Beyond the polls

Jose Solomon Cortez — Wed, 22 May 2013 05:50:23 +0000

So your candidate/s didn’t win, and the ones you didn’t want to, did. Now what? I offer a simple suggestion – roll up your sleeves and dig in! We have to keep on pushing with the drive to level the playing field for this and other coming elections.

Chinese artist Ai Weiwei releases 'Dumbass'

Agence France-Presse — Wed, 22 May 2013 05:47:25 +0000

BEIJING, China - Chinese dissident artist Ai Weiwei released a foul-mouthed heavy rock song titled "Dumbass" on Wednesday, May 22, with a video parodying his months in police detention.

The video accompanying the song, posted online, shows Ai under interrogation, marking a document with a red thumbprint, and wearing a black ...

Senador Agad? The 2013 race as pop election

Ricky Torre — Wed, 22 May 2013 05:41:12 +0000

The 2013 senatorial election is a watershed in the history of the Philippines’ modern politics. This broad and hasty conclusion must be a running thought among its observers, however premature it may seem, although it will likely be validated after considerable hindsight.

This election is as much a significant transition in ...

Far-right writer kills self in Paris' Notre Dame

Agence France-Presse — Wed, 22 May 2013 05:38:23 +0000

PARIS, France - A far-right writer and activist shot himself dead infront of the altar of Paris's famed Notre Dame Cathedral on Tuesday, May 21, leaving statements denouncing gay marriage and immigration.

Police confirmed the man's identity as Dominique Venner, 78, an essayist and activist linked with France's far-right and nationalist ...

Taiwan reporter sacked over hoax anti-Filipino story

Agence France-Presse — Wed, 22 May 2013 05:24:28 +0000

TAIPEI, Taiwan - A reporter in Taiwan has been sacked for fabricating a story about a diner refusing to serve Filipinos amid a diplomatic row over the recent killing of a Taiwanese fisherman, his company said Wednesday, May 22.

The reporter, identified only by his family name Cheng, wrote on his ...

MILF to form political party in 2013

Rappler.com — Wed, 22 May 2013 04:31:16 +0000

DAVAO CITY, Philippines - In preparation for the planned transition to the new Bangsamoro region in 2016, the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) will start forming its own political party this year.

MILF chairman Al Haj Murad Ebrahim told a local radio ...

Bieber's pet monkey now 'German'

Agence France-Presse — Wed, 22 May 2013 04:30:56 +0000

BERLIN, Germany - Justin Bieber's pet monkey, which was seized by German customs in March, officially became German property Tuesday after the Canadian pop sensation failed to claim the animal, officials said.

Mally, a capuchin monkey, is temporarily in an animal refuge in the southern city of Munich where he was ...

UNA vows to expose 'practices of past'

Wed, 22 May 2013 03:47:34 +0000

MANILA, Philippines – “We fought a good fight.”

The opposition United Nationalist Alliance (UNA) congratulated the winners of the midterm polls but vowed to continue its role of being “constructive partners” of the administration.

In a statement on Wednesday, May 22, Vice President Jejomar Binay’s alliance also raised issues about how the ...

'Wowowillie' to end in October

Rappler.com — Wed, 22 May 2013 02:41:27 +0000

MANILA, Philippines - Television personality Willie Revillame announced on May 21, the end of local noontime show "Wowowillie" in October, reported TV5 online news site Interaksyon .

The "Wowowillie" host confirmed the end of his contract on October and cited personal reasons for ending the show.

Revillame expressed his need for a ...

Belmonte ‘shoo-in’ for Speaker post

Carmela Fonbuena — Wed, 22 May 2013 02:30:59 +0000

MANILA, Philippines - Speaker Feliciano “Sonny” Belmonte Jr of the Liberal Party (LP) is expected to retain leadership of the House of Representatives in the upcoming 16th Congress.

Results of the 2013 polls show the administration party got at least 109 House seats. It's not the majority ...

Landmark US immigration bill clears key Senate hurdle

Michael Mathes, Agence France-Presse — Wed, 22 May 2013 02:22:32 +0000

WASHINGTON DC, USA - A sweeping overhaul of the US immigration system took a major step toward viability Tuesday, May 21, when a Senate panel gave bipartisan approval to a landmark bill offering a path to citizenship for millions.

The Senate Judiciary Committee approved the contentious and potentially historic legislation by ...

PH: Video of shooting 'revealing and helpful'

Wed, 22 May 2013 01:12:34 +0000

MANILA, Philippines – Justice Secretary Leila de Lima said on Tuesday, May 21, that a video clip of the shooting incident involving the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) and a Taiwanese fishing vessel was “very revealing” and “helpful to the investigation.”

De lima said the video, as part of the report of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI), will be released “in due time.”

“There will be premature conclusions if ...

Princes Charles, William speak out vs wildlife trade

Agence France-Presse — Wed, 22 May 2013 00:30:13 +0000

LONDON, United Kingdom - UK's Prince William and his father Prince Charles delivered impassioned pleas on Tuesday, May 21, for action against the illegal trade in wildlife which threatens some of the world's best loved animals.

Charles told a conference at St James' Palace in London that action must be taken ...

Oklahoma tornado was strongest category - official

Agence France-Presse — Wed, 22 May 2013 00:25:37 +0000

WASHINGTON DC, USA - The massive tornado that cut a wide and deadly swath through a suburban Oklahoma City town was a top category EF5 system with winds over 200 miles per hour (321 kilometers per hour), a weather official told AFP Tuesday, May 21.

"It's an EF5," the most powerful ...

P75-B boost for PH Navy to resist 'bullies'

Cecil Morella, Agence France-Presse — Wed, 22 May 2013 00:10:10 +0000

MANILA, Philippines - President Benigno Aquino on Tuesday, May 21, announced a P75-billion military upgrade to help defend his country's maritime territory against "bullies", amid an ever-worsening dispute with China.

