Press "Enter" to skip to content

Posts published in “National”

Latest new from all over the Philippines.

Ibong Adarna spotted in the tropical forest of Mt. Apo

July 17, 2023

Philippine Trogon (Harpactes ardens) also known as “Ibong Adarna” have been spotted by in the tropical forest of Mount Apo in Davao. Photos of the elusive bird was shared by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) in Davao region, on their official twitter account (@DENROfficial). Photos was taken by Kemuel Libre of DENR-Protected Area Management and Biodiversity Conservation Section (PAMBCS) XI.

The Philippine Trogon with the scientificc name of Harpactes ardens, is an elusive, long-tailed avian endemic in the country or can only be found in the Philippines. Because of its plumage and colors, the bird has been associated with the mythical Ibong Adarna from Filipino epic poems in the 16th-century.

The female “Ibong Adarna” will have shades of mustard-yellow underparts and an olive-brown head. Males on the other hand, will have show bright colors. They feed on insects and fruits and shelters on tree hollows. Being reluctant to people, they found bliss in the darker portions of our forests.

PG Kyrie Irving signs 5-year deal with Anta

July 13, 2023

Kyrie Irving just signed a 5-year deal with Anta that includes a brand-new signature product line for Irving as well as serving as ANTA Basketball’s Chief Creative Officer, a position that will allow him to recruit basketball players and collaborate with independent brands and influential figures to create additional product lines under Kyrie’s signature line.

Under the deal, ANTA will launch the ‘ANTA x KYRIE Youth Basketball Training Camps’ in China and in the U.S. to jointly support the development and promotion of basketball and its culture.

The Kyrie Irving Anta signature shoes will debut in the first quarter of 2024, with the full range of products set to hit the market. The Anta deals comes more than 6 months after Nike terminated their deal with Kyrie Irving for promoting an antisemitic Film on social media.

Anta already have deals with Klay Thompson, Gordon Hayward, and Alex Caruso, the addition of Irving will will help the company capture a bigger slice of the basketball shoe market, which is dominated by Nike, Adidas and Under Armour.

Source: Anta

Apple launches online store on WeChat platform

July 11, 2023

Apple, the maker of the iPhones, reportedly opened a store on the WeChat platform, Tuesday, expanding the American company’s retail options in the second-largest economy in the world.

Users will be able to buy Apple products including iPhones, iPads, and Macs via the shop, according to an announcement made by WeChat, China’s most popular messaging app that also offers e-commerce, livestreaming, and payment services.

Apple’s move comes as Chinese consumers increasingly use social media sites like WeChat and ByteDance’s Douyin, the country’s version of TikTok, to shop online. Requests for additional comment from Apple and Tencent were not immediately fulfilled.

Apple currently runs a store on Alibaba Group’s Tmall online marketplace in addition to its own stores and website. In May, Apple attempted to advertise its products in China for the first time through a webcast of an hour-long performance. Together with the online stores, Apple have more than 40 retails stores in China.

Social Media users trolls DOT by posting tourists spots from other countries then swapping its name to that of the Philippines

July 6, 2023

Department of Tourism (DOT) headed by Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco have been in the hotseat lately because of the new promotional video that they released contains stock footage from different countries posing as a tourist spot in the Philippines.

Of course, a number of netizen including politician in the Philippines are critical of this blunder, prompting DOT to terminate the contract with the DDM. With all these development, social media users are trolling DOT by posting tourists spots of other countries adding the name to that of the Philippines tourist destinations.

The Pyramid of Egypt as Chocolate Hills of Bohol.

Mount Fuji in Japan as Mount Apo in the Davao Region, and Cotabato in Soccsksargen.

The Niagara Falls in Ontario, Canada, posing as the Maria Cristina Falls in Iligan City.

Of course they will include the Dolomite Beach, Manila, which uses the photo of Copacabana Beach in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

Then the iconic Binondo–Intramuros Bridge and San Juanico Bridge using the photo of the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco, Califronia.

Facebook user Jenny Ranoco made her bucketlist that includes Aurora Blvd. in Cubao, Enchanted Kingdom, Eastwood, Mall of Asia and the famous Bangui Winmills in Ilocos Norte.

And last but certainly not the least, Atty. Chel Diokno jesting that his photo in the Roman Colosseum is the Intramuros in Manila.

Then this IG post of Tricia Robredo with her sisters and mother Atty. Leni Robredo, the post includes the hashtag #iykyk, which stands for “if you know, you know.” The photo was taken in Budapest, Hungary and we Matthias Church as their backdrop.

These posting may appear to nothing more than jokes for their face value, but I’m hoping that Tourism Dept. (DOT) and the country in general will be able to recover from this fiasco and move on and improve their campaigns in inviting tourists in the country.

I’ll more than happy to see a promotional video similar to this video that Tiktok user Josh Chua created;

@txcjosh Not an ad but this is how I fell in love with the Philippines. #tourismphl #djiglobal #DJIPhilippines #DJIJosh #philippines #fyp #foryou ♬ original sound – Joshua Chua

Meta launches Threads, a twitter clone powered by Instagram

July 6, 2023

It’s finally here, Meta has officially launched Threads, the company’s version of twitter and will compete not only with twitter but with Bluesky, another twitter rival backed by Jack Dorsey, who is the co-founder and former CEO of Twitter.

