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Human Events Stories

NASA Damage Map Helps in Typhoon Disaster Response

A new, space-based map generated by scientists at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Pasadena, Calif., in collaboration with the Italian Space Agency to assist in disaster response efforts shows the regions in the Philippines hit hardest by Super Typhoon Haiyan. The typhoon tore a wide swath of devastation across the island […]

DPWH-Bicol helps in clearing, rehabilitation in Samar, Leyte

In the aftermath after the super storm Yolanda pummelled many areas of the country, Team Bicol stand as one in offering an immediate helping hand. It can be said of the personnel of the Department of Public Works and Highways Bicol regional office. They are now on their seventh day […]

NDRRMC updates: Yolanda death toll rise to 3,631 dead, 12,487 injured and 1,179 missing

Here is the official tally update on the death count, injuries, damages and destruction brough about by the onslaught of Typhoon Yolanda. According to the official report from the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council, a total of 1,962,898 families or 9,073,804 persons were affected in 9,303 barangays in […]

Watch CNN’s Anderson Cooper report about chaos in Tacloban

Watch CNN’s Anderson Cooper report about chaos in Tacloban. This is a video aired earlier than the interviews conducted by Christianne Amanpour with President Benigno Simeon Aquino III and Andrew Steven with Mar Roxas. There is no telling a lie now, all these confirmed the ineptness on how the government […]

Watch interview of Sec Mar Roxas with CNN’s Andrew Steven

Watch interview of Sec Mar Roxas with CNN’s Andrew Steven. It is very interesting on this interview of Secretary Mar Roxas onsite, in Tacloban disaster area with CNN reporter Andrew Steven. Pay attention on Steven’s inquiry regarding the bodies he pass by on the streets and the answer of Secretary […]

Watch CNN’s Christianne Amanpour interview clueless President Aquino

Watch CNN’s Christianne Amanpour interview hammers almost clueless President Aquino. We invite readers to watch this video, an interview of President Benigno Simeon Aquino, III by CNN host, Christianne Amanpour. A visibly almost clueless, evasive and unconcise Pinoy president, kind of wanting to pour the blame on the local government […]

Golden Rice poses risk to environment, human health – Greenpeace

Behind its proponents’ hype that it is a high-tech, quick-fix solution to Vitamin A deficiency, the genetically engineered (GE) “Golden Rice” is environmentally irresponsible, poses risks to human health and could compromise food, nutrition and financial security, Greenpeace International has declared. Greenpeace is an independent global campaigning organization that acts […]

Pro-active preparation for Typhoon Yolanda proven effective in Albay province

Pro-active preparation for Typhoon Yolanda proven effective in Albay province. At the height of super typhoon “Yolanda” here on Friday morning last week, the Department of Education regional office was hit by a fire caused by faulty electrical wiring resulting to minor damages. A residential house in Tabaco City was […]

Weather Update: LPA brings rains over south Luzon regions

The low pressure area (in Palawan) continues to bring rains over Luzon, including Metro Manila, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration said on Wednesday. In its 11 a.m advisory, PAGASA said the LPA was estimated at 158 kilometers northeast of Puerto Princesa City (10.8°N 119.7°E), bringing moderate to […]

DOH Bicol regional office dispatch medical team to Tacloban City

The Department of Health Bicol regional office on Tuesday sent a 26-man medical team to assist in the disaster response operation in the super typhoon “Yolanda”-devastated Tacloban City, a DOH officer said Wednesday. On Monday night, a group of medical personnel led Dr. Gloria Balboa, DOH regional director, also left […]

DSWD- Bicol ships out 8,000 food packs for eastern Samar

The Department of Social Welfare and Development in Bicol on Tuesday morning sent some 8,000 emergency family food packs worth P8-million for victims of super typhoon “Yolanda” in Eastern Samar, a regional official said Tuesday. Arnel B. Garcia, DSWD Bicol regional director, said the initial shipment of the relief goods […]