The announcement came on the same day that the Philippines filed a protest with China over the "illegal and provocative" presence ...

PH on Taiwan issue: 'We are moving heaven and earth'

Tue, 21 May 2013 23:57:36 +0000

MANILA, Philippines – Manila Economic and Cultural Office (MECO) Chairman Amadeo Perez assured that the Philippines has been doing everything to protect overseas Filipino workers (OFW) in Taiwan amid continuing tensions over slain Taiwanese fisherman.

In an interview with ANC’s Headstart on Tuesday, May 21, Perez’s reiterated that President Benigno Aquino ...

Oyayi: Healing through music

Ime Morales — Tue, 21 May 2013 23:39:59 +0000

MANILA, Philippines - When a doctor’s patient refuses to open up to him, he calls Stephan Kuehne.

Kuehne works his magic through music. He talks to the patient or, rather, lets his lyre talk to the patient. Then the patient, almost magically, opens his heart to cooperate with his physicians.

“Music has ...

Taiwan data recorder rejects PH claim

Agence France-Presse — Tue, 21 May 2013 22:48:01 +0000

TAIPEI, Taiwan - Taiwan on Tuesday, May 21, released a satellite record of the route of a fishing boat fired on by Philippine coastguards, flatly rejecting Manila's allegations that the boat intruded into Philippine waters.

The killing of crew member Hung Shih-cheng, 65, sparked outrage in Taiwan, which has ...

Microsoft reveals the Xbox One

Tue, 21 May 2013 17:42:36 +0000

MANILA, Philippines (UPDATED) - At a reveal event on May 21 (May 22 Philippine time), Microsoft revealed the Xbox One, Microsoft's newest consoles to gamers and technology enthusiasts worldwide.

Microsoft is touting the Xbox One as a single device providing for all of a user's entertainment, combining it with the console ...

Oklahoma tornado toll revised to 24; Rescuers dig for life

Robert MacPherson, Agence France-Presse — Tue, 21 May 2013 13:50:46 +0000

MOORE, Oklahoma (UPDATE) - Families returned to a blasted moonscape that had been an American suburb Tuesday, May 21, after a monstrous tornado tore through the outskirts of Oklahoma City, killing at least 24 people.

Passengers flying into Oklahoma City could see the track left by nature's fury as it played ...

Bangladeshi, South Korean climbers die on Everest

Agence France-Presse — Tue, 21 May 2013 13:35:17 +0000

KATHMANDU, NEPAL - A climber from Bangladesh and another from South Korea died on Mount Everest as hundreds flock to the world's highest peak during good weather, Nepalese tourism officials said Tuesday.

"Both men died while descending from ...

Kite-flying for National Land Use Act

Rappler.com — Tue, 21 May 2013 12:40:27 +0000

Children with their families flew around 50 kites at the University of the Philippines Sunken Garden bearing the message to “Pass the National Land Use Act Now!” on Sunday, May 19.

“We thought of doing a kite-flying event to emphasize to children and their ...

Rappler Newscast | May 21, 2013

Rappler.com — Tue, 21 May 2013 12:22:11 +0000

Today on Rappler.

• A powerful tornado hits an Oklahoma City suburb, killing at least 51 -- 20 of them children.

• The Philippines protests the presence of 30 Chinese fishing vessels, including 3 government ships, in waters off Palawan.

• Chiz Escudero replaces Sen Trillanes as the country’s poorest senator while ...

Relocated families return to vote

Daniel Rudin — Tue, 21 May 2013 11:36:57 +0000

MANILA, Philippines - Nancy Branzuala is 45 years old and has 2 children. She runs a sari-sari in Southville 8b, Montalban, a National Housing Authority relocation site.

Two years ago, Nancy was an informal settler in Guadalupe Viejo... a poor community in Makati city.

When the shantytown burned down, leaving 10,000 homeless, ...

Senate President Drilon? It's all set, says LP

Tue, 21 May 2013 11:09:27 +0000

MANILA, Philippines - The next Senate President will most likely be Team PNoy campaign manager Sen Franklin Drilon, a senior official of the Liberal Party (LP) told Rappler.

What's being decided now are the committee heads and the majority floor leader, he added.

Negotiations between Drilon and individual ...

The accidental journalist

Michaela H. Romulo — Tue, 21 May 2013 10:21:47 +0000

I applied to the Rappler internship program on a whim.

I had graduated from De La Salle University in late 2012 and, after 6 months of enjoying my new-found freedom, I decided it was time to start thinking about possible career opportunities.

With no formal training in the field of journalism and ...

No Pinoy casualty in Oklahoma - DFA

Tue, 21 May 2013 10:07:00 +0000

MANILA, Philippines – Department of Foreign Affairs Spokesman Raul Hernandez said on Tuesday, May 21, that there has been no confirmed Filipino casualty in tornadoes that hit Oklahoma and other Midwest cities in the United States.

Hernandez said the Philippine Consulate General in Chicago has been in touch with Filipino communities ...

BeatDeck: Music to a musician’s ears

Rappler.com — Tue, 21 May 2013 09:55:20 +0000

[See original image here .]

MANILA, Philippines - Being a musician in the age of online has its ups and downs. Piracy is easier but the range is wider, with the net boosting any performer's ability to reach listeners from any part of the wired world. Music analytics company BeatDeck ...

30 Chinese vessels, 1 warship sighted in Palawan

Tue, 21 May 2013 09:43:08 +0000

MANILA, Philippines – Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) spokesman Raul Hernandez confirmed on Tuesday, May 21, that around 30 Chinese fishing vessels, including 3 Chinese government ships, have been sighted for more than a week at Ayungin Shoal, part of the Kalayaan Island Group off Palawan.

