The Rafflesia: The biggest blooming flower in the world
The Rafflesia flower which is found throughout much of Southeast Asia was discovered in 1818 by Dr Joseph Arnold, who named his new find after Sir Thomas Stamford Raffles, the leader of the …
News
“Samurai of Christ” on path to sainthood: His life and times in the Philippines
Known to many as the “Samurai of Christ” a Japanese warrior named Ukon “Justo” Takayama is to be beatified by the Vatican for his commitment to the Catholic religion. Takayama was born …
Australian report says more than 260,000 Filipinos live in slavery
The Walk Free Foundation announced in its 2014 report that the Philippines still has a huge issue with modern-day slavery. The group released its findings and has ranked the Philippines at 103 out of 167 …
Pope’s mass at Quirino Grandstand could draw up to six million people
Police are expecting up to six million people to attend the mass officiated by Pope Francis at Manila’s Quirino Grandstand. The service will be held on January 18 during his visit to the Philippines. …
Undocumented Filipinos can now apply for a driver’s licence in California
A new law effective January 1, 2015, will allow anyone to apply for a state driver’s licence regardless of their immigration status; this includes the numerous undocumented Pinoys living in …
Vatican releases Pope Francis itinerary for his visit to the Philippines
Pope Francis is scheduled to visit the Philippines this coming January 2015. His itinerary has been released by the Vatican today. Archbishop Luis Antonio Cardinal Tagle announced the itinerary in …
President Aquino passes law to give all pensioners health cover
President Aquino signed into law a provision to give health cover to all seniors living in the Philippines. The law removes the former qualification saying that a senior had to …
Vigan’s colonial charm could see it named among world’s seven wonders
The Philippines has mustered up another great tourist destination which may soon be named a new wonder of the world. Vigan City is in the 21 finalists in the “New7Wonder” …
Philippine tourist chiefs hope to welcome more disabled visitors
Ambitious plans are underway to make the Philippines more accessible for disabled travellers. Helen Catalbas, Regional Director of the Department of Tourism (DOT) said they were committed to creating a ‘barrier-free’ tourism industry. DOT, …
Sagada reopens Balangagan burial cave with new access road
Read more: The hanging coffins of Sagada The town of Sagada has reopened the Cave of Balangagan. Located just a few kilometers from one of the most famous attractions in Sagada – Sumaguing Cave – the …
Philippine-Saudi agreement guarantees better conditions for Filipino workers
Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) working in Saudi Arabia are now seeing better working conditions thanks to a ‘labour pact’ that has been signed by the Saudi Arabia Government. The agreement was put into …
Tubbataha Reef National Park: A world wonder beneath the Sulu Sea
Two of the most famous reefs in the world are found in the same hemisphere. The Great Barrier Reef, in the Coral Sea off Queensland, Australia, and the Tubbataha Reef National …
Mindoro dwarf buffalo making a comeback after near extinction
The rare Mindoro dwarf buffalo was facing extinction. In 2013, only 345 “Tamaraw” Buffalo were left in the Philippines, however, conservation efforts have greatly increased those numbers. An annual survey of the region of …
Filipino American taxi driver wins ‘driver of the year’ after returning $300,000
For the first time in the state of Nevada, a Fil-Am taxi cab driver won the prestigious award of Taxicab Limousine & Para-transit Association’s annual event. The event was held …
Possessions of late ‘king of comedy’ Dolphy to be auctioned
A public auction is being held for the late-great King of Comedy ‘Dolfy’ or Rodolfo Vera Quizon. The auction is slated for December 13 at the Samsung Hall, SM Aura, …
Burgos wind farm starts electricity production and becomes tourist attraction
The largest wind farm in the Philippines and all of Southeast Asia has started producing electricity to the national grid. The Burgos Wind Power Corporation informed the Department of Energy …
Day of protest against government neglect one year after typhoon Yolanda
Finally the people of the Philippines are protesting something that makes sense, but like many things in the Philippines – this protest is a year in the making. Filipino activist …
Filipino American featured on memorial for disabled servicemen and women
A Filipino-American soldier has become one of the people featured on the American Veterans Disabled for Life Memorial in Washington. 29-year-old Joseph Bacani narrowly escaped death after he was shot …
Almost three quarters of American expats thinking of renouncing citizenship
A growing number of Americans living abroad are being tempted to give up their US passports. Why? Because the Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act is bringing tougher asset-disclosure rules around the globe. …
Skipper of US Navy destroyer sacked after crashing into canoe
One week after it was reported that the US Navy destroyer USS Stethem had run over a small boat near Subic Bay, the ship’s skipper has been fired. Commander. John Bradford was relieved …
Couple who made horrific ‘crush videos’ of animals being tortured sentenced
A husband and wife involved in the production of disgusting online fetish videos that involved animal torture have been sentenced. People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) helped file the …
Foreigners reminded of biometric processing deadline
The Bureau of Immigration (BI) has said that all foreign nationals in the country need to present themselves before BI for biometrics and the issuance of a Special Security Registration Number …
Filipinos visiting Japan can now enjoy a simpler, speedier visa process
A more relaxed and simpler visa process will allow many in the Philippines to visit Japan. The process is a new step in mutual relations to attract more Filipinos to …
Fabulously valuable fine art collection confiscated from the Marcos family
The graft-court of the Philippines has ordered the seizure of high end art owned by the Marco family. The art is part of a judicial order issued by the court …
American expats left frustrated as banks cut off services abroad
An alarming amount of American expats and people living abroad are being cut-off by their banking institutions and brokerage firms as the United States seeks to curb money laundering and …
Philippine government to ensure workplace equality for disabled people
The Philippines has implemented into law Executive Order 417, better known as the Economic Independence Program for PWDs (People With Disabilities). First issued by ex-President Gloria Arroyo in 2005, the …