as the “Duster King.” Arban, a native of Alcoy town, south Cebu, is widely known for his playful running attire and props during running events, which often draws attention. Arban, who currently resides in.....»»
Stray cat critical after head struck by arrow
A STRAY cat in Davao City sustained a "life-threatening" injury after its head was struck by an arrow......»»
Makati mall to hold Pabasa
The Filipino Lenten tradition of pabasa or chanting the passion, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ will be held at a shopping mall in Makati City......»»
Bayani Fernando, a true public servant (1)
On 22 September 2023, in a freak and unfortunate accident, the country lost a man who spent much of his life in dedicated public service. Bayani Fernando, a popular, beloved three-term mayor, a two-term Congressman of Marikina, a few months Secretary of Public Works, and an eight-year Chairman of the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority, passed away at age 77, creating a vacuum in the kind of leadership exercised by, unfortunately, a few public servants. In a toxic atmosphere of politics, his entry into public service was a refreshing gust of wind. Putting aside his business interests (he founded the BF Group of Companies, engaged in construction, steel, manufacturing, and real estate), he plunged head-on to an unfamiliar terrain. He lost in his first try and emerged victorious in his second. Thereafter, he carved a name for himself as a strict, disciplinarian and creative Mayor of Marikina for three consecutive terms. He has become a legend in local administration. He transformed Marikina from a 4th class municipality to a model city of cleanliness and orderliness, receiving citation after citation in different fields of endeavor. As Mayor, he launched a crusade against all forms of transgressions of law. He stopped illegal vending and destroyed the confiscated food and merchandise to show he meant business. He instilled discipline among the employees. He made the dirty and odorous public toilets in City Hall look and smell like hotel restrooms. He re-settled the informal settlers, not by transferring them to other cities but by providing them with lands and shelter inside the city. Bayan as he is called by his pretty and equally dedicated public servant wife, Marides Carlos- Fernando, dredged the Marikina River of filth and garbage, developed the banks into flood control outlets, and converted both sides of the river as a park. He commenced massive repairs and cementing of roads. He built an efficient drainage system and created sidewalks all over Marikina. He established health centers in the barangays. He enforced the law on everyone, exempting no one. He removed illegally parked vehicles and enforced traffic rules strictly. He made the public market clean and stalls orderly and sectionalized. Garbage was regularly collected. Public service became efficient and prompt. Employees were courteous and sported smiles as they rendered service to Marikeños. Under his watch, the economy of Marikina grew. His other half, a UP product, from whom he derived his inspiration to serve faithfully Marikina, continued the caring Fernando kind of governance. He brought his creative and authoritative leadership as Chairman of the Metropolitan Development Authority to Metro Manila. He brought back the sidewalks to the pedestrians, which were invaded by vendors selling their wares. He forcibly evicted squatters along the railroad tracks, esteros, and those living under the bridge. He made innovative projects that dramatically lessened the chaos that used to vex Metro Manilas. He improved on the nightmarish traffic congestion. He introduced the U-turn slots and constructed food bridges that made crossing the streets convenient and safe. He was a hands-on government worker, ensuring the projects he initiated ran smoothly, and those implementing them were on their toes. He didn’t back down from pressures and resistance coming from powerful politicians and businessmen. He didn’t leave anything to chance or rely on the people he tasked to do a particular job. He had to be there inspecting, correcting, and innovating on anything he put his mind to. Tragically, this admirable character trait brought him to his demise. (To be continued) The post Bayani Fernando, a true public servant (1) appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Libya survivors angry of neglect protest
Survivors of the deadly dam bursts in Derna, eastern Libya have turned their despair to anger, staging a protest to vent their frustrations to the slow help and demand justice from negligent officials. The people want parliament to fall,” “Aguila is the enemy of God,” “The blood of martyrs is not shed in vain” and “Thieves and betrayers must hang,” hundreds of protesters shouted outside the city’s grand mosque. The protesters also demanded a United Nations office in Derna, the start of the city’s reconstruction, compensation for affected residents” and a probe into the current city council and previous budgets. Some protesters marched on a house reportedly owned by Derna’s unpopular mayor Abdulmonem al-Ghaithi and set it on fire, according to images shared on social networks and by Libyan media. Al-Masar television reported that the head of the eastern-based government, Oussama Hamad, had dissolved Derna council and ordered an investigation into it. Politicians and analysts say the chaos in Libya since the 2011 fall and killing of Moamer Kadhafi has relegated the maintenance of vital infrastructure to the background. Dam waters submerged a densely populated six-square-kilometer area of Derna, damaging 1,500 buildings of which 891 were totally razed, according to a preliminary report by the Tripoli government based on satellite images. Libya has been split between two rival governments — a United Nations-backed administration in the capital Tripoli and another in the disaster-hit east — since the North Atlantic Treaty Organization-backed uprising 12 years ago. In the face of the tragedy, rival Libyan administrations appear to have set aside their differences for now after calls to collaborate in the aid effort. On Monday, the Tripoli government said it began work on a temporary bridge over the river that cuts through Derna. WITH AFP The post Libya survivors angry of neglect protest appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
150 dead as ‘catastrophic’ storm floods hit east Libya
