RICHMOND, Virginia -- In game 10 of the 2019 Bronco11 World Series (B11WS), Team Luzon, Philippines defeated Team San Antonio, Texas 8-5, with Alfonso Alcantara's two RBI's helping the Philippines secure the victory and advance in the tournament.   The Bronco-11 World Series is a world-class international youth baseball tournament involving the best 11-year-old PONY Baseball teams from around the world. Each year, teams from Mexico, the Caribbean, and Asia, as well as four U.S. teams and host team Chesterfield compete in the series.   San Antonio scored one run in the top of the first to open the game's scoring. Consecutive walks and a single loaded the bases fo...Keep on reading: Baseball: Luzon PH beats San Antonio TX, moves up in Bronco-11 World Series

CHICAGO -- One just cannot avoid feeling wretched when indigenous people fight against each other and become perpetual victims of the system that keeps them poor and disadvantaged. Indigenous people have been caught in the crossfire of age-old armed conflicts in Mindanao involving secessionists, communist insurgents, private armies, and the Armed Forces of the Philippines. At the core of the conflict is the ownership of IPs ancestral domain. In 1993, the National Unification Commission (NUC) submitted to President Fidel V. Ramos a report that identified "exploitation and marginalization of indigenous cultural communities, including lack of respect for and recognition of ancestr...Keep on reading: Lumad U.S. Tour: Indigenous people trapped in crossfire

NEW YORK -- Cesar Sayoc, the fanatical Donald Trump fan who mailed package bombs to the president's political opponents, is a cognitively limited sexual abuse survivor who thought of the now-president as a «surrogate father» and came to believe in an «alternative reality» fueled in part by Trump's attacks on his political opponents, his attorneys told a federal court on Monday, July 22. Sayoc has admitted to mailing pipe bombs to Democratic politicians, media figures and celebrities he perceived as Trump's enemies last fall, andpleaded guilty to several federal crimes in March. He could face life in prison when he's sentenced on August 5, but his federal public defenders said Mond...Keep on reading: Lawyers: Fil-Am mail bomber obsessed with Trump rhetoric, Fox News

  NEW YORK --- A musical by writer Jessica Hagedorn based on apowerful short story with the same title by Lysley Tenorio about a Filipino faith healer will be staged by Ma-Yi Theater Company.   «Felix Starro,» whose patients used to include celebrities and big politicians, has fallen on hard times. He goes to San Francisco with his orphan grandson, Junior, for a healing mission for ailing Filipino Americans to earn some money to retire comfortably. Meanwhile, Junior meets up with a florist who arranges more than just flowers.   With music is composed by Fabian Obispo, the libretto is an adaptation by playwright and novelist Jessica Hagedorn of the short ...Keep on reading: Jessica Hagedorn musical on Filipino faith healer to open in NY

MANILA, Philippines --- In his usual facetious mood, President Rodrigo Duterte on Tuesday teased the Cayetano clan about their apparent political dynasty in the city of Taguig. In his speech at the launching ceremony for mobile app «911 TESDA» in Taguig City, Duterte addressed the Cayetano family: «Kailan kaya matapos ang dynasty niyo?» (When will your dynasty end?) Duterte let loose of such a statement while Speaker and Taguig-Pateros Rep. Alan Peter Cayetano shared the stage with him. Also attending the event was Cayetano's brother Lino, the incumbent Taguig City Mayor; and the House leader's wife, Lani, who is currently Taguig City representative. Meanwhile, Cayetano's sis...Keep on reading: Duterte to Cayetanos: ‘Kailan kaya matapos ang dynasty niyo?’

