Since it's the birthday of Aga Muhlach, my good friend from way back (since pre-«Bagets» days), I opted to interview his older sister, Arlene, about him. She fondly calls Aga «Morning» (based on his initials, AM), and he calls her «Terlene» (short for Ate Arlene). Arlene, who's also like a sis to me, is his female version in so many ways. Aga does not seem to age at all but, according to her, he wants to age gracefully and doesn't go for «age-defying scientific stuff.» «Morning doesn't even want to dye his hair,» she reveals. Thank you, Ags, for the kind of friendship that has stood the test of time, and for your support when I'm embroiled in crazy controversies. I'm forever...Keep on reading: Aga in his sister Arlene’s eyes

Actor Enzo Pineda said that while he doesn't mind baring skin and doing love scenes on the big screen, he draws the line at frontal nudity. «Doing sex scenes is already hard enough because, in order for you and your partner to feel comfortable on the set, you have to pretend that it's just you, that nobody else is there,» said Enzo, who plays leading man to Sunshine Cruz, with whom he has several steamy love scenes in the May-December drama, «Malamaya.» Enzo added: "In the film, you will see that I'm always buck naked. This was even while there were people on the set watching. It's hard to build confidence in order to finish those sex scenes because, after a while, I would feel...Keep on reading: After previous films, Enzo explains why his sexy scenes in ‘Malamaya’ are ‘the main event’

At first listen, «Lagi»---the downbeat, lead-off track of John Roa's latest EP, «Amgo»---could come across as a plea of someone desperate to break free from a «toxic relationship.» «Ako'y pagod na / 'Wag mo na akong paglaruan pa / Ito na naman ba tayo / Pakiusap ayoko na dito,» the songs starts. «Inalis mo ang kaligayahan ko / Pinatay mo ang liwanag ko.» Though the words could be interpreted in such a way, John, a former vocalist for the hip-hop collective Ex-Battalion, revealed that «Lagi» actually delves into his struggle with anxiety disorder. «Sometimes, you get overwhelmed by it all, and it makes you want to just escape ... The challenge for me is dealing with it,» John...Keep on reading: John Roa using music to open up about his anxiety disorder

JERUSALEM --- Muslim worshippers and Israeli police clashed Sunday at a major Jerusalem holy site during prayers marking the Islamic holiday of Eid al-Adha. Palestinian medics said at least 14 people were wounded, one seriously, in the skirmishes with police at the site, which Muslims refer to as the Al-Aqsa mosque compound and Jews refer to as the Temple Mount. Police said at least four officers were wounded. Witnesses said at least two people were arrested. Clouds of tear gas swirled and stun grenades thundered across the stone-paved esplanade as masses of worshippers skirmished with police in the worst bout of fighting at the contested holy site in months. The clashes cam...Keep on reading: Muslims clash with Israeli police at Jerusalem holy site

SEOUL, South Korea --- There's no question that North Korean leader Kim Jong Un is in full control of his nation. But a recent change to the way he's being formally described in the North Korean Constitution may allow him even more diplomatic leverage as he steps with increasing confidence onto the world stage for negotiations over his powerful weapons program. Despite a flurry of unprecedented summits between Kim and the world powers that surround him, the outcome of that crucial diplomacy is very much in question amid currently deadlocked nuclear disarmament talks and an outburst of North Korean weapons tests in recent weeks. North Korea on Friday said that its rubber-stamp p...Keep on reading: North Korea boosts Kim’s rising status as global statesman

MANILA, Philippines---San Miguel Beer import Chris McCullough has his sights set on the ultimate goal of winning the PBA Commissioner's Cup championship and nothing less. That's why he couldn't care any less when he lost the Best Import award to TNT reinforcement Terrence Jones Sunday night. «I don't care about the Best Import,» McCullough said after Game 4. «He (Jones) was here before I was here first of all so it don't matter to me. I'm just here to win the championship. That's about it,» he added. McCullough came in as a replacement for Charles Rhodes with only four games left in the elimination round after the Beermen started the conference with a 2-5 record and were in danger ...Keep on reading: Chris McCullough wants PBA title not Best Import award

Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez III on Saturday (Aug. 10) expressed confidence China's concerns over online casinos in the Philippines catering to Chinese gamblers, which Beijing had declared as illegal, would be resolved by Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte and Chinese President Xi Jinping when they meet later this month. Doiminguez said he was «certain» that the Philippine government was «addressing the issues raised» by the Chinese Embassy in Manila in a recent statement. The embassy last week issued a statement saying "any form of gambling by Chinese citizens, including online gambling, gambling overseas, opening casinos overseas to attract citizens of China as primary custom...Keep on reading: DOF: Duterte, Xi sure to discuss China worries on ‘illegal” online casinos in PH

