Inquirer Breaking News

BACOLOD CITY --- Ten farm laborers loading sugarcane on a truck were injured when they were hit by lighting in Bago City, Negros Occidental, on Tuesday afternoon. Reports indicated that lightning struck at Purok Concordia in Barangay Ma-ao at about 3 p.m., hitting the sugarcane workers -- two of themappeared to be in critical condition, according to Staff Sergeant Armando Arao Jr. Micheal Cahilo, the driver of the truck, and his helper Bryan Della Cruz, said 16 farmworkers were harvesting and loading sugarcane on the truck parked on the side of the road starting at 1 p.m. until heavy rain fell at about 3 p.m. When lightning struck, 10 of the 16 farm laborers who took shelter...

Keep on reading: Lightning strikes in Bago City: 10 farmworkers hurt

BACOLOD CITY --- The Negros Occidental provincial government kicked off its first Lakbayanihan Fair on Monday, May 16, to lift its tourism industry which had been derailed by the COVID-19 pandemic. "We have a vast potential for tourism, food tourism, farm tourism, and even sports tourism. Before the COVID crisis, our tourism industry was advancing and was steadily gaining ground. Let us take that momentum back," said Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson during the opening of the fair at the Ayala Malls Capitol Central in Bacolod City that will run until May 29. Tourism Regional Director Cristine Mansinares said Negros Occidental and Bacolod City are ranked second in terms of most number of...

Keep on reading: Negros Occidential launches ‘Lakbayanihan Fair’ to boost tourism

MANILA, Philippines --- Philippine Olympic Committee president Bambol Tolentino said a miscommunication over a technical handbook caused the disqualification of the Filipino bodybuilders in the 31st Southeast Asian Games in Hanoi, Vietnam. In a report from Agence France-Presse, the Philippines, composed of eight men and one woman, got disqualified from competing in the bodybuilding events after failing to provide a doping certificate as part of its anti-doping rules. During his interview on ABS-CBN's Rundown Tuesday morning, Tolentino bared that neither the bodybuilding team nor the POC received a copy of the technical handbook, which was distributed last December. "The tech...

Keep on reading: ‘Communication problem’ leads to PH bodybuilding team disqualification–POC chief

MANILA, Philippines --- Manila Archbishop Cardinal Jose Advincula has encouraged the faithful a week after the recently-held national and local elections to stay calm and believe in the democratic process. "In this time, it would be better for all to stay calm and for everyone to believe in the democratic process," he said in Filipino in a video message on Monday. "Let us continue to love, care, and pray for our country." Vote counting continues as of Tuesday, although partial and unofficial tallies indicated a big win for dictator's son Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. as he posted a commanding lead against his rivals in this year's presidential race. The May 9 election r...

Keep on reading: Manila archbishop urges faithful to stay calm, believe in democratic process

MANILA, Philippines -- The Philippine women's beach volleyball team suffered its first loss at the hands of Indonesia as Sisi Rondina and Bernadeth Pons yielded to Dhita Juliana and Putu Utami in the golden match, 15-21, 19-21, on Tuesday in the 31st Southeast Asian Games at Tuan Chau beach in Vietnam. Rondina and Pons failed to overcome the tandem of Juliana and Utami in the decider as the reigning silver medalists stopped the two-game win streak of the Philippines to tie their victims with 2-1 win-loss records. Juliana and Utami beat the pair, who won the 2019 SEA Games Bronze, with a 21-19, 21-17 conquest in their first encounter earlier. Jovelyn Gonzaga and Dij Rodriguez...

Keep on reading: SEA Games: Philippines bows to Indonesia for first loss in women’s beach volleyball

  MANILA, Philippines--- "We should not surrender our hope to the forces of evil at work in our society." This was the message of Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) President Bishop Pablo Virgilio David to the congregation a week after the country held its local and national elections, even adding that people should "keep a good attitude and remain focused as we 'move forward' together." "The factors that continue to challenge our democratic institutions have been made more obvious by this election: well-funded trolls that are very successful in conditioning minds through mass disinformation in the social media, and massive vote-buying now made easier...

Keep on reading: CBCP tells flock: ‘Don’t surrender hope to forces of evil at work in our society’

OVP: Pilot's claim vs Robredo 'never happened', a 'malicious fabrication' MANILA, Philippines --- The Office of the Vice President (OVP) on Tuesday denied the "false story" on social media claiming Vice President Leni Robredo had requested a priority landing at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) which caused a diversion of flights. In a statement, the OVP said it "never happened" and that the tale was "a malicious fabrication." "The Office of the Vice President categorically denies the false story being circulated in social media which claims that VP Leni Robredo requested priority landing at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) for a flight she was on," ...