SAN PEDRO CITY - A ranking police officer and three other policemen were charged Tuesday over the murder of a lawyer and another person in Rodriguez, Rizal that, if proven right, was construed as an extrajudicial killing by cops posing as gunmen. Murder charges were filed at the Department of Justice against Lt. Col. Melchor Agusin, who was the police chief of Rodriguez at the time of the killing of lawyer Adilberto Golla Jr. on May 17. Agusin, who had since been reassigned to Crame's Personnel Holding and Accounting Unit, declined to comment on his alleged involvement. «I'm sorry I can't comment on that,» Agusin said in a phone interview Tuesday. The order to kill Golla, a l...Keep on reading: Ex-Rodriguez, Rizal police chief, 3 other cops charged over lawyer’s slay

MANILA, Philippines --- Actor Carlo Aquino has refused to add fuel to the fire after former girlfriend Angelica Panganiban rejected the idea of reuniting with him.   «Para sa akin lang kasi kung may apoy, 'di ba hindi mo naman bubuhusan ng gasul para lumaki pa. Wag na natin pahabain,» Aquino said Tuesday when sought for comment on Panganiban's statement, as seen in a Youtube video by Rider.ph.   «Yung emotions niya, valid 'yon. Kung 'yun 'yung nararamdaman niya, ibigay na natin sa kanya yon. Ayoko nang pahabain; ang tagal na din. I think six, seven months?» Aquino added.   Panganiban rejected a fan's request for her to reunite with Aquino in a Twitter pos...Keep on reading: Carlo Aquino on Angelica Panganiban’s refusal to reunite: Her emotions are valid

MANILA, Philippines--College of St. Benilde kept its unbeaten run going after pulling off a 77-72 come-from-behind win over San Sebastian in the NCAA Season 95 men's basketball tournament at the Filoil Arena. Speedy guard Unique Naboa sank the marginal free throws as the Blazers survived the highly physical encounter with the Stags that bloodied Mark Sangco's forehead to share the lead with the defending champion San Beda Red Lions at 4-0. RK Ilagan was all over the floor for the Stags with 24 points, but couldn't help his team from plummeting to their third consecutive defeat in five games. The Scores St. Benilde 77 - Naboa 15, Flores 14, Pasturan 12, Leutcheu 12, Haruna 10,...Keep on reading: NCAA: St. Benilde still undefeated after comeback win over San Sebastian

In a newly released clip from the Showtime documentary series, award-winning producer Rick Rubin speaks with rapper Mac Miller about their collaborative work on the rapper's 2018 album «Swimming». Miller, who passed away shortly after releasing his fifth studio album, talks to the producer about the personal nature of music. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q7I-zoHIQgw «It has been an interesting journey for me to realize that the goal here is just to be as much me as possible. That is it, that is the only goal. And how do we get that out of me and into whatever we are making,» he states in the short clip. "You know you make this super personal-ass, stripped-back son...Keep on reading: WATCH: Mac Miller talks about details of ‘Swimming’ with Rick Rubin in new ‘Shangri-La’ clip

For the first time, new European research has found a link between high levels of estrogen sex hormones in the womb and an increased risk of developing autism. Carried out by researchers at the University of Cambridge, United Kingdom, and the State Serum Institute and Hospital of Southern Jutland in Denmark, the new study looked at samples of amniotic fluid taken from 275 individuals participating in the Danish Historic Birth Cohort, which has collected amniotic samples from over 100,000 pregnancies. The researchers tested the levels of four prenatal sex steroid hormones called estrogens in the amniotic fluid samples. None of the samples differed significantly in mate...Keep on reading: New study links high levels of estrogen in the womb to autism

  MANILA, Philippines --- The series of earthquakes in the picturesque island of Itbayat, Batanes have presented a few major challenges to disaster responders and the military that hampered their ability to respond swiftly.   Defense Secretary and National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) chairman Delfin Lorenzana said one of the major challenges faced by the military, the first responders when the earthquakes struck, was the lack of assets.   «Ang unang challenge is assets because we have the personnel, but sometimes we don't have the capability to lift these people in disaster areas,» he said in a press conference for the Nationa...Keep on reading: Batanes quakes expose gaps in disaster response