President Benigno S. Aquino III declares state of national calamity

Last Friday, Typhoon ‘Yolanda’ ravaged a large part of the Visayas region. It was one of the strongest typhoons in this country’s history, if not the world’s. “We thank the experts from PAGASA, the Mines and Geosciences Bureau, Phivolcs, and DOST, who gathered together and gave us the right, detailed, […]

DSWD – Bicol office to lead relief operations in typhoon-ravaged Samar

The Department of Social Welfare and Development in Bicol will be the lead agency in conducting relief operations in eastern and western Samar, among the worst-hit provinces in Central Visayas by super typhoon “Yolanda” on Friday, a DSWD regional official said Monday. Arnel Garcia, DSWD regional director, said he had […]

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 […]

Newest tropical depression ‘Zorayda’ enters PAR

A low pressure area over east of southern Mindanao has intensified into a tropical depression and entered the Philippine Area of Responsibility on Monday morning, the Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration said. In a interview, PAGASA weather forecaster Aldczar Aurelio said the tropical depression, locally named “Zorayda”, is […]

Tacloban city now open for land traffic via San Juanico and Bicol

After being hit hard by Super Typhoon ‘Yolanda’ (Haiyan), Tacloban City is now accessible by land, a Malacañang official said Sunday. Secretary to the Cabinet Jose Rene Almendras said at a media briefing in Roxas City in Capiz that Tacloban City can now be reached via the San Juanico Bridge […]

Malacañang lauds Ariella Arida, Nonito Donaire for their wins

Malacanang has lauded two Filipinos who won in their respective “battles” Sunday and gave their countrymen reasons to smile in times of crisis. Deputy Presidential Spokesperson Abigail Valte congratulated Miss Philippines Ariella Arida for her 3rd runner up finish in the just-concluded Miss Universe pageant held in Moscow, Russia and […]

BIR to implement secured tax stamps for cigarettes

The government might start affixing tax stamps on cigarettes by April next year to ensure tax compliance among tobacco companies. Internal Revenue Commissioner Kim Henares disclosed this during a recent hearing conducted by the House Committee on Ways and Means chaired by Rep. Romero “Miro” Quimbo (2nd District, Marikina City) […]

Albay dispatches humanitarian team for Eastern Visayas provinces

Team Albay is sending another humaitarian team, this time, to Eastern Visayan provinces ravaged by typhoon Yolanda. The group is composed of 179 highly spirited volunteers, from the Office of Civil Defense 5. They left Legazpi city at about 8:40 p.m. Saturday, in a convoy of 14 vehicles bound for […]

Casualty Update: Typhoon Yolanda leaves 2 dead, 9 injured in Masbate

An eight-year-old girl and a 16-year-old boy died while nine persons were reported injured when super typhoon “Yolanda” hit the Bicol region Friday morning. Office of Civil Defense Bicol Regional Director Raffy Alejandro, concurrently Regional Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council chairman, identified the two fatalities as Angel Geroldo of […]

Telcos need restore service in provinces of Eastern Visayas, Bicol and Mimaropa regions

Telcos need to restore service in everal provinces of Eastern Visayas, Bicol and Mimaropa regions. The National Telecommunications Commission on Saturday said restoration of communication signal in some areas in the Visayas may be delayed due to port operations suspension. The NTC during Saturday morning’s briefing at the National Risk […]

Albay evacuates 520K residents from flood-prone barangays

The Albay Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council announced Thursday afternoon that 520,897 persons have been evacuated from flood-prone barangays. PDRRMC chairperson and Albay Governor Joey Salceda said all mayors are in close coordination with concerned agencies and food relief items have been distributed to affected individuals. PAGASA Hourly […]

President Aquino’s message on typhoon ‘Yolanda’

Here’s the full statement of President Benigno S. Aquino III aired nationwide over government radio and television stations in view of super typhoon “Yolanda” Thursday evening: “Magandang gabi po sa lahat. Katatapos lang nating kausapin ang mga dalubhasa mula sa DOST, PAGASA, at Mines and Geosciences Bureau kung saan natin […]

