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Pope: Corruption is gangrene of people

2015-07-12T16:32:00.001-07:00

The 78-year-old Pope—in Paraguay on the last stop of a three-nation tour of South America—also railed against ideologies and hammered home the central theme of his trip to his home continent: Equality.

Speaking to an enchanted crowd of 5,000 at a small stadium in the capital Asuncion, Francis drifted away from his scripted remarks, saying that “ideologies end badly, they do not work, they do not take into account the people.”

“Look what happened with ideologies in the last century … they ended in dictatorships, always,” he added, applause ringing out in response during the gathering attended by Paraguayan President Horacio Cortes.

In a question-and-answer session, he denounced corruption, which plagues several countries in South America. But perhaps to avoid offending his hosts, he stressed that it was a recurring problem “among all peoples of the world.”

As he had done on previous stops during his trip, first in Ecuador, and then Bolivia, Francis called for an end to poverty—also endemic in the region—and lamented today’s consumer society.

“Putting bread on the table, putting a roof over the heads of one’s children, giving them health and an education—these are essential for human dignity, and businessmen and women, politicians, economists, must feel challenged in this regard,” Francis told the gathering of business leaders, politicians, labor union leaders and other civil society groups.

Wealth creation should not be “only for the benefit of a few,” he said to more acclaim, and must be extended to “each citizen, without exclusion.” He urged political leaders not to “sacrifice human lives on the altar of money and profit.”

“In economics, in business and in politics, what counts first and foremost is the human person and the environment in which he or she lives,” he said.

Gay rights

In a rare occurrence, the leader of a gay rights group took part in the gathering at the invitation of local Catholic bishops.

“I left with the impression that the Pope really wants to change things,” Simon Cazal, director of SomosGay (We Are Gay), told Reuters after the meeting.

The Catholic Church teaches that homosexual tendencies are not sinful but homosexual acts are. Catholic gays have contested the Church’s ban on homosexual activity, saying it deprives them of the intimacy that is part of a loving relationship.

Saturday was believed to be the first time a gay rights activist was known to have been invited to attend an event during a papal trip. One theme of a major meeting of Catholic bishops at the Vatican in October will be how the Church can reach out to homosexual Catholics.

Manny Pacquiao is ready to fight again, after he lost

2012-12-10T17:51:00.000-08:00

A true fighter, Philippine boxing icon and Saranggani Rep. Manny Pacquiao said he is ready to fight again after losing by knockout to Mexican boxer Juan Manuel Marquez.
In the sixth round of their non-title welterweight bout on Saturday (Sunday in Manila), Marquez finally got his first win over Pacquiao in four attempts.

The 39-year-old Mexican lost twice and drawn once in his three previous fights against the 33-year-old Pacquiao.

With just a second left in the round, Marquez's stinging right hand sent Pacquiao face first to the canvas.

In the post-fight interview, Pacquiao hinted he was not going to retire anytime soon, saying he will rest for a while but "after a few months, back to training and back to fight."

Pacquiao's promoter Bob Arum also remained open to the possibility of a fifth fight against Marquez.

"Why not? People love this action." said Arum. "This fight will go down in history as a ring classic. If they wanna fight again, why not?"

Pacquiao too was willing to face Marquez again. "No problem. That's up to my promoter," the Philippine congressman said.

On being knocked out, he said that was part of boxing. Pacquiao admitted that he lost after becoming overconfident during the fight.

Second loss in a row

Pacquiao, who will turn 34 on December 17, is the first eight-division world champion, and the first to win the Lineal Championship in four different weight classes.

He is a three-time The Ring and BWAA "Fighter of the Year" (for 2006, 2008, and 2009) and the Best Fighter ESPY Award in 2009 and 2011.

Pacquiao was also named "Fighter of the Decade" for the 2000s by the Boxing Writers Association of America (BWAA), World Boxing Council (WBC) and World Boxing Organization (WBO).

However, his loss to Marquez is already his second in row after losing to American Tim Bradley in June this year.

The financial magazine Forbes said Pacquiao's loss "could negate a $100 million future payday for Manny which would be earned from a dream match-up against Floyd Mayweather that some estimate is worth $250 million in PPV (pay-per-view) sales."

According to a Forbes estimate, Pacquiao earned $62 million between July 2011 and June 2012, including around $6 million in endorsements.

'Boxing is my passion'

In an earlier interview with the news site LA Times, Pacquiao said "Boxing is my passion. Public service is my calling.”

He also explained why he had a strong motivation to help others.

“I know the life of nothing. I know what those who ask me for money are feeling," he said.

Pacquiao started his boxing career as a no-name boxer training at a shabby gym. He never gave up on his dreams and he is now among the richest men in the Philippines.

Despite his success, Pacquiao remains humble and approachable.

Recently, his wife Jinkee recently brought in a group of 20 friends who wanted to exchange pleasantries with Pacquiao during his training.

He didn't decline, causing the delay of one sparring session.

Some weeks ago, Pacquiao let a pastor preach to him and his friends until 2:00 a.m. before a training day.

This infuriated his trainer Freddie Roach who wanted to keep Pacquiao in top shape.

Fierce rivals

The Pacquiao-Marquez rivalry is said to be one of the biggest in the world of boxing.

Days before their fight on Sunday, during Pacquiao's training session at the University of Las Vegas oval track, the two rivals shared the track while training, according to a report of GMA Network's “News to Go” program.

They didn't talk with each other but Pacquiao shook the hand of Nacho Beristain, Marquez's trainer.

Although Marquez became bulkier, Pacquiao said that he wasn't the slightest bit nervous pointing out that boxing wasn't a body building contest.

Marquez on the other hand said he was more than ready for their fourth bout and that he trained not only his strength but also his speed.

Nurse In Royal Prank Death, Could Be Ruled Suicide

2012-12-10T17:37:00.003-08:00

The nurse, who became victim of a royal hoax when she received a prank call at a London hospital during Kate Middleton’s stay, has been found dead.

A statement from King Edward VII’s spokesperson was issued on behalf of the hospital.

“It is with deep sadness we confirm the tragic death of a member of our nursing staff, Jacintha Saldanha,” the statement read.