CAMP SIONGCO, MAGUINDANAO --- Nine members of the Islamic State-linked Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) have been killed during the ongoing military strikes against rebel positions in the borders of Cotabato and Maguindanao provinces that started July 25.   Army Major Gen. Diosdado Carreon, commander of the 6th Infantry Division and Joint Task Force Central (JTC), said the slain militants were killed July 27 in combined air and ground assaults.   Carreon added that their bodies were recovered and identified by local officials of Datu Saydona Mustapha town in Maguindanao and were immediately buried.   The slain bandits were all followers of Abu T...Keep on reading: 9 BIFF members killed in offensives along Cotabato-Maguindanao border

  MANILA, Philippines --- Three neophyte senators are among the new members of the powerful Commission on Appointments (CA). The three are Senators Christopher «Bong» Go, Imee Marcos, and Francis Tolentino. Aside from them, also elected Tuesday are Senators Panfilo Lacson, Koko Pimentel, Grace Poe, Bong Revilla, Joel Villanueva, Cynthia Villar, Juan Miguel Zubiri. The CA has the power to approve or disapprove appointments made by the President as vested by the 1987 Constitution. The Senate also elected the members of the Senate Electoral Tribunal (SET). The members are Senators Pia Cayetano, Lito Lapid, Manny Pacquaio, Franklin Drilon, Nancy Binay, and Richard ...Keep on reading: 3 newbie senators get CA seats

  SEOUL---South Korean American pastor Kim Dong-chul, who was freed from North Korea last year after about 2 1/2 years in detention, said he had been spying for Seoul and Washington. Kim was arrested in the northeastern city of Rason in October 2015, and was sentenced to 10 years of hard labor on charges of espionage and subversive acts against Pyongyang in April 2016. The North Korean state media at the time said Kim confessed in a press conference to collecting Workers' Party, government and military secrets, and handing them over to South Korean intelligence. Kim was one of the three US citizens that North Korea freed a month ahead of the first summit between US P...Keep on reading: South Korean-American pastor says he was spying in North Korea

Summer means one thing beyond all else: vacation season. The good news for BTS fans around the world traveling to the Korean Peninsula to visit the septet's homeland is that there are many great «BTS destinations» to hit. Earlier this month, the Korea Tourism Organization announced the top 10 BTS-related locations fans want to visit, based on a poll conducted with 22,272 fans from 137 countries. Here are the top 10 places to start checking off your list. Plan ahead for your BTS pilgrimage now.   1. Hyangho Beach bus stop A bus stop overlooking Hyangho Beach in the Jumunjin district of Gangneung, Gangwon Province, is a special place, accruing 21.8 percent of vot...Keep on reading: Must-visit ‘BTS destinations’ in Korea

Three-time Grand Slam champion Andy Murray says he is «quite close» to being able to play singles matches and a «best-case scenario» could see it happen at Cincinnati in two weeks. The 32-year-old British star, who feared he could be forced into retirement before undergoing right hip surgery in January, returned to the court in June but has played only doubles while rehabilitating and seeing how his hip responds. «In terms of moving and feeling and waking up the next day, I'm feeling good,» Murray said. «I'm quite close but there's stuff that would need to get better.» Murray, paired with brother Jamie in men's doubles at the ATP Washington Open, said Monday he feels no hip ...Keep on reading: Andy Murray ‘quite close’ to singles return

  SEOUL---Police said Tuesday they are looking into suspicions that singer-actor Park Yoo-chun invited police officers, who were in charge of probing rape allegations against him, home for a meal while under investigation.   The Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency received a tip-off that Park, 33, invited the officers for dinner and drinks at his home in 2016 while he was being investigated by Gangnam Police Station for suspected rape.   Four women filed complaints against Park, then a member of boy band JYJ, for allegedly raping them at adult entertainment bars and a bathroom in his house in June 2016.   Park also filed complaints against the wo...Keep on reading: ‘Park Yoo-chun invited police officers home while under probe’

  MANILA, Philippines --- Tycoon Andrew Tan-led Megaworld Corp. is investing about P10 billion to build eight new shopping malls outside Metro Manila in the next three years, expanding its provincial footprint. These new malls will add around 200,000 square meters of fresh retail space through 2022 in Cebu, Bacolod, Davao, Boracay, Cavite, and Pampanga, Megaworld disclosed to the Philippine Stock Exchange on Tuesday. «For the next three years, the Megaworld Lifestyle Malls brand will be seen in key growth areas around the country as we continue to tap opportunities for our retail partners to further expand and grow their brands with us,» Megaworld chief strategy officer...Keep on reading: Megaworld investing P10B in 8 new provincial malls

