President Duterte has declared January an annual “National Bible Month”, amid thinly veiled criticisms of his war on drugs from the Archbishop of Manila. Presidential Proclamation No. 124 aims to …
In a recent article (here), Anna introduced her retirement “experiment” in the Philippines. While continuing to love her new life in the country, here she describes the trials and tribulations of trying to cook …
The clock is ticking for the so-called Islamic State. A coalition of fighters is poised to conquer Mosul, the self-declared capital and last redoubt of IS. While it may seem that the whole …
The British Embassy has urged its citizens to “take particular care” due to possible terror threats during the Feast of the Black Nazarene on Monday (January 9). The event sees …
A Pakistani man and his female companion, both believed to be connected with an ISIS-supporting terror group, were killed today (Saturday, January 7). The incident comes just two days after …
After a career managing hotels and resorts across southeast Asia, Howard Stanton says that nothing has ever matched the strange and terrifying events that unfolded when he took on his first job. Many …
In its annual review of the year, Pornhub.com has revealed that Filipino users of the site spend more time per visit than any other nationality. The figures show that the …
1. The Philippines is the only country in the world that hangs its flag upside-down when at war. Blue at the top, all’s good. Red at the top… watch out! (People …
In the clearest sign yet of Duterte’s rejection of long-standing USA-Philippine relations, the president has said he hopes Russia will become his country’s new ally and protector. His remarks came …
Treasure hunters claim they have discovered a huge horde of booby-trapped Japanese gold that was hidden in the Philippines during World War II. A video has emerged that purports to show …
The legendary ABC Hotel in Angeles City has unveiled it’s new “luxury playground” rooftop bar. More an “entertainment complex” than just a bar, the 1,700sqm Aqua Beach Club is spread …
A British supermarket worker abandoned his wife and three-year-old daughter to travel to the Philippines and join up with Abu Sayyaf, a court has heard. Ryan Counsell, aged 28, is …
Ever since President Duterte announced his intention to pivot towards China and Russia, the Kremlin has started to take a close interest in the Philippines. At the moment, two Russian …
I was reminded this week of an incident from my past by a very amusing story that I came across about a caucasian girl working in a retail store. This particular …
Picture the scene: a group of men crouch around a campfire, roasting a freshly skinned dog, poking at the glowing embers with sticks. They are barefoot and naked except for …
More than 100 suspected Muslim insurgents stormed a jail today (Wednesday, January 4), killing a prison guard and freeing 158 prisoners. Six inmates were reported killed in gun battles with …
A couple of years ago I had the opportunity to travel to Outer Mongolia for a consulting job. Having never been that far north before and also having never visited …
When I first moved to the Philippines we drove around the country stopping here and there until myself and my partner happened upon a place that we felt would suit …
Whenever we publish a news article that mentions President Duterte (in good faith, without any attempt at bias) we expect to be attacked. (For clarity: This is an “opinion” column, …
I had been planning a trip to Lakawon Island Resort and Spa, a popular destination in the northern regions of Negros Occidental. Last year, we reported (here) how the 32-acre banana-shaped …
TWO Russian warships docked in Manila today (Tuesday, January 3) in anticipation of conducting war games with the Philippines Navy. Meanwhile, Beijing yesterday confirmed that its aircraft carrier had conducted drills …
In the first year of my retirement, following a heart attack and saddled with a ‘terminal’ blood condition, I decided to leave the comfort of small town New Zealand and …
Cebu City’s Sinulog Festival, one of the nation’s biggest, brightest and wildest parties is getting underway this week. The annual cultural and religious celebration commemorates the Filipinos’ conversion to Christianity …
The Malacañang has released an end-of-year report that lists, at some length, the “key accomplishments” of the Duterte administration so far. The achievements include everything from successfully prosecuting the war on drugs …
I found myself with a week of meetings in London and was living in Hong Kong at the time. Not being one to wantonly overspend on airfares (even when the …
“The land is sacred: It belongs to the countless numbers who are dead, the few who are living and the multitude of those yet to be born” I was at …