Saldanha mistakenly released personal information regarding the pregnant Duchess of Cambridge, who at the time was being treated for severe morning sickness.

On Tuesday morning, details of Middleton’s medical condition were released to two Austrailian radio host, who were pretending to be Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Charles.

Mel Greig and Michael Christian, who work for the Sydney radio station 2Day FM, later released a statement apologizing.

“We thought we’d be hung up on as soon as they heard our terrible accents,” the station said in a statement. “We’re very sorry if we’ve caused any issues, and we’re glad to hear that Kate is doing well.”

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge released a statement, saying they are “deeply saddened” about Saldanha’s death.

As written in a statement from the St James Palace: “The Duke and Duchess were looked after so wonderfully well at all times by everybody at King Edward VII Hospital.

“Their thoughts and prayers are with Jacintha Saldanha’s family, friends and colleagues at this very sad time.”

Authorities have not confirmed a cause of death, despite rumors that Saldana committed suicide.

After spending four days recovering, Middleton was discharged from the hospital on Thursday with Prince William by her side.

Kate nurse's death dominates newspapers in UK

2012-12-10T17:35:00.000-08:00

The death of a nurse who fell victim to a hoax call about the Duchess of Cambridge is the main story for a number of Saturday's newspapers.

The Times says the Royal couple are at the centre of a personal tragedy at what should be a time of great joy.

Jacintha Saldanha's friends tell the Daily Telegraph she would have been "hit badly" by the prank.

And the Independent editor says the tragedy should not be used as a means to denounce the media as a whole.

The Daily Mail carries an interview with Sally Roberts, the mother who is fighting a legal battle to prevent her seven-year-old son being given radiotherapy for a brain tumour.

Mrs Roberts insists that she merely wants to "consider the options".

Economists tell the Guardian the latest falls in industrial output have raised the prospect of a triple-dip recession.

It says a period of severe wintry weather could be all it takes to cause GDP to drop over the next two quarters.

David Cameron's support of same sex marriages in church comes in for criticism from two of the papers.

The Daily Express accuses the prime minister of an attempt to "win kudos from the liberal Left".

The Sun urges him to "rejoin the real world" and concentrate on the issue that really matters - the economy.

The Daily Mirror argues that Mr Cameron deserves praise for taking on the Tory traditionalists.

The Financial Times reports that US bank JP Morgan is close to agreeing to pay back up to £500m in taxes that were avoided by placing staff bonuses in a trust based in Jersey.

It says past and present employees were asked to volunteer to repay the tax.

If the Daily Express is to be believed, the meteorological outlook is none too promising.

It warns that the "Arctic blast" heading for Britain next week could bring up to six inches of snow.

Manny Pacquiao knocked out in 6th round

2012-12-10T17:26:00.000-08:00

Juan Manuel Marquez recorded a shocking upset over Manny Pacquiao with a massive right hand in the sixth round that gave him his first victory over Pac-Man.
The fourth meeting between these two fighters generated a significant amount of hype, and the bout still somehow managed to exceed expectations.
It was clear from the start that Pacquiao was active, in shape and ready to fight. It only took until the second round for the announcers to start gushing over Pac-Man's legendary straight left hand.
But it was Marquez who landed the first blow, knocking down Pacquiao in the third round with a hard right hand. Nevertheless, the Filipino fighter was able to get up and regain control of the fight.
In the fifth round, he evened the score by catching Marquez with a straight left hand and knocking down the Mexican fighter.
With an advantage on the scorecard, Pacquiao just needed to avoid Marquez' lethal counter punches. But in the sixth round, Marquez found an opening when Pacquiao attacked and landed a vicious punch directly to Pac-Man's face.
The Filipino star dropped straight to the canvas, and the fight ended as a victory for Marquez via knockout. This is Marquez' first victory over Pacquiao and the first time any of their matchups ended early.
It was a shocking result and after an incredible bout, fans certainly wouldn't mind seeing a fifth fight.

Kate Middleton's Pranked Nurse Death

2012-12-10T16:08:00.001-08:00

The tragic death of Kate Middleton's nurse is getting one step closer to some closure.

The Metropolitan Police today announced that a post-mortem examination of Jacintha Saldanha, the King Edward VII nurse who took the initial infamous prank call placed by the since canceled Australian radio DJs last week, is scheduled to take place in London tomorrow.

Australian DJs break silence, see what they had to say about the tragedy

The examination into the 46-year-old healthcare worker's death, still being classified as unexplained, will take place at Westminster Mortuary. Saldanha was found Friday morning after police were called to reports of an unconscious woman. She was pronounced dead at the scene.

Police have already begun inquiries into her death in order to "establish the full circumstances" of her apparent suicide.

On his Facebook page, Jacintha's husband Ben Barbozawrote, "I am devastated with the tragic loss of my beloved wife Jacintha in tragic circumstances. She will be laid to rest in Shirva, India."

In the wake of her death, an outpouring of support for Saldanha has sprung up, with the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge stating that they were "deeply saddened" by the tragedy. The Australian DJs who placed the call, Mel Greig and Michael Christian, also said they were "shattered, gutted and heartbroken" by the turn of events.

See what Kate Middleton and Prince William had to say about the nurse's apparent suicide

As for the hospital, it announced today the formation of the Jacintha Saldanha Memorial Fund.

"Jacintha Saldanha sadly died last week in tragic circumstances," Lord Glenarthur, the chairman of the hospital, said. "She was an outstanding nurse whose loss has shocked and saddened everyone at the hospital. Following discussions with her family, we have now established the Jacintha Saldanha Memorial Fund in her memory."

All donations made to the fund will go to Jacintha's family.

Angus T. Jones of 'Two and a Half Men': My show is 'filth'

2012-12-10T15:59:00.001-08:00

For a comedy, "Two and a Half Men" on CBS brings a lot of drama.

Angus T. Jones, the 19-year-old actor who has played the "Half" man, Jake Harper, since 2003, calls the sitcom "filth" in a taped interview that recounts his religious experience. "Jake from 'Two and a Half Men' means nothing. He's a nonexistent character. If you watch 'Two and a Half Men,' please stop watching," Jones says toward the end of the clip, which was posted to YouTube on Monday.