At least 150 people were killed when freak floods hit eastern Libya, officials said Monday, after storm "Daniel" swept the Mediterranean, its torrential rains earlier lashing Turkey, Bulgaria and Greece. Images filmed by residents of the Libyan disaster area showed massive mudslides, collapsed buildings and entire neighborhoods submerged under muddy water. "At least 150 people were killed as a result of flooding and torrential rains left by storm Daniel in Derna, Jabal al-Akhdar region and the suburbs of Al-Marj," said Mohamed Massoud, a spokesman for the Benghazi-based administration in Libya. "This is besides the massive material damage that struck public and private properties," he told AFP. Hundreds of residents were still believed to be trapped in difficult-to-reach areas as rescuers, backed by the army, were trying to come to their aid. East Libyan authorities had "lost contact with nine soldiers during rescue operations", Massoud said. He said the prime minister of the east-based government, Oussama Hamad, and the head of a rescue committee as well as other ministers had travelled to Derna to evaluate the extent of the damage. Hamad's government -- which in war-battered Libya rivals an UN-brokered, internationally recognized transitional administration in Tripoli -- on Monday declared Derna a "disaster area". Libya's western government under Abdelhamid Dbeibah, during an extraordinary ministerial meeting broadcast live on television, announced three days of national mourning and emphasized "the unity of all Libyans" in the face of the disaster. The National Petroleum Company, whose main oilfields and terminals are in eastern Libya, declared "a state of maximum alert" and suspended flights between production sites where activity was drastically reduced. Experts have described storm Daniel -- which killed at least 27 people when it struck parts of Greece, Turkey and Bulgaria in recent days -- as "extreme in terms of the amount of water falling in a space of 24 hours". 'Severe weather' A Derna city council official described the situation in the city as "catastrophic" and in need of "national and international intervention", speaking to the local TV channel Libya al-Ahrar. He reported the collapse of four main bridges and two buildings in Derna, a city of 100,000 people that lies in a river wadi 900 kilometers (560 miles) east of the capital Tripoli. The storm struck eastern Libya on Sunday afternoon, hitting especially the coastal town of Jabal al-Akhdar but also Benghazi, where a curfew was declared and schools closed for several days. The United Nations mission in Libya on Monday said on X, formerly Twitter, that it was "closely following the emergency caused by severe weather conditions in the eastern region of the country". It expressed its condolences over the deaths and said it was "ready to support efforts by local authorities and municipalities to respond to this emergency and provide urgent humanitarian assistance". Libya, sitting on Africa's largest known oil reserves, was plunged into chaos following the 2011 NATO-backed uprising that toppled and killed former dictator Moamer Kadhafi. Two rival governments based in the west and east have been vying for power, with deadly conflict occasionally erupting. The French ambassador to Libya, Mostafa Mihraje, also offered his condolences and expressed his "solidarity with the Libyan people in this ordeal", also in a message on X. In neighboring Egypt, authorities called for caution on the northern coast which borders eastern Libya, and announced they were beginning preparations to minimize the impact of Storm Daniel. The weather forecast predicted more heavy rain in coming days there. As the world warms, the atmosphere contains more water vapor which increases the risk of heavy precipitation in some parts of the world. Combined with other factors such as urbanization and land-use planning, these more intense rainfall events contribute to flooding. The post 150 dead as ‘catastrophic’ storm floods hit east Libya appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Race to find survivors as Morocco quake deaths top 1,300
Morocco's deadliest earthquake in decades has killed more than 1,300 people, authorities said Saturday, as troops and emergency services scrambled to reach remote mountain villages where casualties are still feared trapped. Authorities declared three days of national mourning, but the Red Cross warned that it could take years to repair the damage. The 6.8-magnitude quake struck late Friday in a mountainous area 72 kilometres (45 miles) southwest of the tourist city of Marrakesh, the US Geological Survey reported. With strong tremors also felt in the coastal cities of Rabat, Casablanca and Essaouira, the quake caused widespread damage and sent terrified residents and tourists scrambling to safety in the middle of the night. "I was nearly asleep when I heard the doors and the shutters banging," said Ghannou Najem, a Casablanca resident in her 80s who was visiting Marrakesh when the quake hit. "I went outside in a panic. I thought I was going to die alone." In the mountain village of Tafeghaghte near the quake's epicentre, virtually no buildings were left standing. The traditional clay bricks used by the region's Berber inhabitants proved no match for the rare quake. In the late afternoon, soldiers continued to search through debris, but most survivors headed to the cemetery where loud screams punctuated the last rites as some 70 villagers were laid to rest. "Three of my grandchildren and their mother were killed -- they are still under the rubble," villager Omar Benhanna, 72, told AFP. "Just a while ago, we were all playing together," he added. It was the strongest-ever quake to hit the North African kingdom, and one expert described it as the region's "biggest in more than 120 years". "Where destructive earthquakes are rare, buildings are simply not constructed robustly enough... so many collapse, resulting in high casualties," said Bill McGuire, professor emeritus at Britain's University College London. Updated interior ministry figures on Saturday showed the quake killed at least 1,305 people, the vast majority in Al-Haouz, the epicentre, and Taroudant provinces. Another 1,832 people were injured, including 1,220 in a critical condition, the ministry said. Civil defence Colonel Hicham Choukri who is heading relief operations told state television earlier the epicentre and strength of the earthquake created "an exceptional emergency situation". After a meeting chaired by King Mohammed VI, the palace announced three days of national mourning, with flags to fly at half-mast on all public buildings. 'Unbearable' screams Faisal Badour, an engineer, said he felt the quake three times in his building in Marrakesh. "There are families who are still sleeping outside because we were so scared of the force of this earthquake," he said. "The screaming and crying was unbearable." Frenchman Michael Bizet, 43, who owns three traditional riad houses in Marrakesh's old town, told AFP he was in bed when the quake struck. "I thought my bed was going to fly away. I went out into the street half-naked and immediately went to see my riads. It was total chaos, a real catastrophe, madness," he said. Footage on social media showed part of a minaret collapsed on Jemaa el-Fna square in the historic city. An AFP correspondent saw hundreds of people flocking to the square to spend the night for fear of aftershocks, some with blankets while others slept on the ground. Houda Outassaf, a local resident, said she was "still in shock" after feeling the earth shake beneath her feet -- and losing relatives. "I have at least 10 members of my family who died... I can hardly believe it, as I was with them no more than two days ago," she said. The regional blood transfusion centre in Marrakesh