The arrival of the Virginia-class fast attack submarine USS North Carolina (SSN-777) came as the Philippines is embroiled in a standoff with China for more than a month now in Panatag (Scarborough) Shoal, 124 nautical miles from mainland Zambales.

(Photo above:T he USS North Carolina (SSN 777) arriving in Sasebo, Japan, last month, in a Navy photo.)

“The crew is proud of our recent contributions as part of our country’s commitment to maintaining freedom of navigation, peace and stability in the region,” said Richard Rhinehart, North Carolina’s commanding officer, in a press statement released by the United States-Pacific Command (USPACOM).

USS Carolina is the fourth submarine in the Virginia class, the Navy’s newest class of submarine and the first ship designed for the post-Cold War environment.

The submarine is designed to operate with stealth, agility and endurance in the world’s littoral regions, as well as the deep oceans.

Unlike the visits of other US vessels in the country, the docking of USS Carolina at Subic bolstered earlier speculations that the US government, while openly declaring that it will not interfere in any territorial dispute in the region, is also closely watching the prevailing standoff between the Philippines and China over ownership of Bajo de Masinloc or “Karburo” to local fishermen.

The Philippines and the US have a Mutual Defense Treaty (MDT), which requires both parties to come to defend the other in the event of armed aggression.

While Philippine Navy (PN) officials appeared not to be fully aware of the USS Carolina’s presence in Subic, high-level sources said the submarine would be staying at the former US Naval base for re-provisioning and will leave on May 19.

USS Carolina, whose homeport is Pearl Harbor in Hawaii, is 350 feet long and weighs more than 7,800 tons when submerged.

The vessel is one of the stealthiest, most technologically advanced submarines in the world.

“She brings to the region the capability to conduct the full spectrum of potential submarine missions including anti-submarine warfare, naval special warfare involving special operations forces, intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance, and mine warfare,” the USPACOM said in a press statement.

Meanwhile, the Philippine Navy’s flagship, BRP Gregorio del Pilar, a second-hand Hamilton-class cutter acquired from the US, was pulled from its maritime mission in the West Philippine Sea for maintenance.

But contrary to reports that the frigate’s weapons system bogged down at the height of the standoff in Panatag last week, everything is working, the Navy said.

“It’s just a scheduled maintenance. She underwent preventive maintenance last week,” Navy spokesman Lt. Col. Omar Tonsay said of the frigate.

USS North Carolina launching at Newport News Shipyard in May 2007, in an image from Huntington Ingalls Industries.

USS North Carolina arriving at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam in Hawaii in November 2010, in a Navy photo.

Probst made the announcement during the reunion show of “Survivor: One World,” after it was revealed that 29-year-old bridal shop owner Kim Spradlin was voted sole survivor of the 24th season of the CBS reality competition.

Spradlin, from Texas, won the $1-million grand prize when she won more votes from the mostly male jury, which picked her over career consultant Christina Cha and teacher Alicia Rosa.

ABS-CBNnews.com earlier announced that the next two seasons of “Survivor” will be shot in the Caramoan Islands in Camarines Sur.

In an interview with US magazine Entertainment Weekly, which was posted on its website on Sunday, Probst revealed not just the Philippine location but also a major twist in the competition.

Confirming spoilers that have emerged already in several “Survivor” fan sites, next season will see the castaways divided among three tribes with three returning players who didn’t complete their season because of injury or medical reasons.

According to spoilers, one of these returning players is Michael Skupin, who was medically evacuated after he burned his hands on “Survivor: Outback” during Season 2.

Entertainment Weekly interviewed Probst in Caramoan back in March.

“First we decided on three tribes,” Probst told the magazine. “That was the first thing. And that was just an effort to change up the way the numbers were playing. People were locking into these alliances of five. So we thought, okay, let’s try a three-tribe scenario and see what that does.

“Once we had the three tribes, we talked about are we going to do returnees? I love returnees. I love second chances. I love the losers bracket in sports. I love all of it. So I love these guys coming back. And then we hit on the evacuees and went, that’s it! These are true second chancers. They were pulled from the game. They didn’t quit. They didn’t get voted out. They were yanked,” Probst told Entertainment Weekly.

