News & Current Events

MANILA, Philippines — Japanese company Yokohama Rubber Co. Ltd. (YRC) is set to spend P3.5 billion for the expansion of its tire plant in Clark, according to the Clark Development Corp. (CDC). In a statement , CDC said the investment would boost daily tire output of YRC subsidiary Yokohama Tire Philippines Inc. (YTPI)’s tire plant to 32,500, adding 1,800 tires per day. CDC said the expansion plans were announced during a recent meeting with YTPI officials. Citing information from YRC, CDC shared that the expansion plan includes a new production line for 21 and 22-inch tires. It added that expansion work is set to commence in the second quarter, with the new lines expected to be fully operational in the second quarter of 2026. CDC...

Entrance exams for College and High School students are already coming this month. In a farmhouse in the city of Maeba in the prefecture of Gunma, special carnations are grown to cheer the students who are going to take the exams. Named as "Cheering flowers", this carnation is slowly grown in greenhouses that does not even use heating during this winter. Since the flowers are not easy to fall off, alot of people buy them as gifts for students who also does not want to fall off or fail in the exams. Around a 1000 of these flowers are already grown in the greenhouses. These flowers can be bought in flower shops and online. They cost from 1500 - 2000 yen. People working in farmhouse said that, "We hope everyone to do their best just as...

Vlogger Tzuyang (right) laughs as Korean comedian Kim Ji-young (left) introduces herself as a Filipino in a YøùTùbé video uploaded on Jan. 28 (Screenshot from Edzel Marc Robion's reuploaded video) Korean YøùTùbé vlogger Tzuyang (real name Park Jung-won) apologized for uploading a video in which she and a Korean comedian made fun of, mocked and stereotyped Filipinos. Tzuyang (쯔양) is a “mukbang” vlogger who uploads videos showing her eating different kinds of food. In a video she uploaded on Jan. 28 on her YøùTùbé channel, which has 9.28 million subscribers, Tzuyang had Korean comedian Kim Ji-young as a guest, who pretended to be a Filipina who married a Korean man. Kim Ji-young started talking in Filipinos’ Korean accent that made...

Still on going pa rin missile nila!

Rep. France Castro—File photo / House of Representatives Facebook MANILA, Philippines — Designating the same Administrative Officers (AOs) and staff to serve multiple schools, also known as “clustering,” should not be made an option as it would only overwork the AOs, ACT Teachers Party-List Rep. France Castro said on Sunday. This comes after the Department of Education (DepEd) announced that teachers are set to be relieved of administrative duties to bring them “back to the classrooms,” Education Secretary and Vice President Sara Duterte said. “School clustering of administrative and/ or education support tasks is not the way to go,” Castro noted in a statement. What schools should do instead, according to the lawmaker, is to...

Share nyo naman mga thoughts nyo like mga napapansin na sistema sa paligid na gusto nyong iimprove

Mastercard and AF Payments Inc. Partnership For MRT-3 and Select Busses “Mastercard’s mission is to power a digital economy that benefits everyone, everywhere, by making payments safe, simple, smart, and accessible,” said Simon Calasanz, Mastercard country manager. From reducing queues at peak hours to removing the need to carry multiple transit tickets or cash, cardholders will be able to use the same payment methods they already use for everyday spending.” Simon Calasanz, Mastercard Country Manager The payment technology firm is planning to launch the payment digitization program in stages, starting with MRT 3 and buses, expanding nationwide, and adding other transportation modes. Furthermore, Filipinos will have the ability to...

wat do u think 🤔?

Manny Pangilinand-led broadcast giant TV5 is taking over the frequency where CNN Philippines once aired its program following the latter's untimely shutdown last January 31, 2024. MediaQuest Holdings, which operates TV5, collaborates with Radio Philippines Network Inc. The two made the launch of RPTV official in a recent press announcement. RPTV on Channel 9 on free television will now be dedicated to sports, news, and entertainment. The said firm also owns Radyo5, One News, One Sports, One PH, Sari-Sari Channel, and The Varsity Channel, among others. "February 1 marks another historic milestone in Philippine broadcasting as TV5 launches RPTV," the television channel said in a statement. TV5 President and CEO Guido Zaballero added...

The website of news organization CNN Philippines became inaccessible as it officially ceased its operations on Wednesday, January 31 following financial woes. This was noticed by Lara Tan, former digital executive producer for the news org, who posted her observation on the X (formerly Twitter) platform. “Nine years of working for CNN Philippines started and ended on the website and our social media pages to deliver content that is fair, accurate, and balanced. Erased just like that,” she wrote. “Allow me to grieve this loss,” Tan added. She accompanied screengrabs of CNN Philippines’ website, Facebook page, X account, and Instagram page with blank content. “Sa huli, hindi lang kaming mga empleyado ang talo, kung hindi ang...

