The latest news stories from the major news organizations in Cebu and Manila in the Philippines, the US and other countries.

Tuesday, September 28, 2010

September 29, 2010 Major News Stories



Dengue "outbreak" pronouncement today

The Department of Health (DOH) Central Visayas Office will formally declare today an "outbreak" of dengue cases in six barangays in Region 7.

Renan Cimafranca, DOH 7 head of the Regional Epidemiology Surveillance Unit, said that these six barangays are in Cebu, Bohol and Negros Oriental.

Cimafranca said that from January 1 to September 25, 2010, Central Visayas has recorded 8,708 dengue cases. The number is 75.5 percent higher as compared to the same period last year wherein only 4,961 dengue cases were recorded.

Of the recorded dengue cases this year, more than 5,000 were in Cebu while around 2,000 cases were in Cebu City.

Health authorities recorded a total of 63 deaths.

Cimafranca added that the number of dengue cases is still expected to rise.

"As of now, peak season sa dengue pa gyud ta," Cimafranca told The Freeman.

Some of the symptoms of dengue are sudden onset of high fever which may last from two to seven days; joint and muscle pains including pain behind the eyes; weakness; skin rashes; nosebleeding; abdominal pains; vomiting of coffee-colored matter and dark-colored stools.

There are currently no vaccines for dengue fever, a severe flu-like illnessalso called as breakbone fever.

DOH Secretary Enrique Ona earlier said that the increase in dengue cases can be attributed to the continuous rains.

He reminded the public that dengue, although an all-year round disease, is more common during rainy days when there are more breeding sites for the Aedes Aegypti mosquitoes.

WHO: Severe dengue fever cases growing

by abs-cbnNEWS.com
MANILA, Philippines - The rise in dengue cases not just in the Philippines but in other parts of Asia has prompted the World Health Organization (WHO) this month to declare that dengue is one of the fastest-emerging infections in the world.

It also said that an estimated 2.5 billion people are at risk globally from dengue, and more than 70% of them reside in the Asia Pacific region.

Among the badly affected countries cited are the Philippines, Lao People's Democratic Republic, Malaysia, and Vietnam.

Singapore also has dengue cases but according to WHO, it is experiencing a declining trend, with total number of cases over the years continuing to fall.

It said this could be partly due to an effective outbreak and response system which includes intersectoral collaborations during and between outbreaks.

Why dengue cases are increasing

The WHO pointed out that a number of factors have caused the increase in dengue cases.

These include higher temperatures and rainfall in many parts of the region this year, growing population densities, and greater international travel.

In some countries, the rise in dengue cases may also be due to higher awareness levels and better surveillance systems.

While no firm evidence point to global warming as the ultimate culprit, climate change has played an important role. Because of climate change, mosquitoes are now found in areas where they were once uncommon, including the Republic of Korea and the highlands of Papua New Guinea.

Keep environment clean

Since dengue fever is spread by mosquitoes breeding in still water, WHO called for a more concerted effort in keeping the environment clean.

"Given the trend, it is vital that communities adopt a cooperative approach in the fight against dengue," said Dr Shin Young-soo, WHO's Regional Director for the Western Pacific. "Keeping the environment clean and eliminating mosquito breeding sites are the most effective ways to prevent dengue."

Dengue-carrying mosquitoes breed in such places as containers which can hold water, as well as among improperly managed garbage, in building sites, and in flower pots.

Dengue is said to be particularly prevalent in substandard housing areas with poor sanitation.

WHO advised the public to protect themselves from mosquito bites by using mosquito repellent, mosquito coils and mats, mosquito nets, and by wearing protective clothing. No vaccine has yet been developed for dengue.

Diagnosing dengue fever in its early stages and prompt supportive treatment can help prevent it from becoming more severe and leading to death. The principal symptoms to watch out for are high fever, severe headache, severe pain behind the eyes, joint pain, muscle and bone pain, rash, and mild bleeding of the nose or gums.

Students protest: 2 more years a burden to parents

Some 50 militants trooped to the Department of Education Central Office on Tuesday to protest the proposed 12-year basic education system and call on government to focus on the perennial shortage of teachers, classrooms, textbooks and other critical resources.

Grenade used in Bar blast, police says

Kinumpirma ng Manila Police District na isang granada ang sumabog sa Taft Avenue sa Maynila na ikinasugat ng 44 noong huling araw ng Bar exams. Sa ngayon, 3 suspek ang tinitingnan ng mga awtoridad na posibleng nasa likod ng pagsabog. 

