MANILA, Philippines---Rain or Shine was adamant that its first game in the quarterfinals of the PBA Commissioner's Cup against Blackwater wouldn't end in futility. Down a sizeable margin in the final minute and a half, the Elasto Painters fought back with all their might and in the middle of it all was Rey Nambatac who willed his team to an 83-80 Game 1 win. Nambatac had his hands all over the Elasto Painters' 11-0 run that closed the game out, including a game-winning triple with 2.3 seconds left put them closer to a semifinals berth. "During that time all I was thinking to myself was give myself the confidence because Blackwater was up in the last two minutes but we didn't...Keep on reading: Rey Nambatac repays coach’s trust with clutch performance for Rain or Shine

TAGBILARAN City, Bohol---Fans of boxing superstar and Sen. Manny Pacquiao here dropped everything they were doing to watch his latest fight against Keith Thurman on Sunday (July 21). Lino Sarabia, 39, said he stopped plying his route and parked his tricycle before lunch on Sunday to watch the fight. «His fight only happens at times while customers can just be found,» he said in jest. He and at least 100 other tricycle drivers went to Ma. Clara Street to watch the fight for free provided by Gerisonic Electronic and Communication System, while others flocked to another shop, Diccion, at the corner of Ma. Clara Street and CPG Avenue. The electronics shops showed the fight live on small ...Keep on reading: Fans at Bohol capital stop everything they’re doing to watch Pacquiao bout

HERMOSA, BATAAN---Tension during a tribal council election here of Aeta leaders gave way to excitement and cheers on Sunday when the Aetas switched attention instead to the fight between Manny Pacquiao and Keith Thurman. Some 100 Aetas at the village of Pastolan here gathered in front of the village hall to watch a free live feed of the fight, which took place just as a tribal council election was underway. At least 10 policemen had been on duty at the village hall for the tribal election, which had been marred by high tension amid allegations of vote-buying and other irregularities. JOANNA ROSE AGLIBOT/TSB...Keep on reading: Tribal poll tension gives way to cheers at Pacquiao fight

  CEBU CITY---A 41-year-old man suffered a heart attack and died after watching the latest fight of Manny Pacquiao on Sunday (July 21). Lorenz Dizon, a resident of Barangay Kalunasan, was rushed to the Vicente Sotto Medical Memorial Center (VSMMC) at 1:35 p.m but was declared dead on arrival. Guadalupe Barangay Captain Michael Gacasan said village officials got a call for help for a man who could hardly breathe after watching the fight at the village hall. Gacasan said Dizon had already returned home after watching the fight when he suffered the attack. Dizon's brother attributed it to the boxing match. He said Lorenz has a blood clot in the heart and had been discharged f...Keep on reading: Man dies after watching Pacquiao fight, another rushed to hospital

Mahershala Ali made the first move with Marvel Studios and «Blade». Comic-Con audiences learned on Saturday, July 20, that Ali would be playing the Marvel Comics character in a reboot. Marvel Studios President Kevin Feige says right after winning his second Academy Award for «Green Book» earlier this year, Ali set up a meeting with the superhero studio. Within 10 minutes, Ali asked what was happening with «Blade» and said he wanted to play him. Wesley Snipes played the half-vampire in three films for New Line Cinema and in a recent cameo in «What We Do in the Shadows». Although there were rumors that Snipes would return over the years, nothing had officially progressed wi...Keep on reading: Mahershala Ali called Marvel about ‘Blade’ after ‘Green Book’ win

https://twitter.com/marcreyesINQ/status/1152814163711819777 LAS VEGAS --- Adrien Broner stepped into the media tent at MGM Grand after the fight to say how much he was impressed by Manny Pacquiao --- and how badly Keith Thurman underestimated the Filipino boxing legend. But before his analysis, Broner volunteered he performed way better than Thurman when he faced Pacquiao last January. «Of course, I came out looking like this,» said Broner, taking off his shades, showing his face to imply that he came out of the Pacquiao fight unblemished, unlike the badly banged up Thurman. READ: 'I beat him': Adrien Broner insists he controlled vs Manny Pacquiao Broner, now sporting paun...Keep on reading: Adrien Broner impressed by latest Pacquiao victory