Threads will use your Instagram account for login and will support posting up to 500-character text, photos, and up to 5 minutes videos. Threads is available on iOS and Android in 100 countries, except in EU, since the company needs to iron out the local data privacy regulations.

To signup for Threads, users must have an Instagram account, where their username and verification status will carry over. Threads users can then customized their profile independently.

Under the hood, while it is currently using Instagram infrastructure, Threads will soon offer support for ActivityPub — the same decentralized social networking protocol used by Mastodon and other federated apps. Once ActivityPub takes effect, Threads will be able to widen its reach, as Mastodon’s ecosystem engages 1.7 million active users.

Meta timed the launched of Threads, specially now that Twitter have imposed a number of restrictions including rate-limit and limiting access of twitter account on TweetDeck to verified users only.

This is not the first time that Meta/Facebook tried to copy twitter, in the early days of Facebook, the company took inspiration from twitter the hashtag, verified accounts, Vine, followers and real-time conversation, among others. It’s still too early to know if Threads will be successful in taking the air out of twitter’s space but if the Elon-led twitter continue to implode, Thread may become the twitter replacement.

Chris Paul traded to Golden State Warriors for Jordan Poole and Draft Picks

June 24, 2023

After being traded to the Washington Wizard for Bradley Beal, Chris Paul is yet again part of another trade with the Golden State Warriors, that will send Jordan Poole, Ryan Rollins and two draft picks to the Wizards.

This was reported by ESPN Adrian Wojnarowski and Shams Charania of The Athletic.

Warriors receive:

  • Chris Paul

Wizards receive:

  • Jordan Poole
  • Ryan Rollins
  • 2030 first-round pick (protected)
  • 2027 second-round pick

Stylistically, Paul plays a slower kind of basketball, which is different style from the the “fast pace and spaced the floor” that the Warriors are playing. Also, it does not address the “size” factor that the GSW need in order to content in the West, specially with now NBA Champs Denver Nuggets.

If Golden State does keep Chris Paul for the season, they will have at least 3 months to retool and fit Paul into their system or the Warriors to adapt to CP3’s kind of the basketball.

Source: NBA

PRC: Results of the Architects Licensure Exam this June 2023 with 61.12% Passing Rate

June 17, 2023

The Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) just announced the result of the Architects Licensure Exam held in NCR, Baguio, Cebu, Davao, Iloilo, Legazpi, Lucena, Pampanga, Tacloban, Tuguegarao and Zamboanga this June 9 and 11, 2023. The Architects licensure exam have a passing rate of 61.12%, 2,924 passed out of 4,784 examinee.

PRC also announced that schools/ universities with high passing rate, lead by UP Diliman with 100% passing rate and PUP in Sta. Mesa with 89.47% passing rate. You check the top 5 universities below.

The top 10 examinees are as follows, which

Here’s the complete list of successful examinees;

The dates and venue for the oathtaking will be announced by PRC at a later day.

Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas announces Gilas Pilipinas Men Pool for FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023

June 7, 2023

Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) just announced the 21-man pool for the Gilas Pilipinas Mens basketball for FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023. The pool is a mix of old and new, as well as PBA and international players.

Below is complete list of Gilas Pilipinas Men pool for the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023:

  • Rhenz Abando
  • Japeth Aguilar
  • Justin Brownlee
  • Jordan Clarkson
  • AJ Edu
  • Poy Erram
  • Jordan Heading
  • June Mar Fajardo
  • Ange Kouame
  • Jamie Malonzo
  • Chris Newsome
  • Calvin Oftana
  • Bobby Ray Parks Jr.
  • CJ Perez
  • Roger Ray Pogoy
  • Dwight Ramos
  • Kiefer Ravena
  • Thirdy Ravena
  • Kai Sotto
  • Carl Tamayo
  • Scottie Thompson

The team will be lead by Gilas Headcoach Chot Reyes. FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023 will be held in 3 locations; Philippines, Indonesia and Japan. Gilas Pilipinas is part of Group A that includes Angola, Dominican Republic and Italy, their games will be in the Philippines at the Smart Araneta this 25th of August.

Riyadh Air unveil designs for their planes and new promotional video

June 5, 2023

Riyadh Air unveil the first of two design of their fleet which blend of cutting-edge technology and timeless elegance. The name Riyadh Air can be seen across the plane and features a lavender colors with stripes design.

Together with the new planes, Riyadh Air also release a 51 secs promo video that teases the public regarding an event on June 12th.

Public Investment Fund (PIF) first announce Riyadh Air in March of this year, explaining that the airline is expected to add US$20 billion to non-oil GDP growth, and create more than 200,000 direct and indirect jobs.

PCO announces “The Philippine Gazette” – a free newspaper about the projects and programs of President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr.

May 25, 2023

The Presidential Communications Office (PCO) has announced that launching of “The Philippine Gazette” – a free newspaper that will cover the projects and programs of President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr.

PCO added that the publication will be available in LRT-2 stations Recto, Cubao, and Santolan, and PNR Tutuban stations and at the Manila North Harbor Terminal at Victory Liner Terminal in Pasay. The Philippine Gazette will be a release monthly and its first issue was released yesterday Wednesday, May 24, 2023.

Source: @pcogovph

Crew of Axiom Mission 2 checks in before their flight to the International Space Station

May 22, 2023

The Axiom Space’s Ax-2 mission crew checks in before their long flight to the International Space Station. The 4-man crew is composed of Saudi Nationals Rayyanah Barwani and Ali Alqarni joined by Americans commander Peggy Whitson and pilot John Shoffner.

