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NLEX Toll prices to increase beginning March 2nd 2025

March 1, 2025

North Luzon Expressway (NLEX) just announced that they’re increasing the toll rates this Sunday, March 2, 2025. In their official announcement, “Toll Regulatory Board (TRB) has authorized NLEX to adjust its toll by ₱5.00 in the open system and ₱0.72 per kilometer in the closed system effective March 2, 2025.”

NLEX added that “under the new toll fee matrix, motorists traveling anywhere within the open system will pay an additional ₱5 for Class 1 vehicles (regular cars and SUVs), ₱13 for Class 2 vehicles (buses and small trucks), and ₱15 for Class 3 vehicles.”

“Those traveling the full length of NLEX between Metro Manila and Mabalacat City will pay an additional ₱57 for Class 1 vehicles, ₱142 for Class 2 vehicles, and ₱171 for Class 3 vehicles.”

“The open system runs from Metro Manila in the cities of Navotas, Valenzuela, and Caloocan to Marilao, Bulacan, while the closed system covers the portion between Bocaue, Bulacan, and Sta. Ines, Mabalacat City, Pampanga, as well as Subic-Tipo.”

You can read the full text of NLEX announcement here or from their social media accounts (embeded below);

Marikina City to hold its first Car-Free Sundays start March 2nd

March 1, 2025

Heads-up to all motorist headed to Marikina, since the City is holding its first ever car-free Sunday starting this March 2nd, 2025. A section of the Gil Fernando Avenue will be closed to vehicles from 6:00 AM to 10:00 AM this coming Sunday, March2, 2025.

Marikina’s car-free Sundays is similar to what Makati City is doing along Ayala Avenue and Quezon City along Tomas Morato Avenue.

In an article by Climate Change Commission, “Car-free zones also encourage physical activity, offering residents a safer, cleaner environment for walking and cycling. With fewer cars on the streets, the risk of road accidents decreases, and the air becomes more breathable, reducing the occurrence of respiratory diseases. Promoting active lifestyles has long-term benefits in addressing obesity and other health conditions tied to inactivity.”

Other Metro Manila Cities implementing Car-Free Sundays are “Roxas Boulevard and Intramuros in Manila, People’s Streets in Pasig, Fifth Avenue in Bonifacio Global City, Taguig, Ayala Avenue in Makati, Greenfield District in Mandaluyong, Spectrum Midway in Filinvest, Muntinlupa, and the University of the Philippines in Diliman, Quezon City“

iPhone 16e now available for Pre-order in Saudi Arabia

February 24, 2025
iPhone 16e now available for Pre-order in Saudi Arabia

The just announced iPhone 16e is now available for pre-order in Saudi Arabia. You can place your pre-order on the leading telecom and retailer in the Kingdom.

The iPhone 16e will be only be available in Black and White colors in 128GB, 256GB, and 512GB storage capacities, with starting price of SAR2,799.00 for the 128GB model, SAR3,299.00 for the 256GB and SAR4,299.00 for the 512GB. Pre-order period will be until February 28th 2025 and will start shipping or can be collected until March 7th 2025.

Luka lead the Lakers to win over Nuggets (123 – 100)

February 23, 2025

Luka Doncic lead the Lakers to finally break the Nuggets winning streak. Luka score a team high of 32 points, 10 rebounds and 7 assists. LeBron James, Austin Reaves, and Rui Hachimura added a total of 69 points, scoring 25, 23, and 21 points, respectively.

The Lakers built a 14-point lead by the end of the 1st quarter, but the Nuggets cut it to just one point by the start of the 3rd. Then, Austin Reaves and Rui Hachimura led the Lakers to a 26-point lead.

The Nuggets lead by Aaron Gordon with 24 points, followed by 19 points by Jamal Murray and a triple-double 12 points, 13 rebounds and 10 assists by Nikila Jokic.

The Lakers host the Mavericks, in a much anticipated match this Tuesday night and the Nuggets will visit Indiana on Monday evening.

Saudi Government officially uveil the currency symbol for Saudi Riyals

February 23, 2025

The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has officially unveil the symbol for the Saudi Riyals.