Keep on reading: OVP: Pilot’s claim vs Robredo ‘never happened’, a ‘malicious fabrication’

MANILA, Philippines --- University of the Philippines coach Goldwin Monteverde is extremely proud how the never-say-die Fighting Maroons thrived to end the school's 36-year UAAP title drought in these trying times. UP put an end to Ateneo's three-season reign with JD Cagulangan hitting the championship-clinching triple to complete a dramatic come-from-behind 72-69 win in overtime of the Game Three of UAAP Season 84 men's basketball finals. The Fighting Maroons, who were led by Cagulangan, Finals MVP Malick Diouf, Season 84 top rookie Carl Tamayo, Ricci Rivero and CJ Cansino, made history by winning the school's third title in these unprecedented times under a bubble environment...

Keep on reading: UAAP basketball: Monteverde hails tremendous UP achievement in ‘unprecedented season’

In line with DFNN's projections in the second half of 2021, revenue for the three months ended March 31, 2022, increased by 81.3% to 283.7 million compared to 156.5 million in the same period last year, posting an increase of 127.3 million. EBITDA stood at 95.8 million versus a loss before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization of 12.2 million for the same period last year, an increase of 108 million, an impressive growth rate of 884.2%. Revenue from share-based income generated from interactive technology platforms for the three months ended March 31, 2022, increased by 116.6%. Total revenue in this category amounted to 229.3 million for the three-month period ended Marc...

Keep on reading: Tech firm DFNN posts 884% EBITDA growth quarter-on-quarter in 2022

MANILA, Philippines --- Carl Tamayo worked his way to accomplish a tremendous rookie year and an epic title success for University of the Philippines in the UAAP Season 84 men's basketball tournament. "Hard work lang talaga. Every day, kahit anong situation, nagka-pandemic, hindi ako tumigil. Gumawa ako ng paraan para ma-improve ko 'yung skills ko as a player. 'Yun lang naman lagi, talagang 'wag titigil," said the Rookie of the Year after UP's dramatic 72-69 conquest over Ateneo in the winner-take-all Game 3 on Friday at Mall of Asia Arena. "Sobrang blessed ko. Lahat ng hard work, nag-pay off. Walang personal goal, talagang ginagawa ko lang lahat para maipanalo 'yung team." ...

Keep on reading: UAAP: UP rookie Carl Tamayo attributes early success to hard work

MANILA, Philippines -- Kurt Barbosa lived up to the expectations as he retained his gold in the male kyorugi under 54kg of the 31st Southeast Asian Games on Tuesday at Tay Ho Gymnasium in Vietnam. Barbosa, a 2020 Tokyo Olympian, got the best of Thailand's Panachai Jaijula with a masterful 16-7 win in the final to deliver a gold medal for the Philippine Taekwondo team. The National University standout edged Indonesia'sReinaldy Atmanegara, 44-42, in the semifinal to forge a gold medal match against the Thai He also dominated hometown bet Ngoc Lam Duong, 31-10, in the quarterfinal earlier. Barbosa also ruled the finweight division in 2019 SEA Games, beating Atmanegara in the...

Keep on reading: SEA Games: Philippines’ Kurt Barbosa retains taekwondo gold

MANILA, Philippines---After opening with a close call against Thailand, Gilas Pilipinas had no trouble in easing past an overmatched Cambodia side, 100-32, Tuesday in the 31st Southeast Asian Games in Hanoi, Vietnam. Gunning for a 14th straight men's basketball gold, the Philippines wasted no time in asserting its dominance. The Filipinos unleashed a 52-11 surge to put the game beyond reach in just two quarters as Gilas took a commanding 57-17 lead at the half. LeBron Lopez led the way with 17 points, 11 coming in the first half. Gilas kept its foot on the gas pedal and held Cambodia to just six points in the third quarter to further extend its advantage. The Nationals...

Keep on reading: SEA Games: After escaping Thais, Gilas Pilipinas whips Cambodia

MANILA, Philippines ---A scammer posing as Vic Rodriguez, spokesperson of presumptive president Ferdinand Marcos Jr., wassuccessfully tracked down right inside the New Bilibid Prison (NBP), said Secretary of Justice Menardo Guevarra on Tuesday. Guevarra identified the suspect as Ryan Ace Castillejo, who he revealed was already serving a sentence in the NBP for two counts of theft. "Confirmed; suspect was traced by the NBI special action unit at the NBP maximum security compound where he's serving sentence for two counts of qualified theft," said Guevarra in a message to reporters. "Found in his possession were a mobile phone and notebooks containing names of possibly past or pro...

Keep on reading: Man posing as Marcos spox revealed to be an inmate in Bilibid — Guevarra

Believing that they have what it takes to be a love team to watch out for, young actress Alexa Ilacad also feels that she and onscreen partner KD Estrada are already ripe for stardom, more so now that they are being officially launched as KDLex. The two became popular as housemates in the "Pinoy Big Brother" Kumunity Season 10. "This is what we want. We are aiming for excellence, nothing less. Of course, we are ready for greater things, with what's to come. Stardom? Yes. I think that we do have what it takes. We continue to hone our skills, hone our craft, so why not?" Alexa said during the live face-to-face press conference and celebrity screening of iWantTFC's original series "Ru...