MANILA, Philippines--Fans in the Philippines on Sunday roared their approval and rose to their feet imitating the punches of Manny Pacquiao as they declared that their idol was still a boxing force at the age of 40 with his stunning victory over American Keith Thurman. Filipinos from street vendors to lawmakers went wild, pumping their fists in the air during the first round of the welterweight fight as Pacquiao floored the WBA champion 10 years his junior, and went on to win by split decision. READ: Pacquiao captures WBA super welterweight crown after split decision over Thurman Despite Thurman's threat to send Pacquiao into retirement in the Las Vegas showdown, fans of the...Keep on reading: ‘Wow, wow, wow!’ Philippines goes wild for ‘force at 40’ Manny Pacquiao

The bond between people and their pets is magical and mysterious. None of the parties involved speak the same language but we seem to understand each other on a deeper level. For some of us, the connection is so deep, we go Instagram official with them. There are even a few who create a separate Instagram for them so we can share to the world their antics and tender moments. If you're a pet lover, you not only follow celebrity accounts but also their pet accounts. Odd how our love for animals extends even to furry creatures that aren't our own. If social media builds parasocial relationships between us and the celebrities we admire, does it apply to the pets whose photos «Like» ? ...Keep on reading: Furry Following: Our favorite local celebrities and their cute pets

A naked man was caught damaging vehicles in a dealership in Oregon, United States, by jumping on them last Monday, July 13. Ole Kittleston, the general manager of the business, discovered the odd incident when he reviewed security footage after noticing the damage to the cars, as per Fox News-affiliate KPTV last Thursday, July 18. «I think you're just kind of shocked when you see someone stumble across the street, obviously not wearing any clothes -- jump up on to a car, start jumping on the hood,» Kittleson was quoted as saying. The unidentified man entered the parking lot with no clothes, climbed up on the cars and began jumping and stomping on their hoods. He also slid down t...Keep on reading: Naked man jumps and stomps on cars, causes over P500,000 worth of damage

Let's face it, not everyone reaches for a hat to finish off an ensemble. For some, it feels as natural as putting on a sweater; for others, it gets pretty tricky and feels quite odd. If you're one of 'em naysayers, perhaps Mari Jasmine's effortlessly chic looks can give you some serious style inspo and a helpful nudge to get you out of your comfort zone. Let's break it down, shall we?   #1 If you find hats a tad too masculine, surely a back-baring top would give you that sultry vibe. (Note: Seal the deal with loose trousers for that cool/ uncontrived look.) https://www.instagram.com/p/Bz-kD07hMM9/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link #2 A printed scarf goes a long way in the style depa...Keep on reading: 5 ways to look good in a hat like resident cool girl Mari Jasmine

TOKYO --- Shibuya Ward in Tokyo is merging back into one distinct entity again on the occasion of the 2020 Tokyo Games, after having been split apart for the last Olympics in 1964. The Sakuragaoka area on Shibuya Station's southwest side preserves Shibuya's original atmosphere, with rows of long-established shops and wooden apartment buildings. Looming large to the south of the station is National Highway Route 246, developed as an arterial road connecting Olympic venues. «National Highway Route 246 has become a wall separating Shibuya,» said Ken Hasebe, the ward's mayor. Getting to Sakuragaoka requires going up and down pedestrian bridges to cross the national highway, which also r...Keep on reading: Shibuya reborn: Developers look to blend high-rises, old shops to bring back bustle

SEOUL --- Last week, BTS surprised fans with news of an unprecedented stop in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, where the boys will perform as part of their ongoing world stadium tour. BTS has already broken numerous records during its «Love Yourself: Speak Yourself» concert since May, selling out colossal venues like London's Wembley Stadium and California's Rose Bowl Stadium at a breakneck pace. But the latest addition at the 70,000-capacity King Fahd International Stadium in the Saudi capital on Oct. 11 is another thing altogether. Aside from being its first ever concert in Saudi Arabia, it will be Saudi Arabia's first ever solo stadium concert by a foreign act. Industry pundits see ...Keep on reading: What does BTS’ Saudi Arabia concert mean?