Signal No. 3 on Masbate; No. 2 on Sorsogon, Albay and Burias; No. 1 on CamNorte, CamSur, Catanduanes as Typhoon Yolanda barrels through the islands

Signal No. 3 on Masbate; No. 2 on Sorsogon, Albay and Burias; No. 1 on CamNorte, CamSur, Catanduanes as Typhoon Yolanda barrels through the islands Signal 4 on Samar, Samar, Leyte, S. Leyte, Biliran; Signal 3 on N. Samar, Masbate, N. Cebu, Bantayan, Siargao, Dinagat, as Typhoon Yolanda barrels through […]

NAVFORSOL pre-positions relief goods in anticipation of Typhoon Yolanda

Naval Forces Southern Luzon of the Philippine Navy, has pre-positioned 10,000 sacks of rice and 35,000 packs of relief goods in various municipalities of Albay in preparation for the possible adverse effects of super typhoon “Yolanda.” This was announced by Philippine Navy spokesperson Lt. Cmdr. Gregory Fabic who said that […]

Masbate, Sorsogon now on Typhoon signal 2; CamSur, CamNorte, Albay and Catanduanes on signal 1 as Typhoon Yolanda nears landfall

Signal No.3 up on 6 Visayas, Mindanao provinces as Typhoon Yolanda threatens Eastern Visayas. At least six provinces in Visayas and Mindanao are now under public storm warning Signal No.3 as Typhoon Yolanda maintains strength and continues to threaten Eastern Visayas, according to Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration. […]

How typhoons are rated, so how strong is a super typhoon?

How typhoons are rated, so how strong is a super typhoon? The following article should give us a simple overview of how typhoons are rated (in strength) when it enters the Philippine Area of Responsibility. The Philippines is expecting another powerful typhoon this Friday and fears for its wrath are […]

Southern Bicol provinces prepare for landfall of Typhoon Yolanda

The southern Bicol provinces of Sorsogon, Masbate and Albay are getting ready for typhoon Yolanda. The howler is expected to bring heavy rains that could cause widespread flooding in the areas. In the thick of preparations for the coming typhoon, the Department of Education- Bicol regional office has readied schools […]

Magtang barangay officials of Tinambac town butchers giant leatherback sea turtle

Previously featured here were news items about a giant leatherback sea turtle which laid eggs at Legazpi coastlines and local government agency urges non-disturbance of turtles released by Saipan. Both items lean more on conservation and preservation of the critically endangered specie, which according to the International Union for the […]

Widespread vote-buying, political partisanship mars barangay election in Albay

Alleged widespread vote-buying and political partisanship marked Monday’s barangay election in this province. Citizen election watchers observed massive vote-buying in almost all villages in Albay. As of noon Monday, the barangay election was generally peaceful across the 15 towns and three cities in Albay, said lawyer Romeo Serrano, Commission on […]

Judges, clerks of courts required to report for work as barangay polls open

The Supreme Court has ordered that judges and clerks of court are required to report on duty in order to resolve election related cases during the barangay elections on Monday. Court Administrator Justice Jose Midas P. Marquez, in a two-page circular, directed the judges to report for duty on election […]

First Pinoy in space trains at the Apollo Global Space Camp USA

The first Flipino ever to go to space could be one of three participants to the international Axe Apollo Global Space Camp in the U.S. scheduled this December in Orlando, Florida, USA. The three lucky Pinoys (from left) Chino Roque, Ramil Santos, and Evan Rey Datuin, a hotel and restaurant […]

Bicolana farmer, 3 others get FAO award on World Food Day celebration

A Bicolana farmer and three others were recognized for their achievements in agriculture and food production during the recent 33rd celebration of the World Food Day for the Asia-Pacific region held in Bangkok, Thailand on October 16, 2013. Myrna Conmigo Asor of Goa, (Partido district) Camarines Sur received a Food […]