From ArabNews;

Rayyanah Barwani, who is the first Arab woman to reach orbit, graduated from the University of Otago, New Zealand with a BA in biomedical sciences, and obtained a master’s degree in biomedical sciences from Alfaisal University.

Ali Alqarni graduated from King Faisal Air Academy with a BA in aeronautical science and obtained a diploma in aeronautical science from Vance Air Force Base in the US. He is a captain in the Royal Saudi Air Force with more than 12 years of experience as a jet pilot.

Mission commander Peggy Whitson is the most experienced, having three previous trips to the ISS under her belt and 665 days in space. John Shoffner will serve as the pilot of the Dragon crew vehicle. The Axiom Space’s Ax-2 mission crew is scheduled to reached the ISS on Monday morning at around 9:16AM ET and they will be in orbit for 10 days.

Axiom Space’s Ax-2 mission is the second all-private human spaceflight mission to the International Space Station. The Ax-2 crew will participate in educational outreach and conduct innovative research experiments while on the orbiting laboratory.

Former VP Leni Robredo launches “TAYO ANG LIWANAG” book

May 9, 2023

Former VP Leni Robredo just launched TAYO ANG LIWANAG coffee table book. The TAYO ANG LIWANAG coffee table book, as Rappler describes it, a “390-page book, Tayo Ang Liwanag: Journeying Through People’s Campaign, is being launched on the first anniversary of the May 9, 2022 elections where Robredo lost to Ferdinand Marcos Jr.”

You can watch the book launch from the video here;

The book will be available in soft and hardbound book, it will cost ₱1,000 and ₱2,499, respectively. It’s now available for pre-order and part of the proceeds will go to Angat Buhay NGO, which Ms. Robredo chairs.

You can preorder, your copy at https://bit.ly/TayoAngLiwanagBook.

Golden State Warriors beat OKC Thunder 136-125 behind Curry’s 34 points

April 5, 2023

After a slow start, Steph Curry and the Warriors just secured another win to keep them out of the Play-in tournament.

Both team played little to no defence in the first half, OKC was able to score 79 points in the first two qtr, while the GSW scored 69 points. Warriors Coach Steve Keer have nothing but praises for OKC during the Postgame Interview.

In the second half, Golden State;’s defense improved by limiting the Thunder to just 27 points in the 3rd and 19 in the 4th qtr, while maintaining offense. Even thought the Warriors are without Klay Thompson, Steph Curry, who scored a team high of 34 points, with six 3-pointers, had a lot of help most notably from Jordan Poole, scoring 30 points, on a 42% field goal and making five 3-pointers, then there’s Moses Moody, who contributed 13 points from the bench, Draymond Green chipped-in 17 points, 10 rebounds, 5 assists and a pair of blocks and steals.

The win moves the Warrior in the 5th place, two place above the 7th place and out of the play-in tournament, and just 1 game ahead of the LA Clippers and Lakers, who are currently in the 6th and 7th place, respectively.

After scoring 21 points in the first half, OKC Superstar Shai Gilgeous-Alexander finished the game with 32 points, making only 11 points for the rest of the game. Rookie Jalen Williams added 19 points but the Thunder still lost their third game in a row and fourth out of five.

OKC will visit Utah for their last two games of the season, as they try to salvage their season to be in the play-in tournament.

Golden State Warriors will be at Sacramento on Friday night, which can be a preview in the 1st round of the playoffs between the 6th and 3rd seed of the Western Conference.

Steph Curry (34 PTS) & Jordan Poole (30 PTS) Combine For 64 Points

Department of Migrant Workers shuts down operations of unlicensed Maritime Firm

March 30, 2023

Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) Secretary Susan Ople has ordered the closure of a maritime consultancy firm JCB-Success Maritime Consultancy Services, a maritime consultancy firm in Sta. Cruz, Manila.

The closure of the firm came after Manuel Jericho L. Ramos, one of the victims, complained that the firm was able to deliver their promised deployment after asking “him and three other applicants to pay P75,000 each as placement fee and encouraged to convince other colleagues to apply for positions offered by JCB.”

In addition to the filed complain, JCB is operating without any permit from the DMW. JCB operations is to offer jobs as deck seafarers, able engine seafarers, oilers, engineers, and yacht stewards. When a potential applicants/victim submitted the requirements like Seafarer’s Identification and Record Book (SIRB), passport, resume, skill certifications, etc. They (victims) are then referred to an “international manning agency” for deployment. This is where the applicants are duped in “gettug” an offer and deployment, this is where the collection of fees are initiated.

It was determined that even those unqualified applicant were “promised jobs.”

JCB claimed that they have been deploying applicants since November 2022.

With its closure, JCB-Success Maritime Consultancy Services, its owner, employees, and officers will be included in the DMW’s list of persons and establishments with derogatory records. They will be barred from participating in the government’s overseas recruitment program.

The DMW will file illegal recruitment cases against the firm’s owner and officers.

Under Republic Act No. 8042, as amended by Republic Act No. 10022, any act of hiring Filipino workers, undertaken without license or authority from the DMW, is considered illegal recruitment.
Illegal recruitment victims may contact the DMW’s Migrant Workers Protection Bureau directly through their Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/airbranch/ or email them at airbranch@dmw.gov.ph.