called on residents to donate blood for the injured. The Royal Moroccan Football Federation announced that a Cup of African Nations qualifier against Liberia, due to have been played on Saturday in the coastal city of Agadir, had been postponed indefinitely. Significant damage likely "We heard screams at the time of the tremor," a resident of Essaouira, 200 kilometres (125 miles) west of Marrakesh, told AFP. "Pieces of facades have fallen." The USGS PAGER system, which provides preliminary assessments on the impact of earthquakes, issued a "red alert" for economic losses, saying extensive damage is probable. The Red Cross said it was mobilising resources to support the Moroccan Red Crescent, but its Middle East and North Africa director, Hossam Elsharkawi, warned: "We are looking at many months if not years of response." Foreign leaders expressed their condolences and many offered assistance, including Israel with which Morocco normalised relations in 2020. Neighbour and regional rival Algeria announced it was suspending a two-year-old ban on all Moroccan flights through its airspace to enable aid deliveries and medical evacuations. US President Joe Biden said he was "deeply saddened by the loss of life and devastation". Chinese leader Xi Jinping expressed "deep grief for the victims" and hope that "the Moroccan government and people will be able to overcome the impact of this disaster". In 2004, at least 628 people were killed and 926 injured when a quake hit Al Hoceima in northeastern Morocco, and in 1960 a magnitude 6.7 quake in Agadir killed more than 12,000. The 7.3-magnitude El Asnam earthquake in Algeria killed 2,500 people and left at least 300,000 homeless in 1980. The post Race to find survivors as Morocco quake deaths top 1,300 appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Lacuna keeping ‘guerilla’ vendors out
With the Christmas season just around the corner, Manila Mayor Honey Lacuna has issued an order allowing Divisoria, central hub of all retail and wholesale business in the country, to retain its organized set–up to discourage those who may take advantage of the season to create chaos. The order comes amid reports that some illegal vendors are sprouting in the vending sites, affecting legitimate sidewalk vendors. In reaction, a joint operation was conducted by the Department of Public Services, DEPW (Department of Engineering and Public Works) , and MTPB (Manila Traffic and Parking Bureau) on the streets of El Cano, M. Delos Santos, Tabora and Sto. Cristo where all vendors were temporarily cleared to give way for the general cleaning that included a flushing job, collection of garbage, de clogging of canals, bundling of cables, and marking of lines to determine the area for vending. The middle portion is for pedestrians and also some parking areas. Lacuna made sure that Divisoria would no longer be the old one during his administration as she vowed to continue that no vendors could occupy main roads such as CM Recto which were converted into vending sites then. It was learned that several complaints were received by the office of Lacuna which led her to order an inspection. It was later verified to be true. Part of the area ordered inspected is Ylaya street where uniformed stalls were provided by the city during former Mayor Isko Moreno’s time that no violations were made and were kept clean by legitimate vendors as they hired their own street cleaners to maintain the area. It was noted that during these “BER” months some new vendors may come in as “guerilla” stalls, quietly appearing until it grows and becomes uncontrollable said the source. “This is the silent order of Lacuna in her desire to keep order in Divisoria as she started setting her eye in the area since the opening of classes where shoppers trooped to the said market to avail school supplies at much-lowered prices,” a source who requested anonymity said. The post Lacuna keeping ‘guerilla’ vendors out appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Morocco quake kills at least 296 people
A powerful earthquake shook Morocco late Friday and killed nearly 300 people, according to a preliminary government count, with terrified residents fleeing their homes in the middle of the night. The 6.8-magnitude quake struck 72 kilometers (45 miles) southwest of tourist hotspot Marrakesh at 11:11 pm (2211 GMT), the US Geological Survey reported. Strong tremors were also felt in the coastal cities of Rabat, Casablanca, and Essaouira. "We felt a very violent tremor, and I realized it was an earthquake," Abdelhak El Amrani, a 33-year-old in Marrakesh, told AFP by telephone. "I could see buildings moving. We don't necessarily have the reflexes for this type of situation. Then I went outside and there were a lot of people there. People were all in shock and panic. The children were crying and the parents were distraught." "The power went out for 10 minutes, and so did the (telephone) network, but then it came back on," he added. "Everyone decided to stay outside." The quake "killed 296 people in the provinces and municipalities of Al-Haouz, Marrakesh, Ouarzazate, Azilal, Chichaoua, and Taroudant", Morocco's interior ministry said in a statement, citing a provisional report. Another 153 people were injured, it added. 'Unbearable' screams Faisal Baddour, an engineer, said he felt the earthquake three times in his building. "People went out into the street just after this total panic, and there are families who are still sleeping outside because we were so scared of the force of this earthquake," he said. "It was as if a train was passing close to our houses." Frenchman Michael Bizet, 43, who owns three traditional riad houses in Marrakesh's old town, told AFP that he had been in bed at the time of the quake. "I thought my bed was going to fly away. I went out into the street half-naked and immediately went to see my riads. It was total chaos, a real catastrophe, madness," he said. The 43-year-old shared a video of piles of rubble from collapsed walls in the streets. Footage on social media also showed part of a minaret collapsed on Jemaa el-Fna square in the historic city. An AFP correspondent saw hundreds of people flocking to the square to spend the night for fear of aftershocks, some with blankets while others slept on the ground. Houda Outassaf, a local resident, told AFP he was walking around the square when the ground began to shake. "It was a truly staggering sensation. We're safe and sound, but I'm still in shock," he said. "I have at least 10 members of my family who died... I can hardly believe it, as I was with them no more than two days ago." Fayssal Badour, another Marrakesh resident, told AFP he was driving when the earthquake hit. "I stopped and realized what a disaster it was... The screaming and crying was unbearable," he said. The interior ministry said authorities have "mobilized all the necessary resources to intervene and help the affected areas". The regional blood transfusion center in Marrakesh has called on residents to donate blood for those injured. In the town of Al-Haouz, near the epicenter of the quake, a family was trapped in the rubble after