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MANILA, Philippines --- Rice retailers in San Juan City have been getting financial aid from the national government since Sept. 9, and those based at the Agora Public Market were given free rental for a month, according to San Juan Mayor Francis Zamora. The distribution of P15,000 aid for each retailer took place at the Agora, lead Trade Secretary Alfredo Pascual, Social Welfare Assistant Secretary Ada A. Colico, and Agriculture Assistant Secretary Arnel de Mes> Zamora oversaw the distribution. San Juan City Hall also announced it would release P5,000 for each San Juan rice retailer by the following week. A total of 24 out of 48 registered small rice retailers in San ...

Keep on reading: San Juan retailers affected by rice price cap now getting cash, rent aid

Actress Liza Soberano, who has been Manila-based for three months now, admitted that her bid for a Hollywood career had been stalled by the ongoing actors' strike there, especially since she is also a member of the SAG-Aftra. The strike organized by the Screen Actor's Guild and American Federation of Radio and TV Artists began on July 14. The group is calling for increased pay and a rethinking of residuals, which union members claimed has diminished in spite of the rise in streaming services. Residuals are paid out to actors whenever their TV shows or movies are replayed. "I just want to make that clear. I don't want my fans to think I'm not going to act anymore. I can't take o...

Keep on reading: Liza Soberano ‘explores opportunities’ in Korea while Hollywood career ‘on pause’

Fifty years ago, "The Exorcist," the most terrifying horror film in history landed on screens, globalaudiences were treated to an unimaginable fear that shook them to their core. It starred EllenBurstyn, Max von Sydow and newcomer Linda Blair, and became a landmark moment in horror thatchanged the genre and moviegoing forever. Now, a new chapter begins. From Blumhouse and director David Gordon Green, who shattered thestatus quo with their resurrection of the Halloween franchise, comes "The Exorcist: Believer." The newmovie marks a new beginning that takes audiences into the darkest heart of inexplicable evil. Sincethe death of his pregnant wife in a Haitian earthquake 13 yea...

Keep on reading: Ellen Burstyn reprises role, fights demons in ‘The Exorcist: Believer’

MANILA, Philippines --- The alleged theft of $300 from a passenger on Sept. 8 at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (Naia) Terminal 1 is now under investigation, the Office of Transportation Security (OTS) said in a statement issued on Monday. "As of writing time, the OTS has identified the personnel concerned and that gathering of evidence is ongoing. We shall provide updates on the progress of the investigation as soon as they become available," the OTS said. The OTS is working closely with the Manila International Airport Authority, and the Philippine National Police Aviation Security, adding that it will take the appropriate administrative actions once the allegations h...

Keep on reading: OTS probing alleged theft by its personnel at Naia

MANILA, Philippines --- Drei Arias, a TV personality who is advocating for the passage of the Eddie Garcia bill in Congress, captured a national title at the 10th Misters of Filipinas pageant held at the Samsung Performing Arts Theater at Circuit Makati on Sept. 17. The Net 25 "Starkada" from Malolos, Bulacan, earned the right to represent the Philippines in the Mister Tourism and Culture Universe in Myanmar, and will participate in the international contest's comeback edition after a hiatus caused by the COVID-19 pandemic and the military junta's takeover of the Southeast Asian country. "The Eddie Garciabill is really to protect the laborers in the acting industry. And I can s...

Keep on reading: Eddie Garcia bill advocate snags Misters of Filipinas national title

  MANILA, Philippines --- Over 600 election gun ban violators have so far been arrested nationwide ahead of the barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) elections, the Philippine National Police (PNP) reported on Monday. From 456 last week, PNP spokesperson and Public Information Office chief Col. Jean Fajardo said the police force has so far collared 682 gun ban violators. "As of 11 p.m. of September 17 ay 682 na po naaresto, ang ating nakumpiskang baril ay nasa 422 na po," Fajardo told reporters in a press briefing on Monday. (As of 11 p.m. of September 17, we were able to arrest 682 violators and confiscate 422 firearms.) The PNP added that 663 guns have been...

Keep on reading: PNP: Over 600 election gun ban violators arrested, so far

MANILA, Philippines --- The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) on Monday evening said it is seriously concerned with the alleged destruction of coral reefs and harvesting of corals in the West Philippine Sea by foreign entities. The Armed Forces of the Philippines recently sounded the alarm over China's suspected harvesting of corals from the West Philippine Sea. Earlier, the Philippine Coast Guard likewise released video footages showing the extent of the "severe damage" believed to be caused by Chinese maritime militia vessels in Rozul Reef and Escoda Shoal. "We are seriously concerned about reports of the destruction of corals in Rozul Reef, a maritime feature ...