Photo courtesy of PETA

“On behalf of PETA Asia, I ask that you send Mali to a sanctuary, where she would have room to roam and be able to be among other members of her own species,” wrote Morrissey, who is set to perform at the World Trade Center in Pasay City on May 13.

In the letter, Morrissey said Mali suffers from extreme loneliness, boredom and isolation. Named Vishwamali, the elephant was born in Sri Lanka in 1974. She was brought to Manila Zoo when she was three years old, and has lived in an enclosure since then.

“Mali’s enclosure at the zoo is a fraction of the size that her natural habitat would be. A sanctuary would give her the opportunity for enrichment and companionship that she has been denied for many years,” wrote Morrissey on behalf of Manila-based People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) Asia.

“Mali is cruelly denied stimulation, room to explore, and everything else that is natural and important to her,” added Morrissey. “She circles her little patch of concrete, tracing the same route again and again and again. This kind of obsessive, repetitive behavior—known as ‘zoochosis’—suggests that Mali is in danger of going insane, so time is of the essence,” he said.

In Malacañang, deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte said it is now evaluating the request.

“According to the Office of the Executive Secretary, it received the letter today and it is being evaluated,” Valte said in a text message.

A report by PETA explained that female elephants spend virtually all their time socializing in the company of other elephants, where they can nurture their young and share experiences.

Morrissey also said in the letter that elephants are intelligent animals with complex social lives. In the wild, female elephants like Mali roam up to 80 kilometers every day with other elephants, including their mothers, with whom they spend their entire lives.

The PETA report noted that roaming great distances is essential to the well-being of elephants. “Asian elephants have home ranges of between 25,000 and 60,000 hectares, but the entire Manila Zoo measures only 5.5 hectares,” the report said.

In Manila Zoo, Mali is the only captive elephant.

“Around the world, zoos are recognizing that the needs of many species – especially elephants – simply cannot be met within the confines of their limited facilities. Please take immediate action and transfer Mali to a sanctuary,” Morrissey asked Aquino.

According to PETA, Mali needs to be retired without delay. “The Manila Zoo should follow the progressive lead of zoos in the UK and the US that have already closed their elephant exhibits,” said PETA, noting that The Elephant Sanctuary in the US can provide vast roaming spaces, ponds to bathe in, fresh vegetation, foraging activities, and the company of other elephants.

“The facility understands and has experience with elephants like Mali. They also have a history of healing and restoring quality of life to elephants who have become debilitated by years of captivity,” said PETA.

Eighties icon Morrissey is a vegetarian and an animal rights advocate. In 1985, he released an album called “Meat is Murder.” – via gmanetwork.com

The political debate over whether to renew the nearly century-old leases was pitched in nationalist terms. In September 1991, the Philippine Senate voted 12-11 against, forcing the U.S. to abandon Clark Air Base north of Manila and Subic Bay, across the Zambales Mountains to the northwest on the South China Sea. They were two of the largest U.S. bases in the world, from which Washington staged operations from Vietnam to the Middle East.

Jovito Salonga, then Philippine Senate president, recounted his anti-bases crusade in a book entitled “The Senate That Said No.” Juan Ponce Enrile, a senator who helped oust dictator Ferdinand Marcos in 1986, joined the anti-base forces after having worked with U.S. military leaders for years as defense secretary.

FULL STORY

Former President Joseph Estrada confirmed yesterday he is running for mayor of Manila in next year’s elections, but only for one term.

Estrada drove his famous “Jeep ni Erap” from 1 Polk Street in North Greenhills, San Juan to his new house at 589 Mangga Avenue in Altura, Sta. Mesa, Manila to ceremonially launch his candidacy.

Former senator Loi Ejercito, daughter Jackie and Vice Mayor Isko Moreno joined him.

“I will now sleep here tonight. I will start living here today,” Estrada said.

The 5,000-square meter property with a swimming pool is the ancestral residence of the Legardas in Manila and used to be the headquarters of former President Ramon Magsaysay.

Wearing “Erap para sa Masa” t-shirts and waving placards with the words “Bawal ang dirty sa Maynila,” referring to the Dirty Harry moniker current Manila Mayor Alfredo Lim earned for his controversial anti-crime campaign, Manila residents welcomed Estrada as their new neighbor.

