January 15, 2010 Major News Stories

Sugar prices continue to rise

Despite government efforts to keep the prices of basic goods down, prices of sugar continue to rise.

Palace to LTO: Refund motorists who purchased RFID stickers

With the controversial Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) program pending before the Supreme Court, Malacañang on Thursday advised the Land Transportation Office (LTO) to refund motorists who already purchased their vehicle tags.

PPA: Less people traveling by inter-island vessels

Fewer people traveled by sea within the country in the third quarter of 2009 compared to the same period a year earlier, the Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) reported Thursday.

Data posted on its website showed that domestic sea passenger traffic fell to 9.32 million from July to September 2009, or by 2.44 percent from the 9.55 million passengers in the same period the year before.

The decline reversed the 1.6-percent year-on-year expansion in passenger traffic in the previous quarter.

Sea travel to the Northern Luzon and Metro Manila, where traffic was lightest, fell sharply by 17.6 percent to 343,742 passengers.

Travel to Southern Luzon areas likewise fell by five percent to 2.47 million people. The Visayas region, which once again posted the most number of passengers, had 3.23 million passengers in the period, or 3.5-percent lower than a year earlier.

Losses seen in these regions more than offset the 0.7-percent rise in travel to Northern Mindanao (to 1.96 million passengers) and 5.8-percent increase in Southern Mindanao (to 1.32 million passengers).

Sea travel has become less and less attractive to most Filipino passengers who have over the years patronized budget airlines more and more.

Local airlines to continue offering promo fares

Local airlines are likely to continue offering cheap fares in efforts to spur travel, despite the sudden rise in the price of fuel in international markets, according to the Civil Aeronautics Board (CAB).

DURING SINULOG: Osmeña orders heightened security

Cebu City Mayor Tomas Osmeña alerted the police and ordered them to beef up security during the Sinulog festivities following a report that three rifle grenades were recovered in Barangay Labangon.

AFTER HIS ABSENCE LAST YEAR: Tommy to open grand parade

After he missed the Sinulog festivities last year at the height of his struggle with cancer, Mayor Tomas Osmeña will formally open the Sinulog grand parade this year.

Councilors oppose "SRP" shirts in City Hall float

Some City Councilors are opposing the plan to have those who will ride the city's float during the Sinulog grand parade wear the t-shirts with the print "SRP" or "Suya Ra ang Probinsya."

City Public Information Officer and SRPManager Nagiel Bañacia said it was his idea for the city to send a float come Sunday, but contrary to a newspaper report, it was reportedly not part of the idea to have City Hall personnel in "SRP" shirts ride on it.

"That's my idea, but wala may pasakyon sa float…it's wrong info," Bañacia said.

Grand finale to adopt Las Vegas theme anew

This year's grand finale of the Sinulog festivities on January 17 will adopt a Las Vegas concept with an "All Cebu Theme" to live up to the theme of the Sinulog – "One Beat, Once Dance, One Vision."

Victor Cuenco, choreographer of the finale, disclosed that Osmeña's Filipiniana gown for her performance is being designed by local fashion guru Philip Rodriguez. Cuenco said Osmeña will dance as a "festival queen" who will enter at the tail-end of the grand finale.

"Since the finale is themed, 'Sugbo: Kagahapon ug Karon,' it would depict the Spanish, American and Cebu today," Cuenco said.

Traffic rerouting for Sto. Niño procession tomorrow

Vehicular traffic will be temporarily rerouted starting 1pm tomorrow during the solemn procession of the miraculous image of the Señor Sto. Niño.

The affected streets are those covered by the procession route, which traverses the Osmeña Boulevard from the Basilica del Sto. Niño; turn right to P. Burgos Street; turn right to Magallanes Street; straight to Borromeo Street, Leon Kilat St., and J. Alcantara St.; turn right to V. Rama Avenue, turn right to B. Rodriguez St.; turn right to Osmeña Boulevard., and finally back to the Basilica.

Passenger jeepneys with Route Nos. 09A, 09B, 09G, 09H, 10G, 10K, and 11A together with jeepneys coming from Alumnos while traversing along C. Padilla St., shall turn right to Panganiban St., turn right to Magallanes St., go straight to Tupas St., turn right to T. Abellana St., turn left to C. Padilla St., and back to their points of origin.

Passenger jeepneys with Route Nos. 09E, 09K, 10E, 10F, and 11G while traversing along N. Bacalso Ave., shall turn left to F. Llamas St., turn right to Katipunan St., turn right to Salvador Extension., turn left to Tres de Abril St., turn right to N. Bacalso Ave., to their usual route, then to their points of origin.