In a press release by Saudi Central Bank (SAMA);

The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, approved today, February 20, 2025, the Saudi riyal symbol; a historic move that will reinforce the Saudi currency’s identity.

The Governor of the Saudi Central Bank (SAMA), H.E. Ayman M. Al-Sayari, extends his profound appreciation to the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, and HRH Crown Prince and Prime Minister, Prince Mohammed bin Salman, for launching the Saudi riyal symbol.

Al-Sayari noted that this decision reinforces Saudi Arabia’s financial identity, locally, regionally, and internationally. He indicated that the implementation of the new symbol will be gradual for financial and commercial transactions, with coordination across all relevant entities.​​​

Saudi Riyal Symbol

The agency explained that “the Saudi riyal symbol, developed to the highest technical standards, embodies the Kingdom’s rich cultural heritage, carrying the name of our national currency “Riyal” in a design derived from Arabic calligraphy. The symbol will streamline the representation of the Saudi riyal in local, regional, and international contexts, making it suitable for use in referring to the Saudi riyal in all financial and commercial transactions.”

Before the announcement of the Saudi Riyals symbol, SAR, SR or the Arabic equivalent ريال or الريال السعودي, is the one being used.

Huawei Mate XT Ultimate Design is now available for Pre-order in Saudi Arabia

February 18, 2025

Just like what the title, the just announced Huawei Mate XT Ultimate Design is now available for pre-order in Jarir and Extra, you can also pre-order the tri-fold smartphone directly from Huawei KSA.

Jarir – Huawei Mate XT;

Extra – HUAWEI Mate XT

You can go here, to know more about the Huawei Mate XT Ultimate Design.

Huawei officially launch the Mate XT Ultimate Design in Saudi Arabia

February 18, 2025
Huawei officially launch the Mate XT Ultimate Design in Saudi Arabia

It’s official, the tri-fold Huawei Mate XT Ultimate Design is now in Saudi Arabia, the company announced Tuesday, Feb 18, 2025.

The Huawei Mate XT Ultimate Design will be available in 16 GB RAM and 1TB storage model, it will feature a Super Slim Triple-Fold Design, 10.2-inch Hi-Res HUAWEI X-True™ Display, a Octa-core Kirin 9010 (1.55 GHz Cortex-A510) CPU, a triple camera system with a 50 MP Ultra Aperture Camera (F1.4-4.0 aperture,OIS) as the main camera and an 8 MP Selfie Camera (F2.2).

At the same time, the Mate XT Ultimate Design will be powered by a Si/C Li-Ion 5600 mAh battery and is available in Red and Black colors. You can checkout the full specs of the Huawei Mate XT Ultimate Design here.

Huawei Mate XT Ultimate Design Specs

Price from SAR12,999.00
Main display 10.2 inches (3184 x 2232 pixels)
Dual displays 7.9 inches (2232 x 2048 pixels)
Front display 6.4 inches (2232 x 1008 pixels)
CPU Kirin 9010 5G*
RAM 16GB
Storage 256GB, 512GB, 1TB
OS HarmonyOS 4.2
Rear cameras 50MP main camera (f/1.4), 12MP ultra-wide (f/2.2), 12MP telephoto (5.5x optical/50x digital zoom)
Front camera 8MP
Battery 5,600 mAh
Charging 66W wired, 50W wireless
Colors Red or Black vegan leather
Size Unfolded: 156.7 x 219 x 3.6-4.8 mm; Folded: 156.7 x 73.5 x 12.8 mm
Weight 298g (10.5 ounces)

*Rumored

As for the pricetag, it’ll be SAR 12,999.00, which is just SAR 249.00 shy of what we speculated from the last article.

Secretary Enrique A. Manalo to visit Munich, Germany, London and UK to talk about Regional Developments and Strengthen Bilateral Relations

February 13, 2025

Foreign Affairs Secretary Enrique A. Manalo will travel to Munich, Germany, and London, UK, from February 14-19, 2025. His trip focuses on discussions with international partners regarding regional issues and strengthening bilateral ties, particularly concerning the rules-based international order and the rule of law.

