SUNSHINE Place introduces "Adult Ballet," a special dance class to be taught by Pamela Ramos, a longtime ballet teacher and a pioneer member of the prestigious Philippine Ballet Theater. Sunshine Place is offering a special ballet class for adults ages 25 to 40 led by Pamela Ramos, a pioneer member of Philippine Ballet Theater and artistic director of her own ballet school, Little Ballerina School of Dance. At Sunshine Place, seniors can attest to the fact that learning new things late is better than not learning at all. Lessons will cover essential concepts and fundamental techniques of ballet as well as introductory elements of gymnastics to enhance flexibility and strength. They will be prepared to perform simple ballet routines and will be ready to advance to the next level of ballet training.

(AFP)A volcano in eastern Indonesia erupted on Sunday, spewing an ash cloud seven kilometres into the sky as authorities warned residents to shelter indoors. It is the latest of around 100 eruptions from the volcano since early this year. "People have been advised to avoid outdoor activities and shelter indoors while the ash mixed with sand is still raining down," Abdul said. According to the Geology Agency, Ibu recorded an average of 58 eruptions per day in 2023. Indonesia, a vast archipelago nation, experiences frequent seismic and volcanic activity due to its position on the Pacific "Ring of Fire".

Kadafi Sinulinding, a BDA project coordinator, says Camp Badre hosts 200 IP households—mainly Tidurays, but also including Manobos and Lambangians. Another 350 IP families, who had fled discrimination and land-grabbing, are at Camp Omar in Maguindanao. Instead of just planting rice and corn, the Tidurays are now engaged in planting all-season taro and yam and processing value-added products for marketing. Sheik Bashir Abdulbayan, an MILF camp commander, chairs JTFCT in Camp Badre. “The Moros were victims of discrimination and Salamat did not want the indigenous peoples to suffer the same treatment,” said Bashir.

China's defense minister on Sunday acknowledged the importance of newly renewed military-to-military communications with the United States as tensions escalate in the Asia-Pacific, while at the same time accusing Washington of causing the friction with its support for Taiwan and the Philippines. “We will not allow anyone to bring geopolitical conflicts or any war, whether hot or cold, into our region," Chinese Defense Minister Dong Jun told the Shangri-La defense forum in Singapore through a translator. “We will not allow any country or any force to create conflict and chaos in our region,” he added. Dong accused the Philippines of deliberately provoking China, “emboldened by outside powers.”“China has recognized great restraint in the face of such infringements and provocations,” he said. China regards Taiwan as a renegade province that must come under its control, by force if necessary.

ADVERTISEMENTREAD: Speaking to those who can’t hear: Why sign language matters in campaignsGroups like the Alliance of Concerned Teachers (ACT) and the Filipino Sign Language National Network (FSL-NN) have expressed their support for the NCNDO in demanding answers from the commission. ACT, for one, said it had received word that the KWF was planning to “abolish” the FSL unit. ‘Collateral damage’The commission also denied that it was scrapping the FSL unit, saying it is mandated under Republic Act No. 11106, or The Filipino Sign Language Act, to implement such a program. “The staff of the FSL unit has become collateral damage—a tragedy in particular for the two deaf staff who are in unique (nonteaching) policy-influencing positions found in no other national government entity,” Martinez added.

VARANASI, India — Indians flocked to the polls under scorching heat in the Hindu holy city of Varanasi on Saturday as a marathon national election reached its final day, six weeks after voting first began. AFP PHOTOIt is one of the final cities to vote in India's grueling election and where public support for Modi's ever-closer alignment of religion and politics burns brightest. Turnout is down several percentage points from the last national election in 2019, with analysts blaming widespread expectations of a Modi victory, as well as successive heat waves scorching India's northern states. "It's already so hot," Chinta Devi, who arrived to cast her vote at eight in the morning, told AFP. "People now look at India and Indians with a lot more respect, something not accorded earlier."

Protect the family, no to divorceGreetings! The Divorce Bill is an affront against the 6th and 9th Commandments. News of Congress’ approval of the divorce bill is a heavy blow against ordinary husbands and wives who work hard daily for the family’s material, emotional and spiritual well-being. Divorce opens the way to re-marriage, that may end up in yet, another divorce. Indeed, a happy family is the foundation for a good society of law-abiding citizens.

Marichelle Bernardo is on a mission to preserve Bulacan’s traditional art of leaf weaving for the next generation to learn and appreciate. Find out how leaves transform into beautiful pieces of art in this video.

CAMP MELCHOR DELA CRUZ, ISABELA — Two Army soldiers were wounded while assorted guns and war items were seized in two gunbattles in Balbalan town in Kalinga province on Friday, May 31. The military said, in a report Saturday, June 1, that the armed encounters happened in Barangays (villages) Balbalan Proper and Balantoy. Army soldiers under the 103rd Infantry Battalion and 98th Infantry Battalion, both under the 5th Infantry Division’s 503rd Infantry Brigade, engaged in gunfights with 10 New People’s Army (NPA) rebels under the Komiteng Larangang Guerilla (KLG) Baggas in Balbalan Proper at 10:30 a.m. Another encounter followed at 1 p.m. in Balantoy village. READ: Army remains vigilant as NPA told to mount attacks vs troopsSeized at the Balbalan Proper clash site were an M14 Armalite rifle, a Springfield rifle, assorted guns, two improvised explosive devices (IED), blasting devices, and personal belongings. The two soldiers were wounded at the clash in Balantoy village.

