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Human Events Stories

President Aquino off to Malaysia for busy 26th ASEAN summit

MANILA, April 26 — President Benigno S. Aquino III will be busy together with other leaders in the gathering in Kuala Lumpur on Sunday for the 26th Association of Southeast Asian Nations Summit. Along with the official Philippine delegation, the president is due to arrive in Kuala Lumpur on Sunday […]

Indonesia releases execution order for Mary Jane Veloso – DFA

MANILA, April 25 — The Department of Foreign Affairs said on Saturday the execution order for overseas Filipino worker Mary Jane Veloso, who was sentenced to death in Indonesia for drug trafficking, was received by her family. The Indonesia’s prosecutor gave the notice letter to the family during a meetinf […]

Lacson to run as independent presidential candidate in May 2016 elections

BAGUIO CITY, April 25 – Former Senator Panfilo ‘Ping’ Lacson, in a press conference here yesterday announced he is running as an independent presidential candidate in the May 2016 elections. ”My platform of government remains to be what I started as a Senator and that is to eradicate graft and […]

Camarines Sur tops tourist arrivals in 2014 among Bicol provinces

The province of Camarines Sur registered the biggest number of tourist arrivals in 2014 among Bicol provinces. According to the Department of Tourism, CamSur experienced a growth rate of 20.25 per cent from 1,547,678 in 2013 to 1,861,010. In contrast, Albay province attained a measly growth of 8.92 per cent, […]

Internet service for everyone anywhere, anyplace through Google balloons update

Internet service for everyone anywhere, anyplace through Google balloons update. Remember when Google huggged technology news during its launching of a limited number of balloons down under, in New Zealand? That was its project launch in 2013 which now the search giant claim have flown already millions of test miles […]

RETROSPECT: Luis G. Dato on Luis G. Dato

How I Learned to Write Poetry I never took course in poetry writing, other than the prescribed courses in American and English Literature in high school and college. But I had written my early poems years before I took my college courses. By reading poems by Filipinos and by English, […]

Line-item budgeting of P70.7-B fund for Bangsamoro – Escudero

MANILA, April 14 – Line-item budgeting is the way to go for the funding of the proposed Bangsamoro government if Bicolano Senator Francis Escudero will have his way. The senator said on Tuesday he will push for the line-item budgeting of the PhP70-billion that the proposed Bangsamoro government stands to […]

Ameril Umra Kato, BIFF founding chairman dies of cardiac arrest

COTABATO CITY, April 14 — The founding chairman of the outlawed Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) is dead, rebel leaders and local officials today confirmed. Mohaqher Iqbal, chief MILF negotiator, said Uztadz Ameril Umra Kato died at about 2 a.m. Tuesday. He could not say where. BIFF spokesperson Abu Misry […]

DOH initial report: No trace of toxic substance found in milk tea samples

MANILA, April 13 — The Department of Health (DOH) said on Monday that no trace of any toxic substance was found from the samples of the milk tea that allegedly caused the death of two persons and the hospitalization of another one in Manila last week. In a press briefing […]

World Bank projects Philippine economy to expand 6.5% in 2015

MANILA, April 13 — The World Bank has projected the gross domestic product (GDP) growth for the Philippines at 6.5 percent at end-2015. The growth forecast for the country this year was trimmed from the 6.7-percent GDP growth projection in October 2014. In its East Asia and Pacific Economic Update […]

Quezon City tax collection hits P7.8 billion in Q1 2015

QUEZON CITY, 13 — The Quezon City government reports that it has succeeded in collecting P7,790,612,896 or more than 50 percent of its 2015 budget of P14,462,362,000 during the first three months of this year. This represents an improvement of PhP 609.377 million over the 2014 revenue collection performance for […]

What is love? / Ano an pagkamoot by Eden A. Avila

What is love? / Ano an pagkamoot by Eden A. Avila What is love?… A beautiful stirring of the young heart, a sudden glance, a smile, a gentle touch. The fast beating of the heart, the quickening of one’s gait to see one’s beloved. It’s the silence shared, forgetting the […]

Escudero’s grooming Heart Evangelista for Sorsogon City mayoralty race?

