The most promising future in e-sport: Indoor golf
While the pandemic has led to the proliferation in online classrooms for education and the organisation of virtual meetings for business, indoor golf has taken off in a spectacular fashion for e-sport, as players can tee off at will at virtual venues worldwide. Golf for everyoneKnown as a gentlemen’s game, golf traditionally comes with a set of etiquette. “Indoor golf seems to be more popular with ladies, who are often very serious golfers who train themselves hard,” he remarks. Having opened its doors in Hong Kong for 6 years, The Upper Loft is set to shine as an e-sport hub in Hong Kong. “Indoor golf is highly popular in Korea while indoor tennis and football are also popular e-sports in the United States,” he says.
Source:The Standard
December 17, 2021 10:33 UTC
Cebu Pacific cancels some flights as Typhoon Odette whips parts of Vis-Min
MANILA, Philippines — Cebu Pacific Air and Cebgo has announced the cancellation of the following flights as of 1:30 p.m. on Friday due to Typhoon Odette. ADVERTISEMENTThe following flights on Friday were canceled by Cebu Pacific and Cebgo:– DG 6573 / DG 6574 Cebu – Tacloban – Cebu– 5J 597 / 5J 598 Cebu – Davao – Cebu– 5J 569 / 5J 570 Manila – Cebu – Manila– 5J 557 / 5J 556 Cebu – Manila – Cebu– 5J 559 / 5J 560 Manila – Cebu – Manila– 5J 582 Cebu – Manila– 5J 563 / 5J 564 Manila – Cebu – Manila– DG 6043 / DG6044 Manila – Coron (Busuanga) – Manila– DG 6051 / DG6052 Manila – Coron (Busuanga) – Manila– 5J 647 / 5J 648 Manila – Puerto Princesa – Manila– 5J 703 / 5J 704 Manila – Dipolog – Manila– DG 6839 / DG6840 Manila – Siargao – Manila– DG 6881 / DG6882 Manila – Surigao – Manila– 5J 629 / 5J 630 Manila – Dumaguete – Manila– DG 6851 / DG 6852 Cebu – Siargao – Cebu– 5J 551 / 5J 558 Manila – Cebu – Manila– 5J 205 / 5J 206 Cebu – Cagayan de Oro – Cebu– 5J 576 / 5J 575 Cebu – Manila – Cebu– DG 6571 / DG 6572 Cebu – Tacloban – Cebu– DG 6641 / DG 6642 Cebu – Pagadian – Cebu– DG 6791 / DG 6792 Cebu – Ozamiz – Cebu– DG 6925 / DG 6926 Cebu – Butuan – Cebu– DG 6603 / DG 6604 Cebu – Dipolog – Cebu– DG 6721 / DG 6722 Cebu – Cagayan de Oro – Cebu– 5J 553 / 5J 554 Manila – Cebu – Manila– 5J 565 / 5J 566 Manila – Cebu – Manila– 5J 561 / 5J 562 Manila – Cebu – Manila– DG 6703 / DG 6704 Manila – Camiguin – Manila– 5J 619 / 5J 620 Manila – Bohol – Manila– 5J 567 / 5J 568 Manila – Cebu – Manila“Affected passengers have been informed via contact details provided in the booking. They may select their preferred option through the Manage Booking portal on the Cebu Pacific website (http://bit.ly/CEBmanageflight) until 30 days from date of departure,” Cebu Pacific said in an advisory. Rebook – Rebook for travel within 60 days at no additional cost, following CEB’s permanent removal of change fees. “Cebu Pacific is working on mounting recovery flights for the passengers affected by cancellations and will provide updates as soon as possible.
Source:Philippine Daily Inquirer
December 17, 2021 08:30 UTC
Typhoon leaves 3 dead, traps people on roofs in Philippines
Residents salvage what's left of their damaged homes caused by Typhoon Rai in Cebu city, central Philippines. Witnesses described ferocious winds that ripped off roofs and forced down trees, while others experienced severe flooding that trapped residents on their roofs. Officials were confirming at least two other typhoon-related deaths in central Guimaras province. Coast guard personnel rescued residents trapped in chest-deep waters on Thursday in a southern province, where torrential rains swamped villages in brownish water. At least 62 cities and towns either lost power entirely or were experiencing disruptions in their electricity services.
Source:The Standard
December 17, 2021 08:25 UTC
HK keeps eye on storm as Rai hammers Philippines
A coast guard member rescues a resident of Cagayan de Oro city in Mindanao, Philippines.AFPSuper Typhoon Rai may come within 400 kilometers of Hong Kong on Tuesday, forecasters say. The observatory forecast includes cloud bands associated with Rai bringing six consecutive rainy days to Hong Kong from Monday. The observatory's tropical cyclone track shows Rai closest to Hong Kong on Tuesday - during the Winter solstice - coming within 400 kilometers. Since 1961 there have been just four tropical cyclones that came within 500 kilometers of Hong Kong in December. That was when severe tropical storm Irma was close to Hong Kong on December 1, with a No 3 signal hoisted.