In Munich (February 14-16), Secretary Manalo will participate in the 61st Munich Security Conference (MSC), a leading international security forum. He will lead a roundtable discussion on “Making Waves: Maritime Tensions in the Indo-Pacific” on February 15th. He also plans to meet with several counterparts on the sidelines of the MSC, including the US Secretary of State and the European Commission’s Vice-President and High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy.

Following the MSC, Secretary Manalo will travel to London for bilateral meetings with UK officials. He will also engage with Asia House, a think tank connecting businesses and governments, and participate in a dialogue with Chatham House, a prominent international affairs think tank.

These visits are significant, occurring after the Philippines’ 70th anniversary of relations with Germany in 2024 and preceding the 80th anniversary of diplomatic ties with the UK in 2026.

Watch this Nike Super Bowl Ad Featuring Women Basketball stars Caitline Clark, A’ja Wilson, Sabrina Ionescu and Juju Watkins

February 10, 2025

There’s one guarantee in sport. You’ll be told you can’t do it. So do it anyway.

You can’t win. So Win.

Here are the athletes featured in the ad (alphabetically);

  • Indiana Fever Guard Caitlin Clark
  • American Gymnast Jordan Chiles
  • New York Liberty Guard Sabrina Ionescu
  • USC Guard JuJu Watkins
  • Portland Thorns Forward Sophia Wilson
  • Las Vegas Aces Center A’ja Wilson
  • Barcelona Midfielder Alexia Putellas
  • American Sprinter Sha’Carri Richardson
  • Belarusian Tennis Player Aryna Sabalenka

Looks like Women’s sports is on the rise!

You can now use Google Pay in Saudi Arabia via MADA

January 16, 2025

Saudi Central Bank (SAMA) and Google have partnered to bring Google Pay to Saudi Arabia in 2025 through the mada payment system. This move supports SAMA’s Vision 2030 goals by boosting digital payments and reducing cash reliance. Google Pay will offer secure and convenient transactions in stores, apps, and online.

The agreement will allow Android users to pay using their Android phones instead of using their MADA card, just like how iOS users uses Apple pay (on their iphone).

ABS-CBN statement on House Bills 11252 seeking to grant ABS-CBN a franchise

January 8, 2025

Here’s the full text below;

While we were not aware of Rep. Joey Salceda’s filing of a bill to grant a broadcast franchise to ABS-CBN today, we are deeply grateful for his support and belief in ABS-CBN’s contributions and mission to serve the Filipino public.

We would also like to express our sincerest thanks to Reps. Gabriel Bordado Jr., Arlene Brosas, France Castro, Raoul Manuel, Johnny Pimentel, and Rufus Rodriguez, who have previously filed similar bills.

Cong. Joey Salceda files a House Bill 11252 to ABS-CBN franchise

January 8, 2025

Albay Rep. Joey Salceda has filed House Bill 11252, which seek to renew the franchise of ABS-CBN, almost 5 years since the House of Representatives under the Duterte administration revoked the media giant’s bid to renew its franchise.

The bill states;

The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR), during House deliberations on the ABS-CBN franchise in the previous Congress, certified that the franchise grantee did not violate ownership restrictions and did not have pending tax liabilities.

The non-renewal of the franchise, however, cost some 11,000 direct jobs. This representation also argued that the information asymmetries that resulted from the loss of an information source caused thousands of new COVID-19 infections during the critical 2020 period.

Prior to the rejection of the franchise renewal, some 36% of Filipinos derived their news and entertainment from the channel. ABS-CBN’s extensive regional network reach was also the source for news and updates on impending disasters, making the channel crucial then to disaster risk reduction strategies at the local level.
Given the merits of renewing the franchise, as well as the clarifications made by government agencies over certain allegations against the grantee, this representation urges Congress to reconsider the non-renewal of the franchise by the previous Congress.

It remains to be seen if the current House of Representatives under Marcos Jr. Admin will grant ABS-CBN to renew its franchise.

Riyadh Metro Orange Line Is Now Open

January 5, 2025

Riyadh Public Transport (RPT) has announced that the Riyadh Metro Orange Line has officially open today, January 5, 2025. The announcement was made on their social media accounts and on Saudi Press Agency, more than a month after King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud inaugurated the Riyadh Metro.

