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(Journal) Pinoy science fiction gets ready for take-off in the North. Thanks to 8Letters Bookstore and Publishing, in partnership with Mt. Cloud Bookshop, accomplished Pinoy science fiction author, Renato Clarete Tranquilino, prepares himself to plant the flag of Filipino science fiction authors in Yangco Road, Baguio City.

He will be holding a book signing for his most recent release, Fate of a Distant Future, on August 19, 2022 in Mt. Cloud Bookshop from 4:00 to 5:00 PM.

During the event, light snacks and coffee will be served while guests are enchanted by the plethora of Filipino-authored books that’ll surround them during their stay.

About the Book
Fate of a Distant Future is a thrilling anthology of four stories, all set in what Tranquilino envisions as the future of the Philippines. This exciting offering to the science fiction genre explores topics such as environmental dystopia, space piracy, and planet colonization.

The audiobook is available for access through this link, while paperback copies are available for purchase through 8Letters’ official website.

Betrayal
Troubles in a country’s economy can lead to desperate and catastrophic efforts for its recovery and revival. This is what pushes national leaders to “rent out” Luzon to the highest foreign country bidder. But, one senator took a stand against this plan. When he wakes up after a 10-year coma, he finds out that his vote was not honored, which would have invalidated the whole rental agreement. Now, he has to face the consequences of an action he did not approve of… Read More

(Interaksyon) MANILA — About 2.3 million people in the Philippines were pushed into poverty between 2018 and 2021, largely due to the economic downturn caused by the pandemic, the statistics agency said on Monday.

The number of people living in poverty in 2021 rose to a total of almost 20 million or 18.1% of the population from 16.7% in 2018, the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) said, overshooting the government’s target of 15.5%-17.5%.

Recently inaugurated President Ferdinand Marcos Jr aims to slash the poverty rate to 9% by the end of his single six-year term in 2028 – a target that remains achievable despite soaring inflation, according to Economic Planning Secretary Arsenio Balisacan.

He said the government’s strategy will focus on fully reopening the economy, investing in human capital and social protection, and transforming production sectors to generate more and quality jobs and competitive products… Read More

(CNN Philippines) Metro Manila — Two committees of the House of Representatives are seeking clarifications regarding the issue on sugar importation.

The House committees on good government and public accountability, and the committee on agriculture and food have set the meeting on Aug. 15.

“We expect to be enlightened on what really transpired so that we will be able to make informed decisions on the matter,” Rep. Florida Robes, chairman of the good government and public accountability panel, said in a statement.

On Friday, Agriculture Undersecretary Leocadio Sebastian resigned amid an ongoing investigation on officials involved in the signing and issuance of Sugar Order No. 4.

Press Secretary Trixie Cruz-Angeles said in a briefing on Thursday that the resolution allowing the importation of 300,000 metric tons of sugar was “signed for and on behalf of the President [Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.] by Undersecretary Leocadio Sebastian,” when the latter was not authorized to do so.

Marcos, who is chairman of the Sugar Regulatory Board, had also rejected the proposal to import.

“Good governance requires transparency and accountability. In order to govern properly, we need credible and trustworthy institutions,” Robes said.

No information has been given in the briefing regarding the officials involved.

In June, the Sugar Regulatory Administration warned of insufficient sugar supply in the country, which caused prices to surge… Read More

(Philstar) MANILA, Philippines — Houston Rockets guard Jalen Green was quickly exposed to the Filipino-American audience of the NBA in just his first month in the league, when Houston hosted a Filipino Heritage Night during the Rockets’ game against the Utah Jazz in October of last year.

In a game that would mark the first time two players of Filipino roots faced each other in an NBA game as Green and Utah’s Jordan Clarkson shared the court, Green said he saw just how much the Filipino community in Houston supported him.

“I thought it was super cool, when they first brought [the idea] to me, I was like yeah let’s do it. That’d be a good chance to connect with my Filipino fans,” Green told media during the JG4 Manila Tour organized by adidas Philippines.

“I haven’t been there in a while, I thought it was a great opportunity,” he added… Read More

(CNN Philippines) Metro Manila — The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) is expected to come up with a decision next week on calls to increase bus fares, pending the position paper to be released by the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) on Aug. 17.