SANTA ANA, Cagayan, Philippines — Thousands of imported secondhand vehicles, including luxury cars, are being swallowed up by rust and vegetation at the car yards of Cagayan Special Economic Zone and Freeport in Port Irene here, causing a headache for authorities on what to do with them. There was no final inventory yet on the number and the estimated value of the vehicles, all of which were right-hand drive, but the luxury vehicles were estimated to be valued between a low of P1.5 million to up to P20 million when brought into the country via the freeport. Cagayan Economic Zone Authority (Ceza) administrator Katrina Ponce Enrile said the right-hand drive cars came from different countries and most were forfeited between 2014 and...

What did Baerbock say? "I have just come from the Middle East, where the situation continues to be extremely dangerous, and the risk that one more spark could set the whole region ablaze still exists," she said in a press briefing after meeting her counterpart, Philippine Foreign Secretary Enrique Manalo. "I am saying this because in your region, tensions are rising too," Baerbock added. There have been flaring tensions in recent months between Beijing and Manila with barbs traded over a number of confrontations in the contested waters, including allegations that China rammed a ship last month carrying the Philippine armed forces chief of staff. "Such risky maneuvers violate the rights and economic development opportunities of your...

Philippines and Japan to sign defense pact next year The Philippines and Japan are set to sign a defense pact next year that would allow their forces to conduct joint military training and access each other’s facilities. The Reciprocal Access Agreement (RAA) would be Japan’s first such pact with a Southeast Asian nation and its third overall. The RAA negotiations were agreed upon during Japanese Prime Minister Kishida Fumio’s visit to Manila on November 3, 2023, where he met with Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. The two leaders also discussed ways to enhance their cooperation on maritime security, especially in the South China Sea and the Luzon Strait, where China has been increasing its military presence and activities...

CNN Philippines is shutting down after 9 years of operations in a text message to Manila Standard, D. Edgard Cabangon, chairman of ALC Group of Companies and Nine Media Corp., the head of CNN Philippines confirmed that the operations of CNN Philippines would end soon. To recap, CNN Philippines is a free-to-air television network under license from Warner Bros. Discovery. It originally replaced 9TV and was launched on March 16, 2015. Cabagnon told Manila Standard that the closure of CNN Philippines was planned last year due to losses and they will concentrate more on its own free TV called "Aliw TV". The official statement would be issued by Nine Media president Benjamin Ramos after the general meeting on Monday. The brand...

First word JUST when I feared that the debate between climate fanatics-alarmists and climate skeptics-deniers could turn into a fruitless war of attrition, there now comes news and signs that this fight may be coming to an end. The news from the front is not good for the climate fanatics and green energy lobby. Greta Thunberg and UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres will be depressed. Local green propagandists will be enraged. Waning enthusiasm Five reports on recent developments are particularly pointed. The enthusiasm for "green" products is collapsing, and the production of such energy is becoming disastrously unprofitable. First, an article on the Real Clear Markets website on Nov. 7, 2023, entitled "October 2023: The month...

MANILA, Philippines — Cable operator Sky Cable Corp. is ending its pay TV business toward the end of February, as it moves to become a dedicated connectivity provider as part of its merger with PLDT Inc. In an advisory, Sky Cable announced that it would cease its pay TV services as agreed upon in the buyout with PLDT, with the broadcast scheduled to sign off on Feb. 26. However, Sky Cable is maintaining its fiber network as it remains an internet service provider. Sky Cable told its internet customers that there would be no changes in their subscription by Feb. 26, as broadband services and monthly fees would stay the same. Sky Cable advised its cable users to begin searching for another pay TV provider and came up with a list of...

One of President Marcos’ economic managers called on lawmakers to agree on a common position on Charter change (Cha-cha) as its uncertainty may dampen local and foreign investments here. Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Arsenio Balisacan made the appeal on Friday at a press briefing in Malacañang amid the widening conflict between the two chambers of Congress over Cha-cha. “I hope they can agree very soon. Because we don’t want that uncertainty. One of the factors that inhibit investments, whether domestic or foreign, is a state of uncertainty,” Balisacan said. READ: Senate, House clash over people’s initiative for Charter change He was asked to comment on the disagreement between senators and district representatives on the mode of...

The National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) has taken further action against Sonshine Media Network International (SMNI), the media outlet associated with Apollo Quiboloy’s Kingdom of Jesus Christ, by ordering an indefinite suspension of its radio and television operations. NTC extends suspension of SMNI, orders Indefinite Shutdown following non-compliance© Provided by LionhearTV This comes after SMNI failed to comply with the initial 30-day suspension imposed by the NTC. In a cease and desist order, NTC Commissioner Ella Blanca Lopez directed SMNI to provide a written explanation within 15 days regarding its failure to adhere to the previous suspension issued in December. The order, co-signed by Deputy Commissioners John...

MANILA, Philippines — At least four foreign electric vehicle (EV) manufacturers are looking to set up manufacturing facilities in the country, according to the Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA). “As we speak, we’re in talks with several EV manufacturers. So the initial ones coming are into e-motorcycles because there’s lesser regulations for e-motorcycles,” PEZA director-general Tereso Panga said in a briefing. “But once the supply chain is present, we will also see EV cars manufacturing to also locate,” he added. Panga shared that they are in talks with one American firm, which will manufacture e-buses, e-heavy equipment and even cars. “And they want to participate in the modernization of our transport (system),” he added...

