Day: October 28, 2024

MANILA – The Philippines, Japan and the United States convened an informal trilateral discussion on countering economic coercion and promoting economic resilience. In a news release on Monday, Japan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said the discussion last Oct. 25 intended to strengthen close coordination, based on the Joint Vision Statement from the leaders of the three nations issued at the historic first Japan-US-Philippines Summit last April. The three nations would cooperate to raise awareness of the issue among the international community and to enhance their resilience and ability to respond to potential economic coercion. The discussion was co-chaired by Board

BACOLOD CITY – For the sixth time, Barangay Granada was declared champion of the MassKara Festival street dance and arena competition, besting six other villages during the showdown held at the Paglaum Sports Complex until Sunday night. The win marked a second three-peat for Granada after taking the titles in 2022 and 2023 as well as in 2014, 2015, and 2016. ‘The culmination of passion, perseverance, and countless hours of training,’ village chief Armando Vito said in a statement posted on Facebook. Displaying a stellar performance in stunning costumes, masks and props depicting the ‘Super City Bacolod,’ Granada went home

ANTIPOLO, Rizal – TNT Tropang Giga banked on an explosive start to repulse Barangay Ginebra, 104-88, in Game 1 of the PBA Governors’ Cup Finals in front of 11,021 fans at the Ynares Center on Sunday night. The Tropang Giga began the game on a 15-2 run, and despite the Gin Kings drawing to within six at halftime, the PLDT franchise restored order in the second half and never looked back. “We’re a very big and driven team, so we work on the numbers and then we focus really on taking away their strengths,” coach Chot Reyes said after the

MANILA – At least 97 persons were reported dead in the onslaught of Severe Tropical Storm Kristine (international name Trami), the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) said on Monday. The disaster response body’s latest situation report said of the figure, only 10 have been validated –nine in Bicol and one in Northern Mindanao. The remaining 87 deaths are still undergoing validation –54 in Calabarzon, 30 in Bicol, two in Zamboanga Peninsula and one in Central Visayas. Of the 30 reported missing persons, only one has been confirmed and this was recorded in Central Luzon. The remaining 29

BUTUAN CITY – The Office of Civil Defense (OCD) Caraga (OCD-13) dispatched 1,500 boxes of hygiene kits on Sunday to assist Bicol residents affected by Severe Tropical Storm Kristine (international name Trami). A Philippine Air Force C-130 aircraft airlifted the relief items Sunday afternoon, the OCD-13 said in a statement Monday. ‘The relief augmentation supports the ongoing Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Response efforts of the National Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council and the OCD under the leadership of Secretary Gilbert Teodoro and Civil Defense Administrator Usec. Ariel Nepomuceno,’ the agency said. In Caraga, the storm affected over 15,000 families and