Passenger jeepneys with Route Nos. 09C, 09F, 10C, 10D, 10O, and 11D, while traversing along N. Bacalso St., shall turn right to V. Rama Extension., turn right to Tres de Abril St., turn left turn to N. Bacalso Ave., to their usual route, then to their points of origin.

Passenger jeepneys coming from Banawa and Guadalupe, passing V. Rama Ave., and Duterte St., shall follow M. Velez St., straight to Don Gil Garcia St., left turn to Don Jose Avila St., turn right to Osmeña Blvd., turn turn to J. Llorente St., turn right to Don Mariano Cui St., to their usual route, then to their point of origin.

Passenger jeepneys from Banawa, Capitol, Guadalupe, Opra that traverse Osmeña Blvd. shall follow N. Escario St. to Juana Osmeña St., turn right to Gen. Maxilom Ave., turn left to F. Ramos St., turn right to Junquera St., turn left to P. del Rosario St., turn left to D. Jakosalem St., turn left to Gen. Maxilom Ave., turn right to Juana Osmeña St., turn left to Jose Avila St., turn right to Osmeña Blvd., to their usual route, then to their points of origin.

Passenger jeepneys coming from Lahug, Apas and Plaza Housing shall follow Gorordo Ave.; turn right to Gen. Maxilom Ave.; turn left to F. Ramos St. and proceed to Junquera St.; turn left to Colon St., turn left to D. Jakosalem St., turn left to Echavez Extension., turn right to F. Ramos St., turn right to Gen. Maxilom Ave., then back to their point of origin.

Passenger jeepneys coming from Talamban and Pit-os with Route No. 13B and 62C, while traversing Colon St., shall turn left to D. Jakosalem St. then back to their point of origin. PUJ's with Route No. 13C and 62B while traversing along Sikatuna St. shall proceed to Mabini St., turn right to Colon St., turn right to D. Jakosalem St., to their usual route, and back to their points of origin.

Passenger jeep coming from Mandaue City with Route Nos. 21B and 22B shall follow M.J. Cuenco Ave., turn right to Mactan Road, proceed to Luzon Ave., turn left to Archbishop Reyes Ave., turn left to Gorordo Ave., turn left to Gen. Maxilom Ave., turn left to J. de Veyra St., turn left turn to Juan Luna Ave., then to their point of origin.

Passenger jeepneys from Mandaue and Mabolo including 03B passing M.J. Cuenco Ave. shall turn left turn to Gen. Maxilom Extension., turn right to D. Gaisano St., turn left to T. Padilla St., turn left to S. Osmeña Ave., turn left to Gen. Maxilom Extension., turn right to M.J. Cuenco Ave., to their usual route, then to their points of origin.

Passenger jeepneys coming from Urgello and USC Girls High (Private) may transport/cater to passengers from the port area and North Bus Terminal passing Serging Osmeña Blvd., turning right to Palma St., turning right to M.J. Cuenco Ave., turning right to V. Sotto St., and to the port area and vice versa.

Passenger jeepneys from Labangon with Route Nos. 12A, 12B, 12C, 12D, 12F and 12M shall proceed to Tres de Abril St., turn right to Carlock St., turn left to B. Aranas St., turn right to Lakandula St., turn right to C. Padilla St., turn right to Carlock St., turn left to Tres de Abril St., turn left to N. Bacalso Ave., and to their points of origin.

Public Utility Vehicles such as Buses/Mini-buses, PUJ's and V-Hires coming from the south shall follow N. Bacalso Ave., turn right to Mambaling Trunk Road going to the temporary terminal at the South RoadProperties.

Passenger jeepneys coming from the south going to SM shall follow F. Llamas St., turn right to Katipunan St., turn left to R. Duterte St., proceed to M. Velez St., turn left to N. Escario St., turn right to Gorordo Ave., turn left to Gen. Maxilom Ave., turn left to A. Soriano Ave., then to their destination. In going back, they shall follow A. Soriano Ave., turn right to Gen. Maxilom Ave., turn right to Gorordo Ave., turn left to N. Escario St., turn right to M. Velez St., and proceed to R. Duterte St. in going to their points of origin.

Trucks, vans, trailers and other motor vehicles coming from the south going to SM or to the northern area shall follow the south road, turn right to Mambaling Trunk Road to the SRP, turn left turn to the SRP Coastal Road towards the tunnel that leads to the Serging Osmeña Blvd., and to the North Reclamation Area.