Supreme Court forms planel to probe Bar exams blast

Bumuo na ang Korte Suprema ng fact-finding panel na mag-iimbestiga sa pagsabog na huling araw ng Bar exams noong Linggo. Inutusan naman ni Justice Secretary Leila de Lima ang NBI na alamin kung tinarget o biktima lang din ang isa sa maga nasugatan na sinasabing kamag-anak ng mga Ampatuan.

Cebu university defends student linked to bar exams blast

A law school official cautioned police to "observe fairness" and prudence as she defended a student suspected of being behind Sunday's blast in Manila as "innocent."

"I went here to clarify reports branding our student Jed Carlo Lazaga to be a suspect in last Sunday's blast," lawyer Elaine Bathan, assistant law dean of the Cebu-based University of San Jose Recoletos Law School.

"In fact, we believe he is innocent because during that time he was ganged up by a group of men and even robbed him of his belongings, including his wallet," Bathan said.

Police said a witness identified Lazaga as the one who hurled the grenade near the De La Salle Universityalong Taft Avenue in Manila, hurting 44 people, mostly law students who were in festive mood as it was the last day of their month-long Bar examinations.

Bathan said police should refrain from prematurely revealing results of their investigation.

"We had heard the explanation of the Manila Police District official that the reports came out were still premature as their investigation is still on going. Please be careful in revealing facts and observe fairness," she told reporters.

She said Lazaga even reported the incident to the police.

Police earlier revealed that a man wearing a fraternity t-shirt of Alpha Kappa Rho (AKHRO) was seen by witnesses as the one who threw the explosive device.

Chief Superintendent Roberto Rongavilla, the MPD officer-in-charge, on Monday the grenade attack fell short of its target, the Tau Gamma Phi fraternity, and instead landed on a festive crowd of San Beda College law students, particularly members of the Alpha Phi Beta fraternity and sorority.

But Tau Gamma Phi head Corky Pallares brushed off this police theory, saying they were not at odds with any fraternity.

NBI summons frat leader over Bar exams blast

by abs-cbnNEWS.com
MANILA, Philippines – The head of a fraternity linked to the September 26 Bar exams blast was summoned by the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) on Tuesday.

Jojo del Rosario, Alpha Kappa Rho (Akrho) grand council president, said he was asked to submit a statement regarding the incident.

He confirmed that one Jed Carlo Lazaga, who was accused of being among those behind the violence, is indeed an Akrho member.

Lazaga's fraternity "brothers" in Cebu have denied that he was involved in the bombing.

Akrho-Cebu president Richard Buscayno also said that the University of San Jose-Recoletos law student has not been involved in fraternity-related activities for a long time.

Police Chief Inspector Erwin Margarejo, spokesperson of a special task force looking into the incident, said they are still investigating Lazaga.

The NBI, meanwhile, plans to summon the leaders of other fraternity groups that were in the De La Salle University (DLSU) area during the "salubong" for the Bar examinees.

Chief Superintendent Roberto Rongavilla, officer-in-charge of the Manila Police District (MPD), said they have identified 3 suspects behind the explosion, which was caused by a World War 2-era MK-2 grenade.

"Ang granada, kapag sumabog sa ere, it will spread 360 degrees. Pero ito po ay tumama sa sahig kaya't sa mga paa ang tama ng mga biktima," said Chief Inspector Oliver Navales of the MPD's explosive ordnance division.

The police findings matched a statement given on Monday by a witness, who claimed to have seen a man pull out a grenade from a bag before throwing the explosive into the crowd along Taft Avenue.

Rongavilla said charges of multiple frustrated murder and physical injuries will be filed against the yet-to-be-named suspects.

Palace to let SC punish perpetrators of DLSU blast

Malacañang on Tuesday condemned the blast at the De La Salle University last Sunday, but said it will let the Supreme Court find and punish the perpetrators.