their house collapsed, local media reported. Significant damage likely "We heard screams at the time of the tremor," a resident of Essaouira, 200 kilometers west of Marrakesh, told AFP. "People are in the squares, in the cafes, preferring to sleep outside. Pieces of facades have fallen." The USGS PAGER system, which provides preliminary assessments on the impact of earthquakes, issued a red alert for economic losses, saying extensive damage is probable and the disaster is likely widespread. Past events with this alert level have required a national or international level response, according to the US government agency. Internet connectivity was disrupted in Marrakesh due to power cuts, according to global internet monitor NetBlocks. Moroccan media reported it was the most powerful earthquake to hit the country to date. German Chancellor Olaf Scholz offered condolences, while Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi said he was "pained" by news of the quake. The earthquake was also felt in neighboring Algeria, where the Algerian Civil Defence said it had not caused any damage or casualties. In 2004, at least 628 people were killed and 926 injured when a quake hit Al Hoceima in northeastern Morocco, and in 1960 a magnitude 6.7 quake in Agadir killed more than 12,000. The 7.3-magnitude El Asnam earthquake in neighboring Algeria in 1980 was regionally one of the most destructive earthquakes in recent history. It killed 2,500 people and left at least 300,000 homeless. The post Morocco quake kills at least 296 people appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Hong Kong flooded by heaviest rainfall in 140 years
Hong Kong was flooded by the heaviest rainfall in nearly 140 years on Friday, leaving the city's streets and some subway stations under water and forcing its schools to close. Just across the border, authorities in China's tech hub Shenzhen recorded the heaviest rains since records began in 1952. Climate change has increased the intensity of tropical storms, experts say, with more rain and stronger gusts leading to flash floods and coastal damage. The heavy rains in Hong Kong started on Thursday and in the hour leading up to midnight, the city's weather observatory recorded hourly rainfall of 158.1 millimeters at its headquarters, the highest since records began in 1884. On Friday afternoon, the Hospital Authority said at least 110 people were hospitalized due to injuries, with four in serious condition. A man was found unconscious off the shore of western Hong Kong Island and declared dead at the hospital, though authorities were still investigating if the death was flood-related. The city's highest rainstorm warning level, "black", was hoisted for a record-breaking 16 hours before being lowered at 3:40 pm Friday, with rainfall mostly easing by late afternoon. "It's absolutely shocking," said Jacky, 52, who lives in the Wong Tai Sin district with his elderly parents. "I don't remember floods ever being this bad in our district." "The bottom floor of the mall is completely flooded, the water level is higher than the storefronts... it's turned our day into chaos," he added. Authorities issued flash flood warnings, with emergency services conducting rescue operations in parts of the territory. "Residents living in close proximity to rivers should stay alert to weather conditions and should consider evacuation" if their homes are flooded, the observatory said. It also warned of potential landslips, telling motorists to "keep away from steep slopes or retaining walls". Hong Kong's stock exchange cancelled all trading sessions on Friday. 'Once in a century' Hong Kong Chief Secretary Eric Chan described the deluge as "a once-in-a-century heavy rainstorm", adding that extreme conditions would continue until midnight local time (1600 GMT). "It's like putting four bathtubs of water into one bathtub... it will spill," Chan said at a press conference, when asked if the government had done enough to prevent flooding. The Hong Kong Observatory said it recorded more than 600 millimeters of rainfall at its headquarters over 24 hours -- roughly a quarter of the city's annual average. Earlier in the day, taxis struggled through flooded roads as commuters attempted to make their way to work, with some cars stranded in the deluge. "It felt like the whole neighborhood was isolated by the floodwater. One of the underground car parks is totally under water," Olivia Lam, who lives on the eastern side of Hong Kong Island, told AFP. "The water was almost waist-deep outside my building, and that's not the worst (case) in the neighborhood." An AFP reporter saw boulders and mud from a landslide block off a two-lane road in the Shau Kei Wan district, with mud also spilling over into a nearby basketball court. Residents of a public housing block just 30 meters from the landslide lined up with buckets to collect fresh water after the building's supply was disrupted. Roads were also flooded on the island of Lantau, where rivers swelled over their banks. Southern China was hit the previous weekend by two typhoons in quick succession -- Saola and Haikui -- though Hong Kong avoided a feared direct hit. Tens of millions of people in the densely populated coastal areas of southern China had sheltered indoors ahead of those storms. Hong Kong's weather observatory said the latest torrential rain was brought by the "trough of low pressure associated with (the) remnant of Haikui". Authorities suspended schools and cargo clearance services on the city's border with Shenzhen were paused. The border disruption came hours after Hong Kong authorities announced that Shenzhen was preparing to discharge water from its reservoir, which they said could lead to flooding in northern parts of the city. Hong Kong's subway operator said there was a service disruption on one of its lines after a station in the Wong Tai Sin district was flooded. A handful of other stations were also affected by the rain. Footage posted on social media showed a subway train not stopping at Wong Tai Sin station, which had floodwater on its platform. The flooding could cost Hong Kong at least $100 million, according to a Bloomberg Intelligence estimate, compared to $470 million in damage when the city was hit by typhoon Mangkhut in 2018. The post Hong Kong flooded by heaviest rainfall in 140 years appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Take a sip of what this chill ‘hidden’ bar offers