MANILA, Philippines --- Another issue brewing? Netizens were quick to point out a seeming connection between the Instagram bios of sisters Marjorie and Gretchen Barretto. Marjorie's bio reads «Ghost Writer» and Gretchen's reads «GHOST BUSTER» (all caps as she wrote it). Netizens noticed this after Gretchen accused her niece Julia of hiring a «ghostwriter» when the latter issued a statement on her alleged involvement in the breakup of Bea Alonzo and Gerald Anderson. READ: Julia Barretto to Bea Alonzo: 'You have charged everybody to destroy me FOR YOU' READ: Gretchen Barretto claims Julia Barretto's statement penned by ghostwriter Marjorie was the first one to change ...Keep on reading: Gretchen as ‘ghost buster’ vs Marjorie as ‘ghost writer’?

MANILA, Philippines---BanKo needed a big jolt in the second set to blast Reinforced Conference champion PetroGazz, 25-20, 11-25, 25-21, 25-18, Sunday and send a message that they are a force to be reckoned in the Premier Volleyball League Open Conference. «Coming from the loss in second set we just told ourselves that we play happy and light-hearted, and fortunately, we clicked in the next two sets,» said BanKo Perlas captain Dzi Gervacio. She finished with 13 points, including the finishing hit, while teammate Nicole Tiamzon fired two aces in succession down the stretch to wind up with 12. The Perlas Spikers, propped up by a veteran roster led by Tiamzon and Dzi Gervacio, recovered...Keep on reading: PVL: BanKo opens campaign with big win over PetroGazz

MANILA, Philippines --- The United States (US) Embassy in the Philippines said it would coordinate with authorities in searching for a plane and its pilot that has been missing for month after reportedly crashing in Baler, Aurora. The embassy the statement on Sunday after Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr. for assistance. «We need help. A missing plane and pilot dropped into dense mountainous jungle in Baler, Aurora 14 days ago. The PH Army/Air Force---on it from get-go but resources stretched with weather & Batanes---say rightly @DFAPHL must request USMarineCorps. My OAA has requested,» Locsin wrote in a tweet, noting that the Philippine Army and Philippine Air F...Keep on reading: US Embassy to help in search of missing plane, pilot

MANILA, Philippines --- Presidential spokesperson Salvador Panelo on Sunday clarified President Rodrigo Duterte's «accepting-gifts-not-bribery» remark, saying that the chief executive was only referring to unsolicited gifts given «as a mere ordinary token of gratitude or friendship.» The President earlier said that there would nothing wrong if police officers would accept «gifts» from people grateful for their work, adding that receiving gifts given out of gratitude could not be considered a violation of the law. READ: Duterte OK with cops accepting 'gifts' out of gratitude, earning extra cash from video-karera Citing the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act, Panelo said "un...Keep on reading: Panelo clarifies: Cops may accept only ‘unsolicited gifts’

MANILA, Philippines --- The faction of the billionaire Yanson family of Bacolod that was ousted last month in a boardroom coup from the country's largest passenger bus firm regained control of the company's headquarters and a key branch over the weekend. The Inquirer learned that the camp of Leo Rey Yanson, his sister Ginnette Dumancas and the family matriarch Olivia Villafor Yanson were able to retake the sprawling compound of Vallacar Transit Inc. in Mansilingan and the key south terminal in Bacolod City. The company's headquarters was reclaimed with the help of the Philippine National Police, which said that the installation of a new security agency in the wake of the takeov...Keep on reading: Yanson faction retakes control of giant Ceres bus firm from rebel siblings

MANILA, Philippines---San Miguel Beer showed its championship mettle to hold off TNT, 106-101, and tie the 2019 PBA Commissioner's Cup Finals at 2-2 Sunday night at Smart Araneta Coliseum....Keep on reading: San Miguel Beer holds off TNT in Game 4, ties PBA Finals