Hernandez said the DFA has ...

'Bayanihan in action'

Jee Y. Geronimo — Tue, 21 May 2013 09:32:32 +0000

MANILA, Philippines – All 4 children of Erlinda Mallari, 65, already finished formal schooling. But for her 3 grandchildren, she was willing to pick up the broom again and make Commonwealth Elementary School (CES) conducive for learning.

On Tuesday, May 21, the second day of the Department of Education’s (DepEd) 2013 ...

Disney reveals new 'Star Wars' animation

Rappler.com — Tue, 21 May 2013 09:32:05 +0000

MANILA, Philippines - Disney has started production for its newest animated series Star Wars Rebels set to take off in 2014.

The Hollywood Reporter says the Star Wars spin-off will be a full-fledged television series on Disney XD, with a one hour special before its debut.

Star Wars Rebels will reportedly focus on the impending Jedi ...

Aquino: Justify postponing barangay polls

Rappler.com — Tue, 21 May 2013 09:12:11 +0000

MANILA, Philippines – Reacting to a proposal by the poll chief to postpone this year's barangay elections to 2014, President Benigno Aquino III said on Tuesday, May 21, that the Commission on Elections (Comelec) should give him “very good reason” to support the idea.

Otherwise, Aquino told reporters, he maintains that ...

Petron targets 5,000 new service stations in 4 years

Aya Lowe — Tue, 21 May 2013 09:07:49 +0000

MANILA, Philippines - Petron Corp., Philippines’ biggest oil refiner, is looking to bring its total network of petrol stations to 5,000, according to the company’s chairman and CEO Ramon Ang.

Speaking at Petron’s annual stockholder meeting on Tuesday, May 21, Ang said Petron is looking to have 5,000 stations in the ...

Boracay feels the heat after Taiwan-PH dispute

Tue, 21 May 2013 08:15:59 +0000

MANILA, Philippines – Taiwanese tourists bound for Boracay have started cancelling their hotel reservations amid continued tensions between Taiwan and the Philippines over the death of a Taiwanese fisherman.

In a statement on Tuesday, May 21, Percy Malonesio, head of the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) at the Kalibo ...

Obama to take first major Africa trip in late June

Stephen Collinson, Agence France-Presse — Tue, 21 May 2013 07:59:32 +0000

WASHINGTON DC, USA - US President Barack Obama will leave on a first African tour next month, visiting Senegal, Tanzania and South Africa, but his itinerary released on Monday bypasses Kenya, an ancestral homeland.

Obama disappointed many Africans by spending only a few hours in sub-Saharan Africa -- in Ghana -- ...

US tornado victims recount race to survive

Agence France-Presse — Tue, 21 May 2013 07:21:05 +0000

WASHINGTON DC, USA - Americans who survived the massive tornado that barreled through an Oklahoma City suburb described racing for shelter only to emerge scarred and bloodied on a moon-like landscape of debris.

Alarms had sounded as the black funnel bore down on the suburb of Moore in the middle of ...

Drilon to DFA, Comelec: Explain low overseas votes

Tue, 21 May 2013 07:09:22 +0000

MANILA, Philippines - Why did so few overseas absentee voters participate in the 2013 midterm elections?

This is the question Sen Franklin Drilon, the campaign manager of the administration's coalition Team PNoy, posed to the Commission on Elections (Comelec) and the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA).

Drilon was ...

'Star Trek' trumps 'Iron Man 3'

Agence France-Presse — Tue, 21 May 2013 06:50:30 +0000

LOS ANGELES, USA - "Star Trek: Into Darkness" soared at warp speed to the top of the US box office, smashing blockbuster sequel "Iron Man 3" off of first place after two weeks there, industry figures showed Monday.

The latest installment of the cult science fiction phenomenon starring Chris Pine and ...

Chiz poorest senator, Villar still richest

Rappler.com — Tue, 21 May 2013 06:17:39 +0000

MANILA, Philippines – Newly re-elected Sen Francis Escudero is now the poorest senator, replacing Sen Antonio Trillanes IV.

Based on the Statements of Assets Liabilities and Net Worth (SALN) released by the Senate Secretary, Escudero reported the lowest net worth among 23 senators for 2012: P4.02 million.

His net worth went down ...

No new H7N9 cases in China for a week - govt

Agence France-Presse — Tue, 21 May 2013 06:00:06 +0000

BEIJING, China - No new human cases of the H7N9 virus have been recorded in China for a week, national health authorities said, for the first time since the outbreak began in March.

One previously infected patient died in the week beginning May 13, the National Health and Family Planning Commission ...

Detained Chinese sailors released

Agence France-Presse — Tue, 21 May 2013 05:21:31 +0000

BEIJING, China - North Korea released 16 Chinese fishermen and their boat Tuesday, May 21, Chinese state media said, after reports that armed assailants had taken the sailors hostage fuelled strains between the neighbours.

"All the fishermen with the boat ...

LT Group Q1 earnings grow 53% to P5.8-B

Rappler.com — Tue, 21 May 2013 05:04:37 +0000

MANILA, Philippines - LT Group Inc., the listed holding company of tycoon Lucio Tan, reported its first-quarter earnings rose 53% on the back of the strong performance of its banking and property units.

In a disclosure to the Philippine Stock Exchange on Tuesday, May 21, LT Group said its net income ...

BCDA mulls raps vs SM over Taguig mall

Cai Ordinario — Tue, 21 May 2013 04:52:26 +0000

MANILA, Philippines - The Bases and Conversion Development Authority (BCDA) may file a case against Henry Sy-owned SM Prime Holdings Inc. for the "illegal" building of SM Aura and excavation beside the mall in Bonfacio Global, Taguig City.