"I'm on 'Two and a Half Men,' and I don't want to be on it. Please stop watching it. Please stop filling your head with filth. Please. People say it's just entertainment ... do some research on the effects of television and your brain, and I promise you you'll have a decision to make when it comes to the television and especially with what you watch on television," he continued. "It's bad news. I don't know if it means anymore coming from me, but you might not have heard it otherwise."

Jones then references "the enemy's" deception, presumably meaning Satan, and assuring listeners that "there's no playing around when it comes to eternity."

He notes at one point in the video that he doesn't want to contribute "to the enemy's plan," and that people may view actors like himself and think, "Oh, I can be a Christian and be on a show like 'Two and a Half Men.' You can't. You can not be a true God-fearing person and be on a television show like that. I know I can't. I'm not OK with what I'm learning, what the Bible says, and being on that television show. You go all or nothin

Manny Pacquiao cries for his lose

2012-12-10T14:56:00.000-08:00

HOLLYWOOD—Manny Pacquiao shed tears on Philippine television on Monday, saying he had let his country down.

But don’t count him out yet. A devastating knockout loss to his great Mexican rival Juan Manuel Marquez won’t make him quit boxing.

“I’m ready to fight in April,” Pacquiao told Manila-based sportswriters in a customized luxury bus that took them from Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas to Hollywood.

Pacquiao announced the date for his comeback fight to end all speculations about his boxing future following his sixth-round loss to Marquez in their fourth encounter on Saturday.

In Hollywood, the Pacquiaos were brought to their $2-million house near Hancock Park, where they were to spend the night. In the garage were Pacquiao’s service car, a Mercedes Benz and his Ferrari 458 Italia, acquired just last year.

Interviewed on GMA network, Pacquiao indicated how deeply he felt the disappointment of his followers back home.

“The low morale, the sadness, I accept that. This is my job … But the reaction of the Filipinos, the many who cried, especially my family, it really hurts me,” he told the network.

The former eight-division world champion wiped tears from his eyes listening to his wife, Jinkee, make a tearful appeal on camera for her husband, who turns 34 next week, to hang up his gloves.

“When you see your husband get hurt, you cannot even sleep,” she said in the interview.

Asked if she wanted her husband to retire from boxing, she said: “You know the answer to that. He knows what I am asking him.”

In the bus, Pacquiao told the sportswriters that Saturday’s loss to Marquez “was similar to what happened to me against (Rustico) Torrecampo.” He was referring to his third-round knockout defeat on Feb. 9, 1996, when he was still fighting at 110 pounds.

“I got nailed by a sneaky punch that caught me in the chin coming in,” Pacquiao said in Filipino. “If it were in the jaw, I can withstand it.”

5th fight

Swinging as if he was shadowboxing, Pacquiao admitted he got careless with Marquez because he wanted to put up a strong showing to end the sixth round.

“I faked twice and he got me [with that right] as I stumbled,” he said.

Despite the one-punch knockout that left him motionless—face down on the canvas for over a minute—Pacquiao said he was raring for a fifth fight with Marquez to get even. “Yes, why not.”

“Marquez was lucky. The next fight, I’ll get him,” he said, adding that he had intended to finish his Mexican rival in the seventh or eighth round to give fans what they wanted—an explosive fight.

“I saw his nose bleeding and that he had difficulty breathing,” Pacquiao said. “I was also told that his corner was ready to stop the fight in the seventh.”

Pacquiao fell short as Marquez, dubbed “El Dinamita,” threw a dynamite right that exploded on his face and knocked him out cold.

Despite the loss, Pacquiao said he was satisfied he was able to give the fans an explosive fight.

“Don’t fight if you don’t want to lose,” he said. “That’s sports.”

As a routine procedure, he was taken after the bout to the trauma unit of University Medical Center, where he underwent medical tests, including a CT scan, to find out if he had suffered a concussion.

The result was negative and he was cleared to return to his penthouse suite at the hotel.

He will be under observation for three days, although he was allowed to make the five-hour trip to Hollywood, including a traditional stop at midpoint Barstow.

No fight with Mayweather

Since he suffered no major head injuries, Pacquiao is deemed fit to fight again next year. Against whom and when, there’s no clear development yet.

While a lucrative fight with Floyd Mayweather Jr. is off the radar at the moment, the continuation of his ring saga with Marquez may be in the horizon.

Promoter Bob Arum, while hesitant to stage an immediate rematch because of the punishment sustained by both fighters, with Marquez suspected of having a broken nose, the 81-year-old big boss of Top Rank is reportedly being bombarded with requests for a Pacquiao-Marquez 5.

Another possible opponent, if Pacquiao’s original schedule of April 20 for his next fight is followed, is rising star Brandon “Bam Bam” Rios, a toe-to-toe fighter whose style should suit Pacquiao’s just fine.

While Pacquiao also has a score to settle with Timothy Bradley, who beat him by a dubious split decision, Arum is not keen on the proposition, as their fight in June was a disappointment at the gates and failed to generate a million PPV (pay-per-view) buys.

In contrast, the Pacquiao-Marquez 4 was a blockbuster, with a sellout crowd of 16,348, gate receipts of $10.5 million and an assured 1 million plus PPV hits, which could put Pacquiao’s total income for the fight at between $25 million to $30 million.

Pacquiao is willing to take on anybody Arum will put in front of him since he wants redemption for the humiliation he suffered in Marquez’s hands.

Pacquiao and wife Jinkee are scheduled to take the Monday flight to Manila, arriving in the Philippines on Wednesday for the birthday of their son, Jimwell.

On Dec. 17, Pacquiao will turn 34 and more celebrations are scheduled in General Santos City and Sarangani province, where he’s running unopposed for a second term as congressman.

Also in the bus, emblazoned with his image and a teaser of Pacquiao-Marquez 4, were several pastors, boxers Dodie Boy Peñalosa Jr. and Ernie Sanchez, who both won in the undercard of Saturday’s fight, and Michael Farenas, who put up a gallant losing stand against Yuriorkis Gamboa, as well as Filipino television crews.

