Good eats in the sticks: “La Sofia”, Agoo, La Union
I’m a huge fan of good food and, unfortunately, especially when you’re out in the provinces anything aside from the usual roadside carinderia fare can be tough to come by. Alternatives tend …
Chilling out at Mommy J’s in Agoo, La Union
When you’re travelling around the Philippines, it’s always nice to pull into a locally run resort and chill out for a while. Recently, I found myself in Agoo in the southern …
Confessions of a hitman: Is this the man who could bring down Duterte?
Self-confessed hitman Edgar Matobato has apparently had a crisis of conscience. It seems the ghosts of the 50-or-so people he murdered as a member of the Davao Death Squad have started to haunt …
The Filipina Cinderella: Watch Jollibee look-alike’s stunning transformation
Recently we reported how a humble Jollibee worker found herself suddenly world-famous due to her resemblance to Hollywood superstar Chloe Grace Moretz. (See report here) A photograph of Miss Edcell …
Bramovich: Is the 50 Cent Army shooting the messenger?
I received a very telling comment on one of my opinion columns this week, that I thought I should share. I’m not doing this out of spite or vengeance, only because it seems …
Bramovich: “Only” 350 firework-related injuries this New Year’s Eve
The Philippine Department of Health has announced this morning (at 6am on New Year’s Day) that firework-related injuries are down by 60% on last year. While this is obviously good news, …
Bramovich: Mr Duterte, please stop threatening people with horrible deaths
The National Union of Journalists of the Philippines took aim at President Rodrigo Duterte for saying that he likes “joking” and “playing around” with members of the Press Corps. (As …
How the Philippines would be better now as an ex-British colony…
In 1762, Britain invaded the Philippines, which it then ruled as a colony via the East India Company for two years. After the British left in 1764 (voluntarily, as part …
The Friday Briefing: Could Christmas have been any worse for Filipinos?
Any journalists hoping for a relaxing Christmas break would have been sorely disappointed this past week. As if typhoon Nina wasn’t enough, there were bombs, shootings, rumours of nefarious American …
Roads less travelled: Exploring the wild northeast of the Hermit Kingdom
With so many truly magical places to visit around South East Asia, it may seem a perverse choice to visit the country widely regarded as the region’s most repressive regime. However, …
Bramovich: What on earth is going on at the palace? Is anyone talking to anyone?
PRESIDENTIAL SPOKESPERSON Ernesto Abella quoted Social Welfare Secretary Judy Taguiwalo as saying that 10 people were reported dead and 20 wounded after an IED ripped through a crowd in Hilongos, …
Ten reported dead as bomb attacks rock the Philippines (3rd update – Malacañang: “false alarm”)
Ten people are reported dead and at least 20 wounded after two bombs exploded during a crowded festival celebration in Hilongos, Leyte, last night. (Wednesday, December 28). A military spokesman has …
The food of the Philippines: Spicy adobo meatballs
Without doubt, adobo is the national dish of the Philippines with hundreds of variants — arguably there are as many types of adobo as there are mamas in the country! …
The Goldberg Plan – Is there a secret US plot to topple Duterte?
Former US ambassador to the Philippines Philip Goldberg has been accused of writing a blueprint for a plot to topple President Duterte. The existence of a “Goldberg Plan” has been …
Communist fighters gathered in Davao express support for Duterte
Communist rebel fighters have mustered openly in Davao today (December 26) and expressed their continuing support for President Duterte. About 300 members of the New People’s Army (NPA) massed to celebrate the 48th …
Bramovich: Merry Christmas Mr Duterte, you bloody hypocrite
In a very brief Christmas message to his country, “The Punisher” president shared his hopes for peace and progress as the Philippines moves into 2017. The entire “greeting” – delivered in …
Duterte comforts victims of Christmas Eve church grenade attack
President Rodrigo Duterte has paid a Christmas Day visit to survivors of a church grenade attack in Mindanao. Eighteen people were injured when the explosive device was thrown outside a …
China’s new aircraft carrier leads battle group into international waters
China’s newly combat-ready aircraft carrier has set off for the Western Pacific for an undisclosed “training exercise”. “This exercise is being carried out in accordance with annual exercise plans,” the navy …
Lords a leaping? Eleven facts about Christmas in the Philippines
1. The Filipino Christmas season is the longest in the world (as you may have noticed by now). It isn’t unusual to see decorations already in place by late August. In …
Massacre of the Innocents: Family’s tragic last Christmas with Kristine, 12
The heartbroken family of a 12-year-old girl gunned down during a church service have delayed her burial to spend one last Christmas with their murdered child. Kristine Joy Sailog has …
Purple reign: Ube – Filipino Christmas treat is new king of USA cuisine
The “secret” ingredient behind every Filipino’s favourite Christmas foods, Ube, is taking America by storm. Ube (pronounced oo-beh) is a vivid purple yam that gives the distinctive colour to a …
Critics appalled as Duterte raises spectre of martial law
Critics have reacted with dismay after president Duterte said he wanted the constitution amended to make it easier for a president to declare martial law. Speaking in Angeles City yesterday …
The Friday Briefing: Burning bridges and building airports
It’s clear from the sheer output of stories this week that the newsrooms of the Philippines haven’t wound down for Christmas yet. As always, the words and actions of President Duterte …
Midwinter inspiration: El Nido, Palawan, in pictures
El Nido: If you are reading this on a cold, dark day somewhere far from the tropics, it’s hard to believe that such sunshine and beauty awaits just a flight away. If …
Bramovich: Oy, Bono… be like James Taylor and boycott the Philippines!
Let’s talk about James Taylor’s recent decision to cancel his Philippine concert (as we recently reported here). The American singer-songwriter said the reason for his decision was the bloody and pointless war on …
Malacañan or Malacañang? 15 facts about the presidential palace
The Malacañan Palace (or should that be Malacañang? — find out later) is the most recognisable building in the Philippines. Official residence of the president, and his place of work, …