7-Vehicle crash in Atimonan claims 19 fatalities

The death toll for the seven-vehicle smashup in an accident-prone portion of the Maharlika Highway, in Barangay Sta. Catalina, Atimonan town, Quezon before dawn Saturday has now climbed to 19 with 32 others wounded. Reports said this was after a number of the injured victims earlier rushed to the hospital […]

Albay sends 80-person humanitarian team to Bohol and Cebu

The provincial government of Albay and Bicol Office of Civil Defense based in Legazpi city mounts a humanitarian team for the earthquake ravaged residents of the provinces of Bohol and Cebu in Central Visayas. The Visayan provinces was hard hit by a 7.2 magnitude earthquake that shaked its cities and […]

Bicol Customs fall short of collection target in past three quarters of 2013

The regional office of the Bureau of Customs in Bicol disclosed on Monday it was short of P17.4 million in its collection target of P135.2 million during the past three quarters of this year. The agency attributed the shortfall due to the decrease in import duties paid by companies operating […]

Disaster Response units from AFP on Standby with Land, Air, and Sea Transport Equipment

The Office of Civil Defense in Bicol said the activated Disaster Response Units from the Armed Forces of the Philippines are on standby with ten DRU platoons composed of 36 personnel, five military trucks, two helicopters, rubber boats and equipment. OCD Regional Director Rafael Bernardo Alejandro, also the Regional Disaster […]

Bicol Provinces on Blue Alert Status as Typhoon Santi Approaches

Bicol provinces on blue alert status as typhoon Santi approaches. The Regional Disaster and Risk Reduction Management Council and the Office of Civil Defense have raised the blue alert status in the Bicol region due to Typhoon “Santi.” Blue alert means all PDRRMCs in the provinces of Albay, Sorsogon, Masbate, […]

Signal Number 1 Up Over Catanduanes as Tropical Storm Santi Approaches

The province of Catanduanes is now under public storm warning signal no. 1 as tropical depression Santi has intensified into a tropical storm expected to stay within the country’s territory until weekend, according to the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA). PAGASA defines a tropical storm as moderate […]

PNP Bicol sacks 6 police chiefs due erroneous crime stat reports

The Philippine National Police Bicol regional office sacked the chiefs of police of six local government units in the region because of erroneous reports on crime statistics in the respective areas of responsibility. Insp. Malou Calubaquib, PNP Bicol regional spokesperson, identified the sacked police as Supt. Lorenzo Trajano of Daraga […]

Landslide in Sorsogon Town Kills 12 Year Old Boy

A 12-year-old boy died on Saturday afternoon when a portion of a hill suddenly collapsed and buried him alive in Barangay Calomagon, Bulan, Sorsogon, an official of the Philippine National Police Bicol said Sunday. Inspector Malu Calubaquid, PNP-Bicol spokesperson, identified the victim as Noel Hachero, a resident of Sitio Buntay, […]

Seriously, Naga City-Camarines Sur Needs an All-weather Airport

Seriously, Naga City-Camarines Sur needs an all-weather airport. Domestic airline passengers get a doze of frustration each time flights destined from Manila to Naga city and return get axed due to cancellation. But it makes more ironic when the cancellation was not caused by aircraft mechanical trouble but by sunset […]

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 […]

Miss Philippines Wins Crown of Miss World 2013

Miss Philippines Megan Young wins the coveted crown and title of Miss World 2013. 2. Miss France 3. Miss Ghana The beauty pageant was held at Bali, Indonesia on Saturday. Top five 1. Miss France 2. Miss Philippines 3. Miss Ghana 4. Miss Brazil 5. Miss Spain 6. Miss Gibraltar […]