BEIJING ---HuaweiTechnologies unveiled its much-anticipated in-house operating system Harmony OS last Friday, marking the Chinese tech giant's arguably biggest push to build its own software ecosystem. The move is also expected to offset the influence of the US government'srestrictionsover the use of Google's Android operating system in smartphones and other hardware. Yu Chengdong, CEO of Huawei's consumer business group, said an operating system is needed to address future challenges in the era of internet of things, and it is hard to deliver a smooth experience across different devices with millions of lines of code. Unlike the much-expected name ofHongMeng, Huawei adopted Harmony...Keep on reading: Huawei launches its own operating system Harmony OS

https://www.facebook.com/VPLeniRobredoPH/videos/364245501135003/ MANILA, Philippines --- Vice President Leni Robredo reminded police officers not to accept bribes, especially from those people involved in cases they are handling. «It's also forbidden to borrow money from a person involved in a case you're handling,» Robredo said on Sunday in her «BISErbisyong LENI» AM radio show aired over RMN-DZXL 558. Robredo was reacting to a statement made by President Rodrigo Duterte that there would be nothing wrong if police officers were to accept gifts from people showing their appreciation for their assistance. "It is not bribery because it is allowed by the law. What I mean is if t...Keep on reading: Robredo reminds cops not to accept bribes

HONG KONG - A Hong Kong pilot charged with rioting for taking part in a recent protest has been grounded,Cathy Pacificconfirmed on Saturday. This came a day after the embattled carrier received a warning from the nation's aviation regulator over safety risk and queries from passengers and the public. The airline also confirmed that two staff members had been sacked for misconducts. The Hong Kong community, including political parties, residents and tourists, have voiced support for the decision byCivil Aviation Administration of Chinato ban Cathy Pacific staff who have involved in radical protests from flying the mainland routes. They also condemned the malicious breach of passenger...Keep on reading: Cathay grounds pilot, removes 2 staff after regulator’s warning

CITY OF CALAPAN---Police arrested but lost custody of a man who assaulted village officials on Sunday (Aug 11) in Naujan town, Oriental Mindoro province. Police said the man, Randy Castillo, 25, was arrested after assaulting village officials Claro Untalan and Jeryme Buquidon Saturday (Aug 10). Castillo was being brought to the police station when he escaped. He will be charged with direct assault on persons of authority. Madonna Virola/TSB...Keep on reading: Man held for assault escapes after arrest by police

MANILA, Philippines --- Vice President Leni Robredo on Sunday urged Filipinos to offer their full support to national basketball team Gilas Pilipinas as it is set to face Italy in the anticipated Fiba World Cup 2019 in China.   «Alam natin kung gaano ka-grabe magtrabaho iyong ating mga players sa Gilas, tinitingnan natin na mga bayani na nagre-represent sa atin nang maayos na ang kailangan ngayon dahil haharap sa mga matitinding laban, ang kailangan suporta natin. Pampalakas ng loob,» the Vice President said over «BISErbisyong LENI» in local radio station RMN-DZXL 558.   This was contrary to President Rodrigo Duterte's remark casting doubt that the country's team wo...Keep on reading: Robredo: Gilas Pilipinas needs FIlipinos’ support

PAGADIAN CITY---Two of 17 people sent to hospital after eating puffer fish, or butete, were kept confined at an Ozamiz City hospital even as the 15 other poisoning victims had been discharged, according to a health official in this city. Brixlyjun Go, disease surveillance officer of the Ozamiz City health office, said the two were kept in hospital because they were the worst hit by the poisoning. They have been identified as Armando Santander Sr., 53, who was unconscious when brought to the Mayor HIlarion Ramiro Sr. Medical Center, and Sabas Mejias, 51, who had been paralyzed by the fish's toxins. The two were already in stable condition but Santander is being kept at the hospit...Keep on reading: Man paralyzed, another sent into coma by puffer fish still in hospital

MANILA, Philippines --- Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo on Sunday said the joint oil exploration deal between the Philippines and China could be used as a «bargaining leverage» in settling the dispute in the West Philippine Sea (WPS).   President Rodrigo Duterte earlier said he would push for the «exploitation of natural resources» in the WPS through a joint exploration deal when he visits China later this month.   «If you could use that as a bargaining leverage, sasabihin mo, 'after all amin naman yan, although kine-claim nyo rin yan, bat di na lang natin pag-usapan yung ating China exploration para pareho tayong makinabang?'», Panelo said in an interview...Keep on reading: Joint oil exploration with China can help settle sea dispute – Panelo

MANILA, Philippines - Angat Dam's water level rose further on Sunday, largely due to rainy weather the past few days, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) said.   As of 6:00 a.m., Sunday, Pagasa said the water level at Angat Dam is at 174.13 meters, 1.82 meters higher than the 172.31- meter water level reported on Saturday morning.   Angat Dam in Bulacan is the main source of water for Metro Manila Residents.   Water level in several other dams in the country also rose, including La Mesa Dam, Ambuklao Dam, Binga Dam, San Roque Dam, Pantabangan Dam, and Caliraya Dam.   There was, however, a sl...Keep on reading: Angat, 6 other dams’ water level rises amid rains