Keep on reading: For Alexa Ilacad, she and KD Estrada are ready for stardom

MANILA, Philippines --- Overcast skies and rain would persist in several parts of Luzon, including Metro Manila, on Wednesday due to the southwesterly surface wind flow, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) said. "Itong nasa western side ng Northern and Central Luzon: Ilocos Region, Zambales, Bataan kasama rin 'yung Pampanga, Bulacan, Calabarzon, at Ka-Maynilaan, inaasahan natin na magiging maulap ang kalangitan na malaki ang tiyansa ng pagulan lalo na sa hapon hanggang sa gabi dulot ng tinatawag nating southwesterly surface wind flow," said Pagasa weather specialist Obet Badrina. (Areas on the western side of Northern and Ce...

Keep on reading: Metro Manila, other parts of Luzon will still see rain, cloudy skies – Pagasa

MANILA, Philippines---University of Santo Tomas got back on track and snapped Adamson's three-game winning streak, 12-25, 25-19, 25-22, 18-25, 15-9, to gain solo third in the UAAP Season 84 women's volleyball tournament on Tuesday at Mall of Asia Arena. The Golden Tigresses got a huge boost from the error-plagued Lady Falcons, who committed three errors in a 5-0 spurt that put UST at match point, 14-8, in the fifth set. Lucille Almonte kept Adamson alive with a hit but Eya Laure made sure to seal the win with a kill. "Whatever happened in the first four sets, we throw all that away. The most important is the fifth because like I said before in our previous matches, it's all abo...

Keep on reading: UAAP: Eya Laure, UST fend off Adamson for 4-2 record

Actress Kris Bernal spoke about what human nature is on her birthday today, May 17, as she celebrates life and its pitfalls. Dressed in an all-black outfit for her birthday photo shoot, Bernal shared her thoughts via her Instagram page today. The shoot was conducted at and by Happy Studios. "No one is perfect, don't fall for this illusion," Bernal declared. "We tend to relentlessly strive toward the concept of plain black and WHITE, RIGHT and wrong, left and RIGHT. Charge me of multiple crimes. I am guilty. As I celebrate my 33 years of existence, I want to debunk this damaging myth." "We are all human. We make mistakes. We sin. Our sins don't make us less as a person --- it hum...

Keep on reading: As she turns 33, Kris Bernal reflects on human nature

MANILA, Philippines --- The representative of food delivery riders decried the sector's underrepresentation in the recipients of fuel subsidies by the government. Charles Punsalang, who represents food delivery and motor taxi riders in the National Public Transport Coalition (NPTC), said thousands of riders have yet to receive their fuel subsidy. "Yung mga ayuda po natin, ang daming food delivery riders na hanggang ngayon ay umiiyak ... dahil ni singkong sentimo hindi sila nakatanggap," Punsalang said in a press briefing in Manila. (As for the cash aid, so many food delivery riders are crying until now... because they have not received even a centavo of aid.) Punsalang also p...

Keep on reading: Food delivery riders lament lack of fuel subsidy, says transport coalition

MANILA, Philippines --- A mix of neophyte, returning, and reelectionist senators are set to be proclaimed as winners in this year's elections on Wednesday in Pasay City. The Commission on Elections, sitting as the National Board of Canvassers (NBOC), approved Tuesday a recommendation of the supervisory committee to proceed with the proclamation of the winning senatorial candidates on May 18. The 12 senatorial candidates to be proclaimed were the following: Robin Padilla - 26,612,434 votes Loren Legarda - 24,264,969 votes Raffy Tulfo - 23,396,954 votes Sherwin Gatchalian - 20,602,655 votes Francis Escudero - 20,271,458 votes Mark Villar - 19,475,592 votes ...

Keep on reading: ‘Magic 12’ proclamation set on May 18, says Comelec

  MANILA, Philippines -- After winning gold in the individual foil, Sam Catantan led the Philippine fencing team's silver medal finish in the women's team foil of the 31st Southeast Asian Games on Tuesday at Hanoi Indoor Games Palace in Vietnam. Catantan, Maxine Esteban, Wilhemina Lozada, and Justine Gail Tinio yielded to Singapore in the final, 33-28, settling for a silver medal. The quartet unleashed its dominance in the semifinal with a 45-26 rout of Thailand, earlier. Esteban, Catantan, Lozada, and Tinio placed third in the 2019 edition, sharing the bronze with Thailand. Two days ago, Catantan won the gold in the women's individual foil. Meanwhile, the Phil...

Keep on reading: SEA Games: Sam Catantan, fencing team claim women’s team foil silver