Rescuers on Sunday plucked more bodies in rough seas where three motorboats capsized after being buffeted by strong wind and big waves off Iloilo and Guimaras provinces on Saturday, bringing the death toll to 31, the Philippine Coast Guard said. Commodore Allan de la Vega, Coast Guard commander for Western Visayas, said the three motorboats carried more than 90 passengers and crew. De la Vega said that as of 3 p.m. on Sunday, 62 passengers and crew had been rescued, while three others remained missing. The motorboats Chi-Chi and Jenny Vince flipped over in sudden gusts of wind and powerful waves on Saturday off Guimaras and Iloilo. Iloilo disaster officials said the Chi-C...Keep on reading: Death toll in capsized motorboats rises to 31

TACLOBAN CITY, Leyte, Philippines --- The city council on Friday approved a resolution placing Tacloban City under a state of calamity due to the rising number of dengue cases. The city health office (CHO) had recorded 750 dengue cases with eight fatalities from January to July 23. With the calamity state declaration requested by Mayor Alfred Romualdez, the city government can now use part of its over P30 million in calamity funds to buy medicine and other medical supplies, and fogging machines. Quick response fund «We can now draw funds from our quick response fund to buy [these items] amid the dengue fever surge here,» said Councilor Elvira Casal, also a doctor, who spo...Keep on reading: Tacloban under calamity state amid dengue spike

BAGUIO CITY, Benguet, Philipines --- The role played by national agencies that led to Baguio's overdevelopment will be addressed once Malacaang issues a moratorium on building construction and tree-cutting in the city, a top city official said last week. There have been occasions when developers have been able to secure permission from head offices of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) or the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) when the city government rejects their applications for taller buildings or for cutting trees, Bonifacio de la Pea, city administrator, said in a recent news briefing. Mayor Benjamin Magalong earlier asked Malacaang for...Keep on reading: Roles of DENR, DPWH in Baguio decay up for scrutiny

Manila, Pnt-led task force will be given 20 days, starting today, to inspect and investigate establishments and households in El Nido, Palawan province, that may be violating environmental laws and not complying with tourism and business requirements, as the rehabilitation of the resort town continues. Environment Secretary Roy Cimatu last week ordered Henry Adornado, Mimaropa (Mindoro, Marinduque, Romblon, Palawan) regional executive director of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), to form an interagency task force that would submit on Aug. 25 its recommendations on establishments that might be shut down for noncompliance. El Nido, one of the country's t...Keep on reading: El Nido faces new environment probe

MANILA, Phlippines --- With most of the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office's (PCSO) games such as small town lottery (STL), Keno and Peryahan ng Bayan still suspended, desperate «jueteng» bet collectors have turned to «lotteng.» Acting on tips, members of the National Capital Region Police Office's (NCRPO) Regional Special Operations Unit conducted simultaneous antigambling operations across Metro Manila on Saturday. Eleven people were caught collecting bets for «lotteng» --- a combination of lotto and the illegal numbers game jueteng --- while one tried to stop the arrest of other bet collectors. The 12 were identified as Analyn Esquillo, Carmelita Dioneda, Orbe Ulijan, ...Keep on reading: 11 ‘lotteng’ bet collectors caught

Damodar Das Castillo, first prize winner of the 2019 Young Musicians International Music Competition in Estonia, Eastern Europe, will perform for the first time at Iloilo's Nelly Garden on Aug. 17, 6:30 p.m. Last July 31, Das Castillo performed with the Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra (PPO) at the Cultural Center of the Philippines. The recital with pianist Dingdong Fiel will honor the late Miguel Lim Cornejo, former cellist of the Asian Youth Orchestra, a cello teacher and recipient of the graduate diploma from the University of Melbourne. Also a Suzuki cello specialist, Cornejo was a passionate traveler and was widely read: His favorite authors were Gabriel Garcia Marquez, e.e...Keep on reading: Cello prodigy’s Iloilo concert to pay tribute to the late Miguel Lim Cornejo

Pianist Inna Montesclaros recently stunned the audience at her solo recital at the Francisco Santiago Hall of the BDO Corporate Center in Makati. Billed «Classics for a Cause,» the recital was a fund-drive for the Lamdag Foundation for Women's Project, Inc. Montesclaros was in top form and played on a Shigeru Kawai piano with exuberance, dishing out well-chiseled singing tones, enrapturing listeners that included her mentors, professor Cecile Basilio-Roxas, and Dr. Raul M. Sunico. At once, she hushed the audience into intensive listening with Beethoven's «Sonata No. 30, Op. 109.» She endowed the opening piece with a captivating, singing lyricism. The audience savored a soulful ...Keep on reading: Inna Montesclaros wows the audience with ‘Classics for a Cause’