In a phone interview with Rappler on Tuesday, May 21, BCDA President and ...

Death toll rises to 21 in Indonesian mine collapse

Agence France-Presse — Tue, 21 May 2013 04:14:28 +0000

TIMIKA, Indonesia - The death toll from a mine tunnel collapse in eastern Indonesia has risen to 21, the US operator said Tuesday, May 21, as rescuers searched for another seven workers now also presumed dead.

The accident happened on May 14 at Freeport-McMoRan's Grasberg, one of the world's biggest gold ...

'Pahalipay': Vote buying in Southern Leyte

Rappler.com — Tue, 21 May 2013 04:11:23 +0000

MARIA RESSA, ANCHOR: Pre-shaded ballots, discrepancies in voters’ lists, and malfunctioning ballot-counting machines.

With over 300 incidents of election offenses, election watchdog Legal Network for Truthful Elections or LENTE says the midterm polls are worse than the 2010 elections.

In Southern Leyte, a policeman and a barangay official ...

Billboard 2013: Swift wins big, Bieber booed

Agence France-Presse — Tue, 21 May 2013 03:42:50 +0000

LAS VEGAS, USA - Pop diva Taylor Swift took home an armful of trophies, and Justin Bieber confronted a chorus of boos at the Billboard Music Awards on Sunday.

Swift, 23, in a figure-hugging blue Zuhair Murad mini-dress, collected eight awards including top artist, top female artist and top Billboard 200 ...

Nancy Binay to take on social media, TV ads

Tue, 21 May 2013 02:16:44 +0000

MANILA, Philippines – The senatorial bet in the eye of the social media storm during the campaign plans to look into possible regulation of speech online.

Senator-elect Nancy Binay told Rappler CEO and Executive Editor Maria Ressa that the attacks she got on social media raised questions about the medium.

“At some point, there ...

Flickr gets bigger, more mobile

Tue, 21 May 2013 02:13:32 +0000

MANILA, Philippines - Social photo-sharing website Flickr announced some new features and changes to its services that should provide picture lovers with more freedom to be creative.

In a May 20 blog post, Markus Spiering, head of product at Flickr, told Flickr users they would now be getting 1 TB of space to allow people to ...

Tumblr users react to Yahoo! takeover

Glenn Chapman, Agence France-Presse — Tue, 21 May 2013 01:49:57 +0000

[See original image here ]

SAN FRANCISCO, USA - Tumblr lovers were quick to express ire in trademark sassy posts Monday after news that Yahoo! is buying the blogging platform in a US$1.1 billion deal.

Reaction was swift as the youthful user base of Tumblr put the California company on notice ...

Iran to list approved presidential candidates

Cyril Julien, Agence France-Presse — Tue, 21 May 2013 01:41:11 +0000

TEHRAN, Iran - Iran's June 14 presidential election steps up a gear on Tuesday, May 21, when the Guardians Council releases the approved list of candidates who have passed muster under the vetting process.

The unelected council, controlled by religious conservatives appointed by supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, must ensure that ...

Summer bayanihan at brigada eskwela

Samuel Macagba III — Tue, 21 May 2013 01:32:19 +0000

Last May 20, 2013, the Light Cavalry Leadership Community (LCLC) of Xavier University High School – Ateneo de Cagayan (XUHS-ADC) participated in the annual Brigada Eskwela Program of the Department of Education at Balubal Elementary School, Upper Agusan, Cagayan de Oro City.

Over the years, the Brigada Eskwela effort has evolved ...

Prague to unveil ‘Love Train’ for singles

Agence France-Presse — Tue, 21 May 2013 01:10:30 +0000

[See the original image here ]

PRAGUE, Czech Republic - Prague underground commuters looking for love will soon be able to try their luck at romance in designated dating cars, a transport spokesman said Friday, May 17.

"People meet there, pass by each other, and if they like one another they ...

Dove ‘Sketches’ most watched online ad

Agence France-Presse — Tue, 21 May 2013 00:40:41 +0000

NEW YORK, USA - Unilever claimed bragging rights Monday, May 20, to the most-watched Internet commercial of all time—a 3-minute study of women's self-perception that stars a forensic artist.

READ: WebHits: Dove Real Beauty Sketches

The Anglo-Dutch consumer products giant said its "Dove Real Beauty Sketches" has been seen more than 114 million times on ...

91 killed as tornado hits Oklahoma suburb

Robert MacPherson, Agence France-Presse — Mon, 20 May 2013 23:39:14 +0000

WASHINGTON DC, USA (6th UPDATE) - A powerful tornado swept through an Oklahoma City suburb on Monday, May 20 (Tuesday, May 21 in Manila), tearing down blocks of homes, two schools and leaving at least 91 people dead, including 20 children, local officials said.

The state medical examiner's office released the ...

Apple avoided billions in taxes thru offshore loopholes - panel

Rob Lever, Agence France-Presse — Mon, 20 May 2013 23:33:15 +0000

WASHINGTON DC, USA - Apple avoided paying taxes on tens of billions of dollars in profits through a complex network of subsidiaries, many with "no declared tax jurisdiction," a US Senate panel has concluded.

The Senate investigation, set to be discussed at a hearing Tuesday, May 21, stopped short of accusing ...

PH's latest warship starts sea trials

Mon, 20 May 2013 23:15:47 +0000

MANILA, Philippines - The BRP Ramon Alcaraz (PF-16), the Philippine Navy’s newest warship, began its sea trials on Monday, May 20, as part of preparations for its journey to the Philippines, the Philippine Embassy in Washington said.

In a statement, the embassy said the BRP Ramon Alcaraz headed out to sea ...

Russia foils terror attack on Moscow: official

Agence France-Presse — Mon, 20 May 2013 15:13:45 +0000

MOSCOW, Russia (UPDATED) - Russian security services said Monday, May 20, they had foiled a terror attack on Moscow, killing two of the plotters and arresting another.