JAKARTA ---Maritime Affairs and Fisheries Minister Susi Pudjiastuti has said Indonesia's waters willhave more plastics than fishby 2030if the country doesnot take action to tackle the marine debris problem. «[That is why] we have to stop usingsingle use plastics like bags or bottles. Surely we don't want to [catch] plastics from the sea,» Susi told reporters during her visit to Anambas regency, Riau Islands, as quoted byAntaranews agency on Saturday. Susi was concerned of the fact that Indonesia is recorded as the country with second largest contribution of plastic waste in the oceans after China. She called on everyone to gradually stop usingplasticas it pollutes and worsens the en...Keep on reading: Indonesia’s seas to have more plastics than fish by 2030—minister

CITY OF ILAGAN--Chants of «Manny! Manny!» filled the venues of free satellite feeds of boxing icon Manny Pacquiao's latest ring conquest, a split decision victory over Keith Thurman that added the World Boxing Association's super welterweight belt to the Filipino boxer's titles. At least 5,000 villagers watched the free live feeds here. Hundreds of ofhers watched at free live feed venues in Cauayan City, Santiago City and the town of Roxas. «Ageless,» «Legend,» were some of the words locals used to express awe at Pacquiao's newest feat. Boxing enthusiast Florendo Cuntapay said while Pacquiao won by split decision, it was clear in the fight that Thurman was no match for the F...Keep on reading: Isabela villagers celebrate Pacquiao win, chant ‘ageless! legend’

KUALA LUMPUR --- How many people around the world start their mornings with a cup of coffee -- or three? But did you know that this much-loved beverage has courted its fair share of conflict and controversy in history? For instance, coffee was once called The Satan's Drink. In 1633, the Ottoman Sultan Murad IV imposed a death penalty for those caught consuming the bitter brew in public. According to some accounts, he prowled the streets of Istanbul (in disguise); those found drinking coffee would be decapitated with his trusty broadsword. Coffee houses proved to be so popular in 17th century England that men were deemed to be spending too much time there, prompting the Women's Petit...Keep on reading: Have a cuppa coffee history at the Islamic Arts Museum Malaysia

LAS VEGAS---Luis Nery's fists claimed another victim, knocking out Juan Carlos Payano, dubbed as «Baby Pacquiao,» in the undercard of the Manny Pacquiao-Keith Thurman main event Saturday at MGM Grand Garden Arena here. Nery, the WBC Silver bantamweight champion, unloaded a vicious left to the body that sent Payano down and grimacing in pain, leading to the KO at 1:43 of the ninth round. Despite dominating the fight, the hard-hitting Mexican said he had trouble early before getting the hang of it and eventually figuring out Payano. «He was a very complicated fighter. He's a veteran,» the unbeaten Nery said. «That left hook to the body was just devastating.» The 24-year-old Ner...Keep on reading: Pacquiao-Thurman undercard: Luis Nery knocks out ‘Baby Pacquiao’

BERLIN --- German Chancellor Angela Merkel has urged Europeans to confront populism, nationalism, racism and anti-Semitism as she paid tribute to the Nazi resistance in her own country. Speaking Saturday at a solemn ceremony marking the anniversary of the failed attempt to kill Nazi dictator Adolf Hitler, Merkel said the courage and sacrifice of the conspirator should serve as an example to people today. «They put humanity over their own human lives,» she told the crowd at the site where plot leader Col. Claus von Stauffenberg and others were executed. Von Stauffenberg tried to kill Hitler with a briefcase bomb on July 20, 1944, during a meeting at his headquarters in what w...Keep on reading: Germany marks 75th anniversary of plot to kill Hitler

LAS VEGAS---Filipino boxer Jayar Inson was given a golden opportunity to make a name for himself after being tapped as a late replacement against Sergey Lipinets. Inson, who hails from Davao City, wasn't ready for the big moment yet as he suffered a quick stoppage loss to Lipinets in the undercard of the Manny Pacquiao-Keith Thurman headliner Saturday at MGM Grand Garden Arena here. The 28-year-old Inson got caught with a crushing left and went down like a log as Lipinets picked up the second-round TKO. https://twitter.com/PBConFOX/status/1152772078275137536 «A great fighter executes what you expect him to do and he is a great fighter,» said Joe Goosen, Lipinets' trainer. Lipinets...Keep on reading: Pacquiao-Thurman undercard: Filipino bet Jayar Inson suffers TKO loss