Out of the 22 stations 5 stations will initially be operations; Jeddah Road (11), Tuwaiq (Station 12), Ad Douh (Station 13), Harun Al Rashid Road (Station 29), Al Naseem (Station 30) which connects to the Purple Line Station 21.

Together with the opening of Riyadh Metro Orange Line, RPT also announced the opening of three new stations on the Blue line: Al Murooj (Station 14), Bank Albilad (Station 21) and King Fahad Library (Station 22).

Philippine Airlines announces changes in the assigned terminal at the King Khalid International Airport

December 23, 2024

Philippine Airlines (PAL) has announced that starting December 30th, all flights in Riyadh will depart and arrive at Terminal 3 of King Khalid International Airport. PAL currently uses Terminal 2 for its arriving and departing flights, and the reassignment may be the result of the ongoing renovations and developments happening at the airport.

King Khalid International Airport is undergoing a major expansion and modernization program, which includes the redevelopment of several terminals. As part of this project, some airlines have been relocated to different terminals to accommodate the construction and improve passenger flow.

Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas unveil Philippines First Polymer Banknote Series

December 19, 2024

Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) has officially unveil the country’s first polymer banknote series. The new polymer banknote series will include denominations of ₱500, ₱P100 and ₱50, which will enter circulation in the first quarter of 2025.

BPS explained that the new Polymer Banknote Series will feature “country’s heroes and natural wonders, the polymer series highlights the Philippines’ rich biodiversity.”

BSP emphasizes the practical benefits of polymer banknotes, including enhanced resistance to counterfeiting and improved durability. These features ensure that the new notes are not only aesthetically significant but also cost-efficient and secure.

You can watch this 3:30 mins video (below) on the features of the new polymer banknote series;

The ceremony was lead by President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. at the President’s Hall in Malacañang Palace.

Third impeachment complaint filed against Vice President Sara Duterte

December 19, 2024

Fr. Joselito Sarabia explains why they filed the impeachment.

Here’s the official statement of House Secretary General Reginald S. Velasco on the second impeachment complaint filed against VP Sara Duterte;

The filing of impeachment complaints underscores the seriousness of the allegations and highlights the vital role of Congress in upholding transparency and accountability in government. The House is committed to performing its Constitutional duty with fairness, impartiality, and respect for the rule of law.

As for the first impeachment complaint, you can read this article from Rappler.com, it also embed the entirety of the complaint;

The document listed four grounds for her removal in office, each with their own articles for impeachment.

Among the issues raised against her are her supposed failure to account for the public funds she oversaw as head of the Office of the Vice President and the Department of Education, her alleged ill-gotten wealth, her inaction during the onslaught of a super typhoon in the Philippines, her silence during instances of Chinese aggression in the West Philippine Sea, and her supposed public threats against top officials, among others.

You can also read this PNA article regarding the first impeachment complaint filed against Vice President Sara Duterte.

‘Every Filipino life is worth saving’: How PNoy stopped Mary Jane Veloso’s execution in 2015

December 18, 2024

‘EVERY FILIPINO LIFE IS WORTH SAVING’

Former Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) Secretary Jose Rene Almendras reveals how the late former President Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III went to extraordinary lengths to save Mary Jane Velos just hours before her scheduled execution in 2015. #AtTheForefront

Just in case people forget or have amensia, this is where the foundation was formed that made it possible for Mary Jane Veloso to return home to the Philippines.

Apple to open its first retail store in Saudi Arabia

December 9, 2024

Apple announced plans to expand in Saudi Arabia, starting with the launch of an online store in summer 2025 and opening physical stores in 2026, including a flagship location in Diriyah, a UNESCO World Heritage site.

The expansion includes existing investments in the country, including the Apple Developer Academy in Riyadh, which opened in Riyadh in 2021 in partnership with the Government of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Tuwaiq Academy, and Princess Nourah bint Abdulrahman University. The program has trained nearly 2,000 aspiring feamale coders, designers, and entrepreneurs. Apple hosted the country’s first coed Apple Foundation Program. A monthlong course for students from across the country to learn the fundamentals of coding and app development, with a focus on gaming. Apple plans to further expand the coed Foundation offerings, with the next cohort planned for spring 2025.