"Our forceful actions prevented an attempted act of terror in the capital," the National Anti-Terror Committee said in a statement.

The statement said the men, ...

Impossible to predict outcome in China's bird flu outbreak: WHO

Agence France-Presse — Mon, 20 May 2013 14:56:17 +0000

GENEVA, Switzerland - It is impossible to predict the evolution of China's human H7N9 bird flu outbreak as researchers are still trying to understand the source of human transmission, the head of the World Health Organization (WHO) said Monday, May 20.

According to the latest official data, H7N9 avian influenza has ...

8 dead in Iraq bomb attack on Iran pilgrims: officials

Agence France-Presse — Mon, 20 May 2013 13:58:47 +0000

SAMARRA, Iraq - A car bomb exploded near a bus carrying Iranian pilgrims north of Baghdad on Monday, May 20, killing 8 people, Iraqi police and a local official said.

The explosion also wounded at least 15 people, they said.

The pilgrims were on their way to a Shiite shrine in Samarra, ...

Yahoo!, Tumblr reach 'definitive agreement'

Mon, 20 May 2013 12:20:53 +0000

MANILA, Philippines (2ND UPDATE) - What was earlier seen as intriguing speculation has come true. Search engine giant Yahoo! and blogging service Tumblr are set to join forces as the "definitive agreement" has been made for Yahoo! to acquire Tumblr.

According to the announcement , "Tumblr will be independently operated as a separate business. ...

Rappler launches Android app

Rappler.com — Mon, 20 May 2013 12:15:52 +0000

MANILA, Philippines - Android users can now get the Rappler experience on their smartphones via the new Rappler app for Android.

Users can download the app for free from the Google Play Store .

The app requires Android 2.2 and higher and will run on most Android smartphones in the market today. The ...

Rappler Newscast | May 20, 2013

Rappler.com — Mon, 20 May 2013 12:06:39 +0000

Today on Rappler.

• The Philippines will conduct a ‘parallel investigation’ with Taiwan over the shooting of a Taiwanese fisherman.

• Vice presidential daughter Nancy Binay says she will continue her father’s advocacies when she enters the Senate.

• Team PNoy candidates get more votes in the country’s 10 poorest provinces.

Magnitude 6.8 earthquake strikes off Chile

Agence France-Presse — Mon, 20 May 2013 11:07:26 +0000

SANTIAGO, Chile - A magnitude 6.8 earthquake struck off the coast of Chile on Monday, May 20, the US Geological Survey said, with no immediate tsunami warning issued or reports of casualties or significant damage.

The quake occurred at 0949 GMT at a relatively shallow depth of 10 kilometers and the ...

Chinese bank official sacked over 'huge bribes'

Agence France-Presse — Mon, 20 May 2013 11:04:08 +0000

BEIJING, China - A former vice-president of one of China's biggest banks has been expelled by the Communist party and stripped of his public offices for corruption, state-run media said Monday, May 20.

Yang Kun, who was vice-president of the Agricultural Bank of China, "exploited his position to seek benefits for ...

EDC, Canadian firm secure JV for geothermal projects

Rappler.com — Mon, 20 May 2013 10:39:43 +0000

MANILA, Philippines - Lopez-led power firm Energy Development Corp. (EDC) and Canadian energy company Alterra Power Corp. signed a Joint Venture Agreement (JV) to develop geothermal projects in South America.

In a disclosure submitted to the Philippine Stock Exchange (PSE) on Monday, May 20, EDC said the joint venture ...

Snoopy fever in Hong Kong

Michael G. Yu — Mon, 20 May 2013 10:29:55 +0000

HONG KONG - Let's take a quick poll: would those among you who have never heard of Snoopy, Charlie Brown, or any of the other "Peanuts" characters, please raise the third arm growing from the middle of your forehead?

Yes, I'm that confident that everybody ...

'Gatsby': An anachronistic dream

Carljoe Javier — Mon, 20 May 2013 09:58:01 +0000

MANILA, Philippines - "The Great Gatsby," one of the great American novels of the 20th century, exhibits the amazing talent of F. Scott Fitzgerald (who was no stranger to the rollicking parties like those portrayed in the film). The story is an exploration of the American Dream, ranging in emotion from desire ...

Brillantes: Replace PCOS machines for 2016 polls

Paterno Esmaquel II — Mon, 20 May 2013 09:40:14 +0000

MANILA, Philippines – Once he retires in 2015, poll chief Sixto Brillantes Jr said there's one thing he doesn't want his successor to inherit.

It's the headaches he got from critics, particularly over the precinct count optical scan (PCOS) machines, Brillantes said Monday, May 20. “I'm not going to recommend PCOS anymore,” ...

4 groups pre-qualified for Bicol airport contract

Rappler.com — Mon, 20 May 2013 09:13:32 +0000

MANILA, Philippines - The Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC) has pre-qualified 4 groups for consulting and engineering services for the Bicol International Airport project.

According to Transportation Undersecretary Rene Limcaoco the groups that qualified for the P120.4-million contract include:

Ove Arup & Partners Hong Kong Ltd.
Filipinas Dravo Corp. and Key Engineers ...

PH confirms 'parallel probe' with Taiwan

Mon, 20 May 2013 08:32:02 +0000

MANILA, Philippines - Justice Secretary Leila de Lima confirmed on Monday, May 20, that a "parallel investigation" would take place between Taiwan and the Philippines — instead of a joint investigation — over the killing of a Taiwanese fisherman in Philippine waters.

"There would be coordinated efforts between the National Bureau ...

YouTube celebrates 8 years online

Mon, 20 May 2013 08:25:51 +0000

MANILA, Philippines - YouTube announced some new milestones of growth to celebrate 8 years of being online.