Keep on reading: DFA airs serious concern over reported reef, coral damage in WPS

Actress-comedienne Lovely Abella proved that motherhood is a battle worth conquering as she welcomed her son, Liam, through a postpartum photo while breastfeeding her little one. On Instagram last Sept. 17, Sunday, Abella made a self-deprecating observation that it's hard to make herself look beautiful in the picture as she needed to focus on her responsibilities as a new mother. She, however, didn't state the exact date and time her son was born. "Di ka man lang nagpaganda!! Sa lahat po ng hirap ng pinagdaanan ko, hindi ko na po kayang magpaganda, ang gusto ko lang ay mairaos ng healthy ang anak ko, ng mga oras na to wala akong kinapitan kundi ang faith ko kay Lord na hindi ni...

Keep on reading: LOOK: Lovely Abella welcomes baby boy in postpartum photo

MANILA, Philippines---From Tab Baldwin in college for Ateneo to Aldin Ayo in the PBA for Converge, BJ Andrade has no shortage of opportunities to learn from the upper echelon of coaches in the Philippines. Andrade, who was chosen by the FiberXers in the first round of the 2023 PBA Draft with the 10th pick, said he is excited to play for Ayo at the professional level. After all, it was Ayo and his then-UST Growling Tigers who gave the Blue Eagles some problems in the UAAP Season 82 Finals. "Me, I'm so excited to play for coach Aldin because when we faced him [in the UAAP], he gave us a hard time and he's one of the best coaches here in the Philippines so I'm excited," said An...

Keep on reading: BJ Andrade goes from coach Tab Baldwin to coach Aldin Ayo in the PBA

  MANILA, Philippines --- The House of Representatives has approved a bill that would amend Republic Act No. 9997 --- the law that created the National Commission on Muslim Filipinos (NCMF) --- to ensure that more Muslim Filipinos get access to Shari'a courts. House Bill (HB) No. 9045, or the proposed Act Providing the Muslim Filipinos Better Access to Shari'a Courts, was approved during Monday's session as 251 lawmakers voted in the affirmative, zero in the negative, and zero abstentions. Under the proposed measure, Section 11(g) of R.A. No. 9997 which talks about the NCMF's Bureau of Legal Affairs will be amended to include new provisions about the...

Keep on reading: House OKs bill on better access to Shari’a courts

MANILA, Philippines---The Philippines continues to be a country to look out for in the boxing events of the 2022 Asian Games. Leading the Filipino boxers' charge in the continental meet is Eumir Marcial, who is eyeing more than just a media but also a ticket for the Paris Olympics next year. "This Asian Games is also an Olympic qualifier for us. Now, I'm not just thinking 'this is the Asian Games,' I'm thinking that we need to reach the Finals so we can qualify for Paris," said Marcial during the sendoff ceremonies on Monday. "My goal is not just to win a medal or get the gold but to also qualify for the Olympics because our main target is to get gold in the Olympics." Ho...

Keep on reading: Eumir Marcial determined to get to Paris Olympics through Asian Games

  MANILA, Philippines --- The House of Representatives on Monday approved on third and final reading a bill declaring Pampanga as the "Christmas Capital" of the country. All 250 lawmakers unanimously voted to approve the said bill, House Bill No. 6933, principally authored by Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez and Pampanga 3rd District Rep. Aurelio "Dong" Gonzales Jr. Section 2 of the proposed law tasks the Department of Tourism to include and feature the province as the Christmas Capital in its national and regional promotion programs. "The Christmas season here in the Philippines is made extra special every year by the Kapampangans who take pride in the...

Keep on reading: House OKs bill declaring Pampanga as Christmas Capital of PH

    MANILA, Philippines - Senator Christopher "Bong" Go recently discussed his proposed three-pronged strategy to combat the country's illegal drugs problem, emphasizing the roles of law enforcement, rehabilitation, and prevention. "Maybe kanya-kanya namang approach. Panahon ni (dating) pangulong (Rodrigo) Duterte, massive ang kanyang drug campaign. Ako po suportado ko po si Presidente Bongbong Marcos kung anuman po ang kanyang approach basta dapat patuloy na labanan ang iligal na droga," said Go after the launching of the 159th Malasakit Center in Bislig City, Surigao del Sur, "Dahil kapag bumalik po ang iligal na droga, babalik ang korapsyon sa gobyerno, babal...

