We won’t leave Sabah, says Kiram

 News
Feb 172013
 
We won’t leave Sabah, says Kiram

Agence France-Presse 1:56 am | Monday, February 18th, 2013 Sultan of Sulu Jamalul Kiram talks to reporters during a news conference in Alabang, south of Manila, Philippines on Sunday, Feb. 17, 2013. His followers who crossed to the Malaysian state of Sabah this month will not leave and are reclaiming the area as their ancestral territory, the sultan said Sunday, Feb. 17, 2013, amid a tense standoff. AP PHOTO/AARON FAVILA MANILA, Philippines—Followers of a Philippine sultan who crossed to the Malaysian state of Sabah this month will not leave and are reclaiming the area as their ancestral territory, the sultan said Sunday amid a tense standoff. Sultan Jamalul Kiram said his followers—some 400 people including 20 gunmen—were resolute in staying despite being cornered by security forces, with the Kuala Lumpur government insisting the group return to the Philippines. “Why should we leave our own home? In fact they (the Malaysians) are paying rent (to us),” he told reporters in Manila. “Our followers will stay in (the Sabah town of) Lahad Datu. Nobody will be sent to the Philippines. Sabah is our home,” he said. The sultan did not directly threaten violence but said “there will be no turning back for us.” Malaysian officials have said that many in the group have weapons, but Kiram insisted his followers made the trip unarmed. “If they have arms, they were already in Sabah,” the sultan said. The southern Philippine-based Islamic sultanate once controlled parts of Borneo, including the site of the stand-off, and Read More …

Filipinos abroad hire Cupids to serenade loved ones back home

 News
Feb 142013
 
Filipinos abroad hire Cupids to serenade loved ones back home

Associated Press 2:17 pm | Thursday, February 14th, 2013 Rose Natividad, left, reacts as a singer, hired by her partner who is working for a cruise liner overseas, serenades her as a surprised Valentine’s Day gift to her at her office in Manila, Philippines Thursday Feb. 14, 2013. The unique surprise serenade service, which includes love songs, a cuddly teddy bear, and a video recording of the romance-by-proxy event that is shipped to the client abroad, is played out in restaurants, offices and homes across the Philippines on Valentine’s Day. AP/Bullit Marquez MANILA, Philippines — Angelica Nino, a 22-year-old manager of a Manila restaurant, was preparing to assign shifts to her crew last week when she got a big surprise from her Filipino boyfriend who has been in Italy for a year on business. To mark their first anniversary as a couple and as an early Valentine’s Day gift, he sent over a singer and a guitar player to serenade her and read out his love letter. This scene will be played out Thursday in restaurants, offices and homes across the Philippines on Valentine’s Day. With nearly 10 percent of the country’s 94 million people working abroad, clearly there was room for someone to play Cupid between long-distance lovers. And then was born a unique surprise serenade service, which includes love songs, a cuddly teddy and a video recording of the romance-by-proxy event that is shipped to the client abroad. To immortalize their love, the video is also posted on Read More …

FDA warns public vs buying medicines from sari-sari stores

 News
Feb 132013
 
FDA warns public vs buying medicines from sari-sari stores

Buying medicines from sari-sari stores and other unlicensed drug outlets may pose risks to health, the Food and Drug Administration warned. In an advisory, the FDA also warned against self-medication, saying the public should “seek professional health care before taking any medicine.” “The FDA cannot assure the consumers that the medicines sold from these illegal outlets were manufactured under Good Manufacturing Practice. Contaminated or adulterated medicines may result to unexpected secondary effects or side effects,” FDA acting director Kenneth Hartigan Go said. He added improperly handled and stored medicines may become ineffective when exposed to humidity and extreme temperatures. Worse, consumers who buy prescription drugs from sari-sari stores may suffer from adverse drug reactions and put their lives in danger, he said. “Patients may unknowingly buy a counterfeit product containing inert ingredients or genuine medicine that are expired and have been resold by unscrupulous peddlers,” he added. The advisory dated Jan. 25 was posted on the FDA website only on Feb. 13. Hartigan-Go advised patients who have taken medicines bought from sari-sari stores and unlicensed drug outlets to contact the FDA Adverse Drug Reaction Unit in case they suffer from adverse reactions. The FDA Adverse Drug Reaction Unit may be contacted at 165-332 or (02) 857-1900 local 2221. Meanwhile, he said FDA drug inspectors will coordinate with local government units in calling the attention of sari-sari stores and other illegitimate drug outlets to refrain from selling drug products. —KG, GMA News