SORSOGON CITY, April 12 — The political landscape in Sorsogon province is making an “artista” makeover. This after Heart Evangelista effected her formal transfer of permanent residence here with the local Commission on Elections office last Tuesday. Evangelista, whose real name is Love Mary Ongpauco, registered as her new permanent […]

Sarong Banggi and the dearth of mainstream Bicol songs

Sarong Banggi and the dearth of mainstream Bicol songs. Now added on the sidebar of the Bicol (House Journal) section only, is the unofficial regional Bicol romantic anthem Sarung Banggi (Sarung Bangui, Sarong Banggi) a reggae version by the band Mudflow from the town of Sto. Domingo in Albay province. […]

P170.7-B North-South railway project- South Line to boost Bicol economy

MANILA, April 10 –The P170.7-B North-South railway project- South Line to boost Bicol economy. The Bicol region will get the needed business and economic upliftment in the proposed P170.7 billion North-South Railway Project- South Line. Once completed, it is seen to considerably shorten the travel time from Manila to the […]

Why President Aquino remind heads of agencies to execute 2015 budget?

MANILA, April 9 — The first quarter of 2015 was over, or three months have passed, and President Benigno S. Aquino III has to issue a directive for all heads of departments and agencies to undertake measures and ensure prompt execution of their budgets for fiscal year 2015 so programs […]

PH government peace panel admit knowledge Iqbal is a nom de guerre

MANILA, April 8 — The Philippine government has been negotiating and dealing with a fictitious person representing the Moro Islamic Liberation Front. “Mohagher Iqbal is a nom de guerre and Mohagher Iqbal is the official name that has been used in negotiations ever since the negotiations with the Philippine government […]

Re-introducing the musings of Luis G. Dato

Reintroducing the musings of Luis G. Dato We are so privileged to present some of the works of one of the early, maybe the right choice of word is pioneering, Bicolano poet and writer as personified by the consumate and dedicated muse-inspired Mr. Luis G. Dato himself. We consider him […]

Spate of killings mars observance of Holy Week in Masbate

MASBATE CITY, Masbate, April 6 — A spate of killings mars an otherwise generally peaceful observance of Holy week in the province of Masbate. An incumbent village barangay head went on a shooting spree, killing a farmer and wounding another inside a cockpit on Saturday morning in Barangay Nabongsoran, Aroroy, […]

Typhoon Chedeng weakens, typhoon signals raised on several provinces

Typhoon Chedeng has weakend further as it moves closer to eastern Luzon. It is estimated to make landfall over the coast of Aurora-Isabela area by Sunday morning, April 5, and will exit the landmass via Ilocos Sur by Sunday evening and will exit the Philippine Area of Responsibility by Monday […]

Typhoon Chedeng enters Philippine Area of Responsibility

MANILA, April 2 — Typhoon Chedeng (international name Mayzak) has already entered the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR), the third tropical cyclone to affect the country this year, according to Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA). PAGASA weather forecaster Jori Loiz Ignacio said as of 6 a.m. the […]

Participants were half-hearted during the nationwide earthquake drill

The 1st quarter nationwide simultaneous earthquake drill last March 27 wherein Marikina city also participated was hailed as a success. Playing lead roles were partner agencies’ National Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council (NDRRMC) and the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS), also tasked to strengthen people’s preparedness for emergencies […]

Kristo, The longest running live street play in Calabanga returns

CALABANGA, Cam.Sur, March 31 — Kristo, the longest running live street play here is being staged during the Catholic observation of the Semana Santa. It is a play given life by hometown actors for the past 22 years. Participants and the people behind says, “and counting,” giving assurance that it […]

