An official from the Department of Tourism (DOT) said Wednesday that the supposedly “plagiarized” article on Filipino food posted on the government agency’s website has long been taken down.
June Garduque, officer-in-charge of the DOT Information Technology division, said the write-up, supposedly copied word for word from food blog MarketManila.com, was only posted online as part of test runs conducted by the department while developing the website in 2008 in coordination with a private firm.
Just a test page
Garduque said that the post was just a “test” page meant to help the …

THE Las Piñas police are mulling perjury or obstruction charges against Ma. Ramona “Mara” Belen Bautista for retracting her statement last Friday about her abduction on the night her brother, Ramgen “Ram” Bautista was murdered on October 28.
Las Piñas City police chief Senior Supt. Romulo Sapitula said they are studying whether to sue Mara in connection with her retraction.
Another matter they are looking into is whether they can file charges since it is the Parañaque police which is handling the murder investigation, he said.
Sapitula said they were surprised by Mara’s …

MANILA, Philippines – Two Filipino teachers, who were hired to fill a shortage in Louisiana in 2007, have filed a federal lawsuit against the hiring firm that recruited them in the Philippines after being allegedly forced to pay exorbitant fees, the Lost Angeles Times reported today.
In a complaint filed in Los Angeles, Ingrid Cruz and Rolando Pascual accused Universal Placement International Inc. and its president Lourdes Navarro of forcing them to pay immigration fees, which should have been paid by the districts that hired them under the federal law.
The lawsuit said the …

By Christine O. Avendaño
Philippine Daily Inquirer
2:55 am | Tuesday, October 11th, 2011
Here is one job where she can’t afford to let show biz intrigues bog her down.

The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNCHR) is inviting President Benigno Aquino III’s celebrity sister, Kris, to be its goodwill ambassador for Asia.
If she accepts the offer, Kris will be joining the likes of film actress Angelina Jolie and the late Princess Diana, presidential political adviser Ronald Llamas said Monday. Jolie continues to go around the globe as goodwill ambassador for the UNCHR.
“(This …

MANILA, Philippines – Celebrities, politicians, sports personalities and ordinary people across the country turned to social networking sites to mourn the death of Apple co-founder Steve Jobs.
Others praised and thanked Jobs for introducing the iconic iPhone, iPod, iPad and other devices that changed the daily habits of millions across the globe.
Below are some of their tweets:

“R.I.P. Steve Jobs. Thank you for making life easier.” — Angel Locsin, actress
“Steve Jobs!!! For the technology that enhanced not just my music but all our lives… thank you. Oh my Lord, this is a …

The photo of the ‘floating’ DPWH officials has been the talk around the blogosphere for a couple of days now pero hanggang ngayon aliw na aliw pa rin ako sa mga iba’t-ibang versions circulating online. Listed below are my favorites:

Check them out sa Abbey Road!
Join din sila sa ‘We are the World’ (Can you spot them here?)
Kasama naman nila dito ang mga rallying plankers
DPWH-ing with the ‘Eraserheads’. Cool!!!
Ginawan din sila ng version with the UP Pep Squad
Sinama din sila sa ‘Hogwarts’ with Harry Potter and friends
May version din sila sa …

Hong Kong’s High Court has ruled that an immigration law banning foreign maids from permanent residency is unconstitutional — a landmark decision that could pave the way for many applications from domestic helpers.
The court found Friday that employment and immigration law discriminates against Hong Kong’s nearly 300,000 mostly Indonesian and Filipino maids. All other people can apply for permanent residency after living in Hong Kong for seven years.
The case was brought before the High Court by Evangeline Vallejos, a former businesswoman from the Philippines who came to Hong Kong to …

Manila Bulletin
By ROBERT R. REQUINTINA
September 20, 2011, 8:08pm
MANILA, Philippines — Panama has declined to stage the 2013 Miss Universe contest, two months after it was announced that the project is almost a done-deal between the government and the pageant organizers.
Reports also said the Binibining Pilipinas Charities, Inc. (BPCI) and ABS-CBN, new home of the BPCI, may soon bid for the staging of the world’s most prestigious beauty pageant in the Philippines.
If the Philippines wins the bid, it would be the third time for the Miss Universe pageant to be held …

by OHgamer
Tue Sep 13, 2011 9:08 pm
Once again it was the final question that determined who would be Miss Universe. Like I posted at the time during the event, I though Angola rocked the final question. She seemed to know what she wanted to answer and gave her answer tactfully but with conviction. She just “sounded” like a Miss Universe when she gave that answer, and that is what I think clinched it for her. She may not have had the hottest body, or the most graceful catwalk of the …

