Photo #1
DFA reports successful conclusion to SNAMMM
Foreign Affairs (DFA) Secretary Alberto G. Romulo (3rd from left) says the just concluded Special Non-Aligned Movement Ministerial Meeting (SNAMMM) on Interfaith Dialogue and Cooperation for Peace and Development held March 16-18 at the Philippine International Convention center... [Read more...]
Photo #2
Romulo hosts gala dinner for SNAMMM delegates
Department of Foreign Affairs Secretary Alberto G. Romulo (at stage and shown in large monitors) welcomes the delegates of the Special Non-Aligned Movement Ministerial Meeting (SNAMMM) to the gala dinner hosted by the DFA in their honor at the Upper Lobby of the Philippine International... [Read more...]
Photo #3
DFA fetes winners of the SNAMMM essay writing contest
Foreign Affairs Undersecretary Rafael E. Seguis awards the winners of the Special Non-Aligned Movement Ministerial Meeting (SNAMMM) essay writing contest in ceremonies held at the Reception Hall of the Philippine International Convention Center (PICC) Wednesday evening (March... [Read more...]
Photo #4
PGMA poses with SNAMMM delegates at the PICC
President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo (center, in blue dress) poses with the delegates of the Special Non-Aligned Movement Ministerial Meeting (SNAMMM) being held March 16-18 at the Philippine International Convention Center (PICC) in Pasay City. (PNA photo by Boy Antonio)scs/eda Read More →
Photo #5
Inauguration of RP’s first cord blood processing and cryopreservation facility
A laboratory technician (lower photo) works inside a high technology laboratory of the first cold blood processing and cryopreservation facility of the Cordlife, Asia- Pacificís largest network of private cord blood banks recently at the UP Ayaland Techno Hub. Top photo(from... [Read more...]
2010 Campaign Trail
Mayoral candidate says Teodoro has strong following in Dumaguete
DUMAGUETE CITY, March 18 — The silent majority in Dumaguete seems to be supporting the presidential bid of former Defence Secretary Gilbert "Gibo" Teodoro, according to incumbent Councilor Manuel Sagarbarria, who is gunning for the mayoralty seat in May.
Aquino elated over warm welcome in Marcos bailiwick
MANILA, March 18 — Liberal Party standard bearer Senator Benigno "Noynoy" Aquino III on Thursday set foot on Ilocos Norte province, a known bailiwick of his father's political foe, former President Ferdinand Marcos and his clan of politicians, including son Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr.
De-clogging activities should be expedited during El Nino — Teodoro
MANILA, March 18 — Both national and local governments should take advantage of this year’s El Nino phenomenon for massive de-clogging activities in the country’s heavily silted and polluted waterways, said Lakas-Kampi-CMD standard bearer Gilberto "Gibo" Teodoro Jr. on Thursday.
National
Migrants need governmental protection vs. ethnic, xenophobic acts — Manila Declaration of SNAMMM
MANILA, March 18 —- Responsible governmental protection of migrants and safeguarding them from illegal acts and behavior such as ethnic and religious discrimination and xenophobia were called on Thursday at the close of the three-day Special Non-Aligned Movement Ministerial Meeting (SNAMMM) here of high-level ministers and delegations representing more than 120 member-States, organizations and guests of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM).
OIC top official lauds PGMA’s commitment for peace and development
MANILA, March 18 –- A top official of the Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC) has commended the commitment of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo to achieve peace and progress by hosting the first Special Non-Alignment Movement Ministerial Meeting (SNAMMM) on Interfaith Dialogue and Cooperation for Peace and Development.
BOC official charged for ill-gotten wealth
By Perfecto T. Raymundo, Jr.
MANILA, March 18 – An official of the Bureau of Customs (BOC) was charged on Thursday before the Office of the Ombudsman for allegedly having a lavish lifestyle and questionable properties not proportionate to his salary.
Foreign
5-magnitude earthquake jolts Taiwan
TAIPEI, March 18 — A 5-magnitude earthquake struck Taiwan Thursday, said the local weather bureau.
Kyrgyzstan releases plan for US-supported anti-terrorism training center
BISHKEK, March 18 — The Kyrgyz Defense Ministry on Thursday released plans for the joint construction of an anti-terrorism training center with the United States.
Eight people killed in avalanche in Tajikistan
ALMATY, March 18 — At least eight people were killed in an avalanche in Tajikistan late Wednesday, officials said Thursday.
Sports & Entertainment
Golf: Bayron surges ahead with 2nd straight 71
TRECE MARTIREZ, Cavite, March 18 -– Jay Bayron turned in a gutsy one-under par 71 for the second straight day and wrested a one-stroke lead over erstwhile co-leader Marvin Dumandan in the second round of the P1-million ICTSI Sherwood Hills Classic at the Sherwood Golf and Country Club here Thursday.
ARMM Palaro 2010 kicks off in Lanao del Sur
MALABANG, Lanao del Sur, March 18 — Acting Regional Governor Ansaruddin Adiong of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao today led the opening ceremonies of the 2010 Palarong ARMM here.
Russia wins 8 medals in 2010 Paralympics Biathlon
MOSCOW, March 18 — Russian athletes won eight medals, including two golds, at Vancouver Paralympics biathlon events on Thursday.
Opinions
Bolivian world conference representative to propose int'l referendum on global warming
LA PAZ, March 18 — The Bolivian representative of the Peoples' World Conference on Climate Change and Mother Earth's Rights will propose a world referendum that could gather 2 billion people to stop global warming.