MANILA, Philippines -- Ruling party PDP-Laban will be voting for Taguig-Pateros Congressman Allan Peter Cayetano as House Speaker, interim party executive vice president and Pampanga Representative Aurelio «Dong» Gonzales said Sunday morning.   Gonzales said the party, which President Rodrigo Duterte chairs, respects the «wish» of the President.   «That's the wish of the President kasi eh. We will respect the wish of the President. So tomorrow, Speaker Allan Cayetano,» he said.   Earlier, Duterte announced that Cayetano and PDP-Laban-backed Marinduque Representative Lord Allan Velasco would share their term as Speaker of the House of Representatives. ...Keep on reading: ‘It’s President’s wish’: PDP-Laban affirms support for Cayetano as Speaker

https://twitter.com/MarkGiongcoINQ/status/1152779074688831489 LAS VEGAS---Floyd Mayweather Jr. showed up to catch Manny Pacquiao's latest world title bout against Keith Thurman on Saturday at MGM Grand Garden Arena here. Mayweather arrived midway through the co-featured bout of the card between Yordenis Ugas and Omar Figueroa Jr. The former pound-for-pound king, who last appeared in an official boxing match two years ago when he stopped MMA star Conor McGregor, isn't the only sports personality in attendance. Kawhi Leonard, the two-time NBA Champion and two-time NBA Finals MVP, also came to see the fight, sitting a couple of rows behind Mayweather. Leonard just recently made h...Keep on reading: Floyd Mayweather shows up at Pacquiao-Thurman; Kawhi Leonard also in attendance

  Citing «scheduling conflicts,» the British rock star Sting had to «unfortunately cancel» the Manila stop of his ongoing «My Songs,» which was originally scheduled on Oct. 2 at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.   «We apologize for the inconvenience caused by this development and know that Sting hopes to return soon to perform for his fans,» the official statement read.   And if it makes the sting of the cancelation hurt a little less, local promoter Renen de Guia of Ovation Productions said there's a possibility for a reschedule in the future. «But there's no new date yet,» he told the Inquirer.   The Manila concert wasn't the only one to get the a...Keep on reading: ‘Throat infection’ foils Sting’s PH show; Chvrches tour also gets the ax

  Edgar Allan «EA» Guzman sees a changed entertainment landscape these days, markedly different from when he was new to the business.   «Show biz personalities nowadays have bigger impact because of social media,» EA tells the Inquirer in Filipino. «So it's important to be a good example to young people who idolize you.»   It's been over a decade since EA started giving show biz a shot. His sheer love for the art of acting, he says, continues to play a significant part in amassing a variety of roles for the small and big screens.   «I enjoy my work, and I love what I do,» the actor declares. "The only difficulty I have about show biz is time, ...Keep on reading: EA Guzman on the power of social media

  LOS ANGELES---Quentin Tarantino's encyclopedic knowledge of film and television is on full display in his «Once Upon a Time in Hollywood.»   In one scene, two pals---Leonardo Di Caprio's fading star Rick Dalton and Brad Pitt's stuntman Cliff Booth---drive down Hollywood Boulevard which Quentin lovingly recreated to its 1969 era, complete with movie palaces' marquees all lit up with titles and stars' names.   When we were watching «Once Upon a Time in Hollywood,» we wished we could freeze each frame so we can read all the titles and «starring» actors in each marquee. A Vogue theater's marquee displayed «The Night They Raided Minsky's» with the stars' na...Keep on reading: Film Talk with Quentin Tarantino: From Leonardo DiCaprio, Brad Pitt to Cirio Santiago