A blogpost on Sunday, May 19, outlined two significant signs of YouTube's growth in 2013: an increase in the amount of video data their site has had to process and a notable number of monthly ...

Comelec defends using faxed tallies

Paterno Esmaquel II — Mon, 20 May 2013 08:01:16 +0000

MANILA, Philippines – Responding to tirades by a former chief justice, poll chief Sixto Brillantes Jr on Monday, May 20, defended the poll body's decision to use faxed tallies, called grouped canvass reports, in proclaiming the winning senators.

Retired Chief Justice Artemio Panganiban on Sunday, May 19, said it was illegal ...

Kite-flying: Soaring from the city

Abby P. Aranzamendez — Mon, 20 May 2013 07:46:25 +0000

MANILA, Philippines - Imagine this for a moment. Children, running across an open field, launching kites into the sky. Imagine the sun on faces, the tanned skin, the tousled hair. They look happy and healthy, and they most likely are.

If this is a familiar scene from your childhood, then you ...

Last recourse for PH vs China’s maritime claim

Mon, 20 May 2013 07:35:17 +0000

MANILA, Philippines – Supreme Court Associate Justice Antonio Carpio said that despite any decision made in the future by the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) on maritime entitlements at the South China Sea (West Philippine Sea), the Philippines would likely “appeal to world opinion” as ...

Twin car bombings kill 12 in Iraq - officials

Agence France-Presse — Mon, 20 May 2013 07:16:19 +0000

BAGHDAD, Iraq - A series of car bombs in Baghdad and the southern Iraqi port city of Basra killed at least 12 people on Monday, May 20, security and medical officials said.

Five car bombs exploded in the Iraqi capital, mainly hitting Shiite-majority areas, while two detonated in Basra, officials said. ...

Enrile, Zubiri win in precincts with 100% turnout

Aries Rufo and Kim Luces — Mon, 20 May 2013 07:15:15 +0000

MANILA, Philippines — In an alternate universe where voters all troop to the precincts on election day, the administration’s Team Pnoy would still trump the opposition United Nationalist Alliance (UNA) in the senatorial race.

But there's a catch. Two of those who lost in the official canvass would have won in ...

'G.I. Joe Cobra': Real-life action

Carljoe Javier — Mon, 20 May 2013 07:07:45 +0000

MANILA, Philippines - Mike Costas and Christos N. Gage bring in a G.I. Joe that goes deeper and darker than expected in this incarnation of America’s most well-known fatigue-clad hero.

In mini-series G. I. Joe Cobra, the story focuses on an almost throwaway character, Chuckles, who, as his name implies, is a ...

3 soldiers killed in NPA attack in Albay

Rappler.com — Mon, 20 May 2013 06:43:26 +0000

MANILA, Philippines - Three soldiers were killed in a New People's Army (NPA) attack in Albay on Monday, May 20.

Nine soldiers were on patrol in Sitio Sta Lucia in Barangay Maninila, Camalig town at around 830 am when landmines exploded, followed by an ambush by the rebels, said Ltc Andrew ...

'Epic': A largely microscopic adventure

Carljoe Javier — Mon, 20 May 2013 06:42:34 +0000

MANILA, Philippines - "Epic" imagines a world hidden from human eyes made up for two kingdoms. One is a kingdom of life and rebirth, the other is of decay and death, and both remain in constant struggle. It isn't a particularly new idea, but it is in the ...

Racial tolerance, maps, and being human

Victor Barreiro Jr. — Mon, 20 May 2013 06:08:49 +0000

MANILA, Philippines - On May 15, The Washington Post put up a story discussing racial tolerance . In it, a map showed how people in a sourced World Values Survey responded to a query about who they would not want as neighbors. According to the author, the redder the location on the map, the more people answered ...

Making it to the top

Jee Y. Geronimo — Mon, 20 May 2013 06:00:25 +0000

MANILA, Philippines – The norm is to always interview the topnotcher first. People want to know how he did it, if he’s even great – you know, all that jazz. Along the story, the writer might mention who placed second and third, but the limelight is always on the first-placer.

But ...

After cyclone, Myanmar camps face monsoon threat

Shwe Yinn Mar Oo, Agence France-Presse — Mon, 20 May 2013 05:56:58 +0000

SITTWE, Myanmar - Myanmar's victims of sectarian strife were spared the full force of Cyclone Mahasen, but many are now returning to flimsy tents in flood-prone camps with the monsoon just weeks away.

Myanmar's Rakhine state is pockmarked with makeshift settlements for up to 140,000 people -- mainly Rohingya Muslims -- ...

Nancy Binay: Dad is Coke Light, I'm Coke Zero

Mon, 20 May 2013 04:52:05 +0000

MANILA, Philippines – Now that she is senator-elect, how will Nancy Binay make a name separate from her father?

“Parang I can’t eh. Siguro ang magiging ano ko na lang is I improve the brand.” (I can’t. Maybe what I can do is improve the brand.)

In an interview on Rappler’s #PHvote, ...

Visiting Chinese PM vows to build trust with India

Rupam Jain Nair, Agence France-Presse — Mon, 20 May 2013 04:41:15 +0000

NEW DELHI, India - Chinese Premier Li Keqiang pledged Monday, May 20, to build trust with India and declared that ties between the Asian giants were key to world peace as he visited New Delhi only weeks after a border spat.

Speaking alongside his counterpart Manmohan Singh, Li said China wanted ...

BIR beats April collection goal

Rappler.com — Mon, 20 May 2013 04:28:45 +0000

MANILA, Philippines - The Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) beat its monthly collection goal in April, the first time it did so this year.

The tax agency said in a statement on Monday, May 20, it collected P148.99 billion in tax revenues in April, 4.43% higher than its P142.66-billion target.