Official list of Sept. 26 Bar exams blast victims

Official list of the September 26 Bar exams blast victims from the National Bureau of Investigation:

Ospital ng Maynila
Name    Age  Gender  Address        
1. JOANNA KATRINA LEDDA 23  Female   Quaipo, Manila     Transferred to Manila Doctors 
2. ARVIN ROSALES   21  Male    Immediately Sent Home
3. PHILIP EDWIN DE ELLO  23  Male   Marikina City    Bar Exam Watcher     Immediately Sent Home
4. GENNILYN ONG   21  Female   Sta. Mesa, Manila    Immediately Sent Home
5. CYRIL FERRER    20  Female        Transferred to Private Hospital
6. KATHLEEN (KC) SAMBA  23  Female  Sampaloc,  Manila     Transferred to Manila Doctorsl
7. AZENITH  GONZALVO   20  Female        Transferred to Private Hospital
8. JAMELL ANN MARIE SUDIA 24  Female   Sampaloc, Manila    Immediately Sent Home
9. RENALD SUDIA    50  Male        Transferred to Private Hospital
10. CAN ESTRADA    24  Female        Transferred to Private Hospital
11. CRISELYN GARAYUGA   26  Female        Transferred to Private Hospital
12. ARIANA  MARZAN   34  Female  Quezon City     Transferred to Private Hospital
13. SANGRI CHUA    21  Female        Transferred to Private Hospital
14. ULYSSES  GONZALES   27  Male        Transferred to Private Hospital
15. GLADYS MIQUE   23  Female  P. Tuazon St., Sampaloc, Manila   Transferred to Manila Doctors
16. PRINCESS DAWEGOY   23  Female  Sampaloc, Manila    Transferred to Private Hospital
17. DENISE OSORIO   22  Female    Cainta, Rizal  Immediately Sent Home

Philippine General Hospital
Name    Age  Gender     
1. DIANA CAMITA    23  Female
2. ALANA ESPIRITO    Female
3. GERSON MERCADO  25  Male
4.  RAINER MILANES   24  Male
5. RAISSA LAUREL   23  Female
6. CLAUDINE ABROJENA  21  Female
7. DONALIE QUILATES   28 Female
8. EUNICE ABDON   24 Female
9. DATU MOHAMMAD ABDUL  23  Male (from Arellano University)

San Juan de Dios Hospital 
1. Mitchel MAgdaong    28  Male
2. rafael gumolo  30  Male

Medical Center Manila
1. MARK MARASIGAN    26  Male
2. ETHEL JOY ARRIIOLA  25  Female
3. MARK SUVA   23  Male

Manila Adventist Hospital
1. ANA DELOS REYES  24  Female  San Beda College
2. MELANIE RAYMUNDO   29  Female   Non-Law Student
3. STELLA MANIQUIS  24  Female   San Beda College
4. STEPHANIE JUSAY SISON   22  Female   San Beda College
5. ELIZABETH BONDALONTA   23  Female   San Beda College
6. EVA CHRISTINE NAPARAN 23  Female   San Beda College
7. BERNADETTE RAMIREZ  20  Female   San Beda College
8. ROCHELLE OJENA  21  Female   San Beda College
9. FRANCESCA REBANAL NAZ 21  Female   San Beda College
10. EILEEN LEDESMA DEL MUTA  Female   Central Philippine University, Iloilo

Manila Doctors Hospital
1. LOVELY ABADILLA   21  Female
2. JICEL RIOTUTAR   21  Female
3. CAMILLE VILASIN  24  Female
4. MA. CASTLES NAVARRO  26  Female
5. CHARLOTTE SAYSON  23  Female
6. ERIC SIO   23  Male 
7. KATHLEEN (KC) SAMBA   23 Female  Sampaloc,  Manila    from Ospital ng Maynila
8. JOANNA KATRINA LEDDA 23  Female   Quaipo, Manila     from Ospital ng Maynila
9. GLADYS MIQUE   23  Female  P. Tuazon St., Sampaloc, Manila   from Ospital ng Maynila

Source: National Bureau of Investigation (NBI)


Palace lawyers complete IIRC report review

MANILA, Philippines – Malacañang lawyers have completed their review of the findings made by a special panel tasked to review the August 23 Manila hostage crisis, a Palace official said on Tuesday.

Hostage probe body to submit additional reports, ballistics tests to Aquino

A special body created to look into the August 23 bus hostage fiasco would submit two supplemental reports to President Benigno Aquino III next week, Justice Secretary Leila de Lima said on Tuesday.

Court junks Gregorio Mendoza's motion to dismiss case

A Manila court on Tuesday junked the petition of the brother of slain hostage-taker Senior Inspector Rolando Mendoza to dismiss the serious disobedience case filed against him in connection with the August 23 Manila hostage tragedy.