MIAA announces terminal change for domestic and international flights

March 28, 2023

Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA) just announced the second phase of its Schedule & Terminal Assignment Rationalization (STAR) program in April.

In their announcement, the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal 2 will only be for all domestic flights. While Terminals 1 and 3, are now assigned for international flights, since there are wider selection of food and retail stores, and duty free shopping for passengers.

MIAA also said that “under the new scheme, Customs, Immigration, and Quarantine (CIQ) will be deployed in Terminals 1 and 3.

Here are the dates to remember for the MIAA Schedule & Terminal Assignment Rationalization (STAR)

April 16

  • Jetstar Japan, Jetstar Asia, Scoot, China Southern Airlines and Starlux Airlines will be transferred to Terminal 3.
  • Philippine Airlines (PAL) flights to and from Singapore, Ho Chi Minh, Hanoi, and Phnom Penh will be transferred to Terminal 1.

June 1

  • Ethiopian Airlines and Jeju Air will transfer to Terminal 3.

June 16

  • All international flights of Philippine Airlines will move to Terminal 1.

July 1

  • This will be the third phase of STAR, all domestic flights of Philippines AirAsia will be operated from NAIA Terminal 2.
  • Domestic operations of Cebu Pacific will remain in Terminals 3 and 4.

Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA) kicked-off their Schedule & Terminal Assignment Rationalization (STAR) program in December 2022. where they reassigned PAL flights to and from the United States, the Middle East, Canada and Bali to Terminal 1.

This is what MIAA General Manager Cesar Chiong said regarding the STAR Program;

With this move, we expect a significant increase in Terminal 2’s capacity from 7.5M to 10M passengers a year, 20 to 25% more than its current rate.

The STAR program is a well-studied undertaking. We met with affected airlines and stakeholders to make sure they come up with their readiness plan as part of these changes. We advised them to get in touch with their affected passengers so they can inform them of the new terminal assignments.

While we are planning for a seamless transition, there could be some minor inconveniences during this period hence our appeal for understanding as this is part of our strategic program to improve the overall experience of our customers.

Public Investment Fund (PIF) launches Riyadh Air, a new national carrier to expand Saudi’s local and global aviation industry

March 15, 2023

His Royal Highness Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman bin Abdulaziz, Prime Minister and Chairman of the Public Investment Fund (PIF) just announced the launching of a new national airline Riyadh Air. Wholly owned by PIF, Riyadh Air will leverage Saudi Arabia’s strategic geographic location between the three continents of Asia, Africa and Europe, enabling Riyadh to become a gateway to the world and a global destination for transportation, trade, and tourism.

Riyadh Air will be chaired by His Excellency Yasir Al-Rumayyan, Governor of PIF, while Tony Douglas, will be its Chief Executive Officer. Douglas brings more than 40 years of experience in the aviation, transportation and logistics industries.

The newly established airline is expected to add US$20 billion to non-oil GDP growth, and create more than 200,000 direct and indirect jobs.

New cockroach species named after Pokémon

March 14, 2023

A newly discovered species of cockroach in Singapore have been named after a Pokémon. The name of the roach is Nocticola pheromosa first discovered during an insect survey in 2016 at a nature reserve to uncover the diversity of insects in Singapore. The cockroach was name after the Pokémon, Pheromosa.

In an article on Lee Kong Chian Natural History Muse (LKCNHM), Cristian Lucañas of the University of Philippines Los Baños, Museum of Natural History, and Foo Maosheng of LKCNHM, published a paper describing a new species of delicate cockroach, Nocticola pheromosa. The Pokémon Pheromosa was inspired by the freshly-moulted American cockroach, because of its pale body. The new species, together with the other cockroach under the Nocticola species, shares a similar features with Pheromosa such as their elongated appendages, reduced coloration and fast speed.

Both Cristian Lucañas and Etymologist Foo Maosheng share the same sentiments regarding people’s perspective on cockroaches and naming the new cockroach after a Pokémon will “change people’s perspectives on cockroaches and realise their value as part of a richer biodiversity.”

Foo also noted that “of attention is often given to other insects like butterflies, beetles and bees that are deemed more charismatic in nature. Cockroaches, on the other hand, face an ongoing stigma as pests that are viewed as off-putting. However, this delicate cockroach is not one to be overlooked! In fact, one might even appreciate how cockroaches administer their own kind of care to the environment—some assisting pollination while others facilitate nutrient cycling in the ecosystem.”

Source: LKCNHM

DICT announced that 44,298,445 subscribers registered

March 13, 2023

Department of Information and Communications technology (DICT) just announced that there have been a significant increase in the number of subscribers registering their SIM cards since the implementation of the SIM Registration Act. To date, a total of 44,298,445 subscribers registered their SIM cards, 26.22% of 168,977,773, which is the total number of mobile subscribers subscriber in the country.

Here’s the breakdown of all the registered subscribers;

  • Smart Communications – 22,673,630 registered or 33.35% of their 67,995,734 subscribers subscribers
  • Globe Telecom – 18,280,107 registered or 20.80% of their 87,873,936 subscribers
  • DITO Telecommunity – 3,344,708 registered or 25.52% of their 13,108,103 subscribers.

