Environmental groups and beleaguered rangers of the Tubbataha National Marine Park on Friday challenged President Arroyo to stand firm in the case of a 30-man Chinese crew caught with hundreds of the “Mameng” (Napoleon Wrasse), a protected fish species. (more…)
MANILA (Reuters) – The Philippines has bowed to pressure from Washington over custody of a U.S. Marine convicted of raping a Filipina, transferring him to the American embassy in Manila.
Police and the U.S. embassy spokesman said Lance Corporal Daniel Smith was taken from a local jail late on Friday. (more…)
(Editor’s note: To many of you following the story of Pyro, the kid who had the strongest will of heart we’ve ever seen – this update will certainly put a tear in your eye.)
“His spirit was willing, but his flesh was already weakened so much, his spirit has to give way. He fought to the very end, hearkening to his father’s please to hold on and fight… till his father realized that he was suffering more by holding on. And let it not be said that parents who can tell their dying child to let go are not brave. Because it takes courage to hold your child’s hand and tell him to find peace… and not at your side.” (more…)
A vendor stacks a huge firecracker fountain, locally known as “luces or tungkod,” for sale in Bocaue, Philippines. Sales have been high in the run-up to New Year’s Eve, when millions of Filipinos will risk their limbs exploding fireworks to greet the coming year in a tradition that maims many and in some cases kills.(AFP/Joel Nito)
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Filipinos sit outside a church attending a Christmas Eve service while looking at a fireworks display in Manila. The country is the bastion of Roman Catholicism in Asia with over 80 percent of the population considered Catholics.(AFP/Joel Nito) (more…)
VATICAN CITY (Reuters) – Pope Benedict ushered in Christmas at midnight mass on Monday, saying the image of the baby Jesus in a manger should remind everyone of the plight of poor, abused and neglected children the world over.
FORMER president Joseph Estrada arrived Monday at the home of his mother in the municipality of San Juan to celebrate Christmas with her and the rest of the family, according to a report on GMA Network’s “Flash Report.â€