In a press conference at his new house, Estrada said he would be dedicating the last years of his life to Manila.

“I’m now 75 years old. I might still be here for another three years. Then I will give the post to (Vice Mayor) Isko Moreno,” Estrada said.

“Me Erap na, Me Isko pa,” he said.

“This is a historical event for myself because it’s here in Sampaloc that I am declaring my candidacy…Title is not important. What is important is that your heart and soul is for public service,” he said.

He also noted that he became a superstar because of the movie “Asyong Salonga,” the story of a notorious Tondo, Manila gang leader, adding that he was born in Tondo.

Estrada said his late father, a civil engineer, also served as head of the public services department under four Manila mayors.

“God has destined that I should be here in Manila, where I should last serve,” he said.

Estrada’s declaration came despite the objection raised by his two politician-sons – Senate President Pro-Tempore Jinggoy Estrada and San Juan Rep. JV Ejercito.

“My sons said I should rest because I have nothing to prove anymore. But any public service is not a demotion. I will give my remaining days in life here in Manila, to serve the people of Manila. Erap cannot repay his debt of gratitude to the poor Filipinos in life or in death,” he said.

“We have to bring back the old glory of Manila as the country’s capital city. It will not be hard for me to do this with Vice Mayor Isko Moreno at my side,” he said.

Nothing personal

Estrada said his decision to run for Manila mayor is not something personal against Mayor Lim.

“There is nothing personal here. He (Lim) served for many years and it was during that time that Manila was left behind. Panahon na, maputi na rin ang buhok niya, magpahinga na muna siya. (It’s time. His hair is already white. He should retire),” Estrada said.

Should he win, Estrada said his priority is to see to it that electricity and water rates will not increase. He also vowed to improve the peace and order situation in Manila.

“During my stint as San Juan mayor, I first improved the peace and order situation in San Juan which resulted to the influx of investors. Investors are not coming in because they are afraid of kidnappings and carjackings in Metro Manila. We will also run after kotong cops,” he said.

He also promised to “fix” the Manila City Hall, and gave assurance that there will be no delays in the release of employees’ salaries.

Ejercito, meanwhile, said she would fully support her husband in his mayoralty bid.

“He is physically and emotionally healthy and he has the energy. If he wants to run, why not? He can run and if he decides to run, I will support him all the way. I will be campaigning side by side with President Estrada,” she said.

Ejercito said she will join Estrada in filing his transfer of registration today.

She said she would also continue her medical missions in Tondo and other depressed areas in Manila.

Good luck – Lim

In a statement, Mayor Lim wished the former president and Moreno “good luck” in their plans.

Lim earlier confirmed his plan to run for reelection.

Moreno, for his part, said Manileños welcome Estrada and his wife, adding that they will try to make their stay in Manila comfortable.

“We are humbled that the former president of the Philippines will live and stay in Manila,” Moreno said.

“We are thankful he had chosen Manila,” he added.

At least 25 of the 28 Manila councilors who were inducted last week as members of Estrada’s Pwersa ng Masang Pilipino, joined Moreno in welcoming Estrada.

Establish residence

As this developed, Commission on Elections Commissioner Rene Sarmiento said it is not enough that Estrada acquired a house and transferred his voter’s registration in Manila to run for mayor in next year’s elections.

“He should establish a residence. This means that you live there and that you mingle with the people in the community,” Sarmiento said.

Sarmiento added that the residency requirement was meant to familiarize a candidate with the place where he intends to run.

Election lawyer Romulo Macalintal said Estrada should live in his Manila house.

“Physical presence or actual occupation is required plus a clear intention to stay in the place. Mere ownership or possession of house in the place is not enough,” Macalintal said.

Thea Siozon, 18, left, and Francel Acalain, 18, are seniors at Baltimore Polytechnic Institute. Baltimore, Md. (Photo by Algerina Perna /Baltimore Sun)

For hundreds of Filipino children who made the journey to Baltimore when the city school system sent recruiters across the world to recruit their parents for teaching positions in 2006, this year marks bitter ends and uncertain beginnings.face return to Philippines, students share frustrations

The children attended some of the best schools in the city, many graduating at the top of their classes and securing scholarships to attend college. But now they face the possibility that the school system no longer has a place for them or their parents.