MANILA, Philippines--Harefooted guard Edgar Charcos dropped a floater with 3.4 seconds remaining to lift the Perpetual Altas past the Arellano Chiefs, 75-73, in the NCAA Season 95 men's basketball tournament at the Filoil Arena. The heroic act of Charcos led them to their second win in five games and preserved the fantastic all-around performance of Kim Aurin, who had 17 points, eight rebounds, three blocks and assist plus two steals. Aurin capped his game-long brilliance by blocking Rence Alcoriza's potential game-winning three at the buzzer. The Chiefs fell to 1-4. The Scores PERPETUAL 75---Aurin 17, Adamos 16, Charcos 15, Egan 10, Peralta 7, Razon 5, Cuevas 4, Sevilla 1, T...Keep on reading: NCAA: Edgar Charcos, Kim Aurin lift Perpetual past Arellano

      MANILA, Philippines --- Several House members have filed various bills increasing the salaries and benefits of Sangguniang Barangay (SB) officials and employees. Kabayan Rep. Ron Salo has filed House Bill No. 669 or the proposed «Barangay Officials Salary and Benefits Act» lamenting how these local officials have remained the least paid public servants. He even noted barangay captains used to receive a measly sum of P1,000 per month, while council members, secretaries, treasurers used to receive P600 only. In 1996, the Department of Budget and Management fixed the salaries of barangay captains at Salary Grade 14 and the other barangay officials at ...Keep on reading: Solons file bill to hike salaries, benefits of barangay workers

HONG KONG ---Commuters in Hong Kong were met with traffic disruption on Tuesday (July 30) during morning rush hour as anti-extradition protesters attempted to stop trains from moving. Train service in the east was delayed and later suspended after dozens of protesters, some clad in black and wearing masks, tried to prevent a Whampoa-bound train at Tiu Keng Leng Station in Sai Kung from leaving. Some protesters turned up at the station at 7:50 am to block the train doors with their hands, bodies or items as passengers expressed their annoyance at the disruption to their morning commute. This station connects the Kwun Tong line with the Tseung Kwan O line. A train was held up ...Keep on reading: Hong Kong protesters disrupt train service during morning rush hour

  MANILA Philippines -- Philippine Airlines President and Chief Operating Officer Gilbert Santa Maria, together with PAL Executive Vice President / Treasurer / Chief Administrative Officer Vivienne K. Tan visited the headquarters of the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) Tuesday.   The two PAL officials reiterated the flag carrier's pledge of commitment to help address the country's aviation industry challenges.   The courtesy visit to CAAP Director General Jim Sydiongco by Santa Maria and Tan is part of the first wave of visits to the offices of aviation industry stakeholders.   The visit highlighted the second working day of ...Keep on reading: New PAL president and COO, EVP pay courtesy call on CAAP head

  MANILA, Philippines---For now, President Rodrigo Duterte has no plans to abolish Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) amid allegations of corruption, Malacaang said Tuesday.   Duterte last week ordered all PCSO-operated, -licensed, and -franchised games stopped due to alleged «massive corruption.»   READ: Duterte stops all PCSO gaming activities including lotto, STL   But Presidential Spokesman Salvador Panelo on Tuesday clarified that Duterte had no plans to abolish PCSO, at least for now.   «Sa ngayon, wala. Kung meron man, madali nang gawan ng paraan 'yun,» Panelo said in a Palace briefing.   The PCSO, a GOCC...Keep on reading: Panelo: No plans to abolish PCSO

