• Volunteers speak up about the amount of garbage they have gathered from the path of the Black Nazarene’s Traslacion.
• There was a total of 44 trucks of trash that were gathered from the Quirino Grandstand to Quiapo.

Thousands of devotees of the Black Nazarene has left a number of trash from Quirino Granstand to Quiapo in Manila. It totaled 44 trucks of garbage.

According to Daniel Alejandre of EcoWaste Coalition, their campaign for a trash-less Translation has “fallen on deaf ears”.

“Many people unashamedly threw their garbage anywhere turning the parade ground fronting the Quirino Grandstand into a dumping ground.”

He added that it really could not be helped as it’s also the feast of Quiapo.

“Piyesta rin kasi ng Quiapo, so hindi natin maiiwasan ‘yung basura.”

Among the trash gathered at the Quirino Grandstand to the Quiapo were cardboard boxes, plastic sheets, food containers, plastic boxes, and slippers. Food leftovers, plastic bottles with urine, cup noodles, instant coffee, sachets, cigarette buts, and a lot of plastic objects were also noted.

“People seem to have no qualms about littering, a prohibited act under our local and national environmental laws that is more often disregarded than enforced. Littering, especially in godly activities, is totally unacceptable. Devotion should not lead to pollution.”

He added that the volume of trash will been lessened in future Traslacions if there will be designated dining areas near the route, with trash bins for the devotees.

“Natatakot kami na pupwedeng gamitin itong mga basurahan na ito na lagyan ng explosive.

“We hope that our people’s devotion to the Black Nazarene will also find its expression in the way we act toward our shared environment – with care and respect.”

• A netizen shared an adorable incident she witnessed during her flight to Manila.
• She praised the cabin crew who helped a little boy calm down during the plane ride by carrying him while doing his duties.

A Facebook user named Jumaya Guiabar shared an adorable and heartwarming incident she witnessed during a Cebu Pacific flight from Pagadian to Manila.

The little boy was with his grandmother in the plane when he began crying as soon as the plane took off. Despite his grandmother’s efforts, the kid refused to calm down and his loud crying was beginning to disturb the other passengers.

The boy cried for a while and still didn’t calm down. This is when a cabin crew, Renz, had to step in. He began to help the grandma make his grandson calm down and even offered to carry the kid.

And guess what? He actually stopped crying as soon as he got out of his seat.

Renz carried the boy around the plane while he did his work.

This touched the passengers who were also relieved that the boy finally calmed down. But when the crew tried making the child sit again, he began tearing up, making the guy carry him again.

The netizens said that the boy must have been scared as it may be his first flight ever. The post has now reached more than 1,200 shares on Facebook.

• President Rodrigo Duterte met Miss Universe 2018 Catriona Grey.
• According to Salvador Panelo, the President has thanked Grey for bringing the crown.

Miss Universe 2018 Catriona Grey has “exchanged pleasantries” with President Rodrigo Duterte on Thursday, December 20, before she headed to New York.

Grey was in Manila for a quick visit just days after her victory in Bangkok, Thaland on Monday, December 17.

She is the 4th Filipina to win the crown and title.

The President and the beauty queen met at the Villamor Air Base around 6:20pm on Thursday as she was set to leave the country after.

According to Presidential Spokesperson and Chief Presidential Legal Counsel Salvador Panelo, the President expressed his gratitude to Grey for winning the prestegious competition.

“They are just exchanging pleasantries. He thanked her for bringing the crown. He said everybody is euphoric about her win.”

Grey will be based in New York during her Miss Universe reign. She is scheduled to return to the Philippines early next year for a formal homecoming celebration.

• Australian media outlets have reported about Catriona Gray’s Miss Universe win.
• Gray was born and raised in Queensland, Australia.

Aside from the Philippines, the impact of Catriona Gray‘s Miss Universe 2018 win has reached a wider range even to her first roots.

The media outlets from Australia have taken pride in Gray’s achievement as well as she got included in the front page of The Courier Mail.