Only 46 of 154 Filipino teachers whose work visas are expiring this year will be sponsored for renewals by the system, school officials announced last month. More may lose their visas over the next five years as the system uses an annual review of the job market to determine whether to retain roughly 600 international teachers, the vast majority Filipino, who were recruited by the school system every year between 2005 and 2009.

“This whole thing has shown that the American dream can be a lie,” said Thea Siozon, a senior at Polytechnic Institute. She is the daughter of a Filipino special educator of six years who plans to move her family back to the Philippines if she isn’t sponsored for a work visa.

The news has thrown the Filipino teaching community into a frenzy, as many teachers desperately try to plead their case for the 46 coveted spots or prepare to leave.

FULL STORY

The widow of deposed dictator Ferdinand Marcos declared her wealth at P932.8 million in 2011, records released late Thursday showed, which would make her the second richest Philippine politician behind boxing hero and congressman Manny Pacquiao.

The amount declared by Marcos was almost 50% higher than in 2010, with the 82-year-old including new assets which were surrendered to the government by the dictator’s cronies.

A popular revolt toppled the dictator from power in 1986, sending the family fleeing overseas. Manila has since been trying to recover the wealth Marcos and his allies allegedly accumulated through graft during his 20 years in office.

The deposed president died in exile in 1989 and his family was allowed to return home, with his widow elected in 2010 to a congressional seat representing the family stronghold.

Before she was elected Marcos had complained of being nearly penniless, despite living in a luxury condominium unit and frequently appearing in public, bedecked with jewellery.

Her lawyer Robert Sison said his client, known for her jet-set lifestyle and love of shoes, could not touch much of her declared wealth as it had been seized or sequestered by the government.

“The ownership of these properties is being contested and the government is not off the hook,” he told AFP.

Sison said her declared worth rose in 2011 because she added assets that had been surrendered to the government by Marcos cronies, wealth that was previously “overlooked”. The lawyer said his client was the true owner of the assets and would seek to recover them.

Elected officials are required to declare their wealth each year. Pacquiao, rated by many as the best pound for pound boxer in the world, was elected to parliament in 2010 and declared assets worth 1.3 billion pesos. – AFP

This after President Aquino shot down proposals for a P125 across-the-board wage increase during his Labor Day speech.

Data from ECOP showed that the minimum daily wage in Metro Manila stands at almost $10 a day compared to $2.20 in Vietnam, $2 in Cambodia, $2.90-$3.00 in Indonesia,$5.20-$5.90 in Thailand and $3.75-$5.00 in China.

ECOP president Ed Lacson said in a globalized economy, if labor is expensive, exported products and the manufacturing sector will lose.

Asked if the P426 daily mininum wage would be enough for the expenses of a family of 6, Lacson said the assumption is there are more than one employed family member so the daily wage is augmented.

ECOP earlier said it will push for around P8 hike in daily wages but will follow whatever is approved by the wage board.

However, Lacson warned that “one cannot squeeze blood out of stone”, insinuating the possibility of downsizing the workforce or worse, shutdown of business if employers can no longer afford to give salary increase.

Philippine Food Processors and Exporters Organization (Philfoodex) president Bobby Amores, laments that manufacturers of food and agricultural products are at a disanvantage over neighboring Asian countries not just from high labor costs, but also expensive power cost

“Let’s cut costs to save jobs, not cut jobs to save costs,” Amores said.

ECOP is also asking for an Employers Day so they can also highlight the plight of business owners especially in the Philippines, where 99% of enterprises are small and medium scale businesses.

Lacson has a final message for labor groups who marched in the streets on Labor Day: “Kung ano po ang nakakagaling sa kompanya, makakagaling din sa inyo. Don’t ask for anything na hindi kaya… Ang kalaban po natin ay kahirapan, hindi kami.”

This developed as China’s FLEC 310 ship, its fastest and biggest ship currently in Scarborough Shoal, made a high-speed pass at two Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) vessels on Saturday morning, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said, in an incident characterized by DFA officials as “bullying”.