Apple has emphasizes its commitment to Saudi Arabia, highlighting investments, job creation, and the growth of the app economy, with developer earnings increasing up over 1,750 percent since 2019. Apple Pay is also gaining traction in the country, with Riyadh being the first city in the Middle East to offer Express Mode for transit payments.

Philippines and Saudi Arabia Launch New Job Category for OFW

December 8, 2024

The Philippine Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) has released guidelines for a new job category for Filipino workers in Saudi Arabia: Residential Support Worker/Cleaner. This development follows initial discussions between former DMW Secretary Susan “Toots” Ople and Saudi Minister of Human Resource and Social Development Ahmad bin Sulaiman AlRajhi, aiming to open up employment opportunities while prioritizing the protection of Filipino Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs).

Key Differences from Domestic Work:

  • Skilled Visa: Residential support workers will be issued a skilled visa, unlike domestic workers.
  • Direct Employment with MRCs: Instead of working for individual households, they will be directly employed by Mega Recruitment Companies (MRCs).
  • Focus on Residential Cleaning: Their primary responsibility will be to maintain the cleanliness of residential areas, excluding childcare or personal care for employers.

Benefits and Protections:

  • Competitive Salary and Allowances: Workers will receive a monthly salary of 1,500 Saudi Riyals (SAR) plus a 500 SAR food allowance. Overtime pay will be provided for work exceeding eight hours per day as per Saudi law.
  • Comprehensive Benefits: MRC employers will provide accommodation, transportation, and health insurance for the workers.
  • No Placement Fees: MRCs are prohibited from charging placement fees to the workers.
  • Wage Increases and Reviews: Wages will automatically increase with any new minimum wage policies issued by DMW or the Saudi government and will be reviewed annually.
  • Protection Against Domestic Work: The guidelines explicitly prohibit workers from being assigned to domestic work duties.
  • Welfare Desk Officer: MRC employers must designate a welfare desk officer to monitor the workers’ conditions and address any employment-related issues.

Reduced Risks and Improved Welfare:
Undersecretary Patricia Yvonne Caunan emphasized that this new framework aims to minimize labor complaints, welfare cases, and exit visa problems by streamlining the employer-employee relationship.

Continuous Expansion of Employment Opportunities:
Secretary Hans Leo J. Cacdac assured that the DMW, in collaboration with the Saudi Ministry of Human Resource and Social Development, will continue to expand employment opportunities for Filipino workers in various sectors.

This new job category for Filipino workers in Saudi Arabia represents a significant step towards ensuring safe and dignified employment for OFWs while meeting the growing demand for skilled workers in the Kingdom.

You can read the full text of the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) Memo# here.

DFA implementing Philippine e-Visa system in India.

November 28, 2024

Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) has launched its e-Visa system for Indian nationals. Indian nationals may apply for e-Visas remotely by visiting the official website (evisa.gov.ph) and paying e-Visa fees online via direct bank transfer in a secure manner. This follows a successful trial period and aims to improve user experience. The soft launching and beta testing was done in August 2023.

Over 7,000 Indians have already used the system with positive feedback. The applicants were able to navigate the e-Visa system with general ease and reported positive feedback for its convenience, user-friendliness, and reliability.

Philippine e-Visa System is part of the Philippines’ digital transformation plan mentioned during the President’s State of the Nation Address (SONA) on 22 July 2024.

Saudi Arabia’s King Salman inaugurated the Riyadh Metro

November 28, 2024

The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud inaugurated the Riyadh Metro, a major public transport project in Saudi Arabia. The metro network spans 176 kilometers across 6 lines and 85 stations. Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud expressed gratitude to the King for his support and visionary leadership.

Riyadh Metro will initially open 3 lines by December 1st, then another 2 line on the 15th of December and the remaining line on the first week of January.

December 1, 2024

  • Line 1 – Blue
  • Line 4 – Gold/Yellow
  • Line 6 – Purple

December 15, 2024

  • Line 2 – Red
  • Line 5 – Green

January 5, 2024

  • Line 3 – Orange

The project was launched following comprehensive studies on Riyadh’s public transport needs and is designed to meet the city’s current and future mobility requirements. The Riyadh Metro is expected to significantly enhance the quality of life for residents and visitors, aligning with the goals of Vision 2030.