    In our recent chat with Eric Dane, the 46-year-old actor told Inquirer Entertainment he still wasn't sure if the acclaimed teen-drama series «Euphoria» (Mondays at 10 a.m. on HBO and HBO Go) would be renewed for a second season. «I think the show is strong, and it's worth keeping on the air,» he said.   But last week, executive vice president for programming Franchesca Orsi announced that the cable network has decided to renew the eight-episode series.   As far as his character's arc and development are concerned, Eric said he couldn't wait to find out what's in store for Cal Jacobs in the upcoming season. "I don't want to have preconceived i...Keep on reading: Why Eric is raring to do Season 2 of ‘Euphoria’

  For sure, Iigo would want to be a better person after this experience,« declared actor Piolo Pascual, when asked to react about the breakup between his son Iigo and singer-actress Maris Racal.   »He wouldn't want to keep being the cause of other people's heartbreaks,« Piolo explained.   After publicly admitting in 2017 that they were exclusively dating, Maris and Iigo (MarNigo) are now saying that they have decided to pursue different paths. In a recent interview, Maris admitted that Iigo broke her heart, »but there was no third party involved.« She also said that at some point, »we were together, but not officially. We stayed at 'more than friends' an...Keep on reading: Piolo reacts to Iñigo-Maris breakup

MANILA, Philippines--Go For Gold Pilipinas is looking to break records on Sunday with the most number of people dribbling simultaneously at Mall of Asia Concert Grounds. At least 10, 000 dribblers are expected to attend Guinness World Record attempt, which kicks off Go for Gold's promotional partnership with Fiba to drum up interest for the upcoming Fiba World Cup. It also aims to generate support for the national athletes with the Philippines hosting the 2019 Southeast Asian Games in November. "Being a SEA Games year, we want to be able to encourage a lot of Filipinos to be active in supporting sports and our national athletes,'' said JeremyGo of GoForGold, backer of several te...Keep on reading: Go for Gold attempts world record in simultaneous dribbling

MANILA, Philippines --- The construction of the controversial China-funded Binondo-Intramuros Friendship Bridge may indeed damage nearby baroque churches recognized as World Heritage Sites by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (Unesco). But the damage could be avoided. Mark Albert Zarco, professor at the University of the Philippines Institute of Civil Engineering, shared this assessment during a seminar --- «Risk and Resiliency: An Architect's Responsibility» -- organized by WV Coscoluela and Associates and held on Saturday at the Manila Polo Club in Makati. According to Zarco, the damage could be caused by a failure in the excavation of a bor...Keep on reading: Bridge work may damage old churches in Manila – expert

DAVAO CITY, Davao del Sur --- It's the same disease. Yet the contrasting outcomes in the fight against dengue in South Cotabato province, south of Mindanao, and Ozamiz City, northwest of the island, may offer good lessons amid a national alert on the disease. On Friday, a state of calamity was declared in South Cotabato due to the steep 149% hike in the number of dengue cases, which already claimed 21 lives in the province this year. Gov. Reynaldo Tamayo Jr. had asked the provincial board, which regularly meets on Monday, to convene a special session to pass the measure, according to South Cotabato Vice Gov. Vicente de Jesus. Previously, Zamboanga Sibugay made a similar decl...Keep on reading: Dengue: Epidemic in S. Cotabato, declining in Ozamiz City

MANILA, Philippines---Mighty Sports-Go for Gold has virtually captured the 2019 William Jones Cup title with still one more game on its schedule after blitzing past Taiwan A, 97-74, Saturday at Xinzhuang Gym in New Taipei City. Unbeaten after seven games, the Philippine club will be crowned the Jones Cup champions for the second time regardless of the result of their games against Taiwan-B on Sunday by virtue of the winner-over-the-other rule. South Korea, which is preparing for the 2019 Fiba Basketball World Cup, is the only team to get a chance at the title but Mighty Sports had already taken care of Asian powerhouse, 89-82, on Tuesday. Renaldo Balkman led Mighty Sports with 2...Keep on reading: Mighty Sports cops its 2nd Jones Cup title with one game left to play