By: Miko Morelos
Philippine Daily Inquirer
MANILA, Philippines—Hotel heiress and all-around media pop star Paris Hilton arrived on a drizzling Sunday night aboard an Emirates Airlines flight from Dubai, welcomed by a throng of international and local press.
She is on a five-day visit to Manila, where she is scheduled to meet with executives of real-estate firm Century Properties inviting her to design its upcoming “urban resort” named Azure in Parañaque City. The celebrity was tapped to jazz up the property’s beach club.
Hilton, heiress of the Hilton hotel empire, will also be opening …

MANILA, Philippines – Hollywood star and hotel heiress Paris Hilton is now on her way to Manila.
She is expected to arrive in the Philippines Sunday night.
In her official Twitter account, Hilton tweeted a link which reveals that she is on-board an Emirate Airways flight EK334.
“Mabuhay Philippines! Mahal ko kayo! On the plane about to take off to you! See you all soon! ,” she posted.
Hilton, who will be staying in the country for 5 days because of official business, said she is also excited to meet her Filipino fans.
“So …

Filipinos are certainly getting into mainstream America and into the world. With an estimated 4 million Filipino-American population (as of 2007), Filipinos are an emerging group in a diverse society in the United States.
Filipino talents like Manny Pacquiao, Charice Pempengco, Arnel Pineda, Lea Salonga, and Monique Lhuiller are doing a great job pitching in!
David Letterman, apparently used Filipino-Americans in one of his segments.
Here’s the recap:
Top 10 Reasons Why There Couldn’t Be a Filipino-American US President
By David Letterman
10. The White House is not big enough for in-laws and extended relatives.
9. There …

By MARIO B. CASAYURAN and JC BELLO RUIZ
August 9, 2011, 7:08pm
MANILA, Philippines — Vice President Jejomar C. Binay said Tuesday that the family of former President Ferdinand E. Marcos has agreed with his proposal to bury the late strongman in Ilocos Norte.
But Marcos’ son and namesake, Sen. Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., said the Marcos family continues to wait for the official position of Malacañang on their request that the remains of his father be buried at the Libingan ng mga Bayani (LNB) with full state honors befitting his being a …

by David Dizon, abs-cbnNEWS.com
Posted at 08/09/2011 8:54 PM
MANILA, Philippines – National Artist for Literature Bien Lumbera on Tuesday said he is disappointed that the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) decided to capitulate to the demands of Catholic groups to shut down the controversial “Kulo” art exhibit, which shows defaced religious images.
“I think that it’s an unfortunate move on the part of CCP. That leaves CCP open to pressure anytime something, an art object being displayed, raises the ire of certain sectors,” he told ABS-CBN News Channel.
“Once they give in …

Former First Lady and now Ilocos Norte Congresswoman Imelda Marcos on Monday said she is dismayed that the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) has become home to allegedly blasphemous artwork.
Marcos said the CCP was built during the term of her late husband, President Ferdinand Marcos, as a monument to the Filipino spirit and to show off the beauty of the Filipino culture.
Viewing the controversial artwork of artist Medeo Cruz, it was obvious that the former first lady felt uneasy going near them particularly the sculptures with controversial wood carvings.
“Ayaw …

Tapos na ang SONA speech ni President Noynoy Aquino but still, talk of the town pa rin ang mga gowns ng lawmakers and their spouses. Check out their fashion statement this year and share your thoughts. Photo credits courtesy of Missosology and Spot.ph.
Former Akbayan Partylist Representative Risa Hontiveros-Baraquel
MTRCB Chair Grace Poe-Llamanzares
Binay Family: Makati Mayor Junjun, VP Jejomar,  mom Elenita and Congresswoman Abby
Bayan Muna Representative Teddy Casino
Senator Pia Cayetano
Senator Tito Sotto with wife Helen Gamboa
Quezon City Mayor Herbert Bautista
Congressman Manny Pacquiao and wife Jinkee
Women and Child Activist Kaye Tinga
Senator Allan …

FERNANDO Poe Jr. won the 2004 presidential elections, said Commission on Elections (Comelec) Chairman Sixto Brillantes, who was the former legal counsel of the late action king.
“Alam ko kung sino talaga ang nanalo, si FPJ. Ako ang abogado ni FPJ. Ipinaglaban ko ng husto yan. Kaya lang ang alam ko (I know who really won – it’s FPJ. I am the lawyer of FPJ. I fought hard for it. What I know) is personal and in my heart. I don’t have the evidence to show it,” said Brillantes, who used …