We all know that nightlife in the city often consists of loud and cramped bars with limited tables, little to no seats, overly loud music, blaring lights, overpriced drinks and exhaustion at the end of the night. But who said nightlife always has to be so chaotic? [gallery size="full" ids="172073,172072,172070"] Poblacion, Makati has recently become one the many popular party spots in the Metro. With many bars and clubs alongside each other, people flock to the area as it offers many options where they can go clubbing with friends. Yet for those looking to have a good time without the extreme noise and chaos, a rooftop bar hidden in an alley along the rows of clubs in the streets of Poblacion awaits. [caption id="attachment_172069" align="aligncenter" width="525"] Banter And Jive bar.[/caption] Banter and Jive is a safe haven amidst the bustle of Poblacion. With its cozy ambience, friendly staff and delicious drinks, Banter and Jive provides a much-needed escape from the typical chaotic nightlife in the city. Unlike crowded bars where loud music and patrons drown out any possibility of conversation, this intimate setting provides the perfect environment for those wanting a night out while still being able to sit down and talk — the owners Michael and Panjee’s main goal and inspiration in creating Banter and Jive in the first place. [caption id="attachment_172076" align="aligncenter" width="481"] Panjee and Michael Singleton with their dogs Cooper and Luna.[/caption] Coming from the corporate world, the people they meet, the stories they hear, conversations they make and connections they build are ultimately what fuel the couple’s love for partying. They wanted to create a space that reflects that. The result is a cozy bar with a cool vibe — much like Panjee and Mike themselves — from the laid-back atmosphere, down to the smallest detail such as the wildlife-inspired wallpaper that, for some reason, if you look hard enough, includes pugs that embodies their love for dogs. With the space only being able to comfortably fit 30 people (although at some point, we are told, it catered to 50), everyone can undoubtedly get the chance to meet new friends as they wander around. They can also lounge on the second floor for more comfortable seating as it consists of bean bags and can fit up to seven people. With the assistance of the bartenders, they also get the opportunity to enjoy themselves by making their own drinks. Banter and Jive serves a wide range of cocktails with a unique twist. Whether bitter, sweet, hard, or mild; it has one for every taste. If your taste runs on the classics, you can get a gin and tonic, vodka tonic or highballs. Signature drinks include the Bumble Bramble, “a twist on the Bramble,” and Pink Venom, Mango Nero, Cigar and Cinnamon. Going through the drinks menu alone is an adventure in itself. Make sure you have had a bite to eat before you come as the menu only offers drinks. Popcorn on the house, of course. Banter And Jive definitely revolutionizes the concept of nightlife by providing an oasis where clubbing enthusiasts can still engage in meaningful conversations. Its commitment to fostering genuine connections and camaraderie sets it apart from traditional nightclubs that focuses solely on loud music and dancing. So if you’re tired of mindless nights out or crave something more intellectually stimulating while still enjoying great liquor — head over to Banter And Jive; you won’t be disappointed! With reports from DSV The post Take a sip of what this chill ‘hidden’ bar offers appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Malunggay ice cream for lactating mothers
As mothers dive into breastfeeding, this path is filled with triumphant moments and challenges. They’re not alone on this journey as Fog City Creamery offers a delicious helping hand -- lactation ice cream with malunggay. UNICEF Philippines’ 2017 data highlights the importance of early breastfeeding initiation, with an encouraging 57 percent of infants being breastfed within the first hour after birth. This initial support is crucial for both mothers and babies. However, the numbers dip to around 34 percent for continued exclusive breastfeeding from zero to six months. This disparity underscores many mothers’ challenges in maintaining exclusive breastfeeding, such as managing low milk supply and work demands. “We partnered with Vpharma and used its Mega -Malunggay and Herbilogy products to formulate our lactation ice cream flavors, enriched with galactagogues, such as fenugreek, oats, malunggay and malt, to enhance milk production, and achieve breastfeeding goals,” Edy Gamboa-Liu, managing director of Fog City Creamery, said. Beyond nourishment, Fog City Creamery’s lactation ice cream is a gesture of self-care. You are taking a moment for yourself amidst the beautiful chaos of motherhood, as every spoonful is a celebration of your dedication to your baby and a tribute to the incredible bond you’re building through breastfeeding. Fog City Creamery’s lactation ice cream flavors are Mega-Malunggay, Herbilogy Breastfeeding Milk Tea and Herbilogy Choco Malt Oat Praline with Fenugreek. These are available at P1 Power Plant Mall in Makati City or by order via 0917 883 3344 or fogcitycreamery@gmail.com. The post Malunggay ice cream for lactating mothers appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Zamboanga swimming vendors
Bienvenidos bonito, bonita! Quetal ustedes? Oh! Dispensa, my dear readers, pardon my Chavacano, I am still practicing the words I recently learned from our three-day trip to Zamboanga City. Why Zamboanga? Well, why not? Zamboanga is, for me, the most colorful province I have visited as I travel around the Philippines, contrary to the stereotype of other people relating Mindanao to terrorism and chaos. Zamboanga is a must-visit on your travel bucket list. As colorful as the vintas along the shores and as vibrant as its people, Zamboanga is really one of the best places to go to in Mindanao. Have you tried their “curacha” covered in aligue (crab fat) cooked in coconut sauce? Or their Tiyula Itum (braised beef or goat soup) which at first glance looks like dinuguan, but voila! it tastes like tinola and curry combined. Oh, I’m salivating now just thinking about it. If you haven’t tasted the food, then you’re missing a part of your life and I’m not exaggerating. Go! Book that plane or ship right now. I was not in Zamboanga for leisure, you silly! I was there to visit the newly opened “Tindahan sa Pantalan” put up by the Philippine Ports Authority, which changed the lives of the swimming vendors of Zamboanga City. Have you seen the episode of a popular Sunday TV magazine show that featured vendors jumping off a port and swimming over 500 meters to board ships to sell their products to passengers? These vendors risk their lives swimming close to a ship’s propeller, jumping off slippery spots on a ship, and risking death and drowning to make a sale and get through the day. We cannot blame them — they are just making a living. They have their own stories like they weren’t accepted for jobs requiring at least a college education. Some have children with special needs, while others lost their jobs during the pandemic, and with children in college, they decided to take the dangerous plunge to make less than P500 a day. And not all of them know how to swim so they hang on to plastic bags and float to the ships. Devastating and sad, right? That is why “Tindahan sa Pantalan” was created. It is the first-ever store at the port, initiated by PPA General Manager Jay Santiago four months ago after he saw videos of these poor vendors. A 200-square-meter area was developed into a safe commercial space with eight stalls where the vendors can sell their goods rent-free. The good news is that these vendors will no longer have to risk their lives out