Trucks, vans, trailers and other motor vehicles coming from the North Reclamation Area going to the south are advised to pass S. Osmeña Ave. through the tunnel, which leads to the SRP, then to their points of destination.

All motor vehicles coming from Tabunok, Talisay, Minglanilla, Naga, San Fernando and Carcar who wish to go the North Reclamation Area are advised to pass the SRP Coastal Road.

Private vehicles coming from the south going to Capitol area and Lahug shall follow N. Bacalso Ave., turn left to F. Llamas St., turn right to Katipunan St., turn left to Duterte St., and to their points of destination.

All motor vehicles coming from the north going to Capitol and other uptown areas coming from M.J. Cuenco Ave. shall turn right to Juan Luna Ave., turn left to Gorordo Ave., turn right to M. Gaisano St. or N. Escario St., and proceed to their points of destination.

Motorists, drivers and other road users are advised to observe and follow the traffic signs installed on the rerouting areas and to minimize traffic congestion.

'Environmental constituency' eyed as a way to combat climate change

Environmentalists have called on the public to become a part of the "environmental constituency," which they see as non-existent yet in the country even if the latter has been considered most vulnerable to the effects of climate change.

12 beauties vie for throne

TWELVE young beauties will compete for the throne of the Sinulog Festival Queen this year.

They are: Rose Steve Cortes of Ramon Duterte Memorial National High School, Maricil Pantorilla of Silaw Culture and Arts of Carcar City, Sharon Angel of Poblacion Pardo National High School, Sarah Bongabong of Sinandulog Cultural Troupe of Tangub City, Joey Lupe Pasullado of Liloan National High School, Rotahmae Joy Verano of Abellana National School, Kim Villacampa of Pinta Flores Festival contingent of San Carlos City, Sheila Paulino of Placer town contingent from Masbate, Lota Correos of Lanao del Norte, Lourdes Mae Santillana of Banilad National High School and Cheysser Jumao-as of barangay Basak-Pardo.

The candidates will be judged based on their performance, dance production, costumes, and on how they project themselves, and others, said Sinulog Foundation Inc. executive director Ricky Ballesteros.

Ex-monk pursuing charges of forgery

Former monk Venancio Cabillon will pursue the filing of forgery charges against the monks who filed estafa charges against him for allegedly presenting fake documents in court in their accusations.

CCPO urges Dumpit to surrender

CEBU City Police Office (CCPO) Director Patrocinio Comendador advised SPO1 Adonis Dumpit to give himself up and face the murder case filed against him, once he exhausts all legal remedies.

Benhur's lawyer says Martinez cannot take office without Speaker's decision

Whether or not the decision of the Supreme Court to put Celestino Martinez III in the position as Representative of the fourth district of Cebu will be executed immediately depends upon the discretion of the Speaker of the House.

Still, RMG sends a platoon to 4th district; province police chief: situation normal

WHETHER Rep. Benhur Salimbangon keeps his seat while appealing the Supreme Court (SC) decision depends now on House Speaker Prospero Nograles.

Comelec: 16 new cities to have 10 council seats

Following the affirmation of the Supreme Court of the cityhood of the 16 cities, the Commission on Elections has amended a resolution allowing all these cities to field 10 councilors each.

Comelec, Smartmatic: Pre-shading of ballots unlikely

by By Reynaldo Santos Jr., Newsbreak

'It's not a question of technology but of security' Both the Commission on Elections (Comelec) and Smartmatic TIM on Thursday dismissed suggestions that ballots in the first ever automated elections in May might be pre-accomplished by the camps of cheating candidates.

Leftist rebels charging for permit to survey --Smartmatic

by By Reynaldo Santos Jr., Newsbreak

Smartmatic-TIM, the supplier of vote counting machines, on Thursday revealed that Leftist rebels in some provinces are demanding payments before surveyors are allowed to study telecommunication signals in areas that the combatants control.

It's final: SC junks premature campaigning

by By Purple S. Romero, abs-cbnNEWS.com/Newsbreak

The Supreme Court dismantled all legal barriers against premature campaigning as it stood pat on its earlier decision to reinstate a mayor who was initially disqualified from the race for campaigning outside the actual campaign period.

Half of Pinoys say poll failure to trigger revolt: SWS

by abs-cbnNEWS.com

MANILA, Philippines - Half of Filipino adults in the country believe that a failure of elections this May would trigger another bloodless revolt, according to the latest survey of Social Weather Stations.

