Idol at the peak
That five years since climbing from the depths of hopelessness and despair, Bong Revilla Jr. is living his best life yet. The man is undoubtedly at the peak of both his careers and is even considered an idol by peers on either side and the public majority. It makes perfect sense indeed why Sen. Bong — who still gets emotional whenever he recalls his "politically motivated" years of incarceration and eventual acquittal — always says, "What more can I ask for?" Diamond Star Maricel Soriano and top TV executive Malou Choa Fagar The ‘Kamao,’ ‘Bato’ and the ‘Idol’ — with boxing legend and former senator Manny Pacquiao and Senator Ronald ‘Bato’ dela Rosa. Action men and best of friends: Sen. Jinggoy Estrada, the man of the moment and Philip Salvador and Sen. Robin Padilla.
Source:Manila Times
September 29, 2023 04:08 UTC
‘Budget bill certification ensures timely passage’
‘Budget bill certification ensures timely passage’MANILA, Philippines — The certification by President Marcos of the General Appropriations Bill (GAB) of 2024 (House Bill 8980) as “urgent” will ensure its passage on time as the House of Representatives conducts plenary deliberations on government agencies’ proposed allocations, lawmakers said. The “urgent” certification means the lower legislative chamber can pass the proposed P5.67-trillion national budget for 2024 on third and final reading next week, or until Sept. 30, before Congress – the Senate included – goes on a recess until Nov. 5. “The House stands united in its commitment to pass the 2024 national budget and support the government’s initiatives aimed at promoting economic growth, social development and the well-being of every Filipino,” Speaker Martin Romualdez said. Meanwhile, Basilan Rep. Mujiv Hataman said he has secured a commitment from the Development and Budget Coordination Committee for the funding of the decommissioning of the remaining 14,000 combatants of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front in the 2024 national budget. Meanwhile, National Irrigation Administration (NIA) acting administrator Eduardo Guillen requested the House to restore the P91-billion budget the Department of Budget and Management removed from their original P132.4-billion allocation for 2024.
Source:Philippine Star
September 21, 2023 19:05 UTC
Number of alleged scam victims exceeds 2,000 as police arrest three more in JPEX probe
The cryptocurrency scandal now involved a financial toll of almost HK$1.3 billion with over 2,000 alleged victims. The SFC said it had made enquiries about what it called JPEX's misrepresentations and unlicensed activities, but the platform had been uncooperative. It said there hadn't been any communication between the SFC and JPEX on licensing-related matters. As such, there has been no communication between the SFC and JPEX on licensing-related matters," the statement says. Read more: Registered company of JPEX seeks deregistration in Australia, claiming assets do not exceed AUD$1,000
Source:The Standard
September 21, 2023 16:36 UTC
Suzuki auto festival goes to SM City Bacolod
SUZUKI Philippines, the country's pioneer compact car distributor, will bring its fun-filled and much anticipated Suzuki Auto Festival to the Main Atrium of SM City Bacolod on Sept. 23 and 24, 2023. Coming from the heels of a successful two-day extravaganza last month at SM City Bacoor, the Suzuki Auto Festival at SM City Bacolod promises to be an even bigger event for car enthusiasts but for their families as well with several activities and shows spread out over two days. Exciting Suzuki merchandise and other surprise prizes will be given to lucky visitors and participants throughout the two-day event. Equally sharing the spotlight during the Suzuki Auto Festival are the activities set to be hosted by Suzuki Philippines. For daily updates on Suzuki, follow Suzuki Auto PH's Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/SuzukiAutoPH, X (formerly Twitter) at https://twitter.com/SuzukiAutoPH, and Instagram at @suzukiautoph.
Source:Manila Times
September 21, 2023 16:27 UTC
Emirates a380 marks 15 years of service
THIS year sees Emirates, the world's largest international airline, celebrating 15 years of operating the Airbus A380. Operating to 50 destinations worldwide, Emirates is the largest carrier of this iconic aircraft, with a total of 116 of the aircraft in its fleet. With space for as many as 615 passengers in a two-class configuration, the A380 is the largest passenger aircraft ever made. The A380's wingspan is a whopping 79.8 meters — which is as wide as 32 double-decker buses or an Olympic size swimming pool. Filipino customers flying through Emirates' global hub in Dubai and beyond can experience all that the iconic Emirates A380 has to offer, from world-class customer service to in-flight features that continue to redefine luxury air travel as we know it.