Hollywood’s Gravity features the International Space Station

Two astronauts find themselves adrift in space and struggling for survival after their spacecraft is destroyed by debris. In the new Warner Bros. movie “Gravity,” this scenario makes for gripping Hollywood entertainment. NASA actively works to protect its astronauts and vehicles from the dangers portrayed in the movie. From protective […]

Lone Bicolano Casualty in Zamboanga Stand-off Flown Home

Lone Bicolano Casualty in Zamboanga Stand-off Flown Home. The fall out from the Zamboanga hostilities that pitted a group of Moro National Liberation front fighters against government military personnel became more real and touching to the family of one Bicolano soldier. To the family of Corporal Jesi Chris Reyeg, 33, […]

81 Families in Juban Town of Sorsogon Temporarily Displaced by Army-NPA Encounter

An encounter between Army troopers and New People’s Army (NPA) rebels on Sunday afternoon in Barangay Upper Maalo, Juban, Sorsogon, forced at least 81 families to scamper for safety. Soldiers belonging to the 31st Infantry Battalion of the Philippine Army and a band of NPA guerrillas clashed at about 3 […]

NASA says Cygnus rendezvous delayed for 48 hours

The Antares rocket carrying the Cygnus commercial cargo craft lifts off from the Mid-Atlantic Regional Spaceport’s Launch Pad-0A at NASA’s Wallops Flight Facility in Virginia on its way to rendezvous with the space station. The spacecraft will deliver about 1,300 pounds (589 kilograms) of cargo, including food and clothing, to […]

Bicol Congressmen Use P3.881Bn Pork Barrel Funds Between 2009 and 2013

Bicol congressmen received a total of P3.881 billion pork barrel funds between 2009 and March 2013, according to the records of the Department of Budget and Management. The amount represent funds released to 24 present and past congressional representatives of the six Bicol provinces. Representative District  Amount 1 Bravo, Narciso […]

What's Recommended

SpaceX Dragon spacecraft launches at Cape Canaveral with 3D printer

An eruption of fire and smoke sent a SpaceX Dragon spacecraft skyward laden with 5,000 pounds of scientific equipment and supplies destined for use by the crew of the International Space Station. Lifting off at 1:52:03 a.m. EDT on Sunday, Sept. 21, from Launch Complex-40 at Cape Canaveral Air Force […]

Ayala invests P1-billion in Legazpi mall project

Ayala invests P1-billion in Legazpi mall project development. City mayor Noel Rosal said on Saturday evening during a social event celebration held at the city motorpool compound that the Ayala Corporation has invested P1-billion for the construction of a mall right at the heart of the city. Ayala took over […]

British star, next space tourist to the ISS goes on vacation

(Image credit: Sarah Brightman facebook page) MOSCOW, Feb. 26 — Popular Englsh classical singer Sarah Brightman will soon fly to space. But wait, while she is scheduled to go to the International Space Station as the next space tourist, she has broken up a schedule of pre-flight training at the […]

Now there are 10 deputy speakers in the House of Representatives

The House of Representatives is nearing its target of filling up the 12 seats for deputy speakers. On Monday, the second batch of deputy speakers were elected composed by Pampanga Rep. Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, Aambis Owa Rep. Sharon Garin, Cebu Rep. Gwendolyn Garcia, Davao City Rep. Mylene Garcia Albano, and […]

Watch: Let’s talk about the Chinese Zodiac thingy

Today, I temporarily place under my drawer the primary concern of growing more subs. Because today we go Chinese. I mean, I will talk in passing about the Chinese Zodiac as very soon the Chinese New Year will come with a bang on Feb 16, 2018 and end on Feb […]

Duterte’s “Labor” man wants to change name of department

DAVAO CITY — What’s in a name of an old government department or agency? Rody Duterte’s incoming labor secretary, Silvestre Bello III, is into deep thoughts of renaming the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE). Bello told reporters in a Davao City press briefing he is suggesting for the department […]