Catholic Church releases guidelines on selecting candidates

Hindi nakagawiang sumuporta sa pulitiko ng Simbahang Katolika, pero ngayon, may inilabas silang panuntunan na huwag iboto ang mga sumusuporta sa Reproductive Health Bill! Duda naman ang isa sa may akda nito na susunod ang mga Katoliko.

Aquino won't recognize Arroyo chief justice

Liberal Party standard-bearer Senator Benigno "Noynoy" Aquino III warned Thursday night that, if elected President, he would not recognize any successor to Chief Justice Reynato Puno named by outgoing President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.

He also warned that any justice of the high court who accepts such an appointment from Arroyo "risks even his presence in the Court as an associate member" under an Aquino presidency.

"If elected President, I will not recognize a Chief Justice appointed by the outgoing President, contrary to the constitutional ban on appointments during the wee hours of her presidency, and contrary to propriety and delicadeza and long standing precedence of prohibition against appointments two months before the outgoing President's term expires," Aquino said in a statement sent to the Inquirer via text message by LP campaign manager Florencio Abad.

Atienza, allies back Estrada

Saying that the friend of his enemy is also his enemy, former Environment Secretary Lito Atienza has rejected the candidacy of the Liberal Party's Sen. Benigno "Noynoy" Aquino III to back former President Joseph Estrada of the Puwersa ng Masang Pilipino.

Just one wife, simple life, says Villar in broadsides at 2010 rivals

On the warpath these past days with his rivals for the presidency, Senator Manny Villar came out subtle on Thursday as he told a presidential forum why having only one wife and living simply are of essence to the choice for the country's next President.

Court sets Friday hearing on Lacson's arrest

The Manila City Regional Trial Court will start to determine if Senator Panfilo Lacson should be arrested for the death of publicist Salvador "Bubby" Dacer and driver Emmanuel Corbito.

Power firm hiring militiamen to secure towers

The National Grid Corp. of the Philippines has started investing in the hiring and training of militiamen in a bid to protect its power distribution towers from attacks, an official said Thursday.

Kin give mixed reactions to Sangki testimony vs Ampatuan

The testimony of Vice Mayor Rasul Sangki Wednesday about the alleged role of his uncle, Datu Unsay Mayor Andal Ampatuan Jr. in the massacre of 57 people here – mostly journalists – on November 23, drew mixed reactions from his kin, constituents, and town officials.

BJMP readies for transfer of Ampatuans in Taguig

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The Bureau of Jail Management and Penology is finalizing security preparations for its jail facility and custodial center in Bicutan, Taguig City for the possible transfer of members of the Ampatuan clan in their custody.

Filipino nuncio in Haiti calls family in Bohol

The Filipino apostolic nuncio to Haiti has called relatives in Bohol to inform them he was safe after an earthquake devastated that country on Wednesday.

Magdalena Auza, mother of Archbishop Bernardito Auza, said her family was first informed of the condition of the Papal Nuncio in Haiti Wednesday night when Archbishop Edward Joseph Adams, the Vatican envoy to the Philippines, called them personally.

The 51-year-old Boholano prelate representing the Vatican in Haiti personally got in touch with relatives Thursday morning.

In an interview with Fides, Vatican's online news service, Archbishop Auza said that the Haitian capital, Port-au-Prince, was devastated.

"The cathedral, the archbishop's office, all of the big churches, all of the seminaries have been reduced to rubble," the archbishop said.

Auza reported that all of the ministry buildings except one were torn down, as were the Presidential Palace and the schools.

"The parliament with the senators, the schools with the children, the supermarkets were reduced to nothing," the nuncio told Fides.

He said that everyone was asking for help as he projected a problem with water and food.

"So many things were broken, including the tabernacle, but we are more fortunate than others. Many relatives of the personnel are dead, their houses destroyed. We cannot go inside and stay there for very long because the ground continues to shake, so we're camping out in the yard," the archbishop said.

One of four Filipino soldiers trapped in Haiti rescued - AFP

(Update 3 - 9:05 p.m.) One of the four Filipino soldiers who was trapped in collapsed buildings after an earthquake hit Haiti has been rescued, a military spokesman said. Cpl. David Catacutan, a member of the United Nations peacekeeping contingent in Haiti, was in good condition. However, three others -- two of whom are women -- remain trapped.