The words “Miss Universe Philippines” is written and underneath the photo of the beauty queen but they have crossed out the country’s name and put in “Queensland“, where she was born and raised.

A radio station has also posted about the win on Monday, December 18. Hit published an article with the title: “An Australian Girl Just Won Miss Universe But She Wasn’t Miss Australia.”

https://www.instagram.com/p/BrfYbK5gb0D/

It included her background of her being born in the country and transfer to Manila to become a model.

“So while she is most definitely Filipino, she’s also Australian!”

Grey’s influence is really undeniable as she has two nations proud of her feat.

• Warner Bros is said to produce a movie revolving around the story of Journey frontman Arnel Pineda.
• The movie will be handled by breakout director Jon M. Chu, the man behind the success of Crazy Rich Asians.

Arnel Pineda, vocalist of legendary band Journey, is honored and thrilled to be the subject of a planned biopic film project by Jon M. Chu, the director of Crazy Rich Asians.

In an interview with ABS-CBN, he said that he is yet to meet with Chu and the producers, Warner Bros. The meeting is set in the coming weeks.

He said that any detail regarding the project will be drawn out from the meeting. The director and the producers are eyeing his story, tracing back on how he became part of the revived Journey and as the front man, and his childhood in Manila.

Pineda expressed his eagerness for the project to push through.

“Personally, I want this to happen. Maganda ‘to para sa atin, eh. Maganda sa mga dreamer, sa mga nangarap katulad ko who want to make it big, or at least iyon bang ma-recognize man lang ‘yung talent nila. I hope kung mangyari man ‘tong movie na ‘to, mag-open ‘to ng mas malaki pang door para sa mga Filipino at Asians.”

He added that he also envisioned the film to cover his family’s struggles when he was just a little kid and how he surpassed those and focus on his dreams.

• Senator Richard Gordon suggested the addition of a 9th ray in the Philippine flag’s sun.
• Historian argued against the recommendation, saying that it will destroy the historical context of the flag. 

On Tuesday, September 18, senators discussed Senator Richard Gordon‘s proposal of having a ninth ray in the Philippine flag’s sun.

Gordon is the sponsor of Senate Bill 102 which states the need to increase the rays of the sun to represent the Muslims who fought against the Spaniards.

“I think inclusion should be the policy. To include our Muslim brothers.”

On the other hand, Senator Franklin Drilon suggested a 10th ray for the people of the Cordilleras, which Gordon replied that one added ray can symbolize all the groups that are not a part of the original eight rays.

“The more important thing is when we replace the rays of the sun there will be discussions in our country’s schools…reminding our people that we have a rich past.”

Historian Xiao Chua contradicted the bill saying that an added ray would destroy the historical contect of the symbolism of the sun.

It is believed that the rays represent the first eight provinces that joined the fight for the Philippines’ freedom, namely Batangas, Bulacan, Cavite, Laguna, Manila, Nueva Ecija, Pampanga, and Tarlac. Chua said that it’s not the case.

“These were just the 8 provinces in which the Spaniards suspected that there are members of the Katipunan. To add the ninth ray to it would destroy the historical context. It is something that is not correct should we say it.”

Adding to the suggestion to add a ninth ray, Senate President Vicente “Tito” Sotto III also urged a slight revision of Lupang Hinirang‘s lyrics. He wants to change “Aming ligaya, na pag may mang-aapi, ang mamatay nang dahil sa iyo” to “Aming ligaya na pag may nang-aapi, ang ipaglaban kalayaan mo” as the original one “sounds defeatist.”

• Jeepney driver got his earnings stolen by street children.
• One netizen and a pedicab driver tried to help him but he told them to just let the children go.

Driving the whole day is never easy. Especially if you’re a jeepney driver who is always exposed to the elements and the horrendous traffic.

An unlucky driver encountered thieves while navigating through the intersection of Finance Road and Taft Avenue, Manila.

A Facebook user named Denmark Bernardo posted videos on August 30 showing street children stealing the said jeepney driver’s earnings from his dashboard while he’s waiting for a stoplight to go green.