'Gun ban should start Sept 28, not Sept 25'

by abs-cbnNEWS.com
MANILA, Philippines – An election lawyer said Tuesday that violators of the election gun ban, which was implemented on Saturday, should be released.

Lawyer Romulo Macalintal said this was after the Commission on Elections (Comelec) made a mistake of starting the gun ban's implementation on Saturday (September 25).

Macalintal explained that according to law, the Comelec's resolution declaring the start of the election gun ban should take effect "seven days after its publication."

He said the Comelec resolution's publication was September 21, and the 7-day grace period ends on September 28 (Tuesday).

Airsoft, pellet guns covered by poll gun ban—Comelec

Air guns, pellet guns, and airsoft guns are covered by the current gun ban for the Oct. 25 barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections, a Commission on Elections official said Tuesday.

Comelec OKs Palace request for exemptions to appointment ban

(Updated 7:57 p.m.) The Commission on Elections (Comelec) has approved a Malacañang request for some exemptions to the appointment ban being imposed because of the barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) elections next month.
Comelec en banc granted Executive Secretary Paquito Ochoa Jr.'s request to allow the Palace to fill up 143 government's positions despite the appointments ban.

The government posts—mostly directorial jobs in different government agencies, ambassadorial posts and judicial positions in various municipal and regional trial courts—were enumerated in a letter sent by Ochoa to Comelec on September 24.

Presidential spokesperson Edwin Lacierda said Malacanang submitted the request "based on the fact that the barangay elections is a non-partisan exercise."

The Comelec said in its resolution that it found Ochoa's request as "sufficient" since "these appointments are not only urgent, but essential to the functioning of the offices or agencies concerned."

The poll body added that the appointments can be made as long as they "shall not in any manner influence the conduct of the barangay and SK elections" to be held on October 25. 

In an earlier resolution, the Comelec enforced the appointments ban from September 25 to November 10 because of the coming elections.

Comelec exec emotional after getting threats

Sa gitna ng paghahanda ng Comelec para sa Barangay at SK Elections sa susunod na buwan, nakatanggap ng banta sa kanyang buhay si Comelec Commissioner Gregorio Larrazabal. Mangiyak-ngiyak si Larrazabal dahil pati raw misis niya ay idinamay.

City to streamline urgent procurement guidelines

The Cebu City government is drafting a new set of guidelines for the use of cash advance for emergency procurement after some department heads complained of the delay in the release of funds during emergency situations.

HLURB wants panel to look into 93-1 beneficiaries' woes

The Housing and Land Use Regulatory Board in Central Visayas has recommended the creation of a committee to determine the remaining balance of the urban poor beneficiaries occupying the province-owned lots under the Ordinance 93-1.

No SRP access for garbage trucks: Garbage on roads turn off investors

The carelessness of some garbage collectors and their lack of interest to do their job right could affect the decision of investors at the South Road Properties (SRP).

HIV cases in Cebu City hit 163

Thirteen new cases of Human Immunodeficiency Virus have been discovered from July up to last week bringing to 163 the total number of HIV cases recorded in Cebu City since January this year.

Palace asks for time to lick jueteng

by abs-cbnNEWS.com
MANILA, Philippines - Why pin the jueteng issue on the administration if it came on board only in July, Presidential spokesman Edwin Lacierda asked.

Palace denies resurgence of jueteng under Aquino

Malacañang on Tuesday branded as "unfair" the claim of retired Lingayen-Dagupan archbishop Oscar Cruz that the illegal numbers game jueteng flourished under the Aquino administration.

Bongbong wants to expand Senate probe on jueteng

A neophyte senator wants the Senate to expand its investigation on jueteng to include recent revelations regarding the illegal but immensely popular numbers game.

SC tells Congress: Respect rule of law

by abs-cbnNEWS.com
MANILA, Philippines -  The Supreme Court on Tuesday urged members of the House of Representatives justice committee to respect the rule of law and abide by the SC's status quo order stopping the panel from continuing the impeachment proceedings against Ombudsman Merceditas Gutierrez.

House defies SC on Ombudsman impeachment

Tuloy ang impeachment case laban kay Ombudsman Merceditas Gutierrez. Napag-desisyunan ito ng mga kongresista nang maligaw ang budget hearing ng Ombudsman kanina at mapunta sa usapang impeachment. Ito'y kahit may utos ang Korte Suprema na huwag muna itong ituloy.