In connection with Cinemalaya 15, the 2019 edition of the pioneering and biggest indie film festival in the region, the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) has opened an exhibit on Philippine film history at the Bulwagang Juan Luna (Main Gallery). The exhibit, «Scenes Reclaimed: CCP 50 x Cinemalaya 15,» is in commemoration of the 50th anniversary of the CCP (1969-2019) and the centennial of Philippine cinema (1919-2019). Exhibit traces the historical participation of CCP in the development of Philippine cinema across five decades. «Scenes Reclaimed» presents a rich array of artworks, artifacts, photographs and videos representing crucial milestones in CCP and Philippine...Keep on reading: Cinemalaya opens film history exhibit; members of jury, Netpac bared

Still reeling from three moderate but destructive earthquakes which struck in just a day, the island-province of Batanes is definitely going to bounce back, rebuilding both lives and structures damaged by the tremors. Discovered in the 18th century and evangelized by the intrepid Dominican missionaries, Batanes is the northernmost province of the Philippines and home to the Ivatan ethnic group that are believed among the nation's earliest inhabitants. Batanes is also one of 19 sites in the country listed in the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (Unesco) World Heritage Tentative List. It is listed as «Batanes Protected Landscapes and Seascapes.» ...Keep on reading: Quakes may have dented Batanes’ campaign for Unesco World Heritage listing

The recent Manila stop of Westlife's «Twenty» world tour promised to be a celebration of its two decades in the music industry---a throwback to the late 1990s, when the Irish boyband was but a fledgling act on the scene. «Back when all of you were a lot younger, as well!» Nicky Byrne teased the packed crowd on the group's first of two nights at the Smart Araneta Coliseum. Indeed, everyone's «a bit older now.» Nicky and his mates Shane Filan, Mark Feehily and Kian Egan have nine---soon to be 10---children collectively. And it's likely that some of their fans, many of whom were still in school when the group burst onto the scene, could very well be raising families of their own n...Keep on reading: Westlife’s recent PH show more than just a mere nostalgia trip

It has been a tradition in this indie film fest to show movies megged by award-winning filmmaker Lav Diaz, but how his latest drama, «Ang Hupa,» became the opening film this year has an interesting story, he told the Inquirer. «[In previous years,] my films were always relegated to the Dream Theater,» recalled Diaz, referring to the Tanghalang Manuel Conde at the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP)---the venue of the annual Cinemalaya Philippine Independent Film Festival. «This is the small and really cold cinema at the back of the CCP. This was because my films are long, they said.» «Ang Hupa,» topbilled by Piolo Pascual and Shaina Magdayao, premiered at the Director's F...Keep on reading: Lav Diaz film ‘Ang Hupa’ opens Cinemalaya; Inquirer’s Bayani San Diego Jr. honored

MANILA, Philippines---Terrence Jones has been balling out in the PBA Commissioner's Cup that San Miguel tried to throw in several defensive tactics just to throw off the import in Game 1 of the PBA Commissioner's Cup finals. Christian Standhardinger, Kelly Nabong, Arwind Santos, and Chris Ross all tried their luck against Jones but it was all for naught as TNT grabbed the opener 109-96 Sunday at Smart Araneta Coliseum. Jones said he's used to a little roughhousing here and there and that he's not going to let anyone get under his skin no matter what they do. «I'm used to it, but you know, this is the championship, so I'm definitely emotional as well,» said Jones who finished...Keep on reading: Jones shrugs off heated moments against San Miguel in Game 1

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c1Alp4enTxc The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration provides update on Tropical Storm Hanna as of 11 p.m. Sunday, August 4.  ...Keep on reading: Tropical Storm Hanna maintains strength as it moves west-northwest

MANILA, Philippines---San Miguel is off to a disappointing start in the PBA Commissioner's Cup finals and head coach Leo Austria hopes his team can adjust just in time to turn the series around. TNT walloped the Beermen 109-96 in the series opener in a game that San Miguel struggled to start with. The Beermen fell victim to the KaTropa's 20-0 blitzkrieg in the first half falling to a 37-19 hole that became insurmountable for them to climb back from. Austria said he and his team has to review what transpired in Game 1, but he did see some positives despite the frustrating loss. «The first half they really beat us, but I think they didn't beat us in the second half,» said A...Keep on reading: San Miguel has to adjust for Game 2, says Austria