The collections ...

Majority reject Japan mayor on comfort women - poll

Agence France-Presse — Mon, 20 May 2013 04:07:00 +0000

A large majority of Japanese people disagree with a high-profile politician who said women forced to provide sex during World War II were a military necessity polls issued Monday, May 20, said.

Up to 200,000 "comfort women" from Korea, China, the Philippines and elsewhere were forcibly drafted into brothels catering to the ...

#PHvote with Nancy Binay

Rappler.com — Mon, 20 May 2013 02:45:44 +0000

MANILA, Philippines - Today, Rappler speaks with senator-elect Nancy Binay.

The national board of canvassers proclaimed Binay a senator on Thursday, May 16, along with five other candidates. Binay skipped the event.

The neophyte senator-elect was criticized during the campaign season for her lack of government experience and non-attendance of senatorial ...

Suze Orman: Where to put your money

Randell Tiongson — Mon, 20 May 2013 02:35:10 +0000

During her second trip to the Philippines, Ms. Suze Orman seemed to have fallen more in love with Filipinos.

The “force in personal finance” gave straight-forward messages on finances that people might not have wanted to hear but really needed to.

Ms. Orman gave tips on money management summed up in her ...

Cavite provincial prosecutor Velasco dies

Mon, 20 May 2013 02:18:46 +0000

MANILA, Philippines - Cavite provincial prosecutor and former state prosecutor Emmanuel "Manny" Velasco died of a heart attack on Monday, May 20.

He was 54.

According to a DZMM report quoting prosecutor Imee Villarin, Velasco died at 4am and was proclaimed dead on arrival in Divine Grace Hospital.

Through his work, Velasco ...

Pagcor appeals BIR memo on income tax

Rappler.com — Mon, 20 May 2013 02:16:22 +0000

MANILA, Philippines - The Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. (Pagcor) is appealing to the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) to soften its stance on taxes slapped on Pagcor and its casino licensees.

On May 2, the BIR issued Memorandum Circular 33-2013, which states that all earnings of Pagcor from its operations ...

IN PHOTOS: Ms PH Earth coronation night

Mon, 20 May 2013 01:11:00 +0000

MANILA, Philippines - On the evening of May 19, Angelee delos Reyes of Olongapo City was crowned Miss Philippines Earth 2013.

READ: Ms Olongapo crowned Ms PH Earth 2013

Surrounded by their fans and supporters, 47 candidates put their best heel forward in the swimwear and evening gown portions of the national ...

Nancy Binay: Senate is destiny, calling

Mon, 20 May 2013 00:52:08 +0000

MANILA, Philippines – After shunning politics for decades, Senator-elect Nancy Binay can only describe her new job as one thing: destiny.

“I tried running away from this calling but at the end of the day, hahabulin ko rin pala (I’d be chasing it after all),” Binay said in an interview on ...

Taiwan: We agreed on 'parallel' probe

Mon, 20 May 2013 00:48:23 +0000

MANILA, Philippines – Taiwanese Minister for Foreign Affairs David Lin said on Sunday, May 19, that Taipei and Manila have reached a consensus on initiating a joint investigation into the shooting of Taiwanese fisherman in Philippine waters.

“Both sides have agreed to arrange for the other side to conduct fact-finding trips ...

In symbolic landmark, Myanmar leader heads to White House

Shaun Tandon, Agence France-Presse — Sun, 19 May 2013 23:43:44 +0000

WASHINGTON DC, USA - Myanmar President Thein Sein on Monday, May 20, becomes the first leader of his country to visit the White House in nearly half a century, in one of the most symbolic US gestures yet to support his reforms.

In a scene that would have been unimaginable just ...

Syrian forces storm rebel bastion of Qusayr

Agence France-Presse — Sun, 19 May 2013 23:16:19 +0000

DAMASCUS, Syria - Syrian troops backed by Lebanon's Hezbollah on Sunday, May 19, entered Qusayr, a strategic rebel stronghold linking Damascus to the coast, a day after President Bashar al-Assad insisted he would not step aside.

The advance came as Assad's opponents warned his regime's "barbaric and destructive" assault on Qusayr ...

11 senatorial bets not No. 1 in bailiwicks

Michael Joseph Bueza — Sun, 19 May 2013 18:24:23 +0000

MANILA, Philippines – Ask any losing senatorial candidate what he considers as one of the biggest consolations in a race, and most likely he will say, topping the polls in his home province or city.

In the case of winning bets, this makes victory even sweeter.

As in any senatorial elections, ...

Team PNoy dominates in 10 poorest provinces

Purple S. Romero and Michael Bueza — Sun, 19 May 2013 17:23:30 +0000

MANILA, Philippines – Did the opposition slate’s campaign promise of uplifting the lives of the poor resonate with voters?

We checked the May 13 performance of the senatorial candidates of the United Nationalist Alliance (UNA) in the 10 poorest provinces against the administration’s Team PNoy bets.

In each of these provinces, 8 ...

How to fill the 58 party-list seats

Felix P. Muga II — Sun, 19 May 2013 16:47:44 +0000

MANILA, Philippines – As of 4:30 p.m. of May 17, the Comelec website (2013electionresults.comelec.gov.ph) showed 14 party list groups that obtained at least 2% of the total number of party list votes. We shall call them the two-percenters.

However, Rappler’s website (election-results.rappler.com/2013/live/party-list-results) reported 13 two-percenters only even though the two websites had ...

Ms Olongapo crowned Ms PH Earth 2013

Sun, 19 May 2013 16:28:26 +0000

MANILA, Philippines - Olongapo City's Angelee delos Reyes of Olongapo City was crowned Miss Philippines Earth 2013 on Sunday, May 19.