MAWLAMYINE, Myanmar --- Myanmar troops deployed to flood-hit parts of the country on Sunday to help with relief efforts after the death toll from a deadly landslide jumped to 48. Every year, monsoon rains hammer Myanmar and other countries across Southeast Asia, submerging homes, displacing thousands and triggering landslides. But the disaster Friday in southeastern Mon state was the worst in recent memory and hundreds of emergency response workers were still pulling bodies out of the muddy wreckage early Sunday. «The total death toll reached 48. Search and rescue is still ongoing,» Paung township administrator Zaw Moe Aung told AFP. Heavy rains pounded Mon, Karen and Kac...Keep on reading: Myanmar troops help flood rescue after landslide kills 48

CEBU, Philippines---Tim Reed and Caroline Steffen ruled their respective divisions for the second straight time in the Ironman 70.3 Philippines after topping the Cebu circuit Sunday at Shangri-La Mactan. Australia's Reed overcame the grueling 113-kilometer swim-bike-run course in 4:01:19, 49 seconds faster than silver medalist Mike Philips, before being stretchered out after he suffered from cramps and threw up following his ice bath. Reed, who is coming off a conquest in Subic Bay two months ago, came in third after the 1.9-kilometer swimming course, 3.09 seconds slower than Eric Watson, before blitzing through the 90-kilometer bike leg to gain the lead at the 13-kilometer mar...Keep on reading: Double-double: Make it 2 in a row for Reed, Steffen at Ironman 70.3 PH

DAYTON, Ohio - Mourners gathered across the country Saturday to remember the lives of a graduate student beloved by friends, a man who died in his son's arms and a mother who shielded her infant from gunfire.   The funerals were among several being held for people who died in mass shootings last weekend in Dayton, Ohio and El Paso, Texas. Investigators in Texas said a gunmanopened fireat a Walmart on Aug. 3, targeting Mexicans and killing 22 people. Less than 24 hours later, another shooter killed nine people in a popularDaytonnightlife area.         Every seat was filled and the hallways were lined with mourners in Washington, Pennsylvan...Keep on reading: Families mourn, bury those killed in Ohio, Texas shootings

MANILA, Philippines -- Effects of the southwest monsoon will prevail in Luzon and Visayas, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) said on Sunday.   Pagasa said that the Ilocos region, Zambales and Bataan, would experience cloudy skies with scattered rain showers and thunderstorms which could trigger flash floods and landslides.   Meanwhile, Metro Manila and the rest of the country will have partly cloudy to cloudy skies with isolated rain showers due localized thunderstorms. /gsg      ...Keep on reading: Pagasa sees weekend rain showers, thunderstorms

MANILA, Philippines---Petron survived a big upset plot by Foton to score a 25-23, 24-26, 24-26, 25-22, 19-17 thriller late Saturday in the Philippine Superliga All Filipino Conference at Corpus Christi Gym in Cagayan de Oro City. The two-time defending champions Blaze Spikers found themselves trailing, 13-11, in the deciding set but Sisi Rondina kept slamming down spikes to preserve their 11-game winning streak. At 13-1, Petron is assured of top spot in the sudden-death quarterfinals against winless Marinerang Pilipina. The Tornadoes fell to 7-6, tying the resting Cignal HD Spikers who will likely be their quarterfinal nemesis as they are lodged in fourth and fifth places...Keep on reading: PSL: Petron seals No. 1 after fending off Foton in thriller

MANILA, Philippines --- No Filipino was wounded in a car bomb attack outside a shopping mall in Libya's eastern city of Benghazi, the Philippine Embassy in Tripoli reported on Sunday.   The Embassy said that it continues to monitor the situation around the area as it advises the public to remain vigilant.   «The Embassy advises our kababayan in Benghazi to be on alert and to avoid any unnecessary movement for the time being,» it said in a statement.   According to local reports, the bombing killed at least three individuals working for the United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL).   The attack took place outside a mall teeming with shop...Keep on reading: DFA: No Filipino wounded in Libya car bomb attack

BERKELEY HEIGHTS, N.J. --- President Donald Trump said Saturday that North Korea's Kim Jong Un wants to meet once again to «start negotiations» after joint U.S.-South Korea military exercises end. He also said Kim apologized for the flurry of recent short-range missile tests that has rattled U.S. allies in the region.         Trump is tweeting more details from the «beautiful» three-page letter he told reporters on Friday that he'd received from Kim. Trump, who is on vacation at his golf club in New Jersey, said Kim spent much of his letter complaining about «the ridiculous and expensive exercises,» which North Korea sees as a threat.   H...Keep on reading: Trump: Kim wants to meet again, apologized for missile tests