TUGUEGARAO CITY-A 42-year-old Austrian national and his 20-year-old girlfriend were indicted on Friday (Aug 2) after they were arrested in a buy-bust operation here, police said on Sunday (Aug 4). Investigators said David Sigl, 42, and his live-in partner, Leilanie Bartolome, 20, were arrestedinside their apartment in Ugac Norte village after the couple sold a pack of marijuana brick weighing some 250 grams to an undercover agent. Sigl is on the police's drug watch list for drug peddling. Villamor Visaya Jr./TSB...Keep on reading: Austrian, girlfriend indicted for marijuana sale in Tuguegarao

SEOUL---Some 680 civic groups held a candlelight vigil over the weekend in protest of the Japanese government's decision to take South Korea off a list of preferred trading partners and to call on Tokyo to apologize for war crimes it committed in World War II. According to organizers, a Japanese civic group also sent its support, backing the protest against the Abe government's escalation of conflict with Korea. Some 15,000 people took to the streets to join the candlelight vigil in sweltering heat Saturday in Gwanghwamun, central Seoul, the organizers said. The protest started in front of the former site of the Japanese Embassy, where a «comfort woman» statue stands. "We remember ...Keep on reading: Koreans hold candlelight vigil to protest Abe government

BEIJING --- The State-owned space conglomerate China Aerospace Science and Technology Corp is working with the eastern coastal province of Shandong to start construction of a port for sea-based space launches before the end of this year. The Beijing-based space giant has said that during a recent visit by Ling Wen, deputy governor of Shandong, to the company's headquarters, a strategic cooperation framework agreement was signed by the China Academy of Launch Vehicle Technology, city government of Yantai, and Shenzhen-headquartered China International Marine Containers Group to jointly build an eastern coastal space port in Haiyang, a city administered by Yantai. The move aims to supp...Keep on reading: New port will host sea-based space launches

[Note: Please refresh this page for updates.] MANILA, Philippines --- Some local government units announced on Sunday the suspension of classes for Monday, Aug. 5, due to moderate to heavy monsoon rainfall expected in certain areas as Tropical Depression Hanna, internationally known, as Lekima, remained within the Philippine area of responsibility. Central Luzon Bataan Hermosa - all levels, public and private Pampanga Masantol - all levels, public and private Zambales Masinloc - all levels, public and private Calabarzon Batangas Entire province - preschool to senior high school, public and private Cavite Entire province - all levels, public and private Laguna Entire pr...Keep on reading: #WalangPasok: Class suspensions for Monday, Aug. 5, 2019

CAIRO --- Sudan's pro-democracy movement signed a power-sharing agreement with the ruling military council on Sunday aimed at paving the way for a transition to civilian rule following the overthrow of President Omar al-Bashir in April. Representatives initialed a constitutional document that would establish a joint military and civilian council to rule for a little over three years until elections can be held. The agreement would establish a Cabinet appointed by the activists, as well as a legislative body. The military overthrew al-Bashir in April following months of mass protests against his three-decade-long autocratic rule. The protesters remained in the streets, demanding...Keep on reading: Sudanese protesters sign power-sharing deal with military

SEOUL---The Korean National Police Agency rolled out plans for improving safety in areas with large number of non-citizens on Sunday. Police have enhanced security in areas heavily populated by non-citizens via designated public safety precincts. High non-citizen districts in Seoul designated for increased policy security include Itaewon in Yongsan-gu, Daerim-dong in Yeongdeungpo and Garibong-dong in Guro-gu. There are currently 19 such districts nationwide. Police added Ji-dong in Suwon, Gyeonggi Province, to the security watch list in the latest revision of public safety scheme for a high crime rate. According to police, the number of foreign suspects totaled 18,065 in the first h...Keep on reading: Korean police to ramp up efforts to improve safety in areas with large foreign populations

Scientists in Japan will begin trying to grow human organs in animals after receiving government permission for the first study of its kind in the country. The cutting-edge, but controversial, research involves implanting modified animal embryos with human «induced pluripotent stem» (iPS) cells that can be coaxed into forming the building blocks of any part of the body. It is the first step in what researchers caution is a very long path towards a future where human organs for transplant could be grown inside animals. The research led by Hiromitsu Nakauchi, a professor of genetics at Stanford University, is the first of its kind to receive government approval after...Keep on reading: Japan approves growing human organs in animals for first time

American researchers have studied the impact of gender-based stereotypes on the perception of individuals and their willingness to adopt environmentally conscious behaviors viewed as «feminine.» Not only do gender stereotypes die hard, but they also extend all the way to environmentalism, according to a meta-analysis by researchers from Pennsylvania State University published in the journal Sex Roles. The authors found that certain «eco-friendly» habits, such as using a reusable shopping bag, were perceived as «feminine» behaviors. Others, such as installing insulation for greater heating efficiency, were viewed as «masculine.» Janet K. Swim, a professor of psychol...Keep on reading: Do gender stereotypes prevent the adoption of ecologically responsible habits?