MANILA, Philippines --- Nineteen Filipino seafarers are presently being held in Mexico allegedly over illegal drugs, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said Tuesday. DFA said in a statement that crewmen of Cypriot-flagged vessel UBC Savannah were detained in Mexico on July 27 for allegedly violating the illegal drug law of that country. A total of 22 seafarers -- 19 Filipinos and three Polish nationals -- are aboard UBC Savannah, according to DFA. DFA said it is «actively monitoring» developments concerning the detention of the 19 Filipino seafarers through the Philippine Embassy in Mexico. "Embassy representatives were able to speak with seven of the Filipino seafarers ...Keep on reading: 19 Filipino seafarers held in Mexico allegedly for drugs – DFA

  COLOMBO --- One-time top government trade negotiator Gomi Senadhira, yesterday, called for tangible measures to solve the importation of the British garbage to Sri Lanka. Senedhira, who had previously warned the government of dire consequences of importing of garbage of all sorts in accordance with the Sri Lanka-Singapore Free Trade Agreement (SL-SFTA) said tough measures were required. Senadhira expressed his views in the wake of Finance Minister Mangala Samaraweera revealing in Parliament last Friday UK garbage imports began in 2017. «Stop the controversial process now or face an unprecedented crisis,» Senadhira, who served successive governments over a period of 32 ye...Keep on reading: ‘Garbage Without Borders’ — Lessons from Duterte’s waste war on Canada

    MANILA, Philippines --- The longest running noontime show in the country «Eat Bulaga» will soon entertain «dabarkads» in Myanmar. The news was announced Tuesday during the show's 40th anniversary celebration. «First Big Announcement: Magkakaroon na ng bagong Franchise ang Eat Bulaga! Magkakaroon na ng Eat Bulaga Myanmar!» Eat Bulaga wrote in its official Twitter account. https://twitter.com/EatBulaga/status/1156068059079045122 The schedule when «Eat Bulaga» will air in Myanmar has yet to be announced. This is not the first time for the noontime variety show to get a franchise abroad. In 2012, «Eat Bulaga» was franchised by an Indonesian company, but ...Keep on reading: ‘Eat Bulaga’ Myanmar gets franchise

On July 25, 2019, Globe Telecom issued in another era of digital transformation as it launched the 6th Globe Innovation Forum, «Digital As One: Co-Creating a Digital Globe»--a two-day seminar dedicated to training and educating guests about the latest technological trends and developments. Held at the Globe Tower in Bonifacio Global City, Taguig, the event was attended by esteemed international speakers, Globe employees, and members of the media. The forum kicked off with a plenary session that featured opening remarks from Globe Telecom CEO and President Ernest Cu and Globe Telecom's Chief Information Officer (CIO) Pebbles Sy-Manalang. It was then followed by specialized talks ...Keep on reading: Globe Telecom’s 2019 Innovation Forum brings forward the need for digital innovation

LEGAZPI CITY ---- The Social Security System (SSS) launched its third nationwide Run After Contribution Evaders (RACE) campaign on Tuesday to remind business establishments to comply with their obligations. «The purpose is to deliver a strong message against employers, who have violated the SSS law, which are non-remittance and non-reporting,» said lawyer Renato Cuisia, acting SSS Vice President for Operations Legal Service Division. The SSS also warned 10 business establishments in this city to comply with the SSS. Employers who still refuse to do so would be subjected to criminal prosecution and shall face imprisonment for 6 to 12 years. /lzb...Keep on reading: Business firms reminded to remit employees SSS contributions

  MANILA, Philippines --- Olongapo City Regional Trial Court Branch 72 has ordered the arrest of the suspects in the murder of businessman Dominic Lim Sytin. In a decision, Presiding Judge Richard Paradeza said Ryan Rementilla and Alan Dennis Sytin should be arrested for the death of Dominic, who was shot to death in front of the Lighthouse Hotel in Subic in 2018. The victim's driver, Efren Espartero, was also wounded during the incident. The Philippine National Police (PNP) previously identified Alan Dennis Sytin as the mastermind behind the assassination of his brother, citing the confession of Edgardo Luib, the alleged gunman. READ:PNP tags Sytin's brother as murd...Keep on reading: BREAKING: Olongapo court orders arrest of suspects in Dominic Sytin’s murder