Tough questions

Pacquiao now faces some of the toughest questions in his 17-year career—does his future lay in boxing, politics, show biz, religion, or is there a new challenge on the horizon?

“Being the king of boxing, being the highest paid athlete in boxing … it goes with the territory,” boxing analyst Ed Tolentino said. “For Pacquiao, the fame was too much to handle. There was just too many things on his plate other than boxing.”

The distraction was costly for Pacquiao, who trained for only two months, compared to Marquez’s four and a half months.

During that time the Mexican fighter bulked up and became more muscular to withstand the Filipino’s trademark furious blows that were so damaging in their three earlier encounters, said boxing commentator Ronnie Nathanielsz.

Politicians, movie bit players and an assortment of hangers-on now form his huge entourage.

“You only need a Ferris wheel and his training camp would have been a circus,” Tolentino said.

“Among boxers, they don’t have the word retirement in their dictionary. It’s so hard to admit that all of sudden it’s over, especially for Pacquiao,” Tolentino said.

“His demotion was from the penthouse to the doghouse,” he added. “I think really there has to be a lot of soul searching. … He has to consult his family, his real entourage.”

Ate Gay - Comedy Bar (Super Funny)

2012-10-18T17:13:00.000-07:00

Jim Paredes goes solo

2012-10-18T16:08:00.000-07:00

Matapos ma-disband ang Apo Hiking Society ay nagkaroon ng kanya-kanyang buhay sina Danny Javier bilang full-time business man, Boboy Garovillo na nagfocus naman sa pag arte sa TV at pelikula at si Jim Paredes na ipinagpatuloy ang pagsusulat ng kanta at pag-awit.

Pagkaraan nga ng 41 na taon sa industriya ay ngayon lamang nagkaroon ng kauna-unahang solo concert si Jim Paredes na pinamagatang Live, Laugh and Sing. Ginanap ito noong October 11, sa Newport Performing Arts Theater, Resorts World.

Kabilang sa concert sina Yeng Constantino, Ebe Dancel, Noel Cabangon, Jett Pangan at Boboy Garovillo.

Philippines is 3rd disaster-prone country, new study shows

2012-10-18T15:52:00.001-07:00

After Pacific countries Tonga and Vanuatu, the Philippines ranks as the third most disaster-prone country in the world because of its high exposure to natural calamities, a new international report showed.

The World Disaster Report 2012, released in Brussels on Oct. 11, also said that the Philippines could spare up to 20 million of its people—about a fifth of its total population—from natural disasters by improving the protection of its coral reefs, a primary line of defense against coastal hazards, including tsunamis.

Tropical and coastal nations led the list of 15 countries at high risk for disasters, “owing to their proximity to the sea…(that) exposes (them) to the natural hazards of cyclones, flooding and sea level rise,” read the report.

The report’s list of the top 15 most-at-risk nations included Guatemala, Bangladesh, Solomon Islands, Costa Rica, Cambodia, Timor-Leste, El Salvador, Brunei Darussalam, Papua New Guinea, Mauritius, Nicaragua and Fiji.

Adaptation measures

Although third in the list, the Philippines had the best rating on adaptation measures, with scores similar to that of Malaysia and Thailand, which ranked 91st and 92nd, respectively.

The report, a collaboration among the United Nations University’s Institute for Environment and Human Security (UNU-EHS), the German Alliance for Development Works (Alliance) and the US-based environment group The Nature Conservancy, rated the disaster risk of 173 countries using “globally available data” on their individual exposure and susceptibility to disasters, as well as their coping and adaptive capacities in the event of natural calamities.

Apart from an overall rating, the report also released the countries’ scores in five indicators: Disaster exposure, vulnerability, susceptibility, lack of coping capacities and lack of adaptive capacities.

“The top 15 most at-risk nations are all tropical and coastal, where coastal habitats like reefs and mangroves are incredibly important for people’s lives and livelihoods. Reefs, for example, can reduce wave energy approaching coasts by more than 85 percent,” The Conservancy said in a statement posted on its website.

The report noted how disaster preparedness and mitigation and adaptation measures implemented by governments could reduce risk, and cited the Netherlands for its highly developed coping and adaptation measures.

Lowest-risk countries

African and Latin American countries also made up the riskiest half of the list, while Middle Eastern, European and North American countries were rated among the low-risk nations. Malta and Qatar were rated as the two lowest-risk countries.

The study further noted the increasing incidence of natural disasters through man-made environmental degradation and climate change. The report said some 4,130 natural disasters were recorded from 2002 to 2011, leaving more than a million victims and an economic loss of roughly $1.195 trillion.

“So far, people have rarely been the direct triggers of such disasters. But with their devastating interventions in nature, they have massively raised the hazard potential,” the report said.

“The destruction of mangrove forests and coral reefs, for example, off the coasts of Southeast Asia, has reduced protection against tidal waves and flooding,” it added.

Aquino will visit Australia, New Zealand next week

2012-10-18T15:46:00.000-07:00

MANILA, Philippines–President Benigno Aquino III is set to leave for New Zealand and Australia next week for state visits to further bilateral ties with the two nations and updating foreign leaders on key Philippine developments, the Department of Foreign Affairs said Wednesday.

Aquino will visit New Zealand on Oct. 22 and 23 then proceed to Australia 24 to 26 for consecutive visits aimed at pursuing trade, defense and development relations with the two countries.

The President is also expected to discuss with leaders of both countries the recently signed framework peace agreement between the government of the Philippines (GPH) and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), touted to be an initial step towards ending the secessionist war in Mindanao.

Key cabinet members, among them Foreign Secretary Albert del Rosario, Trade Secretary Gregory Domingo, Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin, will join Aquino to meet with their counterparts, the DFA said.

First on the President’s agenda in Auckland is a meeting with the Filipino community and a talk at a business forum organized by joint business councils of the Philippines and New Zealand. Aquino is also expected to hold one-on-one meetings with New Zealand firms.

There are some 36,000 Filipinos in New Zealand, accounting for around 1 percent of the country’s total population.

