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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

In your dreams, Bicol International Airport completion not in P-Noy’s term

LEGAZPI CITY — There is no reason to be flaunting about the age of modern air travel in the region via the Southern Luzon international airport. The thing is, the airport’s completion may come beyond the 2016 national elections, yet. Because of this, Bicolanos, more specifically the people of Albay, […]

10 Units of Raymond bus company get suspension order

Ten bus units being operated by the Raymond bus line was penalized with 30-day suspension order from the Land Transportation Franchising Regulatory Board (LTFRB) triggered by a fatal road accident in Sariaya town of Quezon province. One of the units of Raymond bus line crashed into a restaurant along Maharlika […]

Is There Foul Play in Aga Muhlach’s Boat Explosion?

Is there foul play in the boat explosion of Camarines Sur fourth congressional distict candidate Ariel Aquino Muhlach also known as the former matinee idol in the silver screen of Aga Muhlach? Earlier unconfirmed report said that the operator-driver pilot Jerome Pervera sustained injuries on his leg, arm, back, and […]

September 2 is Non-working Holiday in Albay for Gen. Simeon Ola

September 2 is non-working holiday in the province of Albay. The Malacanang declaration was due to the commemoration of the 148th birth anniversary of the late Gen. Simeon A. Ola, the Bicolano hero during the Philippine-American War. Born on September 2, 1865 in Guinobatan, Albay, to ordinary citizens Vicente Ola […]

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, […]

Will Naga airport see the light at the end of the tunnel?

The proposed P3.58-billion Naga airport development project, situated in Camarines Sur capital town of Pili, which include re-orientation of the runway, upgrading for night flight capabilities and provision for wide-body jet service is a cow passing through the hole of a needle. The transportation department is up to procuring consultancy […]

Focus on the Black Sand Mining in Albay

The province of Albay seems to have forgotten the lessons of Rapu-rapu. The open pit mining that ravaged the island, is part of the municipality with the same name in the province. In the end, the residents barely had benefit from the windfall profit from the mined gold, nickel, zinc […]

Astonishing One Half Million Mile Solar Filament

NASA’s Solar Dynamics Observatory (SDO) captures a very long, whip-like solar filament extending over half a million miles in a long arc above the sun’s surface. Filaments are cooler clouds of solar material that are tethered above the sun’s surface by unstable magnetic forces. The image and video, which covers […]

These 3 PH islands made it to a New York magazine’s World’s Best list

In an annual survey conducted by New York-based Travel + Leisure magazine, readers were asked to rate destinations all over the world according to their activities, sights, natural attractions, beaches, food, friendliness and overall value. Results revealed that Palawan hurdled the top rank after receiving the highest score among readers […]

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 […]

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.

What's Throwback

Looking back, how Gerphil Flores fail the finals of Pinoy Got Talent

Looking back how Asia’s Got Talent finalist Gerphil Flores flunked the chance to reach the finals of Pinoy Got Talent due two judges favored the other contestant. Ironic as the other contestant failed to reach the high note which the other judge rightfully pointed out. Fast forward now, Gerphil (Fame) […]

HB 6210: Declare elective officials running for post resigned?

It is interesting that Albay first district Rep. Edcel B. Lagman Jr. has filed a house bill seeking mandatory resignation for all elective officials who wish to run for any position other than the one they are currently holding. Lagman’s House Bill 6210 will amend the provision in the Fair […]

DSWD chief denies accusation of campaigning for Malacanang bets

Malacanang on Wednesday defended Welfare Secretary Corazon Soliman on the allegation that she was campaigning for the Liberal Party candidates instead of leading from the frontlines for the relief and recovery of those affected by typhoon ‘Lando.” Soliman chided the accusation of Vice President Jejomar Binay’s spokesperson that she was […]

DOTC finds no proof on ‘Laglag Bala’ scheme by syndicates?

“We have yet to get any fact that there are syndicates that operate this (scheme),” DOTC Secretary Joseph Emilio Abaya said during a press conference at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal 3. The Department of Transportation and Communication on Wednesday said that there is no proof that the […]

Putin, Widodo skips APEC meet, will attend G20 summit in Turkey

The Russian Federation President Vladimir Putin and Indonesian President Joko Widodo will attend the G20 summit in Anatalya, Turkey on November 15 to 16 but both will skip the APEC event in Manila slated for November 18 TO 19. At the G20 summit Putin will meet with International Monetary Fund […]

Extremely productive: PH, Japan sign agreements on rail project and more

The Philippines and Japan on Thursday night signed bilateral agreements on social security and rail project while increasing defense partnership following the Paris attacks that killed 129 people. The agreements were signed after the bilateral meetings between Philippine President Benigno Aquino III and Japan Prime Minister Shinzo Abe at the […]

PH Air Force receives 2 FA-50 jets from South Korea

CLARK AIR BASE, PAMPANGA, Nov. 28 — A deep-throated roar in the sky heralded the arrival of the country’s first two FA-50PHs and return of the supersonic capability of the Philippine Air Force (PAF) Saturday morning. The two aircraft, with tail numbers OO1 and 002, landed at Clark Air Base, […]

Next round of DQ case vs. Sen. Grace Poe shifts to SCOTP

After the 1st Division of the Commission on Elections decision to cancel the Certificate of Candidacy of presidential hopeful Sen. Grace Poe, the next round will be in the Supreme Court of the Philippines (SCOTP). Now, SCOTP Associate Justice Mario Victor Leonen has been designated as the ponente, or the […]