Source:Manila Times
September 21, 2023 16:27 UTC
WATCH: Revolution in bone regeneration
Synthetic bone grafts replace bones lost to disease or injury. In a major change, a completely new type of synthetic graft can now stimulate the body to regrow lost bone. After studying the mechanism of bone regeneration, the inventor used a special form of calcium almost identical to natural bone to develop a synthetic graft that causes the body to start growing new bone. Over the course of a year, natural bone replaces the synthetic graft. In a world first, 3D printing technology is used to form these synthetic bones with 0.1 millimeter accuracy, ensuring an exact match.
Source:Manila Times
September 21, 2023 14:28 UTC
Biden admin announces $600M to produce COVID tests, will reopen website to order them
The new effort is meant to guard against supply chain issues that sparked some shortages of at-home COVID tests made overseas during past surges in coronavirus cases. ADVERTISEMENT“Whether or not people are done with it, we know the virus is there, we know that it’s circulating. We know, if past is prologue, it’ll circulate to a higher degree and spread, and cases will go up in the fall and winter seasons,” O’Connell said. Postal Service provided more than 755 million tests for free to homes nationwide. O’Connell said manufacturers could spread out the 200 million tests they will produce for federal use over 18 months.
Source:Philippine Daily Inquirer
September 21, 2023 12:37 UTC
Congress assures Marcos 20 priority bills passed by year-end
MANILA, Philippines — Lawmakers on Wednesday assured President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. that Congress was on track to pass the 20 priority legislations of his administration before the year ends, including the P5.7-trillion national budget for 2024, according to Malacañang. ADVERTISEMENT“Both houses of Congress are on track for the December passage of the 20 priority measures requested by [President Marcos], including the General Appropriations Bill,” Garafil said in a statement. The Palace official said Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri told Mr. Marcos that the Senate has finished about half of the 20 priority legislations requested by the President for a December passage. Romualdez also committed to Marcos that the House would approve the 2024 budget bill on its third and final reading next week. Plenary scheduleThe 20 priority measures were approved during Ledac’s second meeting in July this year, 18 of which were part of the 42 priority bills approved during the first council meeting in October 2022.
Source:Philippine Daily Inquirer
September 21, 2023 09:28 UTC
One giant leap for at least two Hong Kong astronaut hopefuls
Previous NextAt least two Hong Kong candidates have made it to the final round of China's astronaut selection drive, says Secretary for Innovation and Technology Sun Dong. Among the 80 candidates recommended by Hong Kong, at least one man and one woman passed the first two rounds of interviews. "I'm pleased to share that candidates from Hong Kong have progressed to the final round of selection," Sun said. Over 100 people from Hong Kong signed up and the list was narrowed down to about 80. The Hong Kong Satellite Manufacturing Center said it aims to launch in the mainland in November.
Source:The Standard
September 21, 2023 07:16 UTC
China eases visa application process to attract foreign visitors
File PhotoChina said Wednesday it has simplified its visa application process as it looks to attract more visitors from overseas. “Applicants will spend much less time filling in the forms and expect a more streamlined visa application process,” it said in a statement. The ministry will always “facilitate people-to-people exchanges between China and foreign countries to promote China’s high-quality development and opening up.”At a briefing in Beijing, foreign ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning reiterated that the new application forms that went online Wednesday “will greatly shorten the time and ease the application process.”The often drawn-out visa process has been a hurdle for many people wanting to travel to China. While domestic tourism has rebounded above pre-Covid levels, international travel to and from the country is still well below. For foreign visitors wanting to get a visa to China, “what we would say to the Chinese government is they’ve already simplified it, but keep making it simpler, simpler, simpler,” she added.