Source: SPA, RCRC

Apple Mac Mini M4 Now Available in Jarir

November 12, 2024

You can now get your Apple Mac Mini M4 from Jarir and below are the pricelist.

M4 Processor (10-core CPU and 10-core GPU

  • 16GB RAM + 256GB Storage – SR2,799
  • 16GB RAM + 512GB Storage – SR3,749
  • 24GB RAM + 512GB Storage – SR4,699

M4 Pro Processor (12-core CPU and 16-core GPU)

  • 24GB RAM + 512GB Storage – SR6,699

Announced last month, the Mac Mini is one of the cheapest Macs that you can buy and the base model M4, 16GB RAM and 256GB Storage is probably the best deal for a new Mac.

Specs of Mac Mini with M4 chips;

  • Dimesnion (DxWxH): 5.0 inches x 5.0 inches x 2.0 inches
  • Processor: M4, M4 Pro
  • 16GB unified RAM, configurable up to 64GB
  • 256GB SSD, configurable up to 8TB
  • Built-in speaker
  • 3.5 mm headphone jack with advanced support for high-impedance headphones
  • HDMI port
  • Two USB-C ports with support for USB 3 (up to 10Gb/s)
  • Thunderbolt 4/Thunderbolt 5 ports
  • USB 4
  • Gigabit Ethernet ports
  • DisplayPort
  • Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth 5.3, Ethernet Connectivity
  • Weight:
    • M4 – 1.5 pounds (0.67 kg)
    • M4 Pro- 1.6 pounds (0.73 kg)

Price for the Tesla Model 3 and Model Y

November 9, 2024

Now that Tesla has opened its doors in the country, car buyers will surely have Tesla as their first option, specially if you compare its price with the Chinese brand EVs.

You can go to the Tesla Philippines website if you want to order your own Tesla. I personally would be getting the Long Range (AWD) variant of the Model Y.

via All Things EV;

Just like in other countries, you can order your own Tesla directly online, the company rarely sell thru a distributor or a reseller.

The Model 3 is the EV sedan, while the Model Y is the crossover EV that features the iconic “falcon-wing doors.” Both model will be available in 3 variant; the Rear–Wheel Drive, Long Range AWD and Performance AWD.

The base model for the Model 3 (RWD) will have an estimated range of 513kn, top speed of 201 km/h and with an acceleration of 0-100 km/h in 6.21 secs.

Model 3

  • Rear–Wheel Drive – ₱2,109,000
  • Long Range (AWD) – ₱2,489,000
  • Performance (AWD) – ₱3,099,000

The base model for the Model Y (RWD) on the other hand will have an estimated range of 455km, top speed of 217km/h and with an acceleration of 0-100 km/h in 6.9 secs.

Model Y

  • Rear–Wheel Drive – ₱2,369,000
  • Long Range (AWD) – ₱2,689,000
  • Performance (AWD) – ₱3,299,000

Breaking – Donald Trump Wins 2024 US Presidential Election

November 6, 2024
Breaking – Donald Trump Wins 2024 US Presidential Election

It was an overwhelming win by Donald Trump, as he win the 2024 US Presidential Election over VP Kamala Harris. Donald Trump received 277 electoral votes (71,177,549 vote) compare to the 224 electoral votes (66,247,919 votes) for Kamala Harris.

Associated Press;

Donald Trump has been elected the 47th president of the United States, an extraordinary comeback for a former president who refused to accept defeat four years ago, sparked a violent insurrection at the U.S. Capitol, was convicted of felony charges and survived two assassination attempts.

President Elect Donald Trump will return to the Oval Office after the inauguration ceremony this coming Jan. 20th, 2025. The ceremony will take place at the U.S. Capitol building in Washington D.C.

via CNBC, Donald Trump will be the 45th and the 47th President of the United States of America. At 78 years old, Trump is the oldest person to ever to win a U.S. presidential election. This will be an interesting, to say the least, since he take office while facing criminal charges in multiple active federal and state cases.

President Bongbong Marcos Congratulates Donald Trump for winning the 2024 US President Elections

November 6, 2024
President Bongbong Marcos Congratulates Donald Trump for winning the 2024 US President Elections

President Bongbong Marcos congratulates Republican candidate Donald Trump on his projected win in the 2024 US President Elections.