The President will then proceed to the capital Wellington to meet with Prime Minister John Key and Governor-General Sir Jerry Mateparae for discussions on issues of bilateral interest and updates on the GPH-MILF framework agreement.

Aquino’s state visit follows Foreign Secretary Albert del Rosario’s trip to New Zealand in August, where he discussed partnerships on trade and geothermal energy with top government officials and business leaders.

In Canberra, Aquino will meet with Prime Minister Julia Gillard and Governor-General and discuss furthering political, economic and defense cooperation.

The President is also expected to take up the GPH-MILF framework agreement with the Australian officials.

Aquino will then visit Sydney for his business agenda: he will keynote the Philippines-Australia Business Forum, speak before the Asia Society of Australia and the Australia Philippine Business Council, hold a roundtable meet with CEOs of top Australian firms and later have one-on-one meetings with Australian companies.

Aquino will also lead the unveiling of a statue of Philippine national hero Dr. Jose Rizal in Campbelltown, a Sydney suburb.

While there, the President he will also meet with the Filipino community to “encourage them to help raise the profile of the Philippines” by serving as “knowledgeable and competent” sources of information about their home country.

The DFA said there are around 224,000 Filipino migrants in Australia, making for one of the largest migrant populations there.

Australian Yacht designer killed in Benguet Philippines

2012-10-18T15:40:00.002-07:00

MANILA, Philippines—An acclaimed Australian yacht designer was hacked to death inside his residence in the northern Philippines, police said Wednesday.

A neighbor found the body of 81-year-old Joe Adams early Monday and blood scattered on the floor of his two-story house that was left open in the village of Tuding in Benguet province’s Itogon township, said regional police director Benjamin Magalong.

Hack wounds on Adams’ hands suggest that he tried to fight off attackers armed with a machete, Magalong said. He said police are investigating the motive for the killing and that forensic experts are examining possible fingerprints left by the suspect or suspects.

The Sydney-born yacht designer was behind the record-breaking Sydney-to-Hobart winner Helsal in 1973. After moving to the Philippines, he became an investor in a property development company in northern Baguio city.

Tuding police investigator Julius Acay said Adams may have been killed between late Sunday and early Monday. His valuables were left intact although his wallet contained no money when it was found, Acay said.

Acay said Adams had been a Philippine resident for about 10 years and lived for many years in Tuding’s Alphaville subdivision. During that time, there was no record of disturbance or altercation involving Adams, who lived alone after separating from his third wife, a Filipino who now lives in Australia, Acay said.

The Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade confirmed Adams’ death.

Acay said that Adams recently let go of his Filipino maid because he could no longer pay her. He was last seen walking his maid to her new employer within the village Sunday afternoon.

Obama vs Romney Presidential debate won by Obama (Video)

2012-10-18T15:26:00.000-07:00

Tacurong-Marbel blast; 3rd in Mindanao

2012-10-17T22:32:00.000-07:00

MANILA, Philippines - Another explosion struck a key province in Mindanao on Thursday morning. No one was hurt in the blast.

Senior Superintendent George Tuson, chief of the Tacurong City Police Office in Sultan Kudarat province, said that the explosion took place near the Land Bank of the Philippines along the Tacurong-Marbel Highway in Barangay Poblacion at around 7 a.m.

Tuson said that prior to the blast, the police force received an intelligence report of an impending bomb attack in the city.

Senior Superintendent Rolly Balquin, Sultan Kudarat police director, said that the blast was caused by an improvised explosive dvice (IED).

Balquin said that the Sultan Kudarat police's explosive and ordnance operatives have yet to determine the components of the bomb.

The provincial police director cited that according to the intelligence report, the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Movement (BIFM) will plant bombs somewhere in the city.

“The report was that several IEDs would be planted and eventually set off in the city,” Balquin said.

He said that police units around the province and in the city have been put on full alert.

“We’ve intensified our security and intelligence operations in the province and all our units are doubling their vigilance right now to avert these plots,” Balquin added.

Tuson said that they are looking into the possibility that the blast is related to the recent signing of the Framework Agreement on the Bangsamoro between the government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front.

Aside from the BIFM, the faction of Moro National Liberation Front founding chairman Nur Misuari threatened that they will continue their struggle for an independent state despite the signing of the Framework Agreement on the Bangsamoro.

Third explosion since signing

Last week, Mindanao was hit by two explosions, particularly in Cagayan de Oro City and Zamboanga Sibugay province.

Two people were killed when an improvised explosive device (IED) went off near the entrance of Maxandrea Hotel in downtown Cagayan de Oro City around 2 a.m. on Thursday last week.

Two policemen who were preparing to inspect the package containing the bomb at the scene were injured in the blast as they were just a few meters away when it exploded.

Seven hours earlier, another explosive device went off in a garment shop in Imelda town of Zamboanga Sibugay, injuring 14-year-old Alraffy Barabadan.

Hours after the explosion at the hotel in Cagayan de Oro, police retrieved another IED, which was placed under a vehicle parked in a street adjacent to the hotel.

Chief Superintendent Gil Hitosis, director of the Northern Mindanao Regional Police, had said that police investigators are checking the explosions' link.

“We are checking the possible link of the explosions in Zamboanga and the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM), as we all know the Philippine government has an ongoing peace deal with a group while the other group feels disgruntled. But let me clarify that as of now we have no strong evidence linking the explosion to the peace deal,” he said.

The band "America" unites Pres. Aquino and Former Chief Justice Corona

2012-10-17T15:34:00.000-07:00

TAMED AUDIENCE. America, the 42-year-old folk rock group, performed Wednesday night at the jam-packed Smart Araneta Coliseum. Their finale, “A Horse With No Name,” was among the most applauded numbers though crowd could have loosened up a bit, stood up to dance and sing with the band. Video by Totel V. de Jesus/INQUIRER.net

MANILA, Philippines—For more than two cheerful hours on Wednesday night, President Benigno Aquino III and a few of his Cabinet members were one with impeached Chief Justice Renato Corona and wife Cristina.

They were all sighted at the Smart Araneta Coliseum one-night-only concert of veteran American folk rock group named, well, America.