LOS ANGELES - A jury on Monday found that Katy Perry's 2013 hit «Dark Horse» improperly copied a 2009 Christian rap song, setting up arguments over how much the singer and other defendants will owe.     Monday's decision returned by a nine-member federal jury in a Los Angeles courtroom came five years after Marcus Gray and two co-authors first sued alleging «Dark Horse» stole from «Joyful Noise,» a song Gray released under the stage name Flame.   The case now goes to a penalty phase, where the jury will decide how much the plaintiffs are owed for copyright infringement.   Gray's attorneys argued that the beat and instrumental line featured thr...Keep on reading: Jury: Katy Perry’s ‘Dark Horse’ copied Christian rap song

Celebrity couple Marian Rivera and Dingdong Dantes recently welcomed their son Jose Sixto «Ziggy» Dantes IV to the Christian world. Rivera took to social media to express her delight at Ziggy's baptism, which was held at the St. Alphonsus Mary de Liguori Parish in Magallanes Village, Makati City, and which saw the likes of celebrities Richard Gutierrez, Sid Maderazo and Kim Atienza, among others, in attendance. «Welcome to the Christian World mahal ko (my love),» Rivera said via Instagram on July 29. «Te quiero mucho Mi Hijo! #SalamatAmaSaBiyayaAtPagpapala.» https://www.instagram.com/p/B0ep632BaQ7/ Maderazo shared in a heartwarming post on Instagram that he was chosen by Rivera a...Keep on reading: LOOK: Marian Rivera, Dingdong Dantes’ baby Ziggy gets baptized

MANILA, Philippines - Police shot dead a man who was earlier arrested for stabbing to death his 4 year-old nephew after he reportedly tried to grab the firearm of a police officer Monday night.   The Manila Police District's (MPD) Homicide Section said Edmundo Perucho, 51, was shot dead by elements from the MPD's Moriones station when allegedly snatched the gun of a police officer at around 8:30 p.m.   Perucho, said to be intoxicated, was earlier arrested for stabbing his nephew while in a drinking binge with the boy's father. /gsg   READ: 'Drunk' man stabs 4-year-old nephew to death    ...Keep on reading: Man who killed nephew shot dead

MANILA, Philippines -- The Antonio Tiu-led Philippine Infradev Holdings Inc. has submitted to Makati City the US$350 million performance bond for a 10-kilometer intra-city subway project under the public-private partnership framework, paving the way for the signing of a joint venture agreement on Tuesday.   The Infradev board approved a resolution on the joint venture with the Makati City government in connection with this project.     Also referred to as a contract bond, a performance bond is issued to one party of a contract as a guarantee against the failure of the other party to meet obligations specified in the contract.   The Makati subw...Keep on reading: Infradev submits $350M bond for Makati subway project

  Park Bo-gum sweetly responds to Anne Curtis' Twitter post   MANILA, Philippines -- Korean actor Park Bo-gum expressed his fondness for local actress Anne Curtis anew with pleasing responses to her Twitter posts.   Curtis shared Sunday a photo of herself posing in front of Park's standee taken when she visited Seoul in South Korea.   «Look who I bumped into in Seoul! Annyeong @BOGUMMY,» Curtis captioned her photo. https://twitter.com/annecurtissmith/status/1155329836979609600   Park replied to the actress' Twitter post a day later, even apologizing for his late response.   «Sorry for my late response!» Park wrote Mond...Keep on reading: Park Bo-gum, Anne Curtis swap pleasantries on Twitter

Elizabeth Warren became a household name thanks to her prescient warning of what became a global financial crisis. Now she's staking her credentials on another forecast of fiscal trauma ahead. But even economists who like her prescription are skeptical about her diagnosis. The Democratic presidential candidate published an online essay this week saying that a rise in consumer and corporate debt is imperiling the longest expansion in U.S. history. «Whether it's this year or next year, the odds of another economic downturn are high and growing,» Warren wrote. Her prediction could help her win over primary voters by tapping into anxieties about middle-class economic stability despi...Keep on reading: Sen. Elizabeth Warren Warns of Economic Trouble Ahead. Is She Right?