Bicol PNP intensifies patrol, visibility to assure tourist safety

LEGAZPI CITY, March 31 – Safety and security during the on-set of the Semana Santa of residents, vacationers and tourists in Bicol has been the concern of the Philippine National Police in the region (PRO5). Now, it has assured their safety by beefing up police forces and intensifying presence. PRO […]

Seaoil, Phoenix implements price hike of oil products

MANILA, March 31 — Just in the nick of time when the mass exodus and movement of people for the Holy Week and vacation, Phoenix Petroleum Philippines and Seaoil Philippines Inc. hikes pump prices of gasoline by P1.10 per liter and diesel by 60 centavos per liter on Tuesday. Phoenix […]

DPWH implements one-way traffic scheme at Kennon road

MANILA, March 30 — For travellers going to Baguio city this Holy Week, got to read this. The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) is set to implement an experimental one-way traffic scheme at Kennon Road from Holy Tuesday to Good Friday. According to DPWH Secretary Rogelio Singson, the […]

Tax free bonus for employees takes effect starting June

MANILA, March 30 — Starting June employees will enjoy higher mid-year benefits with the effectivity of the implementing rules of the new law raising to P82,000 the maximum amount of obtainable tax-free bonuses, House Deputy Majority Leader and Makati City Rep. Mar-Len Abigail Binay said Sunday. “We expect an additional […]

Monsanto supporter insists Roundup safe, refuses to drink when offered

Roundup is an effective weed-killer. Recently, the World Health Organization’s International Agency for Research on Cancer, tagged glyphosate, the main ingredient in Roundup, as the second highest risk level for possible cancer-causing agents. The interview below conducted by French cable channel Canal+ turned sour and was cut short when the […]

Holy Week for prayer not for vacationing – Cebu Archbishop

CEBU CITY, March 29 — Cebu Archbishop Jose Palma has reminded the faithful to pray during the Holy Week instead of going into outing or vacationing. “We have 52 weeks in a year, one is intended for the observance of the Holy Week. This period of the year is dedicated […]

OPPAP’s Deles statement rhymes with MILF’s Iqbal

MANILA, March 29 — OPPAP’s Teresita Quintos Deles on Friday expressed hope that the peace process will emerge stronger despite recent challenges it faced particularly after the tragic Mamasapano incident. “I admit we are bruised and feeling battered but we are here to proclaim we still stand firm (in pushing […]

Watch: Pope Francis on Palm Sunday at the Vatican

Watch Pope Francis on Palm Sunday at the Vatican. The event is scheduled for Sunday, March 29, 2015. Palm Sunday signals the beginning of a week long solemn Catholic religious observation that eventually centers among others the Passion of Christ. Here sharing the live stream coverage of the event direct […]

Map integration test on some posts, NOAH features addition

This is another heads up on the back side of this site, on what the team has been up to lately. But of course, the output can be seen on the post pages upfront. Map integration was finally tested. While concern it might contribute or add to site lagging, the […]

MILF’s Iqbal positive on passage of proposed Bangsamoro Basic Law

MANILA, March 29 -– Chief peace negotiator of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) Mohaqer Iqbal on Friday said that the proposed Bangsamoro Basic Law is “battered but not yet out.” The statement was made by Iqbal at the book launching marking the first anniversary of the signing of the […]

Philippines exhausting all means to save Filipina from Indonesian death row

MANILA, March 29 — The Philippine government is doing everything it can to save a Filipina who has been sentenced to die in Indonesia after she was caught transporting illegal narcotics into the country, Palace official said on Saturday. “Ginagawa naman po ng ating pamahalaan ang ating magagawa within the […]

SIM card mandatory registration nears passage, with stiff penalties for violators

The lower house nears passage of SIM card mandatory registration bill, a consolidation of 9 proposed measures, with stiff penalties for offenders. Members of the House committee on Information and Communications Technology, led by its chairman and Rizal Rep. Joel Roy Duavit, unanimously approved House Bill 5231, otherwise known as […]