The DFA said the Chinese ship made a dangerously close, high-speed pass at the BRP Pampanga and BRP Edsa as the Philippine vessels were turning over patrol duties in the area. The high-speed pass created a 2-meter wave that buffeted the two ships, the DFA’s report said.

The PCG did not react to the incident, it added. Nobody was harmed, and neither of the ships were damaged.

But the incident again underscored growing tensions in the Scarborough Shoal.

China’s Global Times, published by the government’s People’s Daily, reported in its April 25 editorial that China is prepared to engage in a small-scale war at sea with the Philippines: “China should select the most arrogant provocateur, conduct comprehensive strikes, and exert pressure economically, politically and militarily. If the water overwhelms China’s knees, other countries will find their necks in the water.”

FULL STORY

Directed by Ramona Diaz, the film captures Pineda’s difficult yet extraordinary path to success.

It premiered on April 19 in the annual Tribeca film festival, a report of the entertainment news site Pep.ph said.

The Tribeca Film Festival — founded in 2002 by Jane Rosenthal, Robert De Niro and Craig Hatkoff — was a response to the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center.

The main purpose of the festival was to contribute to the long-term recovery of lower Manhattan as well as to celebrate New York City as a major player in the filmmaking industry.

Unlikely story

The film “Don’t Stop Believin” traces the unlikely story of Pineda, 40 — from how he started singing on the streets of Manila to cope with poverty, to how he was discovered on Youtube, and eventually became the lead singer of Journey, replacing frontman Steve Perry.

According to a synopsis on the film’s official site, the magical journey started for Pineda when Neal Schon, guitarist of Journey, checked out Pineda’s video on YouTube singing cover songs of the band.

Schon was half a world away from Pineda and was about to give up to his frustration of not being able to find a lead singer to replace Perry who left the band to go solo. Then, Schon chanced upon Pineda’s videos.

“After watching the videos over and over again, I had to walk away from the computer and let what I heard sink in because it sounded too good to be true,” Schon said.

He added: “I tried to get a hold of him and I finally heard from him that night, but it took some convincing to get him to believe that it really was me and not an impostor.”

After a few screening tests, live auditions and recording sessions, Pineda was offered the gig as the legendary band’s frontman.

Meanwhile, Diaz, in a report of the news site AM New York said the magic of the story is Pineda’s personal history set against the backdrop of big, familiar, anthemic ballads.

For her, Journey has now become more of an international band with Pineda, expanding their fan base to Filipinos and Filipino-Americans in the process.

Her favorite Pineda-fronted Journey songs are “Change for the Better” and “City of Hope”.

Early life and hardships

The film’s website tells how fate did not seem kind to Pineda as a boy, having lost his mother at age 12.

He would hang out with his friends, singing in exchange for food, and sleeping at a park at nighttime with other homeless kids.

Pineda then found work in a Manila Bay pier, scavenging scrap metal, bottles and newspapers for the mere eight pesos (about 20 cents) a day.

When darkness falls, he would roam the bars of Manila, singing his heart out and meeting other fellow musicians whom he will form and dissolve bands with through the years.

He then moved to Hong Kong in 1991 where he performed for 15 years.

Pineda lost his voice twice, once in 1995 due to drug and alcohol abuse and in 2005 due to Temporomandibular Joint Disorder (TMJD).

He decided that it was time to return to the Philippines, hoping to make it big in his home country.

His dream to become popular in the Philippines never happened since something bigger came up, Schon phoned him and the rest is history.

A long Journey

On a report of the news site The FilAm, Pineda related how the film opens with the story about his first concert with Journey in Chile.

“I still get goose bumps thinking about that very first show. Nakakatakot. I wanted to just get to the first flight out but when I saw the people, I was overwhelmed. I will never forget that day.” said Pineda.

He added: “This movie took four years to make.” “They really followed the tour and took time to know the people behind the scenes. “Journey gave me the go signal. They said it would be good for people to know my story.”

Pineda has been with Journey since 2007 and has released 2 albums with the band:
2008 – Revelation
2011 – Eclipse

Pineda said he intends to stay with the band “for as long as they want me.”