Why they’re there is pretty obvious.

The 64-year-old former chief magistrate was in his early 20s when America conquered the international music scene in the first quarter of the 1970s, about the same time the young Aquino was about to enter his teenage years.

The 52-year-old bachelor President was seen without a date though he was comfortably seated at the lower box with Interior Secretary Mar Roxas and Internal Revenue Commissioner Kim Henares while the Corona couple were at the 4th row middle part near the stage.

America had the Hawaiian soft rock group Kalapana as front act, who performed about seven songs. Naturally the most applauded of Kalapana’s very short set were “Night Bird” and their major hit, “The Hurt”.

The 42-year-old America, composed of original members Gerry Beckley and Dewey Bunnell, started their set with, curiously, two major hits they released nearly a decade apart, “Tin Man” (early 1970s) and “You Can Do Magic” (1982).

The momentum could have been maintained but they followed them up with a lesser hit, “Don’t Cross The River.”

“We’re happy to be back here again in the Philippines. We’ve been performing here for decades,” Beckley blurted out somewhere in the middle of their first five songs.

He said they’ve been everywhere, from Ecuador to the Great Wall of China. Just to give the audience an idea how they continue to love what they’re doing, Beckly said, “We formed the band when we were in our teens, just fresh from high school in the early ‘70s. Now after 42 years we’re still around, doing 100 shows every year, all over the world.”

Without a break, they enthralled the audience with more hits that Filipinos from Babuyan Channel to Sabah Islands like to drunkenly sing in street-corner videoke bars; “Ventura Highway,” “Inspector Mills,” “Sandman,” “Sister Golden Hair’” “Lonely People” and “I Need You.”

AMERICA (from left): Dewey Bunnell and Gerry Beckley. Photo from official america homepage

They also did a cover of the 1960s folk rock hit “California Dreamin’” from the Mamas & The Papas, Joni Mitchell’s “Woodstock” and the 1990s soft-grunge ballad, Gin Blossoms’ “Till I Hear It From You.”

The songs are included in their latest album, “Backpages,” released middle of 2011. The album also has their version of Bob Dylan’s “My Back Pages,” New Radicals’ “Someday We’ll Know,” and Simon and Garfunkel’s, uh, “America”, among others.

“These are some of the songs we wish we could have written,” Bunnell explained.

America did about nearly 20 songs, including their double-barrelled encore “All My Life” and “A Horse With No Name,” to which the crowd sang in unison.

Despite the applause and the videoke-like accompaniment with the popular titles, there were only a handful of fans who were brave, or better yet, energetic enough to stand up, sing and dance. Many were just contented clapping and singing in their seats, as if they were watching a late Sunday night TV special.

But America gave all they got and Corona was seen nodding repeatedly to almost all of their songs.

Catch America with Kalapana on October 19 at the Waterfront Cebu Hotel and on October 21 at the University of Baguio.

Lucy Liu says sorry for ‘little Filipino’ remark on Letterman show

2012-10-17T15:23:00.000-07:00

LOS ANGELES – “I am so sorry that my comment was taken out of context, as I would never insult another group or ethnicity,” “Charlie’s Angels” actress Lucy Liu told the Philippine Daily Inquirer after she was asked by this reporter to comment about her controversial statement in a guest appearance on “Late Show with David Letterman” last October 11.

When Letterman asked Liu, who is shooting her new TV series “Elementary,” if she enjoys running indoors or outdoors, she answered, “I run in a machine. It is easier for me. Also, if I get really dark, I’ll start to look a little Filipino. It wouldn’t match.”

Jonas Brothers will have a concert at the Big Dome on October 19

2012-10-17T14:50:00.000-07:00

MANILA, Philippines—The American boy band Jonas Brothers will perform on October 19 at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

Composed of real-life brothers Kevin, Joe and Nick Jonas, the group was launched in 2005.

A debut album, “It’s About Time,” was released the following year.

Three more albums came out in succession: “Jonas Brothers” (2007); “A Little Bit Longer” (2008) and “Lines, Vines and Trying Times” (2009).

The group has sold more than eight million albums worldwide.

The brothers have also branched out into acting, appearing in the Disney Channel TV series “Hannah Montana,” the Disney TV movie “Camp Rock” and “Camp Rock 2: The Final Jam,” and the 20th Century Fox film “Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian.”

The Big Dome concert will mark the group’s first time to play together in Manila.

Sandiganbayan allows hospital arrest on Arroyo

2012-10-16T23:10:00.001-07:00

MANILA, Philippines—The Sandiganbayan First Division on Wednesday issued a resolution allowing former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo to stay at the Veterans Memorial Medical Center on hospital arrest.

Arroyo has been detained at the VMMC since the anti-graft court’s issuance of an arrest warrant on her and nine others for charges of plunder in connection to the alleged misuse of Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office intelligence funds.

The Pampanga lawmaker’s continued stay at the government hospital was allowed provided that she stays at the VMMC and her detention and granting of visits be fully controlled by the Philippine National Police.

Her use of communication gadgets shall also be under the authority of the Police Security and Protection Group while media interviews will only be allowed if authorized by the anti-graft court.

Arroyo will also have to shoulder her hospital expenses, according to the resolution.

Pacquiao vs Bradley Fight Replay

2012-10-16T16:04:00.000-07:00

Aquino, MILF chief vow to end war in Mindanao

2012-10-16T01:37:00.000-07:00

“This is the sound of peace,” a smiling Murad Ebrahim, chairman of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), said as he tapped a miniature model of a Muslim gong that he gave to President Benigno Aquino during their meeting in Malacañang Monday morning.

In return, the President gave Murad a miniature bahay kubo (nipa hut), symbolizing the open house welcome that Filipinos extend to homecoming relatives.

They shook hands, ushering in what Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak described as “a new beginning for the people of Mindanao.”

After four decades of conflict, “peace is within reach,” Najib said.

And the government and the Moro rebels, overcoming 40 years of hostilities, took their first step toward ending the insurgency in Mindanao that had cost the lives of more than 150,000 people and reduced the resource-rich island into the poorest region of the Philippines.

