Duterte invokes defense treaty with US
President Rodrigo Duterte on Wednesday, July 17, has called on the United States to invoke its Mutual Defense Treaty (MDT) with the Philippines amid the maritime tension in the disputed West Philippine Sea. “I’m calling now America. I’m invoking the RP-U.S. pact. I would like America to gather all their 7th Fleet in front of…
Boracay flash flood shows more time needed for rehab
by Nestor Burgos Jr THE inter-agency task force managing the rehabilitation of Boracay Island appealed to tourists and residents on Wednesday, July 17, to give the rehabilitation more time after flash floods brought by heavy pour hit the island on Tuesday, July 16. “We are appealing to tourists … until the middle of next year,…
Tri-Valley Repertory presents: ‘Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat’
Fil-Am Romar De Claro plays lead role in this favorite family musical THE Tri-Valley Repertory is proud to present “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat” this July and August at the Bankhead Theater in Livermore. The play is an irresistible family musical about the trials and triumphs of Joseph, Israel’s favorite son. Told entirely through…
Duterte signs bill that punishes ‘sexist’ remarks
‘Anti-bastos’ bill seeks to prevent sexual harassment, including catcalling President Rodrigo Duterte has signed into law the anti-bastos bill, which seeks to prevent gender-based sexual harassment from occurring in streets, public places, online workplaces, and educational and training institutions. Senator Risa Hontiveros, one of the law’s principal authors, said in late May that the bill…
Team Philippines participates in this year’s World Championships of Performing Arts
A TEAM of Filipino talent is back again to compete in this year’s World Championships of Performing Arts (WCOPA) in Long Beach, California. Considered the “Talent Olympics,” WCOPA has over a week of competitions and activities for contestants hailing from 70 countries. On Sunday, July 14 at the Long Beach Performing Arts Center Plaza, attendees…
PH population to double by 2058
The Philippines’ population is predicted to grow twice its size by 2058, according to Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Ernesto Pernia. Since the last census conducted in 2015, the country’s population rate has already slowed down at 1.76 a year. “Under this growth rate, our population, which is now 108.1 million, is expected to double in 39…
Innovative Asian haircare line SH-RD holds summer event with celebrity favorite Ken Paves Salon
There’s a saying, “Invest in your hair. It is the crown you never take off.” For many women, the hair on their heads is one of the most important parts of the body so a lot of care and focus is placed on it — from regimented washing routines to regular haircuts and color sessions….
9 in 10 Filipinos believe regaining China-held islands in West Philippine Sea important
A recent survey revealed that 93% of adult Filipinos believe that it is important for the Philippine government to take back control of islands occupied by China in the West Philippine Sea According to the survey conducted by the Social Weather Stations from June 22 to 26, 74% of the respondents said this is “œvery…
DOT: 3.4-M tourists visited PH January-May 2019
A total of 3,489,270 tourists were recorded to have visited the Philippines for the first five months of 2019, according to the Department of Tourism (DOT). Tourism Secretary Bernadette Romulo-Puyat said the numbers — which mark a 9.76 percent increase from the same period last year — are very encouraging. “The numbers are very encouraging….
41st Annual San Francisco Ethnic Dance Festival: A celebration of culture, dance and music
Catch the largest and longest-running event in North America in its last weekend, July 13 and 14 NEARLY 500 Northern California artists presenting dance and music from more than 17 world cultures spanning four continents performed onstage during the first weekend of the annual San Francisco Ethnic Dance Festival (SFEDF) last July 6 and 7. …
California set to pass landmark legislation to save lives, reduce police shootings
Under AB 392 the state would establish one of the strongest police use of force laws in the country SACRAMENTO — On Monday, July 8, the California Senate passed landmark legislation to strengthen the law on police use of force and reduce the number of deadly police shootings in the state. Assembly Bill 392: The…
Locsin calls ICC a fairytale endeavor
Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr. on Tuesday, July 9, justified the Philippines’ exit from the International Criminal Court (ICC), likening it to a ‘fairy tale endeavor.’ “Better we stick to real science instead of fairy tale endeavors like the ICC which like the Queen in Alice in Wonderland cries out, ‘First the judgment, then the…
Amal Clooney to represent Rappler’s Maria Ressa in press freedom fight
PROMINENT international human rights lawyer Amal Clooney will join the legal team representing Maria Ressa, the award-winning Filipino journalist currently facing several criminal charges along with online news site Rappler. “Maria Ressa is a courageous journalist who is being persecuted for reporting the news and standing up to human rights abuses. We will pursue all…
Enslaved in the US for decades: 83-year-old Filipina celebrates life and freedom for the first time this 4th of July
LOS ANGELES – As the country celebrated its independence this week on 4th of July, freedom takes on a new meaning for Fedelina Lugasan, a victim of modern-day slavery and human trafficking. For decades, the 83-year-old Filipina was enslaved and coerced into a life of domestic servitude without pay or any days off. Lugasan was…
Pacquiao files bill for Department of Homeland Security in PH
Philippine Senator Manny Pacquiao filed a measure this week seeking to establish a Department of Homeland Security to protect the country’s borders against terrorists and other transnational crimes. The bill, which was released to the media on Wednesday, July 3, said the government agency would “prevent terrorist attacks within, and the occurrence of transnational crimes…
Sheriff Lombardo meets with Las Vegas Asian American community leaders
IN an effort to strengthen the relationship between Las Vegas’ Asian American community and law enforcement, Sheriff Joe Lombardo and his Area Command Captains met on Wednesday, June 26 at the Min Indian Bistro Spring Valley. During the dinner, hosted by the Asian American Group of Las Vegas and the Asian American Coalition of Nevada,…
We are winning the war against illegal drugs – PNP
Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Gen. Oscar Albayalde said the Philippines is winning the war against illegal drugs as President Rodrigo Duterte marked his third year in office. According to Albayalde, the improvement in the peace and order situation across the country is a manifestation of the drug war’s success. “This is a clear manifestation…
Mayor Garcetti leads coalition of mayors calling for federal action to confront homelessness crisis
MAYOR Eric Garcetti announced Monday, July 1, that he would lead a coalition of mayors calling on Congress to pass the Ending Homelessness Act. The legislation, sponsored by Representative Maxine Waters, would direct more than $13 billion to support the work of cities on the front lines of this crisis, deliver vital services to homeless…
Think tank: Philippines to lose the most in possible US outsourcing ban
The Philippines would be the ‘biggest loser’ in Asia if United States President Donald Trump follows through with his threat to punish American firms that outsource jobs, an independent economic research company has claimed. In Capital Economics’ recent research brief entitled “Winner and losers from the trade war,” it was revealed that the trade war…