In a briefing on Thursday, LTFRB chairperson Cheloy Garafil said upon NEDA’s submission on Wednesday, “the case will be deemed submitted for resolution” already, thus no hearing will be conducted.

“We recognize that there’s really–yung gas prices ay talagang tumaas na since the last fare increase sa buses. But we also recognize na magkakaroon talaga ito ng impact sa ating mga pasahero that’s why we’re very, very careful,” she said.

City bus operators have been appealing for a ₱4 to ₱7 fare hike, and increments beyond the first five kilometers.

While drivers and operators hope the hike will be granted amid rising fuel prices, commuters’ protection groups urged authorities not to increase fares by over ₱2.

The last time bus fares went up was in 2018.. Read More

(Manila Bulletin) The Covenant Car Company, Inc. (TCCCI) – MG Philippines – MG Mall of Asia (MG MOA) is the latest dealership to join MG Philippines’ continuously expanding nationwide dealership network, bringing the total number of MG dealerships up to 42. MG MOA is strategically located within the SM Central Business Park in Pasay City: a bustling, mixed-use, commercial and lifestyle locale. SM Mall of Asia is also ranked among the largest shopping malls in the world; it attracts a plethora of visitors who now also have a chance to see the latest MG vehicles up close and personal at the new MG MOA dealership.

The lifestyle-themed MG MOA facility offers a two-car display floor and is located along Marina Way —one of the major arteries within the SM Mall of Asia complex. MG MOA operates under Philadelphia Business Initiatives, Inc. (PBII.)

One unique facet of MG MOA is that it features an MG “Carffé” which is a play on the words “car” and “café.” MG MOA, aside from showcasing the latest MG vehicles, also makes designer coffee brews available for purchase. Clients can choose to enter MG MOA with the intent to buy and enjoy a cup of coffee and, while doing so, can choose to take a tour around the display floor to learn more about the latest MG cars and offers. The MG Carffé has likewise been adopted in many global MG markets including Europe, greater Asia, Australia, the Middle East, and South America. The MG Carffé located at MG MOA is the first of its kind in the Philippines, while other local MG dealerships begin to ramp-up with MG Carffé’s of their own… Read More

(SunStar) THE Department of Education (DepEd) Central Office clarified on Wednesday, August 10, 2022, that students who will take part in the upcoming resumption of face-to-face classes are not required to get Covid-19 primary series vaccines nor booster shots.

DepEd Spokesperson Michael Poa made the pronouncement following the call of President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. in his weekend vlog for students to get vaccinated to ensure their protection amid the conduct of in-person classes.

“Of course we are one with the President in encouraging everyone to get either vaccinated or get their booster shots if they haven’t received their booster,” he said in a mix of Tagalog and English in a press conference.

“However, as we all know, the government’s vaccination program is not mandatory in nature. It is still voluntary,” he added.

Poa said learners, teachers and non-teaching staff, either vaccinated or not or with or without booster shots, will be allowed to take part in face-to-face classes… Read More

(Interaksyon) “He (Marcos) is the chairman of the Sugar Regulatory Board and denied this in no uncertain terms,” Trixie Cruz-Angeles said in a statement, after the regulator issued a notice of approval of the purchase plan.

The notice was posted on the Sugar Regulatory Administration’s (SRA) website on Wednesday afternoon but was later taken down.

The plan that was initially announced was to purchase both raw and refined sugar, with the SRA notice saying cargoes must arrive no later than Nov. 30.

Raw sugar output in the crop year ending Aug. 31 is expected at 1.8 million tonnes, 16% lower than the production from the previous season, resulting in a substantial inventory decline, the SRA said.

Retail sugar prices have climbed due to limited local supply, adding pressure on inflation that soared to a near four-year high in July, dampening consumer spending in the second quarter.

In June the SRA said the supply situation had worsened, citing crop damage from a typhoon back in December, unfavorable weather and legal issues that had hampered previously-approved sugar importation.

The Philippines is not a regular sugar importer, but when necessary it usually buys from Thailand, the world’s second-largest exporter after Brazil… Read More