there in the vastness of the sea. They are starting new lives selling food, lutong ulam, and other products at the port. Life-changing and amazing. The once cat-and-mouse game between the PPA and these illegal vendors jumping off the port is now a united and organized effort to help the vendors who are thankful to the PPA they once hated. We need to listen not only to the voice from above but to the voices at the grassroots level. Give a man a fish and you feed him for a day. Teach a man to fish and you feed him for a lifetime. If the government can just provide the most needy people with the right opportunity and resources, I think there will be fewer poor families every day. We have a proposed P5.768-trillion national budget for 2024, and by the end of next year, the country’s debt is projected to climb to P15.8 trillion. We hope that ordinary people like these swimming vendors could also benefit from the trillions in the budget. Who should be taking the initiative to create opportunities for these poor vendors? Well, your guess is as good as mine. We need to act more than we talk. We need to know the problems and face them head-on because, folks, no matter how deep or shallow the water is we will both drown if simple things are not addressed properly…. because we are in the same vinta. Special thanks to Zamboanga Port Manager Arcidi Jumaani, Port Police Station commander Supt. Jef Hizolgon and the rest of Task Force Zamboanga for keeping us safe on our ride to Sta. Cruz Pink Island. To Ma’am Tash, Luz, Francisca, Mark, Abegail and others for giving us a taste of the best dishes in town and gifting us with colorful Mindanaoan fabric. The reason for this project, the vendors doing well now, should also be given a shout-out like Josephine, Darwisa and Kuya Wilfrido who gave me and my team a free bag of peanuts which they now sell in Tindahan sa Pantalan. Thank you very much for your kindness amid life’s challenges. You guys are amazing! Just keep swimming, I mean the idiom, not the old way! The post Zamboanga swimming vendors appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Wave of violent Indonesia muggings sparks ‘shoot-to-kill’ calls
A spate of violent muggings by machete-wielding thieves in Indonesia has drawn coded calls from prominent politicians for them to be killed-on-sight by police, in comments condemned by rights groups as condoning extrajudicial murders. Last month, police in the northern Sumatran city of Medan shot dead a "begal" -- a term used to describe a type of street thief known for their brutality -- as part of what the force said was a bid to "eradicate" them. Bobby Nasution, Medan mayor and President Joko Widodo's son-in-law, lauded the officers involved, saying such criminals should be shot dead on the spot. "I appreciate this because begal and criminals have no place in Medan," he wrote in an Instagram post on July 9, sharing footage of the suspect's dead body. President Widodo has not commented on Nasution's statements. Other leaders, including the governor of North Sumatra province, have supported the comments. Rights groups want an investigation into the killing, and have condemned the rhetoric as giving officers and citizens the right to take the law into their own hands. "It is inappropriate for public officials to declare support for such extrajudicial actions," Amnesty International Indonesia director Usman Hamid told AFP. "The shooting not only violates human rights principles –- such as the right to life, the right to a fair trial -- but also the regulations." Indonesian police rules state that firearms should only be used as an officer's last resort. Indonesia's Institute for Criminal Justice Reform called Nasution's words "irresponsible". Some public sentiment, however, is on the mayor's side. Under viral videos of the begal attacks, social media users call for the thieves to be shot dead or to face the death penalty. And in a village east of Jakarta, local leaders have issued a 10 million rupiah ($662) bounty for the capture of begals. 'Begal' terror Begals have savagely attacked their victims with sickles, airguns and rocks, terrorising Indonesians in the capital Jakarta, Medan and other urban centres. They approach their victims on scooters, usually in carefully chosen areas that have few security cameras, so that they can rapidly escape after the robbery. "They have to do it quickly and cruelly to make the victim surrender," said Adrianus Meliala, a criminologist at the University of Indonesia. "Begal run away using the city labyrinth they have mastered." Medan, Indonesia's fifth-largest city, has been hit by 45 begal attacks since January, police say, and one brutal case two months ago caused an uproar. Student Insanul Anshori Hasibuan was riding a scooter home when a man hacked him in the head with a machete, stealing his wallet. Hasibuan, 22, died in hospital after the attacker and several accomplices escaped with the contents of the wallet: just 70,000 rupiah ($4.60). Four suspects were later arrested, and face up to 15 years in jail if convicted. Such brutal attacks have been splashed across Indonesian media, raising public fear and allowing Nasution to cast himself as a champion for law and order. According to official data, the rate of robberies has risen in 2023, but experts say Indonesian criminal data is often incomplete due to underreporting. Indonesia's national police force did not respond to an AFP request for comment. The issue is a complex culmination of factors, including rising poverty in one of the world's most unequal countries, the difficulty of countering such quick and violent attacks, weak rule of law and crumbling public trust in the police. "The begal phenomenon cannot be separated from the social economic order of society," said Ida Ruwaida of the University of Indonesia. Rights groups say they are concerned that calls by prominent politicians such as Nasution to kill suspects on sight could lead to chaos on the country's streets. "We are concerned that the statement by the mayor of Medan can serve as legitimacy for more extrajudicial killings," said Hamid. "This is very dangerous." The post Wave of violent Indonesia muggings sparks ‘shoot-to-kill’ calls appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Islamic State claims responsibility for Pakistan blast that killed 54