MANILA, Philippines --- Police arrested two men in a buy-bust operation inside a mall in Quezon City on Saturday and seized from them a kilogram of marijuana worth P180,000. The Kamuning Police Station of the Quezon City Police District identified the suspects as Mark Anthony Garcia, 21, and Jhon Roper Austria, 20, both of Bulacan. An undercover police officer bought marijuana from the suspects at a mall in Barangay Santo Cristo at 3:55 p.m. Cpl. Jun Ariola and Cpl. Edilyn Gundran then arrested the suspects and brought them to Kamuning Police Station pending the filing of a case against them for violation of the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002. The officers also sei...Keep on reading: Police arrest 2 men in Quezon City buy-bust

MANILA, Philippines --- Some individuals and agencies in the Philippines and in Libya continue to recruit Filipino workers for jobs in the North African country despite a prevailing deployment ban. On Saturday, Charg d'Affaires Elmer Cato told INQUIRER.net on Saturday the Philippine Embassy in Tripoli received information «that certain Filipinos here in Libya and... the Philippines have been recruiting and deploying workers to Libya in violation of the deployment ban.» Cato noted that some Filipinos workers that were recruited despite the ban were not being paid. This prompted those workers to seek repatriation assistance from the embassy, he said. "Some of those we recen...Keep on reading: Some recruiters sending Filipinos to Libya despite ban

MANILA, Philippines---Alaska was on safe passage to the playoffs at the start of the PBA Commissioner's Cup when it started the conference at 4-2 and up to that point only three teams---TNT, NorthPort, and Blackwater---had better runs off the bat. The Aces, however, failed to sustain the momentum and dropped to a five-game losing streak to fall from a potential top-three seed to a playoff for the no.8 spot a day before the quarterfinals begin. This downward spiral, though, was what motivated the Aces in their 108-103 overtime win over Meralco in the eighth seed playoff Friday at Mall of Asia Arena. Forward Vic Manuel said he felt the Aces lucked out in the last three games o...Keep on reading: Alaska pounces on chance to extend PBA Commissioner’s Cup campaign

MANILA, Philippines--Pushed to the limit for the first time in three weeks, Barangay Ginebra wriggled out of Magnolia's clutches just in time to post an 85-79 victory Friday night in the PBA Commissioner's Cup quarterfinals at Mall of Arena in Pasay. Limited most of the night, Justin Brownlee and Stanley Pringle hit the shots the Gin Kings needed to be able to snare the headstart in their race-to-two contest with the Hotshots. «Magnolia really did a good job muddying up the game,» coach Tim Cone said. «They kept the pace slow, they kept a great job limiting the touches of Justin and Stanley.» Barangay Ginebra's do-it-all import finished with 20 points to lead all of the Gin ...Keep on reading: PBA: Brownlee, Pringle lead crucial rally as Ginebra slips past Magnolia in Game 1

MANILA, Philippines--Robby Celiz sustained his fiery form to propel General Santos City past Iloilo, 69-64, Saturday night in the MPBL Lakan Season at Cuneta Astrodome in Pasay City. Celiz, a vital cog for Alab Pilipinas in its 2018 title run in the Asean Basketball League, fired 15 points and grabbed 15 rebounds for the Warriors who picked up their third straight win for a 5-2 card in the South division. It was another strong performance from Celiz who exploded for 26 points in a gutsy road win against Valenzuela last Monday. Interestingly, Gensan's winning streak started when Rich Alvarez took over as head coach, replacing Noy Pido who slid to the deputy role. Still tie...Keep on reading: MPBL: Robby Celiz stays hot, leads Gensan past Iloilo

LAS VEGAS---There's an old adage in boxing that says fighters get old overnight. Saturday will be that time for Manny Pacquiao when he meets the much younger Keith Thurman in a welterweight showdown, according to boxing great Winky Wright. «Father time is undefeated. Father time gets everybody. We're all great at one time but when you get old, you lose that step, that one tenth of a second that took us from being great to normal. When that great to normal hits, that's when things are going to happen,» said Wright, who is also an old sparring partner of Thurman. READ: Winky Wright sides with Thurman: He will make Pacquiao respect his power, speed Pacquiao is still going strong at 40...Keep on reading: Winky Wright on Pacquiao: Bag and mitts don’t hit back, Thurman does