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A US Navy vessel docked at Subic Bay on Wednesday for a port visit, the US Embassy said. USS Comstock (LSD 45) with Marines of the 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) is at Subic Bay for an opportunity for its crew to rest after staying for nearly a month and a half at sea, the embassy said on Thursday. The ship left Naval Station San Diego last October 14 and is on its second port visit. Several Filipino-American sailors and Marines will also spend time with their families and learn more about Filipino culture. “I am very proud that my first port visit as the Commanding Officer of the Comstock was to my birthplace, Guam, and I’m even more honored that our next port visit will be to the country where my mother and father were born—the Philippines,” Comstock Commanding Officer Cmdr. Gervy Alota was quoted as saying. The US Embassy said that Comstock and embarked 11th MEU, part of the Makin Island Amphibious Ready Group, have been conducting training together for nearly a month and a half at sea. Comstock and other ships of the Makin Island Amphibious Ready Group are currently on a routine patrol in the US 7th Fleet area of operations in support for security and stability in the region. The Comstock is based out of Naval Station San Diego, California.  The 11th MEU is based out of Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, California, the embassy said.  RAM RELATED STORIES 2 US ships dock in Subic; businesses hopeful Two US warships dock at Subic TAGS: Read More …

Patrick Estacio thought he won $32,000, but he actually won more than $32 million. He’s seen here flanked by Loto-Quebec officials. LOTO-QUEBEC SAN FRANCISCO – A Filipino who lives in a rooming house in Montreal, Quebec, Canada and works two jobs took home a whopping $32,707,357 as the jackpot winner of the November 9 Lotto 6/49. Patrick Estacio, 41, came to Loto-Québec headquarters on November 10, at the end of the business day. He told lottery officials that he thought his prize was $32,000, until a customer service staff member informed him that he had actually won a quite a bit more.Estacio, who chose the winning combination 06-09-30-37-43-49, said he was on his way to work when he decided to have his lotto ticket validated. He bought the ticket from Tabagie Métro Du Collège (1480 Rue Cartier, Saint-Laurent), which will receive a $327,073 commission, equal to 1 percent of the prize.“When I learned that I had won $32.7 million, I burst into tears of joy. I work two jobs to make ends meet. I still haven’t taken it all in, but my life will certainly never be the same. I want to stay humble, simple, but I am going to take advantage of my good luck. I’ll probably buy a house or a condo. For the rest, we’ll see. I don’t know. I’m going to let the dust settle,” he told Loto-Quebec officials. TAGS: Filipino lottery jackpot winner Quebec, Filipino lotto winner Quebec, Loto-Quebec, Patrick Estacio For feedback, complaints, or inquiries, contact us.

President Rodrigo Duterte. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO/JOAN BONDOC LIMA, Peru — President Rodrigo Duterte arrives here for his first Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (Apec) Economic Leaders Meeting before midnight Thursday under the gaze of a curious foreign press, many of whom may be wondering what controversial thing he will say next. There’s been a marked interest in the Philippine president among foreign journalists, according to Malacañang insiders privy to requests for media coverage of Mr. Duterte’s activities in this annual trade summit featuring the leaders of 21 Pacific Rim economies. “Our past presidents don’t usually get that much attention from the foreign press,” said one source, who disclosed that at least one international media agency and a Peruvian news organization were seeking an opportunity to cover or interview the firebrand Mr. Duterte. The requests have been forwarded to the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), though it is not believed he will have time to speak to media during the two-day event. The Philippine leader, who will be departing from the Philippines on Nov. 17 (Manila time) with a short layover in New Zealand, is expected to land in this South American country at about 11:30 p.m. Thursday (Lima time). Lima is 13 hours behind Manila. READ: Duterte flies to Lima, Peru this week One Philippine official earlier said Mr. Duterte, whose propensity for making outrageous declarations such as “separating” from the United States or cursing out US President Barack Obama and the European Union, would have a bigger stage in the Apec Read More …