Source:The Standard
September 21, 2023 04:03 UTC
Hopes rise for Xi-Biden face-to-face
It was sufficient for Wang and Sullivan to engage in a truly deep discussion on a broad range of issues. Wang is the most experienced diplomat in the foreign ministry and considered the most suitable to take on Sullivan. Having met many times, Wang and Sullivan are no strangers to each other. As China and the US agree to step up bilateral exchanges, each has its own geopolitical and domestic factors to consider. Wang flew to Moscow immediately after the Malta meeting.
Source:The Standard
September 21, 2023 03:06 UTC
Government mulls environment case vs China over corals
Government mulls environment case vs China over coralsSolicitor General Menardo Guevarra said yesterday that his office is in the “fact-finding and data gathering stage” in studying its legal options regarding issues on the West Philippine Sea. At a press conference, PFACI president Danilo Fausto said the country’s coral reefs are bigger compared to the Great Barrier Reef in Australia. “We would like to strongly encourage the government to file a case, an environment case against those people who did this. The entire world should know what they are doing to our environment, to our coral reefs, to the future food of our people. “The South China Sea arbitration is legally binding international law, with its proceedings faithfully carried out in accordance with UNCLOS.
Source:Philippine Star
September 21, 2023 00:20 UTC
The sights, sounds and flavors of Morocco
The sights, sounds and flavors of MoroccoMoroccan teapot and trays are featured at the “Morocco Kingdom of Light” festival ongoing until Dec. 31 at Rustan’s Makati and Rustan’s Shangri-La. This imagination is almost visceral, with the sights, sounds, and sensation of the country coursing through one’s system, compelling them to manifest that wish into reality. During this cultural gateway, one can discover the rich heritage and the cultural diversity of the Kingdom of Morocco. Rustan’s, the Embassy of the Kingdom of Morocco and the Moroccan National Tourism Office feature highlights including musical entertainment, calligraphy and henna tattoo sessions. Walls of blue zellige (handmade tiles) that will be an explosion of spellbinding mosaic patterns will bookend the space, which will be festooned with food and accouterments.
Source:Philippine Star
September 20, 2023 19:03 UTC
Cristiano Ronaldo debuts in Asian Champions League
TEHRAN: Cristiano Ronaldo enjoyed a winning debut in the Asian Champions League as he helped Al Nassr to a 2-0 victory against 10-man Persepolis in Iran on Tuesday night. The five-time Ballon d'Or winner, who has five UEFA Champions League titles to his name, captained the Saudi Arabian side to an opening three points in Group E.Nassr's Portuguese forward #07 Cristiano Ronaldo reacts lying on the field during the AFC Champions League group E football match between Persepolis FC and al-Nassr FC at Azadi stadium in Tehran on September 19, 2023. Iran and Saudi Arabia severed diplomatic ties seven years ago, meaning Asian Champions League matches had been since played at neutral grounds. In the East Asian side of the draw, South Korea's Incheon United opened their Group G account with a 4-2 win over J.League champions Yokohama F Marinos in Japan. In Group I, South Korean champions, and 2020 Asian Champions League winners, Ulsan Hyundai won at home over Thailand's BG Pathum United 3-1, while Japan's Kawasaki Frontale saw off hosts Johor Darul Ta'zim 1-0 in Malaysia.
Source:Manila Times
September 20, 2023 17:56 UTC
PH to file suit vs China
(UPDATE) THE Philippines will file environmental cases against China for its destructive activities in the West Philippine Sea (WPS) before the Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA). Solicitor General Menardo Guevarra confirmed the plan to file charges against China before the PCA. A section of the July 12, 2016 ruling of the Arbitral Tribunal on environmental issues involving China in the South China Sea said, "China had caused severe harm to the coral reef environment." The Tribunal accused China of not fulfilling its obligations to stop such activities and even suggested that Chinese fishermen were allowed to harvest the clams on land features in the South China Sea, where China would soon be building. He said the coral destruction in the South China Sea has been a "half-century-old problem" caused by destructive dynamite and cyanide fishing.
Source:Manila Times
September 20, 2023 17:41 UTC