The Islamic State group claimed responsibility Monday for a suicide bomb blast in Pakistan that killed at least 54 people, including 23 children, at a political party gathering ahead of elections due later this year. The blast has raised fears Pakistan could be in for a bloody election period following months of political chaos prompted by the ousting of Imran Khan as prime minister in April last year. Around 400 members of the Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-F (JUI-F) party -- a key government coalition partner led by a firebrand cleric -- were waiting Sunday for speeches to begin when a bomber detonated a vest packed with explosives and ball bearings near the front stage. "I was confronted with a devastating sight -- lifeless bodies scattered on the ground while people cried out for help," Fazal Aman, who was near the tent when the bomb went off, told AFP. Shaukat Abbas, a senior official with the counter-terrorism department (CTD) told AFP that 54 people had been killed, including 23 under the age of 18. On Monday the Islamic State group claimed responsibility. "A suicide attacker from the Islamic State... detonated his explosive jacket in the middle of a crowd" in Khar, the jihadist group's news arm Amaq said in a statement Monday. The attack occurred in the town of Khar in the northwestern Bajaur district, just 45 kilometers from the Afghan border, in an area where militancy has been rising since the Taliban took control of Kabul in 2021. Parliament is likely to be dissolved after it completes its term in the next two weeks, with national elections to be held by mid-November or earlier. The local chapter of the jihadist Islamic State group has in the past targeted JUI-F rallies and leaders. Shattered family On Monday, blood-stained shoes and prayer caps littered the site, along with ball bearings and steel bolts from the suicide vest. Pieces of human flesh could still be seen, blasted 30 meters (100 feet) from the stage where the bomber detonated his device. Thousands of mourners attended the first funeral ceremonies, including for two young cousins aged 16 and 17. "It was not easy for us to lift two coffins. This tragedy has shattered our family," said Najib Ullah, the brother of one of the boys. "Our women are profoundly shocked and devastated. When I see the mothers of the victims, I find myself losing my own courage." JUI-F's leader, cleric Fazl-ur-Rehman, started political life as a firebrand Islamist hardliner, and while his party continues to advocate for socially conservative policies, he has more recently forged alliances with secular rivals. He has operated in the past as a facilitator for talks between the government and Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), a rival of the jihadist Islamic State group. Last year, IS said it was behind attacks against religious scholars affiliated with JUI-F, which has a huge network of mosques and schools in the north and west of the country. The jihadist group accuses the JUI-F of hypocrisy for being a religious party while supporting secular governments and the military. JUI-F officials hit out at the government for failing to provide security in areas where militants operate. "The state has not fulfilled its responsibilities. I think the state has failed regardless of who is in power," said Shams uz Zaman, deputy general secretary of its Bajaur branch. "For God's sake take notice of the situation." While Rehman's party never musters more than a dozen or so seats in parliament, they can be crucial in any coalition and his ability to mobilize tens of thousands of religious school students allows him to punch above his weight. "It is important to consider why workers of a religious inclined political party could have been subjected to such bestial violence," Dawn newspaper said in an editorial Monday. "However ultra-conservative the JUI-F's worldview, the party has chosen to contest power and operate within the parameters set by the Constitution of Pakistan." A spokeswoman for EU foreign policy chief Joseph Borrell said the blast was "an attempt to weaken democracy". Rise in attacks Pakistan has seen a sharp rise in militant attacks since the Afghan Taliban surged back to power in neighboring Afghanistan in 2021. In January, a suicide bomber linked to Pakistan's Taliban blew himself up in a mosque inside a police compound in the northwestern city of Peshawar, killing more than 80 officers. The militant assaults have been focused in regions abutting Afghanistan, and Islamabad alleges some are being planned on Afghan soil -- a charge Kabul denies. Analysts say militants in the former tribal areas have become emboldened since the return of the Afghan Taliban. The blast coincides with a visit to the country by a senior delegation of Chinese officials, including Vice Premier He Lifeng, who arrived in the capital Sunday evening. The post Islamic State claims responsibility for Pakistan blast that killed 54 appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
House vs. condo: Which is a better investment?
Buying your own home is a decision that undoubtedly ranks among the most critical choices an individual can make. Discovering the ideal space for your safety, comfort and personal preferences is paramount when considering property investment. It must be a place where you can find solace, freedom and a breath of fresh air away from the chaos of daily life. But the question that looms large for many is whether to invest in a house or a condo unit. The certainty of buying a property during a recuperating economy is a valid concern. However, according to Collier International’s latest report, both the local office and residential property sectors are expected to recover from the disruptions of the past year. The gradual reopening of the economy will support the demand in the residential sector, including pre-selling and secondary markets. Cost efficiency is subjective when it comes to owning a property. Condominiums are typically less expensive than houses due to their size, and their maintenance is usually cheaper as you are only responsible for the interior of your unit. With association fees in place, you won’t have to worry about exterior maintenance or administrative assistance. Condos have a dedicated Property Management Team consisting of professionals who are specifically trained to oversee the day-to-day operations of the property. While houses provide homeowners the freedom to customize a larger space and transform it into your ideal home, you will be responsible for all maintenance and repairs. Regardless of whether you choose a house or a condo, it is essential to have a realistic budget in mind before beginning your property search. Functional facilities Condominiums offer a plethora of state-of-the-art functional facilities such as swimming pools, fitness gyms, kids’ play areas, game rooms and lounges. Communal areas provide condo owners with an abundance of ways to relax and unwind without having to travel too far from their residences. These communal spaces also foster interaction among residents, enabling them to forge connections and establish a sense of community. On the other hand, houses may not offer as many amenities to homeowners. Depending on the type of lifestyle you want, the amenities incorporated into the spaces play a crucial role in enhancing your quality of life. Security is a top consideration when looking for a place of your own. As condos have shared spaces such as lobbies, hallways, parking and amenity areas, they often have dedicated security personnel and 24/7 surveillance systems in place. In contrast, houses have individual entrances and private spaces, which may require homeowners to implement their own security measures. Moreover, condos often have controlled access points, such as key card systems and intercoms. These help regulate who can enter the building and add an extra layer of security. Houses, on the other hand, rely