Category Archives: News and Events

Organic farming thrives in Isabela

ORGANIC FARMING. Rice and corn farmers like Mang Kikoy shift to organic farming after knowing that chemicals harm the environment. Photo from FSSI

Training in organic farming in Isabela helps farmers like Mang Kikoy recover from disasters and other calamities

MANILA, Philippines (May 5, 2016) — Francisco ‘Mang Kikoy’ Cacal, a farmer and father of eight children, was fed up with farming. He was fed up with typhoons and droughts that damaged his crops. He wanted to quit. Continue reading Organic farming thrives in Isabela

Abu Sayyaf threatens hostages in video warning

Image by Rappler.com

The trio – from Canada, Norway, and the Philippines – appeal for help from the Philippine and Canadian governments in a video uploaded to YouTube

MANILA, Philippines (May 3, 2016) — The Abu Sayyaf issued a fresh warning on Tuesday, May 3, threatening to harm 3 hostages, just over a week after they beheaded a captive. Continue reading Abu Sayyaf threatens hostages in video warning

Negros Occidental declares state of calamity due to El Niño

Image by Rappler.com

The dry spell affects 7,080 farmers, 44 fisherfolk and 7,909 sugar planters in 136 barangays of 21 towns and cities in the province

BACOLOD CITY, Philippines (Apr. 28, 2016) — The province of Negros Occidental has declared a state of calamity after incurring P407 million worth of losses in agro-fishery. Continue reading Negros Occidental declares state of calamity due to El Niño

Cebu City council junks coal plant project

VICTORIOUS. Residents of Sawa celebrate the junking of the proposed coal-powered plant. Photo from the Youth for Livable Cebu Facebook page

‘Our demand for sustainable, clean energy has been heard’

CEBU CITY, Philippines (Apr. 28, 2016) — Through their collective efforts, Cebuanos won against the proposed coal-powered plant in Sawang Calero, Cebu City. Continue reading Cebu City council junks coal plant project

Headless cadaver found in Sulu

Image by Rappler.com

It’s found two days after the beheading of a Canadian hostage

MANILA, Philippines (Apr. 27, 2016) — Locals found a headless cadaver of a Caucasian on Wednesday, April 27, in a village in Talipao, Sulu, the same province where Abu Sayyaf kidnappers beheaded a Canadian two days ago.  Continue reading Headless cadaver found in Sulu

Invest in people to sustain growth in Asia-Pacific

PEOPLE POWER. Investing in education will help sustain growth in the region according to a UNDP study. Photo by Joshua Ruizo

If countries do not start planning for this demographic change, they will miss out on a unique opportunity to boost growth and investments for the future, says the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in its latest Regional Human Development Report

MANILA, Philippines (Apr. 26, 2016) — Nations in the Asia-Pacific region should capitalize on the rapid growth and development of its fast-changing population if they want to achieve sustainable growth. This was the key recommendation of the United Nations  Continue reading Invest in people to sustain growth in Asia-Pacific

Philippines condemns ‘inhuman’ beheading of Canadian

KILLED. John Ridsdel before he was kidnapped and during his captivity in Sulu. Photos courtesy of PNP

The Philippines also ‘extends its deepest sympathies to the family of Mr John Ridsdel,’ the Canadian national beheaded by the Abu Sayyaf

MANILA, Philippines (Apr. 26, 2016) — The Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) on Tuesday, April 26, condemned the “inhuman” beheading of Canadian national John Ridsdel at the hands of the Abu Sayyaf.  Continue reading Philippines condemns ‘inhuman’ beheading of Canadian

#RescueMarch 2016, Responders go the distance to save lives

FOR HUMANITY. The Rescue March Challenge aims to foster camaraderie, responder interoperability, and a culture of preparedness. Image courtesy Mara Mercado. Base images courtesy Martin Aguda

Some 700 disaster responders and uniformed men walk from the Bonifacio Shrine near Manila City Hall to Fort Bonifacio to prepare for the worse case scenario, in case the West Valley Fault System moves

MANILA, Philippines (Apr. 26, 2016) — What happens when the West Valley Fault moves and a 7.2-magnitude earthquake strikes?  Continue reading #RescueMarch 2016, Responders go the distance to save lives

22 foreign hostages in Sulu waiting to be freed

Image by Rappler.com

They include 14 Indonesians and 4 Malaysians

MANILA, Philippines (Apr. 26, 2016) — The beheading of a Canadian hostage in Sulu on Monday, April 25, was a grisly reminder of the state of lawlessness in the province, where at least 22 foreign hostages are held captive by the Abu Sayyaf.  Continue reading 22 foreign hostages in Sulu waiting to be freed

Abu Sayyaf kills Canadian hostage

KIDNAPPED IN 2015. John Ridsdel, right, is beheaded by the Abu Sayyaf on April 25 after ransom talks failed. He was one of 3 foreigners kidnapped on Samal Island in Davao in September 2015. Left photo is fellow Canadian Robert Hall and middle is Norweigan Kjartan Sekkingstad. Photos from the PNP

Police and military forces vow to ‘bring the criminals to justice,’ following the beheading of one of two Canadians kidnapped by the Abu Sayyaf in September 2015

MANILA, Philippines (Apr. 26, 2016) — The Abu Sayyaf group has beheaded a Canadian hostage, sparking fears for more than 20 others they are holding on remote islands, with security forces vowing Tuesday, April 26, to hunt down the kidnappers.  Continue reading Abu Sayyaf kills Canadian hostage