There were two kids who ran to the jeepney and hopped onto the right passenger seat. A few seconds later, the kids ran off with the driver’s money box. Some coins even fell as the kids escaped.

In another video, a man can be seen trying to get a hold of one of the kids but gave up halfway because the boy wasn’t about to back down.

Bernardo said that the theft happened around half past 5PM near the Philippine Normal University in Taft. He narrated that the group of kids and teenagers suddenly appeared, accompanied by a woman who is probably in her 20s. He added that the boys were aggressive, all the while sniffing on something.

In his post, he said that he talked to a pedicab driver who informed him that the crime is no longer an isolated occurrence in the area.

The netizen also apologized to the jeepney driver as he was not able to get a hold of the boy in green.

MGA BATANG SNATCHER

nung una akala ko mga nanghihingi lang talaga sila sa mga dumadaang jeep, pero sinitsitan ako ni kuyang Pedicab Driver na lumapit daw ako sa kanya at mag ingat kasi mga snatcher daw yun sabi nya sakin “Videohan mo maya maya lang aatake na yan, wag ka matakot”

tapos ayun na nga, nagtanong pako kay kuya kung ano yung inaamoy nila, SOLVENT daw yun sabi nya sakin.

Kuya james : i post mo yan para mag-ingat yung mga dumadaan dito lalo na mga studyante kadalasan ang dumadaan, lagi ako nandito pag gantong oras gustong gusto ko mahuli yang mga yan.

Buti pa si kuya ginagawa yung tungkulin/trabaho ng iba, ilang beses na daw ito nireport pero di naman daw inaaksyunan, kaya ayan patuloy parin sila nagnanakaw.

Kawawa naman si kuyang Jeepney Driver, pasensya na kuya di ko nahawakan yung batang naka green, yung nakatangay ng mga papel na pera mo, pag pulot nalang ng mga barya yung naitulong ko, natakot din kasi ako.

(FINANCE ROAD, TAFT AVENUE INTERSECTION)

The jeepney driver told the concerned souls to let the kids go, picked up several coins that fell to the ground, and drove away.

The video now has more than 78,000 shares on Facebook.

• Cebu Pacific, the country’s largest airline, will start servicing the Manila-Melbourne route.
• Manila-Melbourne flight is Cebu Pacific’s second flight to Australia after its success in Manila-Sydney flights 2014. 
• Melbourne, Australia is one of the most liveable cities in the world.

We’ve been constantly seeing travel posts from our online friends who just came from regularly sojourned countries like SK or Taiwan; we completely get the hype, no doubt. Home for those slanted-eyed boys with boyfriend-material faces, these Asian countries have made an intense impact in the Filipino culture.

Definitely, our long weekends have been made better travelling to these culturally rich and ‘Oppa-infused’ lands. But… what do you reckon on spicing up things a bit and setting about on a less Asian and more diverse adventure? Surely, a real traveler has an all-embracing heart – and a ‘no’ for an answer is not welcome, too.

Melbourne, Australia!!!

Googling photos online, Melbourne is basically one’s dream city. Coined to be one of the world’s most liveable cities, Melbourne is adorned with colourfully-lit buildings. With its vibrant culture and fascinating heritage (being an epicentre for sports, arts and entertainment), it’s so easy to put this coastal city in our travel bucket lists. Sure as shooting, we don’t want to miss out on the many IG-perfect spots from the Land Down Under!

That’s why, Cebu Pacific’s new offer is just perfect to have our Melbourne fantasies finally translated into reality.

More Filipinos can now experience Melbourne as Cebu Pacific offers its new direct flights between Manila and Melbourne (which just started last August 14, 2018). Notably, year-round fares start as low as Php7500. Being the only bargain-priced carrier which directly flies between Philippines and Australia, Cebu Pac guarantees convenience in people’s scheds as they offer flights to Melbourne three times a week (Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays).

But what else can people see or do in Melbourne City? Isn’t Manila too ‘city’ enough?