Lawmakers, Ombudsman face off during budget hearing

Members of the House of Representatives on Tuesday finally had the chance to grill Ombudsman Merceditas Gutierrez on her alleged incompetence as stated in the two impeachment complaints filed against her.

Ombudsman not effective under Arroyo gov't, SolGen tells high court

The government's lead counsel admitted before the Supreme Court Tuesday that the creation of the Truth Commission was spurred by the Office of the Ombudsman's failure to successfully prosecute graft and corruption cases under the previous administration.

Bishops to support protests against birth control

by Agence France-Presse
MANILA, Philippines - Catholic bishops in the Philippines  on Tuesday warned they would support protests against President Benigno Aquino III if he pushed through with his plan to promote contraception.

Aquino ready to discuss birth control with bishops

President Benigno Aquino is willing to meet with Catholic bishops to explain his position on the controversial reproductive health bill pending in Congress, his spokesperson Edwin Lacierda said Tuesday.

Aquino urged: Time to pass RH law

by abs-cbnNEWS.com
MANILA, Philippines - President Benigno Aquino III should complement his stand to provide contraceptives to Filipinos by endorsing the immediate passage of the reproductive health bill in Congress, a minority lawmaker said Tuesday.

DFA defends Aquino's VFA silence in Obama meet

There is an "appropriate" time for President Benigno Aquino III to take up weighty issues, like the Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA) between the Philippines and US, with his US counterpart, according to the Department of Foreign Affairs.

Ex-solon denies link to Aquino 'slay plot'

Former Ozamiz City mayor Reynaldo Parojinog denied allegations that he was involved in a plot to kill President Benigno Aquino III and pointed at his political rival, Representative Loreto Leo Ocampos as the one spreading the information about him.

Justice sought for raped health worker in Maguindanao

KIDAPAWAN CITY - Government health workers from South Upi town in Maguindanao province staged an indignation rally on Tuesday condemning the gang-rape of their co-worker.
The rallyists were demanding justice for the 21-year-old victim, a volunteer nurse for the municipal hospital in South Upi town, , one of the poorest towns in the region.

Dr. Tahir Sulaik, provincial health officer of Maguindanao, said they want the suspects, many of whom allegedly members of rich families, placed behind bars.

The victim, whose name was withheld, is still confined at a hospital in Cotabato City under close watch by policemen. Her family reportedly fears for her safety considering the background of the suspects.

Investigators, however, have yet to identify any suspect.

The victim was found Sunday morning naked and unconscious in a cornfield in Barangay Timanan, South Upi town.

Police said the victim was on her way home after visiting a co-worker in Barangay Timanan on Saturday night when the suspects dragged her in a cornfield where they took turns in raping her.

Dismissal of mutiny charges vs 7 military officers a 'vindication'

The dismissal of mutiny charges was a "vindication" for the seven military officers ordered freed by a court martial Tuesday, their lawyer said.

The seven—Colonel Orlando de Leon, Lieutenant Colonel Custodio Parcon, Lieutenant Colonel Achilles Segumalian, Major Jose Leomar Doctolero, Captain William Upano, Lieutenant Homer Estolas and Lieutenant Belinda Ferrer—were acquitted after the military court ruled there was no sufficient evidence against them.

"This is a vindication," said lawyer Trixie Angeles.

Angeles said that except for Segumalian, who reached his retirement age in detention, the officers can now return to active military service.

Aquino orders DoJ to review cases vs 43 jailed health workers

President Benigno Aquino III has ordered the Department of Justice (DoJ) to review the criminal cases it filed against 43 health workers suspected of being communist rebels, Justice Secretary Leila de Lima said Tuesday.

Demand for nurses declining, DOLE chief says

Noting the oversupply of nurses in the country, the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) on Tuesday said the demand for the occupation has been steadily declining over the years.
"We have an oversupply of nurses. We've been sending signals that whether locally or overseas, the demand for nurses has declined," Labor Secretary Rosalinda Baldoz said after the Senate hearing on the DOLE budget.

She said it would not be "surprising" if the country's nurses land in jobs which do not need the skills for which they obtained their licenses. "This is the mismatch we've been saying," she said.