Cpl. David Catacutan, a member of the United Nations (UN) peacekeeping contingent in Haiti, was rescued Thursday morning [Manila time] from the rubble of the Montana Hotel in Port-Au-Prince.

Only three peacekeepers, two of them women, remain trapped in rubble of the collapsed Christopher Hotel as of posting time.

Brawner identified them as Perly Tanagui of the Philippine Navy; Sgt. Jermis Arcena of the Philippine Air Force, and Sgt. Estacio Bermudez of the Philippine Army.

Tanagi, Arcena, and Bermudez, who all work as clerks in various offices in the hotel's second floor, are believed to have been working overtime when the earthquake struck, Brawner said. 

List of PNP contingent in Haiti

Following are the police members of the Philippine Peacekeeping Contingent in earthquake-battered Haiti, who have been reported safe and currently helping in the ongoing search and rescue operations.

1. Police Senior Superintendent Rodolfo Fuentes
2. Police Senior Superintendent Eduardo Garado
3. Police Superintendent Eduardo Tuazon
4. Police Superintendent Luisito De Chavez
5. Police Superintendent Charles Vincent Tancinco
6. Police Senior Inspector Criswell Tablac
7. Senior Police Officer 2 Angelito Avila
8. Senior Police Officer 2 Ma Jesusa Pajarillo
9. Police Officer 3 Wilfredo Salino
10. Police Chief Inspector Angelie Cablinan
11. Police Superintendent Arthur Felix Asis
12. Police Chief Inspector Michael Batoctoy
13. Police Senior Inspector Manny Siniguian
14. Police Senior Inspector John Clark
15. Senior Police Officer 1 Luduvico Rendaje

In Haiti's darkest hour, songs and prayers rise from ruins

by by Beatriz Lecumberri, Agence France-Presse

PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti - Mournful songs and prayers rose above the ruins in Haiti overnight as darkness drew a veil over the rows of corpses in this Caribbean nation's quake-hit capital.

Obama unveils 100 million dollars of Haiti aid

by Agence France-Presse

WASHINGTON DC, United States - President Barack Obama promised Haitians Thursday they would not be forsaken or forgotten, offering 100 million dollars in immediate earthquake aid and every element of US power to help them.

Arroyo names first woman commissioner of COA

President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo has appointed the wife of a former Camarines Sur congressman as the first woman commissioner of the Commission on Audit (COA) in its 110-year-old history.

Evelyn San Buenaventura, who has had almost four-decades of experience in public accounting, joins COA chairperson Reynaldo Villar and Commissioner Juanito Espino, Jr. in the commission proper, the COA's highest making policy body after being named commissioner by President Arroyo on January 5, the COA said in a statement on Thursday.

San Buenaventura's term will expire on February 2, 2011.

Her husband is former Camarines Sur 1st district representative Leopoldo San Buenaventura.

PRC: 33 new guidance counselors

by abs-cbnNEWS.com

MANILA, Philippines - The Professional Regulation Commission announced Thursday that 33 applicants were approved for registration without examination as Guidance Counselors.

After Signing Deal To Buy SRP lot: SM set to pour P21B into Cebu

by By Ehda M. Dago-Oc and Rene U. Borromeo

After closing the P2.7 billion deal with the Cebu City government for the purchase of 30 hectares at South Road Properties (SRP), SM Prime Holdings is ready to pour in at least P21 billion in investments here for the next eight years.

SM seals SRP stake

CEBU City Hall earned its first billion from the South Road Properties (SRP) yesterday after it closed the sale of a 30-hectare lot to SM Prime Holdings Inc.

After SM sale, City Hall to double prices of SRP lots

AS a result of the sale of lots to SM Prime Holdings Inc., the Cebu City Government will increase by 100 percent the selling price of the remaining South Road Properties (SRP) lots.

World pirate attacks soar in 2009 to six-year high

Sea attacks worldwide surged 39 percent to 406 cases, the highest in six years, with Somali pirates' raids on vessels accounting for more than half of the piracy, a maritime watchdog said Thursday.

Myanmar minister pledges free election: ASEAN

by Agence France-Presse

DANANG, Vietnam - Myanmar's foreign minister has told Southeast Asian counterparts that promised elections would be held this year and would be fair, the ASEAN secretary general said Thursday.

Melindo, Banal win in 'Bakbakan sa Sinulog'

Milan Melindo and the returning AJ "Bazooka" Banal did not frustrate their Cebu fans after beating their respective opponents in Thursday night"s "Bakbakan sa Sinulog" boxing event at the Waterfront Cebu City Hotel.

