A drought and famine for solutionsFor several decades now, I have had an interest in solar power for residential and recreational applications. My latest sight-seeing tour was on Facebook, where a particular group popped up and it did not take me long to conclude that there is a nationwide “drought & famine for solutions” regarding pumping water out of the ground for various applications. At the height of summer, it becomes abundantly clear that we have so much solar energy available FOR FREE! We are talking hundreds of millions in wasted money and hundreds of millions of pesos in lost opportunities and untapped energy. Why surrender solar energy to influential individuals or companies as a business instead of making it a “human right” for Filipinos?

Filipinos plan to spend more on travel in 2024 than year beforeMANILA, Philippines — Around 70% of Filipinos are planning to spend more on travel in 2024 compared to the year before, according to data collected by travel agency Klook. Referencing data from Macquarie Research and Cirium, Ho pointed out that Asia travel recovery continues to be strong. International flight attendants share practical tips, hacksHo then referenced results of a Klook Travel Pulse Survey conducted last January that showed 64% of travelers would spend at least 30-50% more on 2024 travel than the year before while over 60% will spend up to half of their budget on activities and experiences. More than 75 % of travellers in Malaysia and India are planning to spend more on travel in 2024 compared to the previous year, with Hong Kong, Thailand, and Vietnam joining the Philippines around the 70% mark. Some of the major global events that could influence international travel this year are Entertainment and Music tourism, the Paris 2024 Olympic Games and the World Expo Osaka.

In her acceptance speech, Alcantara emphasized the responsibility of journalists to provide the public with objective and fearless coverage of the ongoing Chinese aggression in the West Philippine Sea. “It’s really our public duty to report the events that are happening in the West Philippine Sea in a fair, objective, fearless manner,” she said. “[It helps] the public understand what’s really at stake—and what’s [at] stake is our sovereignty,” she added. READ: INQUIRER.net staffers recognized for West PH Sea coverageAside from Inquirer.net and the Philippine Daily Inquirer, journalists from GMA, ABS-CBN, TV5, Manila Bulletin, and Philippine Star were also awarded by NDCPAAI. The reports presented a comprehensive view of the West Philippine Sea situation, encompassing ecological, economic, technological, historical, and societal dimensions.

The woman who was abducted in Tsim Sha Tsui on Monday afternoon has been found unharmed with sources saying police have arrested three suspects. The woman – 47-year-old Lui – was found in a private car located opposite Heng Yuet House, Heng On Estate in Ma On Shan. According to sources, police have arrested three suspected for false imprisonment. The case is now being handled by the Yau Tsim district crime unit and police will later hold a briefing to disclose more details. The incident occurred around noon on Monday when Lui was seen smoking an e-cigarette outside a shop on Ichang Street.

Neuvix Intelligent Technology (Hong Kong), a Shanghai-based startup specializing in providing digital innovation solutions for the transportation segment. Yanan YU, CEO of Neuvix Intelligent Technology (Hong Kong) Co., Limited. InnoEX 2024, held at the Hong Kong Exhibition and Convention Centre, is an international I&T event in the spring season. “Firstly, we aim to leverage new technologies to enhance operational efficiency and improve the safety of public transportation. Therefore, HKSTP is delighted to witness the emergence of a greater number of smart transportation solutions aimed at enhancing transportation safety and advancing the development of a smart city.

LAOAG, Philippines — US and Filipino troops fired missiles and artillery at an imaginary "invasion" force during war games on the Philippines' northern coast Monday, days after their governments objected to China's "dangerous" actions in regional waters. Beijing claims almost the entire South China Sea despite an international ruling that its assertion has no legal basis. Just last week, Manila said the China Coast Guard damaged a Philippine Coast Guard ship and another government vessel in water cannon attacks around the disputed China-controlled Scarborough Shoal in the South China Sea on April 30. The ministers "discussed opportunities to further advance defence cooperation" and to "work together to support states exercising their rights and freedoms in the South China Sea". The US Marine Corps said the manoeuvre was a rehearsal for the rapid deployment of the missile system across the Philippines' South China Sea coast to "secure and protect Philippines' maritime terrain, territorial waters and exclusive economic zone interests".

When ‘surrendering’ is winningLast week, my family and I spent an invigorating weekend on the beach. One clear day, we set out to sea to feed the fish, do some snorkeling and free diving. Sitting at the edge of the boat, feet dangling in the water, I was about to take the leap. One of the portions of the multi-trip zipline journey was to go down the zipline back facing the next stop. There is a part of Hawkins’ book that tells us: “When we look at our lives, we will see the residual of past life crises which are still unresolved.

MANILA, Philippines — Following allegations of “degrading and traumatic” strip search at the New Bilibid Prison (NBP), the Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) said its jail officers only conduct the procedure to visitors they highly suspect to be carrying contraband. “These, however, are done in a professional manner and with utmost consideration to protect the interest also of the person being subjected to such,” he added. “Simply put, any person who will not submit themselves to our security protocols has no business entering the same,” he added. BuCor’s statement came after wives of political prisoners filed a complaint before the Commission on Human Rights (CHR) earlier Monday. Members of Kapatid, a support organization for the families of political prisoners, claimed they were subjected to degrading and traumatic “strip search” at the NBP during their last visit on April 21.