Source:The Standard
December 17, 2021 06:17 UTC
Supporting food and beverage MSMEs
As we slowly inch our way into the holidays — with about a week to go until Christmas Eve — now is the best time to support our MSMEs in the food and beverage space. Community commerce has immensely educated me with the finest produce a place can provide. Our discoveries this year not only introduced us to new foods or dishes but also allowed us to appreciate the best of the best produce that the Philippines (or other countries, for that matter) has. Food always makes for a good Christmas present or a potluck contribution. Those whose love language is in food will surely find something nice in this selection.
Source:Manila Times
December 17, 2021 04:05 UTC
HK$6m home-loans incentive to staunch hospital brain drain
Hospital Authority will offer low-interest loan of up to HK$6 million per head to public hospitals staff to buy flat in an attempt to stop worsening brain drain. The loan scheme was passed in a general meeting Thursday, together with two other manpower retainment policies including strengthening the promotion ladder and establishing a Hospital Authority Academy. It is an enhancement of the authority's existing Home Loan Interest Subsidy Scheme launched in the 1990s, in which employees could apply for interest subsidies after they have purchased homes. Another candidate Chan Wing-kwong also welcomed the measures, as he believed the low-interest home loan scheme can solve doctors and nurses’ difficulties of saving their first installments. Other candidates in the Medical and Health Services sector are Scarlett Pong Oi-lan, David Lam Tzit-yuen and Ho Sung-hon.
Source:The Standard
December 17, 2021 02:52 UTC
AFP aims to achieve world-class force
AFP aims to achieve world-class forceIn an interview aired over The Chiefs on One News channel, Brig. Gen. Edgardo Palma, chief of the Office of Strategic Studies and Strategy Management, said the AFP is currently “not at par” with world-class armed forces. Gen. Edgardo Palma, chief of the Office of Strategic Studies and Strategy Management, said the AFP is currently “not at par” with world-class armed forces. Palma bared that the AFP is eyeing to have a “higher level of minimum capable defense” by 2028. “We are aiming to be a world-class armed forces which is a source of national pride… We are supposed to have a strong and sustainable armed forces that is contributing to the continuing effort to our regional peace,” the official said in a mix of English and Filipino.
Source:Philippine Star
December 17, 2021 01:11 UTC
'Para kay Nanay': Philippines' touching solo moms tribute enters Miss World 2021 challenge Top 5
'Para kay Nanay': Philippines' touching solo moms tribute enters Miss World 2021 challenge Top 5MANILA, Philippines — After being chosen as one of 10 outstanding advocacy projects, Miss World Philippines 2021 Tracy Maureen Perez's "A Single Mother's Journey to Love," was picked as one of the Top 5 best Beauty with a Purpose (BWAP) initiatives, alongside candidates from the USA, South Africa, England, and Kenya. What is even more noteworthy is the promise of the Miss World Organization to visit and lend support to Tracy's project in Cordova, Cebu. With the Miss World Organization's support, the community of lone parents in Cordova, Cebu will become even bigger and stronger. Catch the Miss World 2021 final show on Friday, December 17, 8 a.m. (Philippine time) on the CNN Philippines network. RELATED: 7 Miss World 2021 candidates test positive for COVID-19 a day before coronation
Source:Philippine Star
December 16, 2021 23:58 UTC
A bromance brews in 'Bad and Crazy'
Fans can expect their favorite Oppas to see more than just action in this original because Lee and Wi are in for a bit of bromance. Bad and Crazy is a heroic drama that follows capable but bad cop Ryu Su Yeol (Lee Dong Wook) regaining his humanity after meeting the righteous but crazy 'K' (Wi Ha Jun). "The bromance is clear, and we were a great team together," Lee directly acknowledged at Bad Blood's global media conference. Also starring Han Ji Eun and Cha Hak Yeon, Bad and Crazy premieres tonight, 9:50 p.m., on iQiyi International app or www.iq.com. The all-Asian streaming platform is available across 191 territories and will see new episode drops on Fridays and Saturdays.