Donald Trump is just three electoral votes away from being next President of the United States and return back to the Oval Office.

Here’s the full text of PBBM message;

President Trump has won, and the American people have triumphed. I congratulate them on their victory in an exercise that showed the world the strength of American values.

We look forward to working with President Trump on a wide range of issues that will yield mutual benefits for two nations with deep ties, shared beliefs, a common vision, and a long history of working together.

I am hopeful that this unshakeable alliance, tested in war and peace, will be a force for good, blazing a path of prosperity and amity in the region and on both sides of the Pacific.

This is a durable partnership to which the Philippines is fully committed, because it is founded on the ideals we share: freedom and democracy.

I have personally met President Trump as a young man, so I know that his robust leadership will result in a better future for all of us.

Congratulations, President Trump!

Jollibee to acquire Tim Ho Wan for ₱892.29M

November 6, 2024
Jollibee to acquire Tim Ho Wan for ₱892.29M

Jollibee Foods Corp. (JFC) to acquire full ownership and control of Tim Ho Wan, a Hong Kong-based dim sum restaurant.

In an article on BusinessWorld, the deal to acquire Tim Ho Wan is worth S$20.2 million or around ₱892.29 million, which is only for the remaining 8% participating interest held by the other investors in Tim Ho Wan (Titan Dining LP).

Before this transaction, Jollibee Worldwide Pte. Ltd. (JWPL), already owns 92% participating interest in Titan Dining LP, since January 2024.

Once done, the ownership and management of Tim Ho Wan (Titan Dining LP) will transfer to Jollibee Worldwide Pte. Ltd. (JWPL), the fast-food operator said in a statement to the stock exchange on Tuesday. Jollibee Worldwide Pte. Ltd. is a subsidiary of Jollibee Foods Corp. (JFC).

Orignated in Hong Kong, Tim Ho Wan, has around 80 stores across 11 countries and will be the Jollibee group’s flagship brand for high-end Chinese cuisine market.

Aside from Tim Ho Wan, Jollibee Foods Corps, also have other Chinese-Style Resto brands under its umbrella like Chow King, Panda Express, Hong Zhuang Yuan and Yonghe King.

Indonesia has banned the sales of Google Pixel

November 4, 2024
Indonesia has banned the sales of Google Pixel

The Indonesian government has banned the sales of Google Pixel in the country even though they are not officially distributed in the country.

The banned was made because Google has not met the rules that requires smartphone sold locally should contain at least 40% of the parts made domestically.

“We are pushing these rules so that there’s fairness for all investors in Indonesia,” Febri Hendri Antoni Arief, industry ministry spokesperson, said on Thursday. “Google’s products have not adhered to the scheme we set, so they can’t be sold here.”

The ban for the Google Pixel comes a week after the country blocked Apple from selling the new iPhone 16 locally due to the same content rules.

Source: Yugatech, Reuters

Indiana Fever announces Stephanie White as new Head Coach

November 2, 2024
Indiana Fever announces Stephanie White as new Head Coach

Five days after parting ways with Christie Sides, the Indiana Fever announces that their new Head Coach will be Stephanie White.

She will inherit an up and coming Indiana Fever, lead by Caitlin Clark and last year’s Rookie of the Year Aliyah Boston.

An Indiana native, Stephanie White earn the moniker Indiana Miss Basketball at Seeger High School in West Lebanon, then in college while in Purdue, led the Boilermakers to the 1999 NCAA National Championship.

Stephanie White spent five seasons in the WNBA, the majority with the Fever, joining the team for their inaugural season in 2000. Her contributions to the franchise are significant, as she ranks among the top 20 in games played, assists, steals, and three-point field goals made.

Stephanie White is a seasoned WNBA coach, spending 17 seasons of experience as a player and coach in the league. She previously led the Indiana Fever, guiding them to the 2015 WNBA Finals and the 2016 playoffs. Her coaching journey also includes assistant roles with the Fever, Chicago Sky, and various collegiate teams, highlighting her diverse experience and strategic acumen.

In addition to their announcement, the Indiana Fever release a tribute video of Stephanie White’s basketball career.