Philippines, Japan inks development assistance grants, Yen loan projects

MANILA, March 27 — The Philippines is funding identified big ticket priority and vital government projects sourced through loan grants and developmental assistance programs from Japan. Some of these include four Official Development Assistance (ODA) grant projects amounting to JPY 2.789 billion (approximately PhP 1.195 billion) and two yen loan […]

Gabriela assails President Aquino on Sari-Sari store training program remarks

MANILA, March 27 — Some 5,000 women from Metro Manila and neighboring provinces availed of the sari-sari store training and access to resources program of the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority. The event was held at the SM Mall of Asia, which coincided with the end of the celebration […]

2014 bar exam results released, San Beda law graduate #1

MANILA, March 26 — Supreme Court (SC) Associate Justice Diosdado M. Peralta announced on Thursday that a College of Law graduate of the San Beda College in Manila topped the 2014 Bar Examinations. Peralta, who chairs the 2014 Committee on Bar Examinations, said that out of 5,984 Bar examinees, 1,126 […]

Xavier University honors MILF’s Iqbal, ignores government negotiators

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY, March 26 –- One way to push for, and attain peace is recognizing the people that are key to its realization. This could be one reason why the Jesuit-run Xavier University here will confer an award during a “convocation ceremony” today at the university gym to […]

Isang tanghaling tapat sa buhay ni Cesar, Rommel at Mark

  isang tanghaling tapat sa buhay ni Cesar, Rommel at Mark walang atubili ang hatid ng mga kalatas na balot ng bakal sa inyo dumatal winarak ang utak tumarak sa dibdib mga bisig dinipa sa langit piping labi humalik sa mamad na lupa sige, sa inyong paghimlay isalin ang pag-asa […]

Goa town officials face illegal detention charges, arrest warrants issued

GOA, Camarines Sur, March 24 -– Members of the Philippine National Police-Bicol have started serving the arrest warrant issued by a regional trial court judge against 35 persons that include the mayor, vice mayor, councilors and village chiefs of this town. Judge Noel D. Paulite, presiding judge of RTC Branch […]

P13.1-billion Southern Luzon Expressway extension project briefing held

TIAONG, Quezon, March 24 — The briefing on the P13.1-billion Southern Luzon Expressway-Toll Road 4 (SLEX-TR4) extension project was held here with President Benigno S. Aquino, III in attendance. The 58-kilometer project will link Sto. Tomas, Batangas all the way to Lucena, Quezon. The four-lane project, which was mandated under […]

Oil companies rolls back prices on Tuesday by P1.10 per liter

MANILA, March 23  -– Pilipinas Shell Petroleum Corp. (PSPC), Seaoil Philippines Inc (SPI), Petron Corporation, Chevron Philippines Inc. (CPI), Phoenix Petroleum Philippines and PTT Philippines will rollback pump prices of gasoline by Php 1.10 per liter on Tuesday. Eastern Petroleum will cut gasoline prices by P1.20 per liter. PSPC, SPI, […]

Alleged 14K drug ring member, wife faces suit for possession of P.4-M shabu

DAVAO CITY, March 23 — A former municipal councilor alleged to be a member of the international drug ring 14-K, together with his wife earlier caught of drugs valued at P400,000 are facing drug charges filed by the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA). Named respondents in the case for violation […]

Filipinos rank fifth happiest citizens in the world – Gallup survey

MANILA, March 22 — Happy to learn that the Filipinos ranked the fifth happiest citizens in the world! according to the result of a global survey. The Philippines scored 80, based on a research conducted by the Gallup, a US-based performance-management consulting firm. Leading the survey is Paraguay which scored […]

Mild ‘El Nino” damages P7-M Kidapawan City agri-crop production

KIDAPAWAN CITY, North Cotabato, Mar. 22 — As the dry spell affects more farmers here, the City Agriculture Office is asking for assistance from concerned agencies particularly the Department of Agriculture. Senior Agriculturist Nesmari Espejo said over P7 million worth of crops including rice, corn, banana and coffee have been […]