  DES MOINES, Iowa --- In a barn down a gravel road in Iowa, Joe Biden tore into President Donald Trump's moral character, declaring in one of the fiercest speeches of his campaign that the words of the American president matter.       The next day, Biden's own words tripped him up. He told an audience in Des Moines that poor children are «just as bright and just as talented as white kids,» before immediately clarifying his remarks.   The back-to-back episodes magnified the promise and the peril of Biden's candidacy. Three months after announcing his White House bid, he remains atop early polling for Democratic candidates, buoyed by a lon...Keep on reading: Biden is still the Democrat to beat, but rivals see weakness

BENGHZI, Libya - A bomb-laden vehicle exploded Saturday outside a shopping mall in Libya's eastern city of Benghazi, killing at least three U.N. staff members, a spokesman for the United Nations secretary-general said. The attack came even as the country's warring sides said they accepted a cease-fire proposed by the U.N. aimed at halting combat in the capital Tripoli during an upcoming Muslim holiday.       Health officials said the blast took place outside Arkan Mall in the Hawari neighborhood, where people were gathering for shopping a day before the Eid al-Adha holiday begins. The Benghazi municipal council said the attack targeted a convoy for the U.N....Keep on reading: UN: Car bomb kills 3 UN staff outside mall in Libya

WASHINGTON --- It's not quite «Trump-McConnell 2020,» but it might as well be.   As he runs for reelection, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell is positioning himself as the president's wingman, his trusted right hand in Congress, transformed from a behind-the-scenes player into a prominent if sometimes reviled Republican like none other besides Donald Trump himself.   «In Washington, President Trump and I are making America great again!» he declared at a rally in Kentucky, his voice rising over protesters.   Other than Democrat Nancy Pelosi --- and more recently Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez --- no current politician has so quickly become such a high-profi...Keep on reading: Trump-McConnell 2020? Senate head sets himself up as wingman

Jeffrey Epstein's apparent suicide in federal custody is provoking skepticism among online conspiracy theorists and even some officials who question how he could have killed himself in a highly secured part of the jail set aside for high-profile inmates.         Epstein had been placed on suicide watch following an incident just over two weeks ago in which he was discovered with bruises on his neck. But he was taken off of suicide watch at the end of July, a person familiar with the matter told The Associated Press Saturday.   Republican Sen. Rick Scott of Florida suggested the possibility that a criminal act was involved in Epstein's dea...Keep on reading: Epstein suicide prompts conspiracy theories, skepticism

MANILA, Philippines --- Did Marjorie Barretto take a dig at sister Gretchen through her Instagram biography? On her Instagram profile, Marjorie wrote a short description of herself as a «GHOST WRITER.» Marjorie's socialite-actress sister accused her niece Julia of hiring a «ghostwriter» when the latter issued a statement on her alleged involvement in the breakup of Bea Alonzo and Gerald Anderson. READ: Julia Barretto to Bea Alonzo: 'You have charged everybody to destroy me FOR YOU' In the same post, Gretchen said she was «TeamBea all the way.» READ: Gretchen Barretto claims Julia Barretto's statement penned by ghostwriter Marjorie's daughter Dani also became the sub...Keep on reading: Is Marjorie Barretto’s ‘ghostwriter’ IG tag a dig at Gretchen?

The recent U.S. kombucha craze has been fermenting for decades. All-natural, low-sugar, and packed with supposed health benefits, the once-niche drink has invaded grocery stores, supermarkets and cafes. U.S. sales of the cloudy, bubbly beverage reached $412 million in 2018 according to Nielsen data, up 42 percent from the year before. The now-ubiquitous fermented drink, whose exact origins are unknown, is even stocked by the American retail giant Walmart. Across the United States, it's not uncommon to find shops offering up to 10 different brands. For Alex Ingalls, who founded Pilot Kombucha in 2015, the buzzing popularity of the slightly alcoholic drink (the kind sold in...Keep on reading: All-natural and low-sugar: Kombucha takes the US by storm

ABOARD THE OPEN ARMS ON THE MEDITERRANEAN SEA --- Carrying boxes of fruit, Richard Gere visited rescued migrants Friday on a humanitarian ship that has been struck in the Mediterranean Sea for over a week, landing smack in the middle of a debate over immigration that European nations have not been able to resolve. The American film star took food and supplies by boat to 121 people aboard the Open Arms, a rescue ship floating in international waters near the Italian island of Lampedusa after being blocked from entering ports in Italy and Malta. Those nations want fellow European Union countries to take in more of the migrants who come across the sea. The actor, 69, spoke to seve...Keep on reading: Richard Gere visits migrants stuck in the Mediterranean