‘Transformers 4′ dominates N. America box office Church procession honoring Mafioso defies Pope Francis Typhoon ‘Florita’ intensifies, traverses up northwest Backlash stirs in US vs. foreign worker visas Hot dog eating champ proposes to Fil-Am girlfriend Some at US-bound airports must turn on phones for security check Fil-Am confirmed as Los Angeles community service commissioner 6 Jewish suspects nabbed in possible revenge killing of Palestinian teen
Loading the player… • Flawless liftoff follows a failed previous attempt • Spacecraft to study movement of greenhouse gas in the atmosphere VANDENBERG (AFB), California – After the failure of their first attempt to launch an orbiting carbon observation laboratory, NASA scientists led by project manager Dr. Ralph Basilio were ecstatic at the flawless launch of their second attempt on July 1. “I am happy to report that from the initial health check perspective of the observatory, that we do have indeed a healthy observatory,” said Filiipino American astrophysicist Basilio, the project manager of the Orbiting Carbon Observatory-2 (OCO-2) of NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL). The OCO-2 spacecraft is NASA’s first science satellite meant to study where carbon dioxide is moving into and out of the atmosphere. Carbon dioxide is the primary greenhouse gas emitted through human activities, according to the US Environmental Protection Agency. Since it is dedicated to studying carbon dioxide, the spacecraft “is of “critical importance to the scientists who are trying to understand the impact of humans on global change,” said Betsy Edwards, program executive at NASA Headquarters in Washington during the pre-launch news conference, according to Reuters. “Roughly half of the carbon is re-absorbed by forests and the ocean, a process that is not well understood,” the report added. “Understanding the details of those processes will give us some insight into the future and what’s likely to happen over the next decades, even if we continue to consume more and more fossil fuels and emit more and more carbon dioxide into the atmosphere,” atmospheric scientist Read More …
UPAA Toronto officials Joe Zagala (former president), Beth Vasquez (current vice president and interim president) applaud top prize winners Andrei Bernabe, Michael Collis, Thong Du and Alan S. Hayton. TeeUP High consultant and technical adviser Mars Cebrero and emcee Livvy Camacho look on. PHOTO BY MARISA ROQUE • Drive supports student scholars and UP faculty • Tournament conceived in 2009 to stave off effects of recession MILTON, Ontario, Canada — The 4th TeeUP High Golf Tournament saw 46 players vie for trophies and numerous prizes, among them a 2014 Mitsubishi Lancer for a hole-in-one, made possible by Toronto North Mitsubishi. Money raised from the tournament and awards dinner, held on Sunday, June 22, at the Royal Ontario Golf Club, is earmarked for the University of the Philippines Alumni Association Toronto (UPAAT) scholarship fund and professorial chair. Begun in 2010, the tournament supports UPAAT’s endowment projects. The endowment fund was formally set up in 2005, when the organization presented a check for C$25,000, money raised over several years, to then-UP President Dr. Emerlinda Roman. According to Joe Zagala, a former president of UPAAT, the endowment fund is used in perpetuity to advance scholarship for deserving students who otherwise cannot afford a quality tertiary education. The fund also aims to help in maintaining the quality UP teaching staff. In duffer’s jargon, “Tee up high and let them fly!” applies both to golf balls and scholars: Give them the lift they need and they will soar to the goal. Interest earnings from the Read More …
AFP FILE PHOTO MANILA, Philippines – Vice President Jejomar Binay on Monday urged the Philippine embassy on Monday to look into a report that domestic workers, including Filipinos, were being put on display at malls in Singapore. A report by news outlet Al Jazeera depicted the plight of the domestic workers in “maid agencies” in the city-state, where the workers are allegedly made to sit beneath signs and posters that testify to their qualities, or advertise promo rates and discounts. The workers were also allegedly made to simulate real-life housework, like taking care of the elderly or children. “The Philippine embassy should investigate the report and if needed, make the proper representations with Singaporean authorities,” Binay, also presidential adviser on Overseas Filipino Workers’ Concerns, said in a statement. If the report was true, he said, the act of “displaying” domestic workers in malls “violates human rights and international laws upholding the rights of migrant workers.” “I am deeply concerned by these reports. If this is true, then the domestic workers are being subjected to an indignity that should not be allowed and is in fact, a violation of an international convention protecting the rights of migrant workers,” said Binay. The Vice President also expressed confidence that Singapore will act on the matter once it is brought to their attention. “I am confident that such acts will not be tolerated by Singapore. Singapore is a friend of the Philippines and Filipinos,” Binay added. There are more than 184,000 Filipinos in Singapore according to December 2012 records of the Read More …
SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO, CA — Submissions to the 3rd Annual Plaridel Awards for excellence in Filipino American journalism are now being accepted by The Philippine American Press Club, USA (PAPC). The Plaridel Awards was established in 2012 to acknowledge the contribution of outstanding writers and publishers in the Filipino American community. The awards celebrate the best works of Fil-Am mass communicators, who chronicle the lives and times of their compatriots, promote and share their culture and history, champion their causes and provide a venue where readers and listeners can voice their concerns. The Plaridel Awards was named in honor of Marcelo H. Del Pilar, a Filipino patriot, journalist and publisher who brought his craft and zeal as an expat in Europe in late 1800s. Plaridel was his pen name. Del Pilar was a prolific writer who kept his constituents abreast with the goings on in their expat community as well as in the homeland. In del Pilar, the PAPC has found a hero to emulate, an inspiration to Filipino writers and publishers everywhere who pursue their journalistic aspirations and service to their constituents in their new home. The Plaridel is open to all Fil-Am journalists whose articles or programs saw publication in a Filipino American-based media anywhere in the U.S. between June 1, 2013 through May 31, 2014. Deadline for submission is August 30, 2014. Awards will be given to the best stories and articles that provide unique perspective on the issues and concerns of Filipino Americans. Categories for print and online articles include Investigative Story, News Story; Personal Essay, Feature Writing, Profile Writing, Commentary or Read More …
BANGKOK—On a scale of 1 to 10—with 10 being the highest—the Philippines ranks “somewhere between 6 and 7” as far its level of preparedness for natural disasters is concerned. The assessment was made by Margareta Wahlstrom, UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon’s special representative for disaster risk reduction, who pointed out the Southeast Asian nation is “very capable” of reducing its vulnerability, as well as responding to calamities. “On the local government units’ level of preparedness, it’s good. You have outstanding LGUs like (the provinces of) Albay and Cebu. Certainly, they’re between 6 and 7. On the national level, we can also raise it to 6 or 7,” she said. However, Wahlstrom, also head of the UN International Strategy for Disaster Reduction (UNISDR), asserted that “the Philippines’ aspiration should be higher.” “It should be an 8 or 9, given that your country has experienced many disasters. Both the national and local levels need to get to 8 or 9,” she told the Inquirer. Tacloban, face of disaster Interviewed during the just-concluded 6th Asian Ministerial Conference on Disaster Risk Reduction (AMCDRR), which the UNISDR and the Thai government cohosted from June 23 to 26, Wahlstrom noted that “after Indonesia and Japan, which were hit by earthquakes and tsunamis, Tacloban City (which was devastated by Supertyphoon “Yolanda” in November) is now the face of disaster in the region.” “There’s the curiosity and interest from other countries and institutions in the region as to why it was different. Some say it was the impression that so many (over 6,000) people died despite an early Read More …
By Kristine Angeli SabilloINQUIRER.net 12:38 pm | Sunday, June 22nd, 2014 Vice President Jejomar Binay. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO MANILA, Philippines—Vice President Jejomar Binay on Sunday lauded Google for taking down an offensive blog that listed ways to harass Filipinos working in Singapore. “I thank Google for not allowing itself to be a platform for prejudice and ethnic discrimination, and I laud everyone from Google for leading the drive in keeping the world wide web free from bigotry and intolerance,” the Vice President said in a statement. Binay, who is also the Presidential Adviser on overseas Filipino workers, said Filipinos should “hold their heads high.” “As Carlos P. Romulo once wrote, in our blood runs the immortal seed of heroes – seed that flowered down the centuries in deeds of courage. Let us be proud of our culture and heritage, but at the same time, let us also be examples of tolerance, respect, and acceptance,” he added. Binay also defended Singaporean citizens whom he called “good friends and partners,” saying that the blogger chose to remain anonymous because he will be held liable under Singaporean law for hate speech. Agence France-Presse on Saturday reported that Google took down the blog site “Blood Stained Singapore.” The article said a Google spokesperson refused to confirm the news but said that they do remove material from Blogger, where the site was hosted, that violates its policy on hate speech. RELATED STORIES Google takes down guide on how to harass Filipinos in Singapore Philippines asks Read More …