Red alert for loss of butterflies in Europe
BRUSSELS, March 17 — An alarm has been raised by European Red List to take urgent action for threatened butterflies, beetles and dragonflies in Europe.
UN report criticizes Russia for improper environment assessment for Olympics projects
UNITED NATIONS, March 17 — The United Nations Environmental Program (UNEP) criticized Russia on Tuesday for improper practices in assessing the environmental impact of construction projects for the 2014 Sochi Olympics.
Travel & Tourism
Red Shirt rally fallout: Tourists cancel 1,000 rooms per day in Bangkok
BANGKOK, March 18 –- The Thai Hotels Association said Thursday that room cancellations in Bangkok have been made at about 1,000 rooms per day, although the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) has assessed Red Shirt demonstration in the capital has not had a great impact on tourism so far.
Mexico's tourism registers 11.28-percent drop last year
MEXICO CITY, March 18 — Mexico's tourism in 2009 dropped 11.28 percent from 2008, the steepest slump in 27 years, an official said on Wednesday.
Green Tourism brewing in Davao hotels, supermarkets (Feature)
By Lovely A. Carillo
DAVAO CITY, March 18 — You just arrived at your hotel and after switching on the light, which you will later find out is a CFL or Compact Fluorescent Lamp, you then proceed to the bathroom for a leisurely warm shower without knowing that the heat that warmed your bathing water could have come from a pump that collects heat from other sources which is then converted into reusable heat. Those are just a few of the many characteristics that would make a hotel environment-friendly.
Provincial
Ex-seaman arrested for violation of Comelec gun ban
DUMAGUETE CITY, March 18 –A former seaman is facing charges for violation of the election gun ban and illegal discharge of firearm.
Two children wounded following shooting of a suspected drug user
DUMAGUETE CITY, March 19 – Two children were wounded Wednesday afternoon after they were hit by stray bullets during a shooting incident at a bridge in Dumaguete City.
Cebu election offices, police plan security for PCOS machines
CEBU CITY, March 18 – Poll offices in Cebu City have started working on a security plan to protect the machines that will be used in the May 10 elections, which will entail policemen guarding them when they arrive and when they are sent to the polling places.
Business
17 more Cebu firms join Veco’s load-sharing plan
CEBU CITY, March 18 – Another 17 Cebu-based companies will participate in the Visayan Electric Company’s (Veco) Interruptible Load Program (ILP) with the goal of helping ease the power supply in Cebu Province.
Megaworld wins development deal for JUSMAG property
MANILA, March 18 — The state-owned Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA) awarded to Megaworld Corp. the contract to develop the prime 34.5-hectare JUSMAG property located along Lawton Avenue in Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City at the back of posh Forbes Park.
Total resources of local financial system amounts to only P7.9 Trillion
MANILA, March 18 — The resources of the local financial system continued to expand in 2009 but at a pace nearly half that of the previous year, the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas reported on Thursday.
Agri-Business
DA expects stable food prices in Q2 despite El Nino
MANILA, March 18 — The Department of Agriculture (DA) foresees stable prices for prime commodities such as rice, chicken and fish in the second quarter of the year as these goods are expected to be in ample supply despite the latest El Niño onslaught.
Banana growers in Agrarian Refom Communities in Region 8 adopt organic farming – DAR
MANILA, March 18 – Banana farmers of Region 8 can soon export organic varieties of their produce after being trained on natural farming system by the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR), DAR officials said Thursday.
PhilRice promotes new rice varieties for adverse environments
SCIENCE CITY OF MUNOZ, Nueva Ecija, March 18 — The Philippine Rice Institute (PhilRice) here is promoting the use of newly-developed variety of rice for adverse environments.
Features
(Metro News) Good governance: Key to Paranaque’s continuing progress
MANILA, March 18 — As the city of Parañaque continues its quest to become a modern metropolis, Mayor Florencio Bernabe Jr. cited on Thursday good governance as the key element to the many achievements that the city government has made since he took office in 2004 with the goal to effect real changes that residents can both see and appreciate.
The 'gold' one finds in the soul of Tagum, Davao del Norte (Feature)
By Aurelio A. Pena
TAGUM CITY, Davao del Norte, March 17 – It’s only about 45 minutes by aircon bus on well-paved highway to the north, but I never had the chance to walk the streets of Tagum, during the last 47 years since I packed up and left this little dusty Davao del Norte town right after getting out of high school at UM Tagum High.
(Feature) Ramon Magsaysay, ‘My Guy’, lives on in my memory
DAVAO CIIY, March 17 -– March 17, 1957: A gloomy day in the Philippines I cannot forget.
Health & Lifestyle
Facebook beating Google in US hits may be misleading — Google official
SEOUL, March 18 — A senior official at Google Inc. said Thursday that a report stating Facebook Inc. surpassed the search engine giant in the number of weekly hits in the US could be "misleading," citing the accuracy of Google's search results, which could translate into fewer page views.
Albay AIDS Council pursues campaign to combat STI and HIV
By Mike de la Rama
LEGAZPI CITY, March 18 – The Albay Council on Reproductive Tract Infection Control (ACRTIC) otherwise known as Albay AIDS Council is determined to pursue its campaign to fight the spread of Sexually Transmitted Infection (STI) and HIV here.
114,891 inoculated against A(H1N1) flu in Macao
MACAO, March 18 — A total of 114,891 people in Macao have been inoculated with the A(H1N1) vaccines so far, according to the figures released Wednesday by Macao's Health Bureau.