Department of Agriculture is prepared for ‘El Niño’ – Alcala

MANILA, March 21 — The Aquino government is taking the necessary steps to prepare for the effects of weather phenomenon El Niño in the country, a Malacañang official assured on Saturday. Deputy Presidential Spokesperson Abigail Valte said the Department of Agriculture was on top of the preparations. “Pagdating po sa […]

What's Recommended

This week is a historic week – Malacanang

Manila — The official palace spokesperson is giving an advance information on what news developments everybody can look up to this week. One that interest all and sundry is the landmark decision from the United Nations Arbitration decision on the West Philippine Sea which is up for release on Tuesday, […]

This NASA parody of a South Korean K-Pop song is timeless

The entertainment value of this NASA video is timeless. And it is not easy to beat even while already much dated. Of course it was a parody of a song and dance number made famous by musical artist Psy (Park Jae-sang) released on July 15, 2012 by South Korean labels […]

Rehabilitation of Camaligan Regional Fish Port Loses JICA Funding

The proposed rehabilitation of Camsur’s Camaligan fish port met a stumbling block with the withdrawal by its funding source. The Japan International Cooperation Agency has withdrawn as it rechannels funding at home in the aftermath of overwhelming devastation brought about by the earthquake and tsunami last March.

Team Albay OCD-5 humanitarian mission priority deployment is Tacloban City

The 179-man Team Albay-Office of Civil Defense 5 has been assigned for priority deployment in Tacloban City on Monday based on order of Undersecretary Eduardo Del Rosario, Office of Civil Defense administrator and National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council executive director. This was learned from Governor Joey Sarte Salceda […]

President Aquino off to Malaysia for busy 26th ASEAN summit

MANILA, April 26 — President Benigno S. Aquino III will be busy together with other leaders in the gathering in Kuala Lumpur on Sunday for the 26th Association of Southeast Asian Nations Summit. Along with the official Philippine delegation, the president is due to arrive in Kuala Lumpur on Sunday […]

Excerpt on amazing 3D film about fungi, and how it can save the world

Sharing here an excerpt of the 3D documentary film by Louie Schwartzberg of mycologist Paul Stamets The film explores how fungi begins to be understood as source nutrients for human consumption and part of ecological sustainability. The renowned mycologist believes that fungi can save the world. More from the duo […]

TD Carina maintains strength moves NNW direction

Tropical depression “Carina” has maintained its strength with a maximum sustained winds of 55 kph near the center, but has slightly accelerated at 11 kph heading northwest, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said Saturday morning. Moderate to heavy rainfall may be expected within 300 km diameter […]

This is the low down on your teeth whitening quest

Working on your teeth for a whiter, brighter smile? Well, here’s the lowdown on teeth whitening. Read this as one should be careful while using teeth whitening and bleaching products as they can cause permanent dental damage. Bleaching products can have multiple side effects such as damaging the dental enamel, […]

Report: Armed men snatch 10 vote counting machines in Maguindanao

SULTAN KUDARAT, Maguindanao, May 9 — Police and military authorities here are hunting down about 20 men who barged inside the Maguindanaon Elementary School and forcibly took at least 10 Vote Counting Machines in Barangay Katuli, Sultan Kudarat town in Maguindanao. Senior Insp. Esmael Madin, the town police chief, said […]

ARMM spending package for 2015 tops P24-B

PASAY CITY, Nov 29 — The Autonomous Region for Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) is getting a bigger spending package envisioned to respond to the needs of the community and push the much-needed development in the region, according to Senator Francis Escudero. An increase of 24-percent to P24 billion has been allotted […]

President Aquino attends US-ASEAN summit in California

President Aquino leaves for US-ASEAN summit in California. President Benigno S. Aquino III has vowed to further solidify the Philippines’ stand for the peace process during his attendance in the two-day ASEAN-US Leaders’ Summit in the United States this week. The Summit, to be held in Sunnylands, California, aims to […]

The Majestic Mayon Volcano in Albay

With its towering height of 8,077 feet (2,462 meters), the almost perfect-coned volcano is the main tourist attraction of the province and the regions’ natural wonder.