7 Tuna Tataki Grain Bowl 8 Sparkling Blue Ternate Lemonade Chicken Pork Adobo Nonie’s moves forward from the laidback island life of Boracay to the hustle of Metro Manila. This expansion marks a significant milestone for Nonie's as it introduces its refreshed brand and culinary offerings to a wider audience in Metro Manila. "This is our first branch outside Boracay. Just taking baby steps since this is our first-time doing business outside of Boracay so we really liked the community aspect of the area. The new 35-seater Nonie's location in Molito Lifestyle Center is pet-friendly and welcomes reservations for individuals or groups, as well as private functions.

Law enforcers urged to locate Quiboloy for legal proceedings to startMANILA, Philippines — A ranking lawmaker at the House of Representatives has urged the country's law enforcers to locate and arrest controversial pastor Apollo Quiboloy, who continues to be in hiding pending his two warrants of arrest. In a press conference on Monday, House Deputy Speaker Rep. David Suarez (Quezon, 2nd District) said he is putting out a "gentle call out" to the country's law enforcement agencies. The Kingdom of Jesus Christ founder hails from Davao and is also a close ally of former president and Davao City mayor Rodrigo Duterte. "For us to expect fair play and impartiality during the entire course of the legal proceedings, we need to change venues," Bongalon said. "Can you imagine victims of human trafficking will go to Davao City, where the incidents they experienced took place?

Chongqing Angel Obstetrics and Gynaecology Hospital has been cooperating with illegal surrogacy agencies, a post on Chinese social media platform Weibo said on Sunday. The Weibo post on the hospital was one of the top trending items on Monday, drawing hundreds of comments. "This industry always seems to have existed," said one comment by a user called Wensheng. Another user called XJ said: "This is an industrial chain, not something that can be accomplished by one person." It suspended a hospital and judicial institute in Wuhan in November after they were accused of surrogacy and issuing fake paternity results.

Philippines to host 1st UN 'gastronomy tourism' event in JuneThe Cebu lechon was also recently featured in Netflix’s original series “Street Food.”MANILA, Philippines — The Philippines will host the first United Nations forum on gastronomy tourism for the Asia-Pacific region in June, a two-day event that seeks to raise awareness on the potential for culinary delights to boost a country's tourism industry. Department of Tourism Secretary Christina Frasco said that the gastronomy tourism forum will "showcase how significant food is to our culture, and highlight our gastronomic delights and the Filipinos who excel in this craft." The United Nations defines gastronomy tourism as a type of tourism activity which is "characterized by the visitor's experience linked with food and related products and activities while travelling." The DOT is set to feature the Philippines' two main gastronomy tourism programs, the Philippine Eatsperience and the Philippine Experience Program (PEP). The PEP recognizes the "pivotal role of food and gastronomy in shaping the country’s tourism landscape."

Philippines President Ferdinand Marcos Jr said on Monday the country will not use water cannons or any offensive weapons in the South China Sea. The last thing the Philippines wants to do is to raise tensions in the strategic waterway, Marcos told reporters. Last week, Manila protested Beijing's use of water cannons against Filipino vessels at a disputed shoal in the South China Sea, describing it as harassment and "dangerous manoeuvres", after a rise in tensions in recent months. China claims sovereignty over much of the South China Sea, a conduit for more than $3 trillion of annual ship-borne commerce, including parts claimed by the Philippines, Vietnam, Indonesia, Malaysia and Brunei. An international tribunal in 2016 said China's expansive claim had no legal basis, a decision Beijing has rejected.

Two additional residential care homes for the elderly, located in Foshan and Shenzhen respectively, have been registered under the Residential Care Services Scheme in Guangdong (GDRCS) starting today. The scheme provides an option for the Hong Kong elderly on the waiting list for subsidized care and attention places to choose to live in Guangdong care homes. The two newly added care homes are operated under partnerships formed by city's private organizations and mainland elderly service operators. One of the care homes located in Nanhai District of Foshan, sized over 120,000 square feet and offering 326 beds, of which 200 will be reserved for Hong Kong elders. Yeung, a resident of the care home for almost a year, expressed her satisfaction with the facilities and life there.

Marcos orders agencies to create masterlist of government-owned landsPhoto from the Office of the Press Secretary shows housing units in Naic, Cavite. MANILA, Philippines — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has ordered the creation of an inter-agency coordinating council that will complete an inventory of all government-owned lands for its strategic use. 21, the government will use the masterlist to ensure the efficient and effective allocation and utilization of the country's land resources, including idle lands owned by the government. Last year, the president issued Executive Order 34 that reserves vacant government lands for housing projects that offer socialized housing schemes for families with no permanent home. These projects fall under the Pamabsansang Pabahay Para sa Pilipino program, the government's flagship national housing project.