THE Bank of the Philippine Islands (BPI) is gearing up for the third edition of its annual Sustainability Awareness Month (SAM) this June, in alignment with the bank's sustainability agenda. At BPI’s Sustainability Awareness Month Press Conference are (from left) Jovi Alonso, chief credit officer; Eric Luchangco, chief finance officer and chief sustainability officer; Cathy Santamaria, chief customer and marketing officer; Dino Gasmen, treasurer and head of global markets. AdvertisementOn June 26, "Beyond Green: Sustainable Agricultural Technologies and Poultry Practices" will introduce new innovations in the agriculture sector, specifically poultry production and waste management innovations. In recognition of its unwavering dedication to sustainability, BPI was honored as the Best Sustainable Bank in the Philippines by Finance Asia for the fourth consecutive year in 2023. For more information on BPI's 'Beyond Green' SAM activities and to register for upcoming events, visit BPI's official website.

The Chinese homegrown passenger aircraft C919 made its first cross-border commercial flight and arrived in Hong Kong on Saturday morning to fly over 100 local students to Shanghai for an internship program. The C919 and another homegrown ARJ21 first visited Hong Kong last December and the former delighted citizens with a demonstration flight over Victoria Harbour. Delivering a speech at the taking-off ceremony, Chief Secretary Eric Chan Kwok-ki said he has witnessed two “firsts” of the C919 today (Sat); it flew its first commercial flight in Hong Kong and for the first time sent Hong Kong students to a mainland exchange trip. Another HKUST third year student, Chan, hopes to spend a meaningful summer in Shanghai. He hopes students can get to know more about the country and this internship helps with their future employment.

Richard Marlee on June 1.Photographer: Roslan Rahman/AFP/Getty ImagesAustralia Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles said his country has “security anxieties” in its relationship with China even as trade ties have stabilized, as he called on Beijing to uphold the global rules-based order. • Australia Has ‘Security Anxieties’ With China Even as Ties Warm• Pentagon Chief Touts China Talks and Efforts to Box Beijing In• Marcos Swipes at China, Vowing Not to Yield in Disputed Sea? Israel as a democratic state, Hamas is a terrorist organization.”Australia Has “Security Anxieties’ With China, Deputy PM Says (11:58 a.m.)Australia has “security anxieties” in its relationship with China even as trade ties have stabilized, Marles said, as he called on Beijing to uphold the global rules-based order. “North Korea exported missiles and artillery and, in return, they received oil, food and military technology,” Shin told the forum. He told a regional defense forum the Indo-Pacific would continue to be America’s “priority theater of operations” despite Washington’s recent preoccupation with conflicts in Europe and the Middle East.

MSERV to fuel hyperscale data center in Quezon CityIn a statement, Meralco Energy Inc. (MSERV) said the collaboration with STT GDC Philippines is expected to promote innovation and drive technological advancement in the digital industry. MANILA, Philippines — A unit of Manila Electric Co. (Meralco) is set to provide power to the largest hyperscale data center of ST Telemedia Global Data Centers Philippines (STT GDC Philippines) in the country. STT GDC Philippines is a joint venture of Globe Telecom Inc., Ayala Corp. and Singapore-based ST Telemedia Global Data Centers. A hyperscale data center is a large-scale facility providing critical data storage and applications to businesses. Together, we are not just providers of data center services but digital enablers toward a progressive future.

(UPDATE) CHINA said it is keeping the door of dialogue and communication open with the Philippines despite the dispute in the South China Sea. China’s Foreign Ministry spokesman Mao NingMarcos has pledged to take any opportunity to engage with China to halt aggressive actions and secure the rights of Filipino fishermen in the South China Sea. AdvertisementBeginning June 15, the Chinese coast guard will detain foreigners "illegally" sailing into parts of the South China Sea that China claims as part of its territory. Bajo de Masinloc is well within the West Philippine Sea, although China also claims ownership of the shoal. Under the ruling, trespassers can be held for up to 60 days without trial.

MANILA, Philippines — Five individuals were arrested in an entrapment operation inside a mall in North Avenue, Quezon City, for alleged qualified theft and falsification of documents in a computer shop. ADVERTISEMENTREAD: Court hands lending company execs jail term for faking bank documentThe suspects were allegedly falsifying the official receipts issued to their customers, who are seeking repair service and buying gadgets in the store. “The receipts issued were not Silicon Valley’s authorized Receipts and rather came from another store,” the NBI said in a statement. ADVERTISEMENT“The other individuals were arrested for selling electronic parts that are not being sold by Silicon Valley,” the NBI said. Arrested subjects were presented before the Office of the City Prosecutor in Quezon City.