Reyes will be representing the Philippines at this year's Miss Earth pageant, one of the biggest beauty pageants in the world.

The holographic stage designs in SM MOA Arena seemed to glow especially bright for ...

Mend or end? How to deal with a toxic friend

Chinie H. Diaz — Sun, 19 May 2013 14:39:02 +0000

I recently wrote a blog about the 10 Traits of a Toxic Friend and since then I’ve had a lot of people come up to me (online and offline) and tell me about their experiences of toxic friendship.

What was interesting about all of them was that although everyone I ...

Nuke power in Taiwan? Thousands against it

Agence France-Presse — Sun, 19 May 2013 13:52:20 +0000

TAIPEI, Taiwan - Thousands of Taiwanese marched through the capital Taipei Sunday, May 19, urging the government to halt construction of a nearly completed nuclear power plant, citing the Japanese atomic crisis.

The demonstrators chanted slogans like "No Nuke for Our Children" during the march which extended for miles as they ...

Bold action, big money needed to curb Asia floods

Aidan Jones, Agence France-Presse — Sun, 19 May 2013 13:18:00 +0000

CHIANG MAI, Thailand - Asia's flood-prone megacities should fund major drainage, water recycling and waste reduction projects to stem deluges and secure clean supply for their booming populations, experts said Sunday, May 19.

Rapid urbanization has heaped pressure on water resources and drainage systems across Asia, leaving low-lying areas exposed to ...

North Korea test-fires another short-range missile

Jung Ha-Won, Agence France-Presse — Sun, 19 May 2013 12:56:14 +0000

SEOUL, South Korea - North Korea Sunday, May 19, test-fired a short-range missile off its east coast, its fourth in two days, despite pleas from South Korea and the UN chief to halt the launches at a time of high tensions.

The guided missile was fired into the East Sea (Sea ...

Olongapo lawyer shot dead

Randy Datu — Sun, 19 May 2013 12:37:55 +0000

OLONGAPO CITY, Philippines - A lawyer handling the case of rogue Olongapo cops who kidnapped and extorted money from relatives of teen actor Jake Vargas was shot dead Saturday night, May 18, in front of his house.

Authorities told Rappler that a lone gunman shot lawyer Ian Vela Cruz, married and ...

Cannes Holocaust film stirs guilt

Agence France-Presse — Sun, 19 May 2013 12:12:36 +0000

CANNES, France - When your enemy is sworn to exterminate every one of you, can you -- should you -- deal for the lives of some knowing others are doomed?

The question lies at the heart of a new documentary by Claude Lanzmann, "The Last of the Unjust," premiering at Cannes on ...

$590 million lottery jackpot won

Agence France-Presse — Sun, 19 May 2013 11:47:46 +0000

WASHINGTON, USA - A single ticket-holder won a record Powerball lottery jackpot of more than $590 million, organizers said Sunday, ending a days-long American quest for a life-changing payout.

The winning numbers -- 10, 13, 14, 22, 52 and a Powerball of 11 -- were drawn just before 11:00 pm eastern ...

Animal lovers take pets to social media

Agence France-Presse — Sun, 19 May 2013 11:19:36 +0000

TYSONS CORNER, USA - When Dexter the cocker spaniel tore a ligament in his hind leg a few weeks ago, he didn't suffer in silence. Instead, his owner wrote a blog post.

"The vet told me my dog needed surgery, and I thought, 'You know, there's got to be something else'," ...

World celebrates Wagner's 200th birthday

Agence France-Presse — Sun, 19 May 2013 10:57:26 +0000

BAYREUTH, Germany - Opera houses the world over are scrambling to pay tribute to Richard Wagner, the controversial German composer often referred to as Hitler's favourite, who would have turned 200 this year.

More has purportedly already been written about Wagner than any other artist and composer in history, but publishers ...

Stop spending on cosmetics, 'toys' - Suze Orman

Aya Lowe — Sun, 19 May 2013 10:09:18 +0000

MANILA, Philippines – Stop wasting money on cosmetics and boy toys, personal finance guru Suze Orman told a crowd of bankers and media on her most recent visit to the Philippines.

Orman said women spend way too much money on cosmetics, from the expensive shampoo they buy when they visit a ...

PH waits for Taiwan tempers to cool

Agence France-Presse — Sun, 19 May 2013 08:51:45 +0000

MANILA, Philippines - The Philippines is waiting for tempers in Taiwan to cool before settling the dispute over a shot Taiwanese fisherman, the head of an office in charge of relations said Sunday, May 19.

Issues like Manila's "one-China" policy and comments by Taiwanese investigators branding the incident as murder have ...

IN PHOTOS: Wanderland 2013

Sun, 19 May 2013 07:29:58 +0000

MANILA, Philippines - For the residents of Wanderland 2013, the world is a place fueled by good music, beautiful art, and great company.

Missed your trip to Wanderland? Rappler gathered interesting sights from the festivities.

See photos of the performances here: Wanderland 2013: A musical high

If anything is to be said of the residents of ...

A maritime nation coming to its senses?

Lucio Blanco Pitlo III — Sun, 19 May 2013 06:54:00 +0000

The recent Philippine-Taiwan row over a fishing incident, which unfortunately led to one elderly Taiwanese fishermen getting killed, drew light on the growing regional fishing and maritime jurisdictional disputes coming in the wake of China’s illegal virtual occupation of Bajo de Masinloc in the West Philippine Sea.

The incident, which occurred ...

Wanderland 2013: A musical high

Sun, 19 May 2013 05:09:21 +0000

MANILA, Philippines - The Wanderland 2013 music festival, held Saturday, May 18, at the Circuit in Makati, gathered the freshest local and foreign bands for 12 hours of musical bliss.

The festival started strong with Taken by Cars, a local band already making waves in the international scene with their brand of electronic ...

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