Henry Sy Sr., whose wealth was primarily fueled by the success of SM shopping malls, is the richest man in the Philippines for the third year in a row, according to Forbes magazine’s survey on the 40 richest Filipinos for 2010.
The mall mogul’s net worth rose to $5 billion in the Forbes 2010 survey from $3.8 billion a year earlier. He was also the Philippines’ wealthiest man in the 2006 survey.
Sy ranks 201st in the 2010 list of 1,011 billionaires of the world, that according to Forbes dropped from 1,125 …

Manila Bulletin
By SARAH HILOMEN VELASCO
June 11, 2011, 8:46pm
MANILA, Philippines — A Filipino teenager from Zamboanga del Norte, standing just 22 inches tall, is now proudly towering it over the rest of the world as he is set to be proclaimed the shortest man by the Guinness Book of World Records on Sunday as he turns 18 years old.
Junrey Balawing, who hails from Sindangan, Zamboanga del Norte, is slightly taller than a glass bottle or a one-year-old toddler.
Junrey’s father, Reynaldo, is a blacksmith and only stays at home at weekends, while …

Athena Mae Imperial has been crowned Miss Philippines Earth 2011 during the pageant’s finale night held at Puerto Princesa City, Palawan on June 5, 2011. The 24 year old winner is from Casiguran, Aurora. Imperial will be representing the country in the international Miss Earth 2011 beauty pageant which will be held later this year in Thailand. Photo credits courtesy of  Miss Philippines Earth website.
OFFICIAL RESULTS
Miss Philippines Earth 2011: Athena Mae Imperial (Municipality of Casiguran)
Miss Philippines Air 2011: Jonavi Raisa Quiray (Puerto Princesa)
Miss Philippines Water 2011: Murielle Adrienne Orais (Cebu …

MANILA – Kinastigo ng isang grupo ng mga bakla at transgender ang ina ni Sarangani Rep. Manny Pacquiao, na si Mommy Dionisia dahil sa umano’y nakakainsultong pahayag na binitiwan ng huli na may kaugnayan sa kontrobersiyal na Reproductive Health bill.
Sa isang pahayag nitong Sabado, sinabi ni Goya Candelario, tagapagsalita ng Progressive Organization of Gays (ProGay Philippines), na labis na nasaktan ang mga katulad niyang bakla sa naging pahayag ni Mommy Dionisia tungkol sa pag-inom ng ilang bakla ng pills para lumaki ang dibdib.
Ayon kay Candelario, ang naging pahayag ng ina …

World-class singer Lea Salonga, a staunch supporter of the Reproductive Health (RH) bill, said one does not have to be pro-contraception to be pro-reproductive health.
In an exclusive interview with Jessica Soho on GMA News TV’s “State of the Nation” on Wednesday night, Salonga admitted that she is currently not using any form of contraception because she and her husband want to have another child.
“I’d love to have another kid,” she said. “I kind of leave it up to God at this point, but we’re not stopping anything from happening.”
Salonga said …

MANILA, Philippines – Boxing superstar and Sarangani Cong. Manny Pacquiao has stressed that his family was able to survive poverty even without the use of contraceptives.
This was his reaction to a statement made by international singer-actress Lea Salonga regarding his decision to oppose the controversial Reproductive Health (RH) Bill.
“Bakit naman ang mga magulang ko noon,” said Pacquiao. “Wala kaming bahay, walang kaming pagkain… Apat kaming anak. Nahirapan kami, pero nagsikap kami.”
Salonga earlier said that unlike most of his constituents, the wealthy boxer-congressman can do without using contraceptives because he can …

Attention, Friendster users: You have until May 31 to save your account contents including photos, testimonials, and blogs —or else you’ll lose them in the social network’s upcoming major reformat.
Friendster, a pioneer social networking site launched in 2002, issued the warning as it prepares a “new and improved version” in the coming weeks.
“Your Friendster account will not be deleted. You will still have the same email login and password in the new Friendster. Also, your list of friends will be preserved, along with your basic profile information. However, all the …

The winners of Binibining Pilipinas were finally crowned in a glittering pageant production at the Araneta Coliseum on April 10, 2011 courtesy of ABS-CBN.
Below is the complete list of winners for the Binibining Pilipinas 2011:
Binibining Pilipinas 2011 Universe – #26 Shamsey Supsup
Binibining Pilipinas 2011 International – #33 Dianne Necio
Binibining Pilipinas 2011 Tourism – #25 Isabella Manjon
Binibining Pilipinas 2011 1st Runner-Up – #27 Janine Tugonon
Binibining Pilipinas 2011 2nd Runner-Up – #34 Mary Jane Lastimosa
Bb. Pilipinas-Universe 2011 Shamcey Supsup
Bb. Pilipinas-International 2011 Dianne Necio
Bb. Pilipinas-Tourism 2011 Isabella Manjon
1st runner-up Janine Tagunon
2nd runner up …