For the first time, media will be allowed to vote ahead of Election Day

 News
Feb 132013
 
For the first time, media will be allowed to vote ahead of Election Day

For the first time, media personnel who will not be able to vote on election day due to work will now be allowed to cast their votes ahead of the elections. In Resolution 9637, the Commission on Elections said media practitioners, even the technical and support staff who are actively engaged in information gathering and news reporting, are now entitled to avail of the local absentee voting. The resolution was promulgated on February 13. Comelec spokesperson James Jimenez said they will be coming out with application forms soon, adding that they expect between 10,000 to 20,000 media workers to avail of the local absentee voting. Among those who can avail of the local absentee voting are print journalists, television journalists, photojournalists, online journalists, radio journalists, documentary makers and those in television/ radio production who are duly registered voters. For the May 13 polls, the local absentee voters can only vote for 12 senators and  a party-list group.  In the past, only government officials and employees, members of the National Police and Armed Forces who are temporarily assigned to perform election duties in places where they are not registered voters, are allowed to participate in local absentee voting. The voting will be held from April 28, 29, 30 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Members of the media can vote at the Comelec office where they filed their applications while for the others, the AFP and PNP, head of office, supervisor or commander should designate the place of voting not later Read More …

‘Filipino’ gunmen captured in Malaysia – police

 News
Feb 132013
 
‘Filipino’ gunmen captured in Malaysia – police

1:09 pm | Thursday, February 14th, 2013 KUALA LUMPUR – Malaysian security forces have captured a group of “foreigners with firearms” believed to be militants from the southern Philippines, police said on Thursday. State news agency Bernama cited unidentified police sources as saying the group was made up of more than 100 men in military fatigues, but police have not publicly confirmed that report. National police chief Ismail Omar said in a statement late on Wednesday that the gunmen intruded on Malaysian soil in the state of Sabah on Borneo island, a region with a history of incidents involving armed Filipino groups. “This intrusion is a result of the problems in the southern Philippines,” Ismail said in an apparent reference to Muslim insurgents and other lawlessness in the southern Philippines, which lies just across the Sulu Sea from Sabah. Malaysia is predominantly Muslim. Ismail said security forces surrounded and ordered the gunmen to surrender in the Malaysian coastal town of Lahad Datu. His statement made no mention of how many people were involved. “They’ve surrendered, but as for the number, I really have no info for now,” said a police spokesman contacted by AFP on Thursday. Sabah’s eastern tip is less than an hour by speedboat from the nearest Philippine islands. In October, Manila reached a framework agreement with the southern Philippines’ main Muslim separatist group aimed at ending a decades-long insurgency that has left more than 150,000 people dead. In 2000, a Philippine militant group seized 21 mostly Western Read More …

Lacson says he's building up more cases vs. Miriam

 News
Feb 132013
 
Lacson says he's building up more cases vs. Miriam

(Updated 1:56 p.m.) In a phone interview with reporters on Thursday, Lacson said he is looking into allegations that Santiago used her pork barrel to construct a cockpit arena in Pasig. “Kasi may sinisimulan akong imbestigahan ngayon, ‘yung paggamit niya ng pork barrel under the guise na sports complex ‘yung ipapagawa eh cockpit arena ang kinonstruct. ‘Yun ay sinisimulan ko na mag-gather ng mga dokumento at ebidensya at kung mayroong basehan again ire-refer ko ‘yan sa Ombudsman,” he said. In a text message to GMA News Online earlier in the day, Lacson was more succinct: “I have just started my investigation. Every time she opens her big mouth, I will gather evidence to expose her misdeeds and corrupt ways.” Santiago’s office said she will issue a statement within the day. Lacson issued the statement a day after Santiago threatened to expose his alleged sins, even his supposed true sexuality. “Maghanda ka (Lacson) dahil meron akong parliamentary immunity, ibulgar ko lahat ng kasalanan mo pati ang sexuality mo,” she said in a radio interview Wednesday. On Thursday, Lacson this was “really below the belt.” “Unang-una hindi totoo [‘yun]. Uso naman ang aminan pero bakit ko aaminin kung talagang hindi totoo kung bakla ako eh baka wala nang macho dito sa mundo,” he said. He said Santiago should read the law again to realize that parliamentary immunity is not in effect during session breaks. He also said Santiago should not use this to trample on the rights of others. “That’s a big Read More …