She said that based on the government's job portal, the top in demand occupations locally are call center agents, customer service assistants, accounting clerks, mechanical engineers, sales clerks, drivers, cashiers, production workers, technical support staff, and forklift operators for the skilled workers.

But Baldoz said they also aim to increase the skills of Filipino workers based on the jobs that would be generated by President Benigno Aquino III's meetings with political, business, and civil society leaders during his week-long US visit.

"We have to prepare the skills registry and also the competencies for each skill. We are working that out with the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority, Commission on Higher Education, and Department of Education," she said.

Nursing has been a popular undergraduate field of study in the past years due to the promise of well-paying jobs abroad. Just last month, more than 37,000 new nurses passed the licensure exam given by the Professional Regulatory Commission (PRC) in July. (See: 37,679 pass nursing board exam; Ateneo de Naga grad is No. 1

The popularity of nursing as a field of study has led to the establishment of sub-par nursing schools around the country despite a government ban on opening of new nursing schools implemented six years ago. (See: Since a 2004 ban on new nursing schools, more than 120 have opened)

New jobs

Earlier in the day, Aquino said he was able to secure a commitment of at least 43,650 new jobs in the next three years, including some 4,500 in construction related jobs.

To which, Baldoz said: "It is good news that will really help in the job generation because his goal is to really be able to generate jobs and address poverty that continues to confront us as a big challenge of the administration." 

She said this is part of the President's plan to give workers a genuine option on whether to work here or abroad. 

"He realized that this might not be done overnight, but I think he is really determined to address problems that hindered investments from coming into the country (which are needed to) generate jobs and address poverty," she said.

Baldoz said that they have also engaged in "massive consultations" with different industries and generated a list of the kind of workers needed and the skills that they must have. 

"That has been disseminated to all schools and universities including [local government units], legislators, Cabinet secretaries and other policy makers," she said.

Senate to probe employment scam in Singapore

The Senate is moving to clamp down on recruiters deploying Filipino students to Singapore to undergo on-the-job training in hotels and restaurants there, where they are paid only half of what they should be getting and are put on six-month contracts.

PhilHealth hikes quarterly contributions from new members to P600

The Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) will increase premium contributions for new members from P300 to P600 quarterly starting October 1, a circular from the PhilHealth president shows.

$1: P44.100

$1: P44.100 (P43.90)

Euro 1: P59.0565


NFA alarmed by expected low global supply of rice

The global rice supply available for trade next year is expected to be low due to environmental disasters that destroyed rice crops in exporting nations, the Food and Agricultural Organization said in its September report.

RP to generate 1,000 jobs, P19-B income if piracy is curbed—study

Over 1,000 jobs will be generated and P19.2 billion added to the economy if software piracy will be reduced in the Philippines by 10 percentage points, an independent study revealed on Tuesday.

Hundreds feared dead in Mexico landslide

OAXACA, Mexico - A hillside collapsed on a rural Mexican community on Tuesday and the region's governor said hundreds of people are feared dead.

Gunmen hijack school bus in Nigeria

LAGOS—Gunmen hijacked a school bus and kidnapped 15 children in Nigeria's oil-rich south, demanding a $130,000 ransom on Tuesday, police said, in a shocking new twist to abductions in the region.

Israeli navy blocks Jewish activist boat from reaching Gaza

ASHDOD—Israeli warships on Tuesday intercepted a boat carrying Jewish activists trying to run the naval blockade on Gaza and escorted it to a port in southern Israel, the army and organizers said.

Former US president Jimmy Carter hospitalized

CHICAGO—Former US president Jimmy Carter was hospitalized Tuesday after falling ill on a plane flight during a hectic book tour, an airport spokeswoman told AFP.

Pacman plays basketball to prep for bout

Dinagdagan ni Manny Pacquiao ng larong basketball ang pagpapakundisyon sa laban nila ni Antonio Margarito. Todo hataw din ang Pinoy boxing superstar sa kanyang training kasama ang coach na si Freddie Roach.

Pacquiao's conditioning coach to give tips to Asian Games athletes

Alex Ariza, the genius behind Manny Pacquiao's winning form, is lending his expertise to the national team bound for the Asian Games in Guangzhou.

Corteza keeps no. 2 ranking in World Pool list

by abs-cbnNEWS.com
MANILA, Philippines – The Philippines' Lee Vann "The Slayer" Corteza has retained his No. 2 ranking in the latest 2010 World Pool-Billiard Association (WPA) ranking list which includes 3 other Filipinos in the Top 10.

