7 Filipino marines 5 Abu Sayyaf militants killed in Sulu clash

The Straits Times - Saturday 25th May, 2013

Soldiers load the bodies of Filipino marines killed during a clash with Al-Qaeda-linked Abu Sayyaf militants in Sulu province south of the Philippine capital Manila. At least seven marines and four militants have been killed as the military launched an offensive against gunmen blamed for recent kidnappings and of trying to sabotage a road project in Sulu. -- PHOTO: ...

11 Dead in Philippines Clash

VOA - Saturday 25th May, 2013

Authorities in the southern Philippines say at least 11 people have been killed in a clash between government troops and a Muslim militant gang. Military spokesman Brigadier General Domingo Tutaan said seven Philippine marines and at least four members of the al-Qaida-linked Abu Sayyaf group died early Saturday in a firefight on the outskirts of Patikul town on the island of Jolo. Tutaan ...

Eleven dead in Philippines clashes

IOL - Saturday 25th May, 2013

File image - Eleven people were killed in the southern Philippines as troops clashed with a militant group blamed for the country's deadliest terror attacks. (AP Photo/Bullit ...

Storm Nock-Ten claims over 400000 USD worth of Philippine crops

People's Daily - Saturday 25th May, 2013

Tropical storm Nock-Ten (local name: Juaning) damaged 17.17 million pesos (about 407,664 U.S. dollars) worth of Philippine crops, according to initial report filed Thursday by the agriculture department.Nock-Ten, which triggered flash floods, destroyed 2,977 hectares of farmland planted with rice, damaging 10.83 million pesos (257,183 U.S. dollars) worth of unmilled rice.A total of 612 metric ...

One killed as light plane crashes in southern Philippines

People's Daily - Saturday 25th May, 2013

One person was killed and another injured when a light plane used for spraying pesticide over plantations crashed in southern Philippines late on Wednesday, police said on Thursday.Bonifacio Cabansag, 42, a traffic control personnel for banana firm Dole Philippines died after being hit by the company's spray aircraft as it landed on an airstrip in Mapawa village, Maragusan town, in ...

Philippine GDP on track to meet 6-7 target

Asia News Network - Saturday 25th May, 2013

The Philippine economy's first-quarter performance was likely "on track" to hitting the government's 6- to 7-per cent growth target for the year, Economic Planning Secretary Arsenio M. Balisacan said on the sidelines of the 34th National Conference of Employers. Balisacan, who is also director-general of the National Economic and Development Authority (Neda), said a stronger ...

In New York Filipino costume and set designer Clint Ramos wins Obie Award

Inquirer Lifestyle - Friday 24th May, 2013

Costume design for the Imelda Marcos hit musical "Here Lies Love" Set and costume designer Clint Ramos received the 2013 Obie Award for Sustained Excellence of Costume Design at the 58th Annual Village Voice Off-Broadway Theater Awards ceremony. He was also the recipient of the 2013 Lucille Lortel Award for Outstanding Scenic Design and a nominee of Outstanding Costume Design for his ...

How Filipino talent continues to bring magic to HK Disneyland

Inquirer Lifestyle - Friday 24th May, 2013

RONY FORTICH, now on his seventh year as music director of Hong Kong Disneyland In 2005, I was one of hundreds of Filipinos auditioning for a job at Hong Kong Disneyland. I didn't have to dance or sing, but the nerves and nausea were still there. You see, my audition for musical director was to run the audition, as Disney executives observed. It involved sight reading, teaching songs and ...

‘Triple Threats of Philippine Theater’ to hold solo concerts at CCP

Inquirer Lifestyle - Friday 24th May, 2013

Nonie Buencamino It is an industry term, we were told the other day. The term "triple threat" in the theater world refers to a performer who can sing, dance and act at the same time. With this in mind, get ready for the Cultural Center of the Philippines' triple-whammy solo concert series titled "Triple Threats: Leading Men and Women of Philippine Musical Theater." The ...

MOFA welcomes Manila fisheries talks overtones

The China Post - Friday 24th May, 2013

TAIPEI, Taiwan -- The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) said it welcomes remarks made yesterday by a Philippine cabinet official that Manila and Taipei are likely to discuss a possible fishery agreement soon, probably by June or July this ...

Philippine Govt Displeased With Recent Novel by Dan Brown

Prensa Latina - Friday 24th May, 2013

Manila, May 24 (Prensa Latina) The Philippine government is extremely displeased with the latest novel by the author of the "Da Vinci Code," Dan Brown, which portrays this city as hell''s antechamber. The novel called "Hell" describes Manila as a place of suffocating traffic and pollution, massive poverty and child prostitution. The head of Manila's Municipal ...

Mixed messages on home deliveries in Philippines

IRIN - Friday 24th May, 2013

More than half of all births take place at home MANILA, 24 May 2013 (IRIN) - Varied implementation of a Department of Health (DOH) policy advocating health facility-based delivery under the care of a skilled birth attendant (SBA) has health officials and advocates worried that the policy may be doing more harm than good. The DOH policy known as ...

Manila police will get water supply back next week

Inquirer - Friday 24th May, 2013

NCRPO director Chief Supt. Leonardo Espina. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO MANILA, Philippines--The Manila Police District Office's water supply is to be restored next week following agreement by the Philippine National Police headquarters to pay for the district's water bill arrearages totalling P8 million, a high police official said Friday. National Capital Region Police Office Director ...

Manila cop 6 others charged with human trafficking

Inquirer - Friday 24th May, 2013

MANILA, Philippines--A case of qualified trafficking in persons has been filed in the Manila Regional Trial Court against six people working for a night club allegedly owned by a Manila policeman, who himself faces similar charges, for hiring guest relation officers to engage in pornography by putting on indecent shows and offering customers sex for money. The National Bureau of ...