A chick at last for 'Pag-asa,' first Philippine eagle bred in captivity

 News
Feb 132013
 
A chick at last for 'Pag-asa,' first Philippine eagle bred in captivity

Twenty-one years ago, the Philippine Eagle Center in Davao City made history when it successfully bred and hatched “Pag-asa” (Tagalog word for hope), the first Philippine eagle born in captivity. Pag-asa’s birth was the fruit of long and often tedious work to save the Philippine eagle, listed by the International Union of Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources (IUCN) as one of the country’s threatened birds due to loss of habitat. Last week, the Philippine Eagle Foundation (PEF) recorded another historic moment with the birth of Pag-asa’s first offspring, representing the second generation of the endangered species bred at the center. A still-unnamed eaglet rests at the Philippine Eagle Center days after hatching. Philippine Eagle Foundation The chick, hatched on February 9, 2013, weighed 158 grams. Its hatching process was assisted by Anna Mae Sumaya, the PEF’s curator for conservation breeding. PEF executive director Dennis Salvador said the center waited four days to announce the hatching of the eaglet because they wanted to make sure the chick would survive. “The chick hatched from a breech position so I had to help it to avoid damaging the vital veins that could potentially cause its death,” said Sumaya. Normally, chicks crack through the upper part of the egg, the broad end, where the air space is located. But in this case, the chick started to crack the shell on its side, prompting Sumaya to assist in the hatching process. The chick completely hatched at 1:55 am, about 48 hours after it began Read More …

Diplomats Offer Special PH Tour Package

 News
Feb 132013
 
Diplomats Offer Special PH Tour Package

By Rene Ciria-Cruz INQUIRER.net US Bureau 9:47 am | Thursday, February 14th, 2013 LOS ANGELES—Philippine diplomats and tourism officials are offering a modestly priced tour package that includes an audience with President Benigno “Noynoy” III at the presidential palace. The 8th Ambassadors, Consuls General and Tourism Directors Tour of the Philippines is set for July 9–15, 2013. For just $1,933 per person on double occupancy, the package features “a grand welcome and reception,” visits to onsite bazaars and mini-trade fairs, introductions to business and investment opportunities and a photo-op with President Aquino at the Malacanang Palace. Since it was first launched in 2005, the Ambassadors, Consuls General andTourism Directors Tour to the Philippines has attracted thousands of participants from various cities in the United States. Also included in the basic tour package are the following: • Round-trip ticket from U.S. departure points to Manila via Philippine Airlines (departing on July 7, 2013) • 3 nights stay at the EDSA Shangri-la hotel in Ortigas Center, Mandaluyong City • Daily buffet breakfast and two lunches; dinners with cultural show and entertainment • Historic wreath-laying ceremony at Rizal Park • Intramuros Tour (Fort Santiago, Manila Cathedral, San Agustin Church and Bahay Tsinoy) • Pasarap (Spa treatments), Paganda (Beauty Salon) and Pasaya (Studio Tour and Audience to Variety Shows) • Out of Town Day Tour to Tagaytay with lunch and fun activities For those who want to experience more of the sights and other adventures in the Philippines, optional extension tours are also available Read More …

Malaysia in Borneo standoff with armed intruders

 News
Feb 132013
 
Malaysia in Borneo standoff with armed intruders

Associated Press 9:31 am | Thursday, February 14th, 2013 KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia — Malaysian police say an armed group believed to be from the southern Philippines has intruded into Malaysian territory on Borneo island. National police chief Ismail Omar says security forces have surrounded the intruders in the remote coastal district of Lahad Datu in Malaysia’s eastern Sabah state and ordered them to surrender their weapons. Ismail’s statement late Wednesday did not disclose the number of suspects or how they were armed. Sabah is less than an hour by speedboat from the southern Philippines, which has long been wracked by a Muslim separatist insurgency. Ismail said the group landed in Sabah on Tuesday following “troubles in the southern Philippines.” Other police representatives in Kuala Lumpur and Sabah said they could not elaborate beyond the statement.

Lolong buried in Agusan Sur; bones to be exhumed for museum

 News
Feb 132013
 
Lolong buried in Agusan Sur; bones to be exhumed for museum

Less than a week after it died, Lolong  which held the world record as the largest saltwater crocodile – was buried at an eco park in Bunawan town in Agusan del Sur province Wednesday. But local residents plan to exhume Lolong’s bones and reassemble as part of their plan to set up a memorial for the crocodile, radio dzBB reported early Thursday. Lolong’s skin will be stuffed and displayed in the “Lolong Museum” in the area. Presently, local government officials are looking for a top-notch taxidermist who can create a life-size replica. A replica made out of resin is also being planned, according to a separate report on “Saksi.” On Wednesday, workers wrapped Lolong’s body in a fish net and placed the body in a one-meter-deep grave. Many residents were sad at Lolong’s death last Sunday, since their Lolong-related businesses had to shut down for now. They voiced hopes that once the Lolong Museum is set up, their businesses – ranging from souvenir shops to habal-habal rides – can be revived as well. Other businesses included bakeries that made bread in Lolong’s image. — LBG, GMA News

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