In their announcement, DICT Secretary Ivan John Uy thank the public for their cooperation in the SIM Card registration “The Department has been actively working with the PTEs to ensure that all SIMs are registered and verified. This initiative is in line with the government’s efforts to improve national security and curb the rising incidents of fraudulent activities, including scams and identity theft”

DICT Undersecretary and Spokesperson Anna Mae Lamentillo echoed the same sentiments and added the need to create a safe digital environment for everyone, to protect everyone’s personal information from being used in any illegal activity. Lamentillo said ““We appreciate the public’s cooperation in complying with the SIM registration process. With only a few weeks left before the April 26 deadline, we urge unregistered citizens to take the necessary steps to comply and to avoid any inconvenience. We assure you that your safety and security are our top priorities,”

For those who have not register, you can visit the official link of your respective provider to register your SIM Cards;

Vice President and Education Secretary Sara Duterte slams PISTON and ACT for supporting “communist-inspired” transport strike

March 6, 2023

There is currently a week-long transport strike in the Philippines due to the government transport modernization program to phaseout dangerously dilapidated and old passenger jeepneys and vans with modern vehicles. The strike not only affected workers but students as well and forced schools to conduct online classes this week.

In a social media post, Vice President and Education Secretary Sara Duterte slams PISTON and ACT for supporting the week-long transport strike and calling it “communist-inspired.” VP Duterte pointed out that the strike “will hurt our learners, and the inconvenience that it may cause comes with an enormous price deleterious to learning recovery efforts — and this is a price that learners will have to pay.”

She added that “If you (PISTON and ACT) cannot understand our position, or refuse to understand our position, or even pretend not to understand our position, this is only because of your unbelievable propensity to push a hardline agenda that punishes the general public.”

Here’s full test of VP Duterte’s message;

The week long nationwide transport strike launched by various Philippine transport groups is their way to protest against the government transport modernization program, even with the promised government financial aid, a majority of drivers could not afford to purchase new passenger jeepneys due to the high price of the modern/new passenger jeepneys.

PRC: Mechanical Engineering Board Exam Results with 62.17% Passing Rate

March 5, 2023

Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) just announced the Mechanical Engineering Board Exam Results. Out of the 6,070 examinee, 3,774 passed that exam, which is a 62.17% passing rate.

The top performing University is University of Science & Tech of Southern Philippines Cagayan De Oro with 100% passing rate, followed by Iloilo Science and Tech. University with a 97% passing rate.

The top 10 examinees are as follows;

  1. Reynell Villanueva Sanchez, Rizal Technological University – 94.90%
  2. Mark Francis Manalad Sedano, Technological University of the Philippines – Manila – 94.30%
  3. Jhon Maghanoy Crispino, Technological University of the Philippines – Manila – 93.95%
  4. Nikko Perez Martirizar, Iloilo Science and Tech. University – 93.50%
  5. Laurence Lee Pajarillo, Mindanao State University – Gen. Santos City – 93.35%
  6. Jayson Patrick Buenaventura Bantog, Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila and Eunice Durango Santiago, Rizal Technological University – 93.25%
  7. Jann Marino Lloren Labiano, Polytechnic University of the Philippines – Main – Sta. Mesa and Kyle Clouie92.90%
  8. Sescon Meseños, Polytechnic University of the Philippines – Taguig – 92.90%
  9. Neil Bartolome Piquero Maglinte, Central Mindanao University – 92.80%
  10. Jerson Cervantes Ocera, Technological University of the Philippines – Visayas – 92.70%
  11. James Estabillo Nuval, Polytechnic University of the Philippines – Main – Sta. Mesa and Karl Andree Baconga Olaivar, Xavier University – 92.65%

PRC encourages board passers to register and sign in the Roster of Registered Professionals.

The date and venue for the oathtaking ceremony of the new successful examinees in the said examinations WILL BE ANNOUNCED LATER.

Here’s the full text of the Official Mechanical Engineering Board Exam Results;

President Bong Bong Marcos Jr. posted a message of “reconciliation” on the 37th anniversary of EDSA Revolution

February 25, 2023

On the 37th Anniversary of EDSA revolution a.k.a. People Power Revolution, President Ferdinand “Bong Bong” Marcos Jr. posted a message on his personal social media account, offering a “hand of reconciliation.”

He said;

As we look back to a time in our history that divided the Filipino people, I am one with the nation in remembering those times of tribulation and how we came out of them united and stronger as a nation.

I once again offer my hand of reconciliation to those with different political persuasions to come together as one in forging a better society — one that will pursue progress and peace and a better life for all Filipinos.

The 1986 Edsa People Power Revolution is known around the world as a bloodless revolution where millions of Filipinos gathered along the main arteries of Metro Manila which led to the ouster of former President Ferdinand Marcos Sr. due to fact that the Philippines have been under martial law for 14 years and the poverty rate rose from 41% in the 1960s to 59% right before he was removed from power.

During the 14 years of being under Martial Law, there have been 3,257 known extrajudicial killings, 35,000 documented tortures, 77 forced disappearances, and 70,000 incarcerations.

It was the assassination of Benigno Aquino Jr. that triggered the uprising of the Filipino and led to the 1986 Edsa People Power Revolution and the rest as they say is history.

For more reading regarding 1986 Edsa People Power Revolution, you can go here, here and here.

All Assistance-to-Nationals of Overseas Filipino Workers (OFW) will now be under Migrant Workers Office (MWO)

February 19, 2023

Here’s something to all Overseas Filipino Workers (OFW) around the world, starting March 1, 2023, all Assistance-to-Nationals (ATN) concerns of Overseas Filipino Workers (OFW) will be managed by the Migrant Workers Office (MWO). This in accordance with the Republic Act No. 11641 or the Department of Migrant Workers Act.