The government and the MILF signed a framework agreement to end the war and build a new autonomous region in Mindanao, to be called Bangsamoro, in the Palace yesterday afternoon.

President Aquino, Murad and Najib, whose country brokered the peace talks between the Aquino administration and the MILF, looked on as chief government peace negotiator Marvic Leonen and his counterpart from the MILF, Mohagher Iqbal, signed the Framework Agreement on the Bangsamoro.

On hand to signify the Islamic world’s acceptance of the agreement was Ekmeleddin Ishanoglu, secretary general of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), the world’s second largest intergovernmental organization after the United Nations.

The ceremony held at Malacañang’s Rizal Hall was attended by about 200 MILF fighters, government officials, diplomats and representatives of countries that made up the International Contact Group, the International Monitoring Group, and aid organizations that encouraged the peace negotiations between the government and the Muslim rebels.

President Aquino, in his keynote speech, said the agreement sealed “genuine, lasting peace in Mindanao,” which the government hoped to achieve before the end of his term in 2016.

“In full view of the Filipino people, and witnessed even by our friends from different parts of the world, we commit to peace—a peace that will be sustained through democratic ideals; a peace that heals and empowers; a peace that recognizes the many narratives of the Filipino people, and weaves them into a single, national aspiration for equitable progress,” Mr. Aquino said.

Prime Minister Najib said the agreement would “protect the rights of the Bangsamoro people and preserve the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Philippines.”

“We are men and leaders who want to make a difference and we have decided that the time has come for us to choose the moral high ground,” Najib said.

The agreement “does not solve all the problems, rather it sets the parameters in which peace can be found,” he said.

‘I come in peace’

Two girls wearing Muslim head dresses flash “peace signs” after the government and Moro rebel leaders announce the signing of a preliminary agreement aimed at ending 40 years of separatist war in Mindanao. JOAN BONDOC

Murad, who spoke ahead of the President, pledged the MILF’s determination to silence the guns to allow peace and development to come to Mindanao after 40 years.

“I come in peace,” Murad said, admitting that it was his first time to set foot in Malacañang, the seat of power in the Philippines.

“We have inked the most important document in the chapter of our history—a landmark document that restores to our people their Bangsamoro identity and their homeland, their right to govern themselves, and the power to forge their destiny and future with [their own hands],” Murad said.

“Today we are here to celebrate the victory of the Bangsamoro people and the Filipino nation that is shared by the international community and the Muslim world, the victory earned not by war but by a collective desire to restore justice and peace to a troubled land,” he said.

Murad then extended “the hand of friendship and partnership to the President and the Filipino people as we join to embark on the historic journey to rebuild our home, institute justice and [end the] reign of violence and restore normalcy to the lives of the masses of our people in Mindanao and Sulu with the Framework Agreement on the Bangsamoro.”

The accord

The framework agreement, also called a road map to a final peace settlement that is expected by 2016, grants Muslims in Mindanao broad autonomy in exchange for ending their four-decade insurgency, which would bring peace and stability and eventually development to the region.

The 13-page document outlines general agreements on major issues, including the extent of power, revenues and territory granted for Bangsamoro, the new Muslim administrative region.

It calls for the establishment of a 15-member Transition Commission to draft a law creating Bangsamoro. The draft law will be submitted to Congress for adoption, then submitted to the people of Mindanao for approval in a plebiscite.

The 12,000-strong MILF armed forces will be deactivated gradually “beyond use,” the agreement says, without specifying a timetable.

Failed experiment

The agreement says Bangsamoro will replace the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM), which President Aquino described as “failed experiment.”

The ARMM was created by a 1996 peace agreement the government signed with the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF), but Mr. Aquino considered it a failure because it did not end the conflict, the rebels did not disarm and it did not improve the lives of Muslims.

Corruption, political violence and crimes such as kidnappings and extortion persisted, and the MILF continued to fight for self-rule.

Another preliminary accord was struck down by the Supreme Court in 2008 as unconstitutional because it would create a separate state.

Western governments have long worried over the presence of small numbers of al-Qaeda-linked militants from the Middle East and Southeast Asia seeking combat training and collaboration with the Filipino insurgents.

One of those extremist groups, the Abu Sayyaf, is not part of any negotiations, but the hope is that the peace agreement will isolate its militants and deny them sanctuary and logistical support they had previously received from rebel commanders.

One of those hardline commanders, Ameril Umra Kato, broke off from the MILF last year. Kato’s forces attacked the Army in August, prompting an offensive that killed more than 50 fighters in the 200-strong rebel faction.

Kato rejects accord

Abu Misri Mammah, a spokesperson for Kato’s forces, on Sunday said that his group did not recognize the peace accord.

“That’s a surrender,” he said. “We won’t waver from our armed struggle and continue to aspire for a separate Muslim homeland that won’t be a creation of politicians.”

President Aquino acknowledged that much work remained to be done after the signing of the agreement.

“The devil is in the details,” he said, but added that the government is committed to peace and development in Mindanao.

Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process Teresita Quintos-Deles said the government and the MILF would encounter challenges as they proceed to implement the framework agreement.

“So many challenges await us, but the bridge of trust that spans this room is strong enough to withstand the trials ahead, however difficult they may be,” Deles said.

Staying the course

In his speech, Murad reminded everyone of the roots of the Moro rebellion.

“Never in my wildest dream since I was a child, or when I joined the Bangsamoro struggle more than 40 years ago, that one day I will see the interior of this building [Malacañang] that once housed the Spanish and American governors general, and now the Presidents of the Philippines,” Murad said.

“Today . . . we have stayed the course. Our perseverance has prevailed over those whose position is to perpetuate war and conflict in Mindanao and Sulu for personal aggrandizement,” he said.

Culture of impunity

Mr. Aquino said that many had resorted to “the path of vengeance and violence,” but he promised to dismantle the culture of impunity in the country.

“I myself lost my father to an oppressive system,” he said. “I myself thirsted for justice, and was deprived of it then by the dictatorship. I empathize with our Bangsamoro brothers and sisters, and can only vow to work as hard as I can to see that the culture of impunity is dismantled, and that the foundations of righteousness and cooperation are laid.”

