General

Manila: This town, renowned as the center of Roman Catholic faith in Eastern Visayas, is upholding its Holy Week tradition of preparing “molabola,” a local delicacy that has become a symbol of faith. Even with the advent of fast food in the area, families engage in creating this dish, classified as slow food, using traditional methods and high-quality locally sourced ingredients. According to Philippines News Agency, molabola is a rice-based dish traditionally prepared on Good Friday during Holy Week as a meatless meal. It features soft, chewy rice balls cooked in coconut milk, sugar, and ginger. The preparation process itself

Valenzuela City: The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) has pledged to intensify efforts against environmental crimes following the confiscation of PHP3.6 million worth of illegally imported counterfeit chainsaws. The operation took place in Valenzuela City, targeting a warehouse operated by Eseki Industrial Enterprises Corporation in Barangay Mapulang Lupa. According to Philippines News Agency, the DENR reported that 241 chainsaw units were seized during a buy-bust operation. Environment Secretary Maria Antonia Yulo Loyzaga emphasized the department’s commitment to collaborating with the Department of Justice (DOJ) and the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) as part of a

Manila: The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) has granted the Notice of Award to French firm OCEA for the purchase of 40 units of 35-meter patrol boats. In a move to bolster maritime security, this acquisition is part of the Bagong Pilipinas initiative, approved by President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. in November 2024, which aims to upgrade the capabilities of the PCG with fast patrol crafts (FPCs). According to Philippines News Agency, during a recent meeting, Transportation Secretary Vince Dizon and PCG Commandant Admiral Ronnie Gavan engaged with Minister Delegate for Foreign Trade and French Nationals Abroad Laurent Saint-Martin. The French

Sipalay: Accommodation establishments in Sipalay City, the premier beach destination in Negros Occidental, are nearing full capacity for the Holy Week holidays, as reported by its tourism office on Wednesday. “I can say our accommodations are 85 percent to 90 percent booked,” stated supervising tourism officer Jerick Lacson. According to Philippines News Agency, Sipalay, located about 175 km south of Bacolod, is renowned as ‘The Jewel of Sugar Island’ due to its white-sand beaches and pristine waters that attract both international and local tourists. The city boasts over a hundred resorts, hotels, pensions, inns, and lodging houses spread across Barangays

Manila: A forensic chemist of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) has been chosen as a member of the International Association of Forensic Toxicologists (TIAFT) Task Force created to evaluate the possible boon and bane of integrating Artificial Intelligence (AI) into forensic toxicology. According to Philippines News Agency, PDEA Director General Undersecretary Isagani Nerez announced that Nieves Manuela Barbo was named to the task force, which includes other forensic toxicologists from various parts of the globe. This announcement was made during the recent TIAFT General Assembly in St. Gallen, Switzerland. Barbo, holding the rank of Chemist II, is part of