Pandemic: Zika virus spreading ‘explosively’ in Americas

Zika virus is spreading “explosively” in the Americas, and could spread even further afield amid an “extremely high” level of alarm, said a senior official of the World Health Organization (WHO) on Thursday. Margaret Chan, WHO director-general, made the statement while briefing WHO’s board members in Geneva on the Zika […]

Brussels heightened security measures cost Belgium US $55M daily

Brussels heightened security measures cost Belgium US $55M daily. The heightened security measures in the Belgian capital of Brussels, which were in place earlier this week due to the terror threat, cost the country 51.7 million euros (nearly USD 55 million) daily, local media reported. The measures were in place […]

Above the Clouds

Sitting by the plane window of an domestic Airbus319 series plane, I feel like floating on the pluffy clouds the aircraft was passing through.

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 […]

PH Losing Grip as Text Messaging Capital of the World

Many Pinoys feel a sense of pride upon learning that the Philippines has been acknowledged the text messaging capital of the world in the past years. It is of no wonder since in one household, almost all members of the family that can read and write, therefore can text, have a cellphone for the purpose. But wait, there could be a looming change on this.

Peso seen to breach the 54 level to a US dollar in 2018

This should confirm the long suspected plunge of the peso vis-à-vis the US dollar. Now the peso is seen to weaken further beyond the range of 48-50 until the end of year 2017. If it does, which is srongly possible, President Rodrigo Duterte’s economc managers are missing something. Yet, it […]

Remembering Calabanga, Part 1

When I remember my hometown, Calabanga, it is always summer. It is a small town at the foot of the overwhelming Isarog, which is lapped by the San Miguel bay. The town is a lovely place where the skies are bluer than I’ve ever seen them anywhere and the sea is as calm as a still night and overpowering when angry.

What's Throwback

Mindanao Ombudsman dismiss 156 mayors, top rank public officials in 2015

Too many bad eggs in Mindanao. There were 156 mayors and other top ranked government officials got dismissed by the Office of the Ombudsman of Mindanao in 2015 for various unlawful transactions. Of these number, five mayors, one regional director, and one deputy provincial treasurer were axed from public service. […]

Salceda to junk LP bets because of Bicol International Airport

Salceda to junk LP bets because of unfinished Bicol International Airport, which may tip the balance of LP’s winning or losing in his province even as Roxas said he is not afraid to lose Albay. On Thursday, Salceda said his province may junk the administration ticket after the failure of […]

Kim Wong’s lawyer returns $4.63 million of laundered money

About US S4.63 million, part of the $81 million stolen from Bangladesh Bank have been recovered and turned over at the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas main office in Manila Thursday afternoon. The money was returned by the lawyer of casino junket operator Kim Wong to officials of Bangladesh, BSP and […]

Busy Monday for presumptive President-elect Rodrigo Duterte

DAVAO CITY – Presumptive President-elect and Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte will formally receive well-wishers at the privately-owned clubhouse of Matina Enclaves residential condominium here on Monday. Peter Laviña, spokesperson of the Duterte camp, said he was not sure if the mayor would be meeting the public. He said Monday […]

Signal No. 1 in 7 areas as TD ‘Ambo’ approaches

The low pressure area located east of Borongan City has developed into a tropical depression now named ‘Ambo’ as the first tropical cyclone to affect the country this year, according to the state weather bureau. The Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said as of 11:30 a.m., ‘Ambo’ […]

NGCP hits Leyte, Samar provinces with one-day power outage

Samar and Leyte provinces braced for a day-long power outage Saturday as the National Power Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) transfer transmission wires from emergency restoration system to permanent tower structure. The scheduled interruption starts from 6 AM to 5 PM said to hit the three provinces of Samar […]

Duterte defends DENR Secretary Gina Lopez, belittles income from mining

This is the segment of the interview with the press in Malacanang of President Rodrigo Duterte on mining. The transcript of that “conversation” follows below: Second is mining, huwag ninyong anuhin si Gina Lopez by publicity. Hindi siya marunong…She is not an incompetent, she is a bright lady. And she […]