HANOI --- Hanoian Nguyen Huy Ha and his family still remember clearly their experience on a tour from the capital city to the town of Tam Dao in the northern mid-land province of Vinh Phuc in May. «It was really a terrible trip,» Ha said. The trip was in trouble from the start, with the tourists getting stuck in a horrible traffic jam on National Highway 2B that kept them from their destination. «The traffic jam that day really taught me how bad traffic can be,» Ha toldViet Nam News. "The ones people experience in Hanoi or any other city around the world is nothing. It was really a disaster. It went on for kilometers. Tourists who had only hoped to enjoy a relaxing visit to Tam Dao ...Keep on reading: Vietnam tourist sites face challenges from overcrowding

This week, 9To5Mac spotted a report published by Digitimes claiming that Apple's first MacBooks with cellular connectivity are slated to hit the market during the second half of next year. According to Taiwanese media siteDigitimes, Apple is planning to launch 5G-compatible MacBooks sometime during the second half of 2020. If this claim is true, these will be the first MacBook laptops launched by the company with cellular connectivity and will gain the feature via an integrated ceramic antenna component. Allegedly, using ceramic parts will double 5G speed compared with their metal counterparts. Apple is expected to soon launch its 2020 iPhone lineup with 5G connect...Keep on reading: 2020 Apple MacBooks to launch with 5G connectivity, says report

Lucas Garcia believes «Idol Philippines» is special because it is the first singing competition where he expressed himself as an openly gay singer. The «Idol Philippines» finalist opened up about showing his true identity in an episode of the talk show «Tonight with Boy Abunda» which aired last Friday, Aug. 2. Garcia, when asked why «Idol Philippines» is special for him, replied that it is the first competition where he showcased his true self. «Kasi po yung 'Idol Philippines' po kasi, 'yun po yung kaisa-isang contest po na sinalihan ko na out ako,» Garcia said. «Pero every time po na tutuntong ako po ng stage ng mga amateur singing contests, nagpapakalalaki po talaga ako.» ...Keep on reading: Lucas Garcia cites ‘Idol Philippines’ as only contest where he showed true gay self

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m-ZiwYd6vTU ILOILO CITY---Nine more bodies of passengers of three motorboats that capsized on Saturday (Aug 3) in the waters between Iloilo City and Guimaras Island were recovered on Sunday (Aug 4) raising the death toll to 26. At least five others remained missing and 55 were rescued as of 10:36 a.m. on Sunday, according to the Office of Civil Defense (OCD) in Western Visayas, citing reports from the Iloilo City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office and Guimaras Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office. The bodies of 10 fatalities were recovered in the waters of Dumangas town alone, about 28 kilometers northeast of Iloilo ...Keep on reading: Death toll now 26 in Iloilo, Guimaras sea tragedy

MANILA, Philippines -- In a bid to address the traffic woes along Epifanio de los Santos Avenue (Edsa), a lawmaker on Sunday pushed for a compressed work week consisting of only four days.   According to Baguio City Representative Mark Go, if the government would compress the work week, the number of vehicles travelling along Edsa would also be lessened.   «Nagtatrabaho ang mga empleyado ng six days a week, pero 'yung compressed work week ay gagawing four days lang para maibsan yung traffic lalong-lalo na diyan sa Edsa,» Go said in an interview with dzBB.   "Can you imagine now you are working six days, gagawing four days? Longer hours, shorter ang week. ...Keep on reading: Solon pushes for compressed work week to solve Edsa traffic woes

MANILA, Philippines -- Immigration Chief Jaime Morente announced on Sunday that the bureau will deport an American pedophile arrested in Pangasinan earlier last week.   James Austin Holiday, 65, was arrested by members of the Fugitive Search Unit of the Bureau of Immigration last Monday in Lingayen, Pangasinan.   Morente said that arrest of Holiday came after the US Embassy in Manila informed his office about the pedophile's presence in the country.   The American fugitive is wanted for two counts of child molestation on the first degree by authorities in Missouri, USA.   Morente added that the US government already revoked the passport of ...Keep on reading: BI to deport American pedophile after arrest in Pangasinan