on individual means of access control, such as locks, alarms, and security systems installed by homeowners. Convenience-wise, condominiums are usually strategically located in prominent business districts and mixed-use communities, offering unparalleled convenience to their owners. These prime locations give residents effortless access to a myriad of lifestyles and commercial establishments. From trendy retail outlets, cozy cafes and vibrant entertainment venues, condominium dwellers find themselves amidst a thriving urban ecosystem. MidPark Towers, located in the heart of Aseana City, is the epitome of sophisticated city living. With its world-class amenities and convenient access to transportation linkages, lifestyle centers, businesses and services, it offers a luxurious retreat from bustling city life. The property is also just a 10-minute drive from Ninoy Aquino International Airport via NAIAx and is near the Entertainment City, home to Solaire Resort and Okada Manila. Developed by Aseana Residential Holdings Corp., MidPark Towers is a four-tower residential property set for completion in the last quarter of 2023. The predominantly glass façade of the four towers exudes an elegant and sophisticated ambiance. The units are spacious and livable, ranging from studios (40 sqm +/-) to three bedrooms (120 sqm +/-), offering endless possibilities for creating a perfect home. MidPark Towers also provides a host of amenities to support growing families and inspire the imagination and creativity of children. From kid’s play areas to outdoor pools, fitness gym and private and business lounges, it offers a truly rewarding experience of luxury and comfort. The post House vs. condo: Which is a better investment? appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Wagner chief to leave Russia in deal to ease crisis
The chief of the rebel Wagner mercenary force will leave Russia and won't face charges after calling off his troops' advance on Saturday, Moscow said, easing Russia's most serious security crisis in decades. The feud between Wagner chief Yevgeny Prigozhin and Russia's military brass came to a violent head in the past day, with his forces capturing a key army headquarters in southern Russia and then heading north to threaten the capital. Within hours of Prigozhin's about-face, the Kremlin announced he would leave for Belarus and Russia would not prosecute either him or the group's members. It had been a dramatic day of developments, with President Vladimir Putin warning against civil war, Moscow telling locals to stay off the streets and Kyiv revelling in the chaos engulfing its enemy. The tide shifted suddenly when Prigozhin made the stunning announcement that his troops were "turning our columns around and going back to field camps" to avoid bloodshed in the Russian capital. Prigozhin, who has feuded bitterly with Moscow's military leadership even as his outfit led parts of Russia's Ukraine offensive, said he understood the importance of the moment and did not want to "spill Russian blood". - Wagner troops cheered - By early Sunday Wagner had pulled fighters and equipment from Rostov-on-Don, where they had seized the military headquarters, said the regional governor. But before they left, dozens of residents were cheering and chanting "Wagner! Wagner!" outside the military headquarters they had captured. Authorities in the southern Lipetsk region announced the lifting of restrictions after earlier reporting Wagner fighters in their territory, where the local capital is just 420 kilometres (260 miles) south of Moscow. Belarusian leader Alexander Lukashenko said he had negotiated a truce with Prigozhin, drawing thanks from Moscow. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov later told reporters that the "criminal case against him (Prigozhin) will be dropped. He himself will go to Belarus." Peskov also said that members of Wagner who had taken part in what authorities termed an "armed rebellion" will not be prosecuted. "Avoiding bloodshed, internal confrontation, and clashes with unpredictable results was the highest goal," Peskov added. Kyiv revelled in the chaos that engulfed its enemy. "Prigozhin humiliated Putin/the state and showed that there is no longer a monopoly on violence," presidential aide Mykhailo Podolyak said on Twitter. While Russia claimed the rebellion had no impact on its Ukraine campaign, Kyiv said the unrest offered a "window of opportunity" as the nation pressed its long-awaited counter-offensive. - Moscow's warning - The United States and its allies publicly stayed on the sidelines as officials waited to see how the revolt would play out. US President Joe Biden spoke with the leaders of France, Germany and Britain amid concerns that Putin's control over the nuclear-armed country could be slipping. Moscow issued a stiff warning to the United States and allies to stay back. "The rebellion plays into the hands of Russia's external enemies," the foreign ministry said. Before Prigozhin's climbdown, Russian regular forces had launched what one regional governor called a "counter-terrorist operation" to halt the Wagner advance northwards up a main highway towards Moscow. In the capital, the mayor urged Muscovites to stay indoors and declared Monday a day off work. Security was tightened in the city centre, with armed men in flak jackets guarding the parliament building and Red Square closed off to the public. "I don't know how to react. In any case it's very sad this is happening," 35-year-old Yelena told AFP, declining to give her last name. The measures came after Prigozhin announced his troops had taken control of the military command centre and airbase in the southern city of Rostov-on-Don, the nerve centre of Russia's offensive in Ukraine. - 'A blow to Russia' - Responding to the challenge in a televised address, Putin accused Prigozhin of a "stab in the back" that posed a threat to Russia's very survival. "Any internal turmoil is a deadly threat to our statehood and to us as a nation. This is a blow to Russia and to our people," Putin said, demanding national unity. "Extravagant ambitions and personal interests led to treason," Putin said, referring to Prigozhin, who began building his power base as a catering contractor. Another Putin ally, Chechen strongman Ramzan Kadyrov, declared that he had dispatched his own units to help quash the Wagner rebellion. Armed Wagner fighters deployed around administrative buildings in Rostov and tanks were seen in the city centre. As the insurrection force headed north through Voronezh and Lipetsk towards Moscow, the capital's mayor announced that "anti-terrorist" measures were being taken. Critical facilities were "under reinforced protection", TASS reported, citing a law enforcement source. While Prigozhin's outfit fought at the forefront of Russia's offensive in Ukraine, he repeatedly blamed Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu and Valery Gerasimov, chief of the general staff, for his fighters' deaths. bur-jmm/jj © Agence France-Presse The post Wagner chief to leave Russia in deal to ease crisis appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»