In addition to all labor concern, Assistance-to-Nationals concern will include but not limited to the following;

  • police cases/legal assistance
  • repatriation request
  • immigration issues
  • shipment of remains
  • welfare assistance

Aside from ATN concerns, Migrant Workers Office (MWO) will also be handing non-OFW concerns from students, tourists and pilgrims.

This is what their websie said about the Migrant Workers Office;

The Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) is the executive department of the Philippine government tasked to protect the rights and promote the welfare of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs). The department was created by virtue of Department of Migrant Workers Act or the Republic Act No. 11641, which was signed by President Rodrigo Roa Duterte on December 30, 2021.

The Department of Migrant Workers Act (RA 11641) took effect on February 3, 2022, wherein the DMW was created, established, and constituted. It now assumes and performs all the powers and functions of seven merged agencies, namely: the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA); the Office of the Undersecretary for Migrant Workers’ Affairs (OUMWA) of the DFA; the International Labor Affairs Bureau (ILAB) and all Philippine Overseas Labor Offices (POLO) under DOLE; the National Maritime Polytechnic (NMP); the National Reintegration Center for OFWs (NRC) under the OWWA, and the Office of the Social Welfare Attaché (OSWA) under the DSWD.

The DMW is mandated to facilitate the overseas employment and reintegration of Filipino workers, while taking into consideration the national development programs of the National Economic and Development Authority. It is also tasked to promote the empowerment and protection of OFWs through continuous training and knowledge development.

DepEd amends ‘Panatang Makabayan’

February 15, 2023

Department of Education (DepEd) just released an amended version of the “Panatang Makabayan.” In the new version of “Panatang Makbayan,” the word “nagdarasal” was changed into “nanalangin,” the changes was made after consultation with various organizations regarding the terminology.

The Linguistic Society of the Philippines found the proposal for the use of nananalangin to be well-written and sufficiently rationalized. The Pambansang Samahan sa Linggwistika at Literaturang Filipino agreed with the use of nananalangin, because it is more inclusive, more solemn, and the choice for nananalangin is well thought of and extensively researched. The Language Study Center of the Philippine Normal University had a different opinion but expressed its support for the fina1 decision of Office of the Undersecretary for Curriculum and Teaching (OUCT) on this matter.

With these consultations, the Office of the Undersecretary for Curriculum and Teaching (OUCT) recommended that “nananalangin” be used instead of “nagdarasal” primarily because the nananalangin is inherent and integral in Filipino identities as it is rooted in Tagalog. Likewise, it is more inclusive and appropriate as it does not refer to or specific religions, and at the same time, it encompasses indigenous belief systems.

Second, as expressed by the focal persons representing the Indigenous Cultural Communities/Indigenous Peoples and the individuals belonging to Muslim and Moro communities, dalangin and its equivalents may be more preferred than dasal since dalangin is more spiritual and universal. Finally, based on the data provided by the Philippine Bible Society, native words are preferred when Bible is being translated into different Philippine languages.

This will now be the new ‘Panatang Makabayan’;

Iniibig ko ang Pilipinas,
aking lupang sinilangan
tahanan ng aking lahi;
kinukupkop ako at tinutulungang
maging malakas, masipag at marangal.
Dahil mahal ko ang Pilipinas,
diringgin ko ang payo
ng aking mga magulang,
susundin ko ang tuntunin ng paaralan,
tutuparin ko ang tungkulin
ng mamamayang makabayan;
naglilingkod, nag-aaral, at nananalangin
nang buong katapatan.
Iaalay ko ang aking buhay,
pangarap, pagsisikap sa bansang Pilipinas.

You can read the full text of the amendment via DepEd Order No. 004 series of 2023.

Multi-awarded Filipina novelist and activist Lualhati Bautista passed away at the age of 77

February 12, 2023

Multi-awarded Filipina novelist and activist Lualhati Bautista passed away, Sunday morning, according to a relative.

Posted on the Facebook page of Sonny Ross Samonte, Bautista’s first cousin;

Sad News for our Torres Clan, Our first cousin Lualhati Bautista died at 77 yrs old this morning. Lualhati Torres Bautista (born December 2, 1945) is a Filipina writer, novelist, liberal activist and political critic. Her most popular novels include Dekada ’70; Bata, Bata, Pa’no Ka Ginawa?; and ‘GAPÔ. 🥲

Lualhati Bautista best known for her works: Dekada ’70; Bata, Bata, Pa’no Ka Ginawa?; and Gapo. She is also the screenplay writer of the award winning film “Bulaklak sa City Jail,” starring Nora Aunor, Gina Alajar and Gloria Romero, which won best story and best screenplay at the Metro Manila Film Festival in 1984.

Aside from writing, Bautista is also known for her activism regarding social and political system in the country and was red tagged by Jefferson Lodia Badong, accusing her of being a member of New People’s Army (NPA), an allegation that Bautista herself answered and called out.

LinkedIn published the 15 fastest-growing job titles in the Philippines

January 19, 2023

LinkedIn, the social media network for professionals and businesses just reveal the 15 fastest-growing job titles in the Philippines. The list is a good reference for those who are planning to switch jobs or gauge if there’s long term opportunity in the industry where you’re at.