By Bong LozadaINQUIRER.net 1:00 pm | Wednesday, June 11th, 2014 MANILA, Philippines – An Australian sailor was dropped off here by his submarine on a medical emergency after he was found to be suffering from appendicitis, a Philippine Navy official said Wednesday. “They were in international waters on Sunday, when the emergency happened, they asked assistance from the Navy Central Command in Cebu,” said Commander Gerald Gregory Fabic, public affairs office chief. Fabic said the Australian submarine was forced to dock at the nearest pier, which happened to be in Tacloban after which the sailor was brought to Manila where he was treated. Fabic said that there were no international protocols breached as it was a medical emergency and the diplomatic clearances were provided for the sailor, whom Fabic did not identify. The Australian sub, which Fabic also did not name for security purposes, met with the BF339 of the Philippine Navy to bring the sailor, first, to a Tacloban hospital. “Tests were conducted and it was found out that the sailor had appendicitis,” Fabic said. He added that a flight to Manila was booked for the sailor and an officer escort. The Australian submarine will be leaving the Philippines on Sunday. Officials from the Australian Embassy here would take care of the soldier and plan his return to Australia. RELATED STORIES PH Navy sends team to Australia for first time for training exercises with counterparts Australian navy ship arrives in Cebu for relief operations Follow Us Other Stories: DFA: Read More …
By Matikas SantosINQUIRER.net 11:46 am | Wednesday, June 11th, 2014 INQUIRER FILE PHOTO MANILA, Philippines – There may be fewer lines at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (Naia) once the terminal fees become included in the price of airline tickets by October 2014, the Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC) announced Wednesday. The Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA) is set to sign a memorandum of agreement with air carriers to have the international passenger service charge (IPSC), more commonly known as terminal fee, included in the purchase of the ticket. “It improves traveling convenience and efficiency at Naia by removing a whole process which unnecessarily adds to the passengers’ processing time, requiring them to line up when payment can be done ahead of time,” DOTC Secretary Jun Abaya said in the statement. DOTC said that the new policy will free up space in the terminals because the terminal fee counters will be removed. It will also put the Philippines at par with neighboring countries in Southeast Asia since Philippines is the last remaining country which collects terminal fees in the airport premises. The integration program will begin in October 2014, with a one-year transition period ending in September 2015. Full implementation of the policy will be in October 2015. A terminal fee of P550 is collected per departing passenger. DOTC said that from this amount, P390 is MIAA’s share for maintenance and upkeep, P100 goes to the National Government, and P60 is for aviation security. Domestic terminal fee to be integrated into airline ticket Read More …
TACLOBAN CITY – United States Agency for International Development (USAID) Acting Assistant Administrator (AA) for Asia, Denise Rollins led the launch of the US-funded reconstruction and recovery activities in Typhoon “Yolanda” (Haiyan)-affected areas. Accompanied by USAID/Philippines Mission Director Gloria D. Steele, AA Rollins has been visiting program sites and engaging with local leaders and families that represent the wide scope of USAID’s work, from government officials, to business and community pioneers, to survivors of Typhoon Yolanda. Her visit reinforces the US’ commitment to the Partnership for Growth – a bilateral agreement with the Government of the Philippines (GPH) to achieve broad-based, inclusive and resilient growth in the country. In Leyte, the US Embassy Manila’s USAID Rebuild program, which will be implemented in close partnership with the Government of the Philippines (GPH), focuses on restoring access to education, health services and livelihood activities, and providing technical assistance to the Office of the Presidential Assistant for Rehabilitation and Recovery. AA Rollins said: “The US Government is committed to help restore normalcy in the lives of the affected families. We will continue our work with our GPH partners to help the province build back better, to be more resilient to future disasters, and ultimately work towards a more stable, prosperous nation that can achieve broad-based and inclusive growth.” Leyte officials attended the launch ceremonies led by Governor Dominic L. Petilla, Congressman Martin Romualdez. An event was held at the San Fernando Central School, where the US government will construct a P21 million (US$480,000) school building Read More …