Keep on reading: Bong Go outlines 3-pronged approach to continue campaign vs illegal drugs

    MANILA, Philippines --- A bill that allows individuals to use their acquired occupational knowledge, experience, and achievements as credits for their tertiary education units has been approved by the House of Representatives on third and final reading. During the session on Monday, House Bill (HB) No. 9015 or the Expanded Tertiary Education Equivalency and Accreditation Program (ETEEAP) was approved after 251 lawmakers voted in the affirmative, with none voting against it or abstaining. If enacted, the bill would allow professionals who have been working for at least five years to use their skills and experience they to shorten their path to...

Keep on reading: House OKs Expanded Tertiary Education Equivalency, Accreditation Program

MANILA, Philippines---Nesthy Petecio has her eyes firmly on the gold in what she feels could be her "last shot" as she competes in the 2022 Asian Games in Hangzhou, China. Petecio, who won gold in the recently concluded 32nd Southeast Asian Games, can win another gold medal this year in the continental meet--which also serves as an Olympic qualifier for Paris. "This is very, very important to me because I'm thinking that this may be my last shot. We're not getting any younger, we're getting older. We're also feeling things now," said Petecio in Filipino during the Asian Games send-off on Monday. "It will depend on what would happen here so this is important to me." Peteci...

Keep on reading: Nesthy Petecio eyes Asian Games gold in what could be her ‘last shot’

MANILA, Philippines --- The Department of Tourism (DOT) on Monday reported an increase in hotel occupancy and tourist arrivals during the 2023 Fiba Basketball World Cup. Aside from the occupancy rate surge in the nine official Fiba World Cup hotels, the DOT's Statistics, Economic Analysis and Information Management Division, likewise reported an increase in the volume of visitor arrivals to the Philippines from countries participating in the World Cup. Almost half of the 20 participating countries also registered a growth rate of more than 100 percent in terms of visitor arrivals to the Philippines from July 1 to September 12 versus the same period in 2022. The DOT said visi...

Keep on reading: PH tourism gets big boost from 2023 Fiba Basketball World Cup

MANILA, Philippines--The Gilas Pilipinas Boys' comeback machine conked out when it mattered most as the Philippines bowed to China, 84-67, in the Fiba U16 Asian Championship in Doha, Qatar, on early Monday morning. After being dragged into a nip-and-tuck first half, the Filipino youngsters had very few answers against the Chinese in the third quarter before getting hounded by a frosty shooting in the final frame at al-Rayyan Indoor Hall. The Chinese then took advantage of Gilas' woes and went on a cutthroat 14-2 counterattack that kept their hands welded on the driver seat until the final horn. Kieffer Alas led the way with 20 points that went with eight rebounds and three a...

Keep on reading: Gilas boys lose to China in Fiba U16 Asian Championship

    MANILA, Philippines - Bicol Saro Party-list Representative Brian Raymund Yamsuan has urged the Department of Transportation (DOTr) to pursue the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) mode in implementing the revival and modernization of the "Bicol Express", the once-famed rail line of the Philippine National Railways (PNR) that ran from Manila to Albay. Yamsuan said he was assured by DOTr Undersecretary for Railways Cesar Chavez that the revival of the Bicol Express or the PNR's South Long Haul Project remains a priority of the administration of Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. But with no clear direction yet from China on whether or not it would continue to fund ...

Keep on reading: Yamsuan prods DOTr to pursue PPP mode to ensure ‘Bicol Express’ revival

  MANILA, Philippines --- Oil companies must share the burden with the public affected by rising fuel prices, Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez said on Monday after a closed-door meeting with oil company executives. "If you are part of the solution, Congress will be very appreciative and supportive of you. But if you are part of the problem, we might have to undertake measures that would be unpalatable to you," Romualdez said in a statement. "I hope we can work together to help our people," he added. On Tuesday, oil companies are expected to raise fuel prices again - gasoline fuel by P2 per liter, diesel by around P2.50 per liter, and kerosene by P2 ...

Keep on reading: Romualdez urges oil firms to help address price hikes

Sandara Park couldn't help but feel disappointed in the outcome of a Cebu City concert where she was supposed to perform but ended up being postponed due to "unforeseen circumstances." Park was among the performers of the "Awake: A New Beginning" joint concert, which was initially set to take place on Sept. 23 in Cebu City. Also part of the lineup are K-pop groups AB6IX, VIVIZ, and YOUNITE, as well as Korean dance crews 1Million and MB Crew. However, the concert organizer confirmed its postponement last Friday, Sept. 15, citing "unexpected weather moves and unforeseen circumstances." Park expressed her dismay over the postponement of the concert on her X (formerly Twitter) a...

Keep on reading: Sandara Park ‘sad, disappointed’ after Cebu City concert was postponed