LinkedIn explained that the list was published by “LinkedIn Economic Graph researchers examined millions of jobs started by LinkedIn members from January 1, 2018 to July 31, 2022 to calculate a growth rate for each job title.” and added “To be ranked, a job title needed to see consistent growth across our membership base, as well as have grown to a meaningful size by 2022.”

Here’s the full list of LinkedIn’s 15 fastest-growing job titles in the Philippines;

  1. Clinical Research Associate

    • What they do: Clinical research associates are responsible for the setup, conduct, and supervision of clinical trials and studies designed to determine the effectiveness and safety of drugs, products, and procedures.
    • Most common skills: Good Clinical Practice (GCP), Clinical Monitoring, Clinical Trial Management System (CTMS)
    • Most common industries: Manufacturing, Professional Services, Hospitals and Health Care

  2. Business Development Representative

    • What they do: Business development representatives help both the marketing and sales departments of a company by identifying, connecting, and nurturing new clients in order to generate new revenue.
    • Most common skills: Lead Generation, Business Development, Cold Calling.
    • Most common industries: Technology and Media, Professional Services, Entertainment Providers.

  3. Insights Analyst

    • What they do: Insights analysts are responsible for translating a company’s financial, customer, and market data into insights that can help the business make informed decisions.
    • Most common skills: Microsoft Power BI, Business Insights, Data Visualization
    • Most common industries: Professional Services, Manufacturing, Technology and Media

  4. Delivery Specialist

    • What they do: Delivery specialists manage projects on behalf of clients, making sure that projects are completed within deadlines and budgets and that projects meet every client specification.
    • Most common skills: Service Delivery, Alteryx, Business Process Improvement
    • Most common industries: Professional Services, Technology and Media, Administrative and Support Services

  5. Anti-Money Laundering Analyst

    • What they do: Anti-money laundering analysts help organizations comply with anti-money laundering regulations by monitoring financial transactions and investigating any suspicious activity.
    • Most common skills: KYC Verification, Anti-Money Laundering, Due Diligence
    • Most common industries: Financial Services, Professional Services, Technology and Media

  6. Media Analyst

    • What they do: Media analysts measure the success of advertising campaigns and other marketing activities through the monitoring of media channels and analysis of media data.
    • Most common skills: Media Analysis, Media Monitoring, Data Analysis
    • Most common industries: Professional Services, Technology and Media, Financial Services

  7. Customer Success Specialist

    • What they do: Customer success specialists help businesses retain existing customers by responding to inquiries, resolving issues, and providing other support that ensure customer satisfaction.
    • Most common skills: Account Management, Customer Success, Customer Relationship Management (CRM)
    • Most common industries: Professional Services, Financial Services, Technology and Media

  8. Virtual Medical Assistant

    • What they do: Virtual medical assistants take care of many administrative and clerical duties for clinics or hospitals, including the maintenance of medical databases, appointment scheduling, patient billing, and insurance coverage processing.
    • Most common skills: Virtual Assistance, Medical Assisting, Appointment Scheduling
    • Most common industries: Professional Services, Hospitals and Health Care, Administrative and Support Services

  9. Salesforce Consultant

    • What they do: Salesforce consultants help companies use the Salesforce CRM software, providing expert guidance during the setup, implementation, and optimisation of the tool to suit the company’s needs.
    • Most common skills: Salesforce.com Administration, Apex Programming, Salesforce Sales Cloud
    • Most common industries: Professional Services, Technology and Media, Manufacturing

  10. Data Engineer

    • What they do: Data engineers work with raw data and transform it into a format that’s more accessible and usable for further analysis by data scientists.
    • Most common skills: Data Engineering, Load (ETL), Python (Programming Language)
    • Most common industries: Professional Services, Financial Services, Oil, Gas, and Mining

  11. Security Operations Center Analyst

    • What they do: Security operations center analysts protect a company’s computer network by monitoring system activity, identifying and responding to threats, and patching any system security flaw.
    • Most common skills: Security Information and Event Management (SIEM), Security Operations Center, Cybersecurity
    • Most common industries: Professional Services, Financial Services, Technology and Media

  12. DevOps Engineer

    • What they do: DevOps engineers sit between software development and software operation teams to improve end user experience, balancing the rollout of new features with maintaining the stability and security of the software.
    • Most common skills: DevOps, Amazon Web Services (AWS), Kubernetes
    • Most common industries: Professional Services, Financial Services, Technology and Media

  13. Product Owner

    • What they do: Product owners take the lead in all aspects of new product development and are responsible for setting the vision for the product, deciding what features the product should have, and managing the whole process from start to finish.
    • Most common skills: Agile Methodologies, Scrum, Product Management
    • Most common industries: Financial Services, Professional Services, Technology and Media

  14. Cloud Engineer

    • What they do: Cloud engineers manage a company’s cloud-based systems and are responsible for setting it up, ensuring its stability, implementing updates, and customizing its features to suit end users’ needs.
    • Most common skills: Amazon Web Services (AWS), Microsoft Azure, Cloud Computing
    • Most common industries: Professional Services, Technology and Media, Manufacturing

  15. Tax Associate

    • What they do: Tax associates help organizations file their taxes correctly, find opportunities for tax deductions, and provide guidance on tax-related matters.
    • Most common skills: Tax Preparation, Tax Compliance, Accounting
    • Most common industries: Professional Services, Financial Services, Real Estate and Equipment Rental Services

Source: TechJobs, LinkedIn

Carousell to layoff 10% of it’s global staff

December 5, 2022

Singapore-based Carousell just announced that it will layoff 10% of its staff or around 110 employees. The company made the announcement to all its staff via email and an official blogpost on their website. The company operates in 10 markets; Malaysia, Indonesia, the Philippines, Cambodia, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Macau, Australia, New Zealand and Canada.