What people loved about Melbourne is how it not only allows its people to have the conveniences of staying in a city, but it also gives its visitors the needed feeling of calmness, like some sort of a faraway ‘staycation.’ So, if you’re now planning to book that much-coveted flight, here are some of the things you can try to make the most of your vacation:

Taste Melbourne through its diverse food scene.

Melbourne has the abundance of gourmet restaurants and cheap eats. Plus, its diverse cuisine is something to note for. Definitely, one can experience Melbourne’s mix of cultures in its numerous eating houses – offering modern, traditional, exotic or homespun flavours.

So, whether you’re looking for a yummy plate of pasta, a cup of great-tasting coffee, or even a delicious glass of wine, the streets of Melbourne offer everything you want – at any time!

Have lazy, creative afternoon walks.

Melbourne’s streets have character. It prides itself with a thriving art scene, which can be found literally anywhere. Back streets and walls are usually decorated in graffiti. Notably, underground art galleries shouldn’t be missed. To get a glimpse of some of Melbourne’s best street art, you can make your way to Hosier Lane, Flinders Court, Union Lane, and Russell Place.

Stay young through events and festivals.

This coastal city is widely known for its various theatres, museums, and live music venues. Being Australia’s cultural hub, Melbourne is always buzzing with different activities catering to visitors’ varying interests – from fashion and art, to film and music, and even sports!

Shop. Shop. Shop.

With the long hours that shops are still open, Melbourne is one of the cities where you can (literally) shop until you drop. It is said to have full of little secrets, as you can discover hidden gems in the boutiques and outlets tucked in the inner streets. Melbourne, really, is all about discovery.

[To discover Melbourne, book your flight at Cebu Pacific now. The seat sale fare of P3,999 per way will run until August 20, 2018. Travel period is from October 01, 2018 to March 30, 2019.]

• Two minors at Sampaloc, Manila were drugged and raped by five guys
• Three were immediately arrested while the authorities are still looking for the two suspects.

Police arrests three out of five suspects after raping a 14 year-old and a 15 year-old girl at Sampaloc, Manila. 

The suspects – named Franz Dizon, 24; Jomar Cortez, 18; and one hidden under the moniker ‘Boy’, 17 – are all residents of the area and will be charged with rape.

According to reports, the crime happened last May 31, around 4:30am, when one of the suspects, Franz, had the chance to chat with the victim on Facebook – Elsa, 14 – and invited her for drinks in his garage at R.Papa St. after picking up the other victim named Cherry, 15.

They arrived at the place and immediately started drinking with the five boys. Elsa and Cherry got drunk right away when she felt someone lift her and bring her to the restroom where Franz raped her. Franz then brought the victim outside wherein the other four took turns touching her and raping her once again.

They failed to fully rape Cherry as she was having her menstruation but the suspects still ended up touching themselves and the girl’s body at the same time.

The boys left the girls at the garage that was soon found by the Dizon’s younger sibling, who was the one that helped them get home. Police reports were immediately filed as soon as Elsa and Cherry told their parents what happened.

The Manila Police District (MPD) Station 4 arrested the suspects in their homes while other authorities are still looking for two others named Adolf Dizon and Adrian Bravo.

• Manila belongs to the list of least safe cities in the world
• Manila part of the most dangerous cities in the world, study shows

This may or may not shock you, but yes. Manila City has been declared as one of the least safe cities to live in.

Dangerous Manila

In the recent 2017 global index study, Philippines crashed the list as the newcomer with a score of 55.86. Philippines ranked number 55 out of 60 countries assessed in the Safe Cities Index of 2017.

The index showed the safety of cities as ‘economic and social hubs based on factors covering digital, health, infrastructure, and physical security.

As first reported by the ABS-CBN News, Manila was part of the bottom 5 on digital and infrastructure security. The study simply showed the income status and performance of a country.

The basis of the study is the amount of technology skills and ‘competing challenges such as tackling infectious diseases and poverty can push cyber-security lower on the list of priorities’.

Threat of climate

The deciding powers also depend on how severe the climate change is in a certain city. “Climate change is presenting greater threats to urban infrastructure as the severity and frequency of hurricanes, floods, high winds and other extreme weather events increases,” the report said.