And he gave a promise to the Muslims of Mindanao: “We will give our people what is truly due them: A chance to direct their lives toward advancement in a democratic, peaceful and safe society.”

Donaire vs Nishioka Fight Replay (Full Video)

2012-10-14T15:39:00.000-07:00

2012-10-13 Nonito Donaire vs Toshiaki Nishioka by sweetboxing4

Donaire knocked out Nishioka in the 9th round

2012-10-14T15:30:00.001-07:00

CARSON CITY, California—Just when Nonito Donaire Jr. seemed headed for another lackluster championship win, the Filipino Flash delivered the kind of victory that should now make him a sought-after ring gladiator.

Donaire fired a short but vicious right straight to the jaw that toppled Japanese Toshiaki Nishioka in the ninth round to win by technical knockout and retain his World Boxing Organization (WBO) super bantamweight title on Saturday night (Sunday morning in Manila) at Home Depot Center.

Although Nishioka rose at the count of six and referee Raul Caiz Sr. allowed the still wobbly Japanese to resume the fight, it was obvious he was done for the night.

After a Donaire punch that missed his staggering rival, Caiz stopped the fight in one minute 54 seconds of the round.

“I know he’s a great fighter and that both of us can end the match with one punch. It boils down to who makes the mistake and he made that mistake,” Donaire said.

Donaire, 29, also decked his 36-year-old opponent with an uppercut late in the sixth round.

Power and skill

The Japanese, who was seeing action a year after giving up his World Boxing Council (WBC) crown, waged a tactical battle against the charging Filipino champion.

In raising his record to 30-1-0 with 19 KOs, Donaire earned $800,000 and inched closer to a possible pay-per-view fight. Top Rank boss Bob Arum plans to pit him with the popular Jorge Arce, a former bantamweight champion, in Mexico City possibly before the year is over.

Only the WBO belt was at stake as the International Boxing Federation (IBF) reportedly asked for a big fee to sanction the fight.

Nishioka had won 16 straight fights since March 2004, but couldn’t keep up with Donaire’s combination of power and tactical skill.

Donaire’s strategy

Donaire, who failed to finish his last three foes inside the distance, stuck to his strategy of using jabs and throwing combinations, causing welts under Nishioka’s right eye by the fourth round.

By then, Nishioka was looking very much like headed for retirement. He barely threw punches and seemed content to just last the distance.

With the fans shouting for more action, Donaire slipped in a left uppercut to Nishioka’s face and floored him with 50 seconds left in the sixth round.

But the Japanese, who had survived knockdowns to win fights before, beat the count and finished the round despite taking heavy punches in the face.

Left hand hurt

Donaire outpunched Nishioka, 31-7, in that round, according to CompuBox statistics. But Donaire hurt his left hand in throwing the uppercut. He later showed a bleeding knuckle when he took his gloves off.

“My left was hurt, that’s why I slowed down a bit,” said the 29-year-old native of Gen. Santos City, also the hometown of his more illustrious compatriot, Manny Pacquiao.

“It was not because I was tired. It was because I was trying to find another way to cut him through,” he added.

What he found in his arsenal was his right straight, which eventually did the job.

In the ninth, Donaire—who has been waiting in the wings for super fights that could bring him to the A-list of pay-per-view stars—found an opening with his right hand and dropped the Japanese.

Nishioka beat the count, but Donaire charged like a bull and fired a looping left that grazed the head of the groggy Japanese. The referee stepped in and halted the fight.

Boxing greats

A paying crowd of 7,665 fans showed up at the 8,000-seat tennis stadium, most of them Mexicans who came to support their countrymen fighting in the undercards.

Boxing greats Julio Cezar Chavez and Marco Antonio Barrera were at ringside as commentators for a Mexican TV network.

Donaire’s impressive win came after a spectacular clash in the undercard between light welterweights Brandon Rios and Mike Alvarado for the WBO Latino title. Rios stopped Alvarado in 1:57 of the seventh round in a savage fight that sent the crowd roaring on their feet.

Rios lined himself up for a possible fight with the winner of the fourth Manny Pacquiao-Juan Manuel Marquez fight in December, if the winner agrees, according to Arum.

Best in the division

The Rios-Alvarado fight was so compelling the crowd started to boo Donaire and Nishioka in the opening bell as the two took time to size each other up.

In February, Donaire captured the vacant WBO 122-pound title, winning a gritty split-decision over former world champion Wilfredo Vazquez. Five months later, he added the IBF title with a unanimous decision over Jeffrey Mathebula.

Donaire had won his previous three fights on points, and so was pleased to stop his opponent. “I got the guy that I thought was the best in the division. Everybody is free fall,” he said.

Nishioka had been unbeaten for 16 contests going into the fight and had successfully defended the WBC 122-pound title seven times between 2009 and 2011.

Nishioka had not lost by knockout since the second fight of his career in 1995 and had not lost any contest since Thai star Veeraphol Sahaprom beat him in 2004.

Donaire Jr, Nishioka ready for Sunday’s fight

2012-10-13T02:15:00.000-07:00

MANILA, Philippines — Nonito Donaire Jr. had no problem making the weight in the routine weigh-in Friday (Saturday Morning in Manila) for his bout against Toshiaki Nishioka in California.

Donaire (29-1, 18 KOs) tipped in the scales at 121.6 pounds, just a hair lighter than Nishioka (39-4-3, 24 KOs), who came in at 121.8.

The “Filipino Flash” stakes his WBO/IBA superbantamweight crowns against Japan’s Nishioka (Sunday in Manila) before an expected packed crowd at the Home Depot Center in Carson.

Meanwhile, Brandon “Bambam” Rios came in at 140 pounds while “Mile High” Mike Alvardo registered a weight of 139.8 in the weigh-in of the co-feature bout.

Both undefeated, Rios and Alvarado clash for the vacant WBO Latino light welterweight and WBO light welterweight titles on Saturday as a prelude to Donaire-Nishioka fight.

Ateneo Blue Eagles get the Championship Trophy; Salva the MVP

2012-10-11T22:22:00.000-07:00