Quek Siu Rui, Carousell’s Co-founder and CEO said in the post “I am deeply sorry for this outcome, and I take responsibility for the decisions that have led us here. Parting with teammates, whom we are grateful to for joining us on this mission, is a very difficult decision. We will be sure to treat everyone impacted with compassion and to lend as much support as we can to them.”

The company’s goal for the “impacted” employees is to help them in their job search by allowing them to keep their office laptop and continue their LinkedIn Learning membership until June 30, 2023; provide at least 3 months of compensation and, extend medical benefits and insurance coverage for employees and their dependents up to June 30, 2023, subject to approval by local insurers and medical service providers.

Carousell was founded in 2012, backed by Sequoia Capital India, Naver, 500 Global and Rakuten Capital, has raised a total of $372.6 million and acquired another of companies including OLX Philippines, after receiving an investment from Naspers.

Philippines launches eTravel platform to replace One Health Pass

December 3, 2022

The Philippine government just launched the eTravel platform that will as an online Health Declaration and Contact Tracing platform that aims to promote a convenient and seamless movement of international travelers from departure from the country of origin to arrival at the Local Government Unit (LGU) of destination. The service is for all foreign and Filipino international travelers, including infants and children.

The eTravel service started last December 2, the Health Declaration Checklist of the Department of Health-Bureau of Quarantine may be accessed through etravel.gov.ph and anyone accessing the One Health Pass will be redirected to the new eTravel domain. On December 5, the One Health Pass website no longer be accessible by the public.

Using and eTravel platform registration is free and does not collect or require any form of online payment.

Here’s the announcement from the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF – EID);

Pursuant to the Philippine Government’s efforts to streamline its entry procedures and data collection processes, we inform you of the launch of the eTravel platform, an online registration system for travelers to the Philippines and returning residents.

Beginning 0001H of 02 December 2022, the Health Declaration Checklist of the Department of Health-Bureau of Quarantine may be accessed through etravel.gov.ph.

Passengers using the former www.onehealthpass.com.ph will be redirected to the new eTravel domain. On December 5, the old domain of the One Health Pass will no longer be accessible to the public.

The eTravel platform will host the electronic version of the paper Arrival Card that travelers must submit upon arrival in the Philippines for immigration clearance. Starting 05 December 2022, the Bureau of Immigration will discontinue using the paper Arrival Card. All travelers will be required to provide their arrival information and health declaration through the eTravel portal.

Registration on the eTravel platform is free. The public is warned against transacting with any entities or websites soliciting payments and fees of any kind as these are in no way related to the official eTravel platform of the Philippine Government.

The eTravel platform is a joint initiative of the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) in partnership with the Bureau of Immigration (BI), Bureau of Quarantine (BOQ), Bureau of Customs (BOC), Department of Tourism (DOT), Department of Health (DOH), Department of Justice (DOJ), and Department of Transportation (DOTr).

PRC releases 2022 Philippine Nurse Licensure Examination Results

December 1, 2022

The Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) just released the result for the 2022 Philippine Nurse Licensure Examination which was held has November 12th and 13th. In a nutshell, 18,529 out of 24,903 examinees passed the exam, a 74.4% passing rate.

Here’s the official announcement from PRC;

The Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) announces that 18,529 out of 24,903 passed the Philippine Nurse Licensure Examination given by the Board of Nursing in Manila, Baguio, Butuan, Cagayan de Oro, Cebu, Davao, Iloilo, Koronadal, Legazpi, Lucena, Pagadian, Pampanga, Rosales, Tacloban, Tuguegarao and Zamboanga this November 2022.

The members of the Board of Nursing who gave the licensure examination are
Elsie A. Tee, Chairman; Carmelita C. Divinagracia, Elizabeth C. Lagrito, Zenaida C. Gagno, Marylou B. Ong, Merle L. Salvani and Leah Primitiva S. Paquiz, Members.

On January 9 – 13, January 16 – 20 & January 23 – 27, 2023, registration for the issuance of Professional Identification Card (ID) and Certificate of Registration will be done on-line. Please go to www.prc.gov.ph and follow instructions for initial registration. Those who will register are required to bring the following: downloaded duly accomplished Oath Form or Panunumpa ng Propesyonal, notice of admission (for identification only), 2 pieces passport sized pictures (colored with white background and complete name tag), 2 sets of documentary stamps and 1 piece short brown envelope. Successful examinees should personally register and sign in the Roster of Registered Professionals.

The date and venue for the oathtaking ceremony of the new successful examinees in the said examination WILL BE ANNOUNCED LATER.

Top 10 Performing Schools/University in the November 2022 Philippine Nurse Licensure Exam

Performance of Schools in the November 2022 Philippine Nurse Licensure Exam in Alphabetical Order

Top 10 Examinees in the November 2022 Philippine Nurse Licensure Exam

Complete list of Passer in the November 2022 Philippine Nurse Licensure Exam