The Davaoeño is just behind top player, Mike "The Iceman" Immonen of Finland, who has 2,082 points. The Fin bested Corteza in the 2009 World Ten-Ball Championship in Manila.

Third in the Top 10-ranking is Antonio "Nickoy" Lining, also of NBS. His 1,580 points got a boost from his 2nd-place finish in the China Open.

In 4th to 6th places are Ralf "Kaiser" Souquet of Germany (1,434), Karl Boyes (1,432) and Darren Appleton of Great Britain (1,399).

At 7th place is Marlon "Marvelous" Manalo (1,310) followed by 8th placer Ruslan Chinakhov of Russia (1,245), 9th placer Jeffrey "The Bull" de Luna of the Philippines (1,221) and 10th placer Marcus "Napoleon" Chamat of Sweden (1,161).

Rounding up the top 20 are:

Niels "The Terminator" Feijen 11th place-1146 points

Francisco "Django" Bustamante 12th place-1142 points

KuoPo-Cheng 13th place-1107 points

Shane "The South Dakota Kid" Van Boening 14th place-1077 points

Johnny "The Scorpion" Archer 15th place-1057 points

David "El Matador" Alcaide 16th place-1052 points

Ricky Yang 17th place-1031 points

Ronato "Volcano" Alcano 18th place-1014 points

Yukio Akakariyama 19th place-955 points

Hajato Hijikata 20th place-832 points

In the women's category, Rubilen "Bingkay"Amit is at 3rd place with 1109 points behind No.1 Allison Fisher (1242) and No. 2 Kelly Fisher (1034) of Great Britain.

Other Filipinas in the women's Top 100 are No. 42 Iris Ranola (268) and no.53 Gillian Go (185).

Mary Ann Basas, Meldred Almero, Mica Claveria and Zarah Del Rosario joined 15 others, including Fil-Am Shanell Lorraine, in the No. 63 spot with identical 134 points.

Charice: Sunshine Corazon will return on 'Glee'

MANILA, Philippines – International singing sensation Charice has confirmed that her character, Sunshine Corazon, is a recurring role in the American hit TV show "Glee."

ABS-CBN names new 'Pilipinas, Win na Win' hosts

by abs-cbnNEWS.com
MANILA, Philippines – An official of ABS-CBN on Tuesday revealed a group of new hosts of "Pilipinas, Win na Win" following Kris Aquino's announcement that she is leaving the network's noontime program.

The "Hitmakers," composed of Rico J. Puno, Rey Valera, Marco Sison and Nonoy Zuñiga, will join Pokwang and Valerie Concepcion on October 2, said Bong Osorio, head of ABS-CBN Corporate Communications, in an official statement.

Osorio confirmed that Aquino's last day on the show is on October 1.

"Management has decided to try a combination of new hosts for the program…. The program continues to bring fun, games and hope to Filipinos around the world," he said.

Aquino confirmed Tuesday that she is leaving "Pilipinas, Win na Win" just 2 months after its launch.

The Philippines' "Queen of All Media" said she did not resign or quit but was asked to leave the show.

Aquino, who is President Benigno Aquino's youngest sister, is the third Win na Win host to leave the show. Actor Robin Padilla and TV host Mariel Rodriguez also went on indefinite leave from the show to get married.

Belo, Kho seen attending bridal show together

by abs-cbnNEWS.com
MANILA, Philippines – Controversial cosmetic surgeons and former sweethearts Vicki Belo and Hayden Kho were spotted together in a bridal show held Monday night.

PNoy's pasalubong : Chocolates for sisters, secret gift for Shalani

For the country, President Benigno Aquino III brought from his week-long US trip billions of dollar worth of investments and grants. For his loved ones, on the other hand, particularly his four sisters, it's the typical Filipino pasalubong : chocolates.

Nikki, Shalani top list of prettiest Pinay politicians

MANILA, Philippines - Former Tarlac Congresswoman Nikki Teodoro tops online magazinespot.ph's list of the 10 prettiest Pinay politicians.

'Titanic' co-star Gloria Stuart dies at 100

Gloria Stuart, the 1930s Hollywood beauty who gave up acting for 30 years and later became the oldest Academy Award acting nominee as the spunky survivor in "Titanic," has died. She was 100.

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