Tatay Pepes » Pinas Now!

Young readers rediscover newspapers

dmeemai — Tue, 07 Sep 2010 07:01:33 +0000

ZAMBOANGA CITY—WITH the launch of the Inquirer Learning Corner (ILC) recently at the Regional Science High School (RSHS) in Barangay San Roque here, more students are motivated to read the daily newspapers.

The RSHS is one of 10 schools, where an ILC has been put up, thanks to the support of Zamboanga City Rep. Maria Isabelle Climaco-Salazar.

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Boracay lures tourists with low prices

dmeemai — Tue, 07 Sep 2010 07:01:33 +0000

ILOILO CITY – Budget-conscious tourists can avail of lower accommodation rates on Boracay Island as some resorts have offered significant discounts as part of measures to counter the backlash on the country’s tourism industry after the Aug. 23 hostage-taking crisis in Manila.

Some resorts on the island, famed for its long stretch of white beach and crystal clear waters, are offering discounts on room accommodations of up to 50 percent, said Loubelle Cann, president of the Boracay Foundation Inc. (BFI), a group of business owners on the island.

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Manila police has no unit to deal with hostage-taking—officer

dmeemai — Tue, 07 Sep 2010 07:01:33 +0000

MANILA – The Philippine National Police (PNP) has no negotiating unit that would handle hostage-taking situations, according to the chief negotiator in the August 23 crisis at the Quirino Grandstand.

Police Superintendent Orlando Yebra’s normal role is as the legal officer of the Manila police district, but when required he acts as the force’s chief hostage negotiator, he told an inquiry into the botched rescue.

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Ex-president to await official summons from Sandiganbayan

dmeemai — Tue, 07 Sep 2010 07:01:33 +0000

MANILA – Pampanga Representative Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo has refused to be drawn into the Sandiganbayan’s investigation of the national broadband network deal against former Social Security System (SSS) administrator Romulo Neri, saying she would first await official summons from the anti-graft court.

As this developed, Arroyo’s husband, Jose Miguel Arroyo, kept distance anew from the botched deal with China’s ZTE Corp., maintaining he has no personal knowledge about it.

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Gov’t science HS backs 12-yr basic education

dmeemai — Tue, 07 Sep 2010 07:01:33 +0000

MANILA – Amid government’s plans to extend basic education by two years, the country’s premier public science high school is planning a parallel move in hopes of enhancing its already advanced science program and better prepare students for specialized studies in college.

The Philippine Science High School has initiated studies and consultations within its executive committee for a proposed extension of its curriculum by two years, said PSHS System Executive Director Filma Brawner.

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Tour operators from China other countries attend Manila meeting

dmeemai — Sun, 05 Sep 2010 23:56:58 +0000

MANILA – Despite the heavy drubbing that the Philippines got after the bloody Manila hostage-drama last week, representatives of nearly 100 travel agencies and tour operators from around the world still attended a major tourism convention in Manila on Friday to do business in the country.

Welcomed by the festive beats of drums and gongs, 96 foreign delegates—including two from Hong Kong and eight from mainland China—attended the Philippine Travel Exchange 2010 at the Manila Hotel, where they hammered out business deals with representatives of 112 Filipino resorts, hotels, and other local tourism companies.

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US carrier here; crew to ‘shop, shop, shop, eat, eat, eat’

dmeemai — Sun, 05 Sep 2010 23:56:58 +0000

MANILA – On the USS George Washington, men in Hawaiian shirts and sunglasses and women in cool tops and sandals are waiting patiently for their turn to board the ferry that will take them to shore.

Looking more like an airport than a nuclear warship, the USS George Washington anchored off Manila Bay yesterday so its 5,000-strong crew could enjoy a much-deserved four-day holiday.

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ABS-CBN told by court to answer Revillame’s complaint

dmeemai — Sat, 04 Sep 2010 16:55:26 +0000

A QUEZON City court has directed ABS-CBN Channel 2 to answer the civil complaint filed against the network by TV host Willie Revillame.

Quezon City Regional Trial Court Branch 84 told ABS-CBN Broadcasting Network to submit its answer to Revillame’s complaint within 15 days upon receipt of the order.

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Regine: The bride-to-be

dmeemai — Sat, 04 Sep 2010 16:55:25 +0000

It’s been almost a month since Ogie Alcasid made a public announcement about his engagement and plans to marry long-time girlfriend Regine Velasquez slated at the end of this year. In preparation for this event, the bride-to-be flew to the US last Saturday, August 28, to meet Hollywood-based Filipina designer Monique Lhuillier, who will be designing her wedding gown.

Days prior to Regine’s flight, PEP (Philippine Entertainment Portal) had the opportunity to interview the songbird about the proposal, Ogie’s promise of making her happy, some of her fears and the sacrifice she’s willing to make for the marriage.

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Hotels full as crowd seen to reach 3M at Peñafrancia

dmeemai — Sat, 04 Sep 2010 16:55:25 +0000

NAGA CITY – Hotels in this city are now fully booked as millions of devotees from all over the world are expected to join in the 300th celebration of the devotion to the Our Lady of Peñafrancia, a local tourism officer said Saturday.

All rooms of hotels in the city, including Legazpi City in Albay, are already fully booked, tourism officer Boy Aguilar said.

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