MANILA, Philippines -- President Rodrigo Duterte will once again visit China this August, his fifth trip to the Asian superpower since he assumed office in 2016.   «Visit is confirmed [this August] but no exact dates yet,» presidential spokesperson Salvador Panelo told INQUIRER.net in a text message on Sunday.   The President, he added, would have a working visit.   In a Radyo Inquirer 990 AM interview, Panelo said Duterte would have bilateral talks with Chinese President Xi Jinping.   Asked about the President's agenda during his trip, the Palace official said Duterte would discuss the South China Sea issue, among others, with Xi.  ...Keep on reading: BREAKING: Duterte to visit China in August for 5th time

Alex Gonzaga dedicated an important message for singles who may be losing hope about finding «the one.» Gonzaga believes that someone's significant other will eventually come no matter how hopeless it may seem, as per her Instagram post yesterday, Aug. 3. Gonzaga's post showed moments when she was the third wheel to her sister Toni and husband, director Paul Soriano, and their parents. https://www.instagram.com/p/B0sX0oBF_5t/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link «Para sa lahat ito ng Single at nagsasawa na mag-antay ng jowa: Buong 20's ko lagi AKO LANG ang single sa family and barkada ko,» Gonzaga said. "Nung kinasal ang ate may mga nagtatanong na 'ikaw, Kailan ka naman ikakasal?' Gust...Keep on reading: Alex Gonzaga to those losing hope on finding a significant other: ‘Dadating din talaga s’ya’

DORTMUND, Germany---Jadon Sancho starred as Borussia Dortmund beat Bayern Munich 2-0 in the season-opening German Supercup on Saturday. Sancho scored one goal and brilliantly set up Paco Alcacer for the other as Dortmund secured a morale-boosting victory over its old rival and delivered a statement of intent for the season ahead. «We know that we still have a tall task ahead of us for the championship,» Dortmund team official Sebastian Kehl said. Dortmund is bidding to end Bayern's unprecedented seven-year reign as German champion and significantly boosted its squad with summer signings though only Nico Schulz was able to start as injuries took their toll. Instead it was ...Keep on reading: Sancho leads Dortmund to German Supercup win over Bayern

MILTON KEYNES, England---Hinako Shibuno's dream debut continued Saturday in the Women's British Open when she shot a 5-under 67 to take a two-stroke lead into the final round. The 20-year-old Shibuno, a rookie on the Japan LPGA Tour who is making her LPGA Tour and major championship debut, birdied six of the final holes in the round to get to 14-under 202. «It's definitely exceeding my expectations,» said Shibuno, nicknamed Smiling Cinderella. «I came in wanting to make the cut, so right now I feel like I'm doing something very incredible.» Overnight leader Ashleigh Buhai started with a three-shot lead at Woburn Golf Club and stretched it to five when Shibuno bogeyed Nos. 5 ...Keep on reading: Shibuno grabs lead at Women’s British Open on dream debut

PASADENA, California---Departing head coach Jill Ellis and the U.S. women's national team opened their post-World Cup domestic Victory Tour with a 3-0 victory over Ireland on Saturday night. Tobin Heath, Lindsey Horan and Carli Lloyd scored first-half goals on a celebratory evening at the Rose Bowl to kick off a five-city tour bringing the champions to their eager stateside fans. They'll also stop in Philadelphia, St. Paul and Charlotte before finishing in Chicago on Oct. 3 to conclude Ellis' 5 1/2 years in charge. Ellis announced her decision Tuesday to walk away as the first two-time women's World Cup champion coach, and this win improved her record to 103-7-18 in the U.S.' t...Keep on reading: US women open victory tour, Ellis farewell, beat Ireland

HONG KONG --- Hong Kong police have arrested more than 20 people for unlawful assembly and assault after confrontations between protesters and authorities continued deep into the night. Police say some violent protesters hurled petrol bombs, bricks, glass bottles and other objects at officers and refused to disperse at the pre-approved location on Saturday. A peaceful pro-democracy rally devolved after protesters ignored police appeals to stick to the designated route, instead splintering off to various locations across Hong Kong's northern Kowloon area. Some blocked streets and a major tunnel while others surrounded two different police stations, damaging vehicles parked insid...Keep on reading: Hong Kong police arrest over 20 protesters in new scuffles

Marvel Studios staggered the audience at San Diego Comic-Con International 2019 (SDCC) with announcements regarding the much-talked about Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) Phase Four last July 20. This massive series of announcements stood out amid an extremely busy SDCC day of announcements. During the run-up to «Avengers: Endgame,» Marvel Studios head Kevin Feige said there would be no announcements of movies or release dates until after the release of «Spider-Man: Far From Home» in July. «Spider-Man: Far From Home,» the 23rd film in the MCU, closed out the MCU's Phase Three, so all movies after it would be part of Phase 4, what Feige had previously referred to as the fourth book i...Keep on reading: SUPER-analyzing Marvel’s Phase Four