Bata, Django open Asia vs Europe bid

by abs-cbnNEWS.com

MANILA, Philippines – Philippine dynamic duo Efren "Bata" Reyes and Francisco "Django" Bustamante will attempt to bring honor and glory to the country when it represents Team Asia in the much awaited Asia versus Europe Men's 9-Ball Team Challenge on Friday in Brunei.

TV anchor disputes trader's denials in grave threats case

TV anchor Cheryl Cosim maintained that she did not make up accusations against a businessman who allegedly pointed a gun at her and her companions in November 2009 in a traffic incident.

In a reply affidavit to the denials of Richard Ordonez, who is facing charges of grave threats and illegal possession of firearms, Cosim said she and her party did not fabricate stories against the trader.

Lucio Tan's brother charged for maltreating housemaid

The Department of Justice today recommended the criminal prosecution of businessman Mariano Tanenglian, his wife and two children for kidnapping and serious illegal detention and eight counts of alleged child abuse and violations of the Anti-Trafficking in Persons law before the Quezon City Regional Trial Court.

Hayden Kho least trusted, Korina most trusted: 2009 surveys

by by Maria Althea Teves, abs-cbnNEWS.com/Newsbreak

MANILA, Philippines - Celebrity cosmetic surgeon Hayden Kho, former Department of Agriculture Undersecretary Jocelyn "Joc-joc" Bolante, and First Gentleman Jose Miguel 'Mike' Arroyo were the most distrusted personalities in 2009, according to a series of Social Weather Stations (SWS) surveys.

"The lowest of the low: Hayden Kho, Joc-Joc and FG Mike Arroyo," said SWS President Mahar Mangahas at the SWS 2010 Survey Review forum organized with the Asian Institute of Management Policy Center.

Mangahas said a trust rating is not about a person's job performance. Rather, it talks "about being involved in something controversial."

In the 2nd Quarter survey of SWS conducted last June 2009, Kho received a net trust rating of lower than -60%, which is classified as "very bad."

This was a month after sex videos involving the former cosmetic surgeon with 3 actress-models were made public. He was also summoned by Senator Ramon "Bong" Revilla, Jr. to a Senate investigation on the sex scandal.

Actress Katrina Halili, one of the women in the sex videos, had a trust rating of lower than -20% in the same survey, classified as "bad."

First Gentleman Arroyo had a trust rating of lower than negative 40% in the February 2009 (1st quarter survey), June 2009 and September 2009 (3rd quarter survey) SWS surveys. His trust rating was a little lower than negative 60% in the December 2009 (4th quarter survey) SWS survey.

Bolante scored almost negative 60% in the February 2009 SWS survey.

Bolante was involved in the controversial fertilizer fund scam which made headlines in late 2008. Funds meant for farmers were instead diverted to the election campaigns of congressmen and local officials supportive of President Arroyo.

"Don't expect them to be political assets," Mangahas said, eliciting laughter from the audience.

Most trusted

Media people topped the most trusted personalities in 2009, said Mangahas.

Loren Legarda to use 'Hawak Kamay' for new political ad

by abs-cbnNEWS.com

MANILA, Philippines – Nacionalista Party vice presidential bet Sen. Loren Legarda announced Thursday that Yeng Constantino's "Hawak Kamay," Pinoy Dream Academy's hit inspirational song, is her new official political jingle.

Ai-Ai completes 'Pilipinas Got Talent' panel

Ang blockbuster comedy actress na si Ai-Ai delas Alas ang napili ngayong ikatlong judge sa inaabangang nationwide talent search na "Pilipinas Got Talent."

After 'Showtime,' MTRCB sets eye on suspending 'Magpasikat'

Hindi pa lusot ang bagong talent show na "Magpasikat" sa panunuri ng MTRCB. Giit ngayon ng ahensya: isama rin ang live show, sa preventive suspension na unang pinataw sa "Showtime Live." Hindi naman pinalampas ng ABS-CBN ang pagpuntirya ng MTRCB sa mga noon time show at kawalan ng proseso sa biglaang suspensyon. 

Palace hands off in marriage expiration debate

Malacañang on Thursday distanced itself from the controversial proposal to put a 10-year expiry date on marriage contracts.

Why a big butt may help you live longer

by Reuters

WASHINGTON - People with fat in their thighs and backsides may live longer because the fat traps harmful fatty particles and actively secretes helpful compounds, according to a report published recently.

Ted Turner  - "Sports is like a war without the killing."