But don’t be guiled with its beauty and charm, for it has erupted times too many since its first recorded activity in 1776. The most destructive was in 1814 when the town of Cagsawa was buried under its mudflows and only the church belfry was left standing. The town was later relocated into what is now the bustling trade center of Daraga.

Cygnus spacecraft arrival at International Space Station sked on Sunday

NASA and its International Space Station partners have approved a Sunday, Sept. 29, target arrival of Orbital Sciences’ Cygnus spacecraft on its demonstration cargo resupply mission to the space station. NASA Television coverage of the rendezvous will begin at 4:30 a.m. EDT (Sunday, 4:30 p.m. Philippine time) and will continue […]

Will Pope Francis return for 51st Intl Eucharistic Congress in Cebu 2016?

Will Pope Francis return for 51st Intl Eucharistic Congress in Cebu 2016? MANILA, Jan. 19 — The Philippines will host the 51st International Eucharistic Congress in Cebu on January next year. Will the Pope come again? It is the big hopeful question of Manila Archbishop Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle. Minutes […]

What's Throwback

Ang Tunay na Nangyari sa mga Batang Nag-Seesaw

Masayang ibinabahagi ang maikling bidyu na ito, ng mga batang naglilikot at naghaharutan sa baybayin ng Victoria Bay Resort. A short video of kids, probably siblings or related, having total fun in their own simple way in the shoreline of Victoria Bay Resort in Oas, Albay province. [ This video […]

The Last and Final Words About Krill

Where in some advanced countries Krill fishing is so elaborate, modern, organized and well-funded to fill the appetite of factories that churn the tiny, minuscule organism into pet food, or extract its oil content for commercial purposes, our town fishers do it simple and still environmentally friendly, and most of all not saturating its population.

Super Kids sa Pagbade sa Sabang

Watch this fourth post, a #short about Sabang and the ‘Super Kids sa Pagbade.’ Our simple tribute to these bunch of young souls who sit side by side with their parents and relatives in processing fish for eventual drying, because of their love of family. They were happy sharing helping […]

Let A Thousand Bikes Vroooom

When bank and store credit was eased even to low income singles and families, the first option was to get one motor bike for ease in mobility. A very affordable monthly, some weekly, financing plan enticed one too many in our region; an effective sales drive that spread like wildfire not only in urban centers but also in suburban areas. Add to that the prospect of more savings on daily gas expense, and there should be no second thoughts but walk into the bike store and grab one.

Divine Mercy Parish Celebrates Church Completion

The seven-year journey from its foundation and since the time capsule lowered down the ground, the Divine Mercy parish of Paolbo realized a long- sought dream, the final completion of the church edifice. The last phase that hindered the said event was the altar, the focal attraction of the building.

The School Bands Rock the Town Fiesta

With every observance of the town fiesta here in Calabanga, we also look forward to the drum and bugle corps that now has been transformed and adapted to the current trend- a band more apt to the occasion. The cacophony of sound and music more enlivens the festive mood.

Daraga Town Leads in Bicol 2003 Income

Positioned in rank #1 is Albay province’s premiere town of Daraga with annual income of P108,615,847. Daet, the capital town of Camarines Norte earned P79,165,000 and ranked 2nd. Another town of Camarines Norte, Labo, had annual earnings of P78,378,000 and ranked 3rd. Big town Libmanan of Camarines Sur with earnings of P71,331,958 was ranked 4rth.

Reminiscing Calabanga

To her native sons and daughters, Calabanga is a beautiful town even if it seems slow in making progress. Many of its sons and daughters have left her to find their fortunes elsewhere or their particular place in the sun, but it is not a final breakaway.