MANILA, Philippines — Telco giant PLDT Inc. has yet to complete its nearly P7-billion deal to acquire Lopez-led Sky Cable Corp. as the parties still have to secure regulatory approval to proceed with the transaction. In a disclosure to the Philippine Stock Exchange, PLDT denied an online report claiming it is now moving to integrate Sky Cable into the business. On the contrary, PLDT said the Philippine Competition Commission (PCC) has yet to conclude the antitrust review for its proposed acquisition of Sky Cable for P6.75 billion. PLDT also noted that it is steps away from integrating its operations with Sky Cable. For one, Sky Cable has to discontinue its cable segment for the buyout to materialize, a process that in itself requires...

Eto yung sinasabi ko dati boss Draft bawal talaga i benta ang mga GCASH account.

Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, January 17) — Malacañang on Wednesday said President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. is studying Health Secretary Teodoro Herbosa's appeal to suspend the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) ρrémíùm hike after the rate soared from 4% to 5% this year. "The President is studying the request," Presidential Communications Office Secretary Cheloy Garafil said. Herbosa said he wrote a letter to Marcos on Tuesday that the hike should be put on hold to avoid burdening Filipinos amid the high prices of basic goods. If an increase is necessary, he suggested that contributions should only be increased by 0.5% per annum or at 4.5% in 2024. "If ever the president will agree, my recommendation is to start from...

MANILA, Philippines — The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) is urging private sector employers to use transaction accounts to credit salaries and wages of their employees. BSP Deputy Director Cesar Augusto Villanueva Jr. emphasized that transaction accounts widen workers’ access to financial services and enhance their financial welfare. This was highlighted during the International Labor Organization’s ‘Webinar on Advancing Financial Inclusion through Wages Digitization.” “We would like to encourage private sector employers to consider using transaction accounts to credit salaries and wages, as this can enable workers to easily access financial services,” Villanueva said. He pointed out that deposit, e-money and other financial...

YøùTùbé’s recent *****down on ad blocker usage in the platform is facing a challenge over privacy issue. Privacy consultant based in Ireland, Alexander Hanff filed a complaint in October with the Irish Data Protection Commission (DPC) against YøùTùbé for alleged unlawful surveillance. Hanff argues that the ad blocker detection scripts that YøùTùbé is running are spyware and are îllégâl under EU online privacy laws. Historically, Hanff already reached to European Commission regarding the use of ad blocker detection tools in 2016. And the commission confirmed that such scripts fall under Article 5.3 of the ePrivacy Directive—a measure requiring websites to ask for user consent for storing or access to information on a user’s device...

(3rd UPDATE) 'The TV ad is a pro-dictatorship and Marcos rehabilitation propaganda video packaged as advocacy,' says Kabataan Partylist MANILA, Philippines – Filipinos tuned into primetime evening newscasts on Tuesday, January 9, saw a ρáíd advertisement on the supposed “failures” of the 1987 Constitution to highlight the need for charter change. “Pangako nila pagsulong pero sa pagbuo ng 1987 Constitution, na-Edsa-pwera tayo (They promised us progress but in forming the 1987 Constitution, we were left out),” the commercial’s narrator said, in a word play on EDSA – a reference to the 1986 People Power Revolution that toppled the dictator Ferdinand E. Marcos – and etsapuwera, the Filipino term for being excluded or cast aside. The ad...

Start naba to ng WW3? Ukraine war Gaza war Red sea war nag paparamdam ng gyera china russia north korea

More than six million Catholic devotees in the Philippines turned up for this year's procession to honour the Black Nazarene, turning the streets of the capital into a sea of maroon and yellow, in a grand display of religious devotion. The centuries-old tradition of paying homage to the black wooden statue of Jesus Christ, believed to have healing powers, drew massive numbers of Catholics to take part in the procession, which in the last three years was cancelled because of COVID-19. "I am very pleased the old system is back and we get to do this again," said Jonathan Rancho, 52 who travelled with his wife and two children from Bulacan province to Manila to join the procession. "I prayed that hopefully this year our livelihoods will...

Programmed debt ng bansa ngayong 2023, halos bayad na ayon sa Bureau of Treasury https://www.dailymotion.com/video/x8qwz5n

CHINA urged the United States to stop supporting the Philippines' "infringement" in the South China Sea (SCS) as it warned Manila that it would "not turn a blind eye" to its repeated provocations in the region. Chinese Defense Ministry spokesman Senior Colonel Wu Qian said the US should "stop meddling in the South China Sea issue and safeguard regional peace and stability with concrete actions." "The US is misrepresenting facts and making groundless accusations on China's legitimate actions of rights protection. We strongly deplore and firmly oppose to that," Wu said at a press conference on December 28. The Chinese Embassy in Manila shared Wu's statement Thursday evening. Source: Manila Times

Any thoughts on this? 3 days na a little to no power at all ang whole panay island.