Source:Manila Times
December 16, 2021 22:25 UTC
Senate approves bill requiring SIM card registration with provision to 'unmask trolls'
Senate approves bill requiring SIM card registration with provision to 'unmask trolls'MANILA, Philippines — The Senate unanimously approved on third and final reading Thursday a bill that would mandate all public telecommunications entities to require subscribers to fill out a registration form and produce a valid identification card before purchasing a SIM card. At their final plenary session of the year, senators voted 22-0-0 to approve Senate Bill No. 2395 or the proposed SIM Card Registration Act which seeks to eradicate criminal activities aided by mobile phones, the internet or other electronic communication devices. The bill penalizes the use of fictitious identities to register SIM cards, spoofing, and the unauthorized sale of registered SIM cards. A counterpart measure, without the social media provision inserted by Drilon, was approved on final reading by the House of Representatives earlier this month.
Source:Philippine Star
December 16, 2021 20:32 UTC
Typhoon Odette cancels planned mass COVID-19 vaccinations
Typhoon Odette cancels planned mass COVID-19 vaccinationsA local tourist arrives to take shelter at a sports complex turned evacuation center in Dapa town, Siargao island, Surigao del Norte province in southern island of Mindanao on December 16, 2021, as Typhoon Rai barrel the island. MANILA, Philippines — Typhoon Odette (international name: Rai) forced local authorities to suspend COVID-19 vaccinations of people living in the path of the storm, the Department of Health said Thursday. The government administered 953,624 COVID-19 vaccine doses on the first day of the second mass vaccination drive. Some areas had to do less because of the typhoon,” Cabotaje said. Latest data showed that 42.57 million have completed the recommended doses, while 55.63 million have received partial protection against COVID-19.
Source:Philippine Star
December 16, 2021 19:27 UTC
Gender-based violence: A disease more pervasive than COVID
ADVERTISEMENTThis was the focus of this year’s 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence, a United Nations event celebrated from Nov. 25 to Dec. 10 to seek an end to continuing violence targeting women and children and which has been described as a disease more “pervasive” than COVID. The UN said gender-based violence, which is a serious rights violation, is damaging acts directed at an individual because of his or her gender. She said over 70 percent of cases of gender-based violence was “exacerbated” by the COVID catastrophe. ADVERTISEMENT‘Ignored crisis’Oxfam Pilipinas, the Philippine chapter of international anti-poverty group Oxfam, said the pandemic worsened gender-based violence worldwide. Oxfam International said the government’s investment in the fight against gender-based violence was “dramatically inadequate.” Only 0.0002 percent of funds for COVID had been allotted to preventing gender violence.
Source:Philippine Daily Inquirer
December 16, 2021 17:43 UTC
AJ Raval gets sexier in 'Crush Kong Curly'
A curly and sexy vlogger who everyone is crushing on is arriving on Vivamax today. Adorably titled "Crush Kong Curly," the movie sees the screen siren as Elle, a once bullied ugly duckling who becomes the day's hottest celebrity vlogger of the country. Crush Kong Curly is Raval's first time in the genre after the success of her psychedelic, erotic thriller movie "Taya" and in Andrew E's "Shoot Shoot," where she co-starred. Crush Kong Curly also stars Maui Taylor, Gina Pareño, Chad Kinis, Loren Mariñas, Andrew Muhlach, Jao Mapa, Madeleine Red and Gab Lagman. Streaming starting today, Crush Kong Curly is available globally on the Vivamax app (downloadable via Google Play Store and App Store) and www.vivamax.net.
Source:Manila Times
December 16, 2021 17:00 UTC
Senate OKs SIM card registration bill with provision to curb trolls
MANILA, Philippines — The Senate on Thursday approved on third and final reading a bill that mandates the ownership registration of all SIM cards in the country. Voting 21-0-0, senators passed Senate Bill No. 2395 or the proposed SIM Card Registration Act, which also has a provision that would mandate social media platforms to require “real-name and phone number upon creation of account” in a bid to curb the proliferation of trolls online. Such right is sacred now, and it will remain as such even after this bill becomes law and is enforced,” she said. ADVERTISEMENTRELATED STORY:House OKs bill requiring SIM card registrationJPVSubscribe to our daily newsletter By providing an email address.
Source:Philippine Daily Inquirer
December 16, 2021 16:30 UTC
Record 488 journalists jailed, 46 killed in 2021
PARIS: There are currently 488 media professionals imprisoned around the world, the highest number since Reporters Without Borders (RSF) began counting more than 25 years ago, the NGO announced Thursday. By contrast, the number killed this year — 46 — was the lowest since it began issuing annual tallies, due to the relative stabilization of conflicts in the Middle East. "The number of journalists detained in connection with their work has never been this high since RSF began publishing its annual round-up in 1995," the NGO, which battles for freedom of the press, said in a statement. RSF said it had also never seen so many female journalists detained, with the overall number of 60 representing a third more than 2020. China leads the way for imprisoned journalists with 127, thanks in large part to the national security law it imposed on Hong Kong, undermining many of its long-standing democratic freedoms.
Source:Manila Times
December 16, 2021 16:26 UTC