Wednesday, June 10, 2026


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Planes collision at Haneda airport claims 5 lives, hundreds evacuated safely

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TOKYO. Colliding on the runway at Tokyo’s Haneda Airport on Tuesday, a passenger plane and a Japanese coast guard aircraft erupted into flames, claiming the lives of five individuals aboard the smaller aircraft. This collision, involving one of the industry’s newest large passenger planes, the Airbus A350, which entered commercial service in 2015, marked a tragic incident.

Transport Minister Tetsuo Saito confirmed that all 379 passengers on Japan Airlines flight JAL-516 managed to evacuate safely before the aircraft became engulfed in flames. However, the pilot of the coast guard plane escaped, while the five crew members on board lost their lives.

This marks the first significant damage to an Airbus A350, a twin-engine, twin-aisle aircraft widely used by long-haul international carriers. Airbus, in a statement, expressed its commitment to assisting Japanese and French authorities. The affected plane had been delivered to Japan Airlines in late 2021.

The coast guard aircraft, a Bombardier Dash-8, based at Haneda, was scheduled to deliver relief goods to residents affected by a recent earthquake in Niigata. Coast guard spokesperson Yoshinori Yanagishima reported that the pilot informed the base about the explosion after colliding with the commercial plane.

According to Vice Commander Yoshio Seguchi, the collision occurred as the JAL plane landed on one of Haneda’s runways, where the coast guard aircraft was preparing for takeoff. Transport safety officials are currently analyzing communication records between aviation control officials and the involved aircraft, with plans to interview JAL officials to determine the cause of the collision.

Shigenori Hiraoka, head of the Transport Ministry Civil Aviation Bureau, commended Japan Airlines for its “appropriate procedures” that ensured the safe evacuation of all passengers and crew members.

Passengers on board described the chaotic scene, with smoke filling the cabin within minutes. Anton Deibe, a 17-year-old passenger, recounted the panic as emergency doors were opened, and passengers rushed to exit the plane into an uncertain field.

Transport Minister Saito assured that efforts were underway to prevent any delays in the delivery of relief goods and other operations for the disaster-hit region. Haneda Airport’s three other runways have been reopened, with officials working to restore normal operations.

Haneda, one of Tokyo’s major airports, caters to a significant number of international and transcontinental flights and is known for its popularity among business travelers due to its proximity to central parts of the city.

The International Air Transport Association expressed condolences on social media, stating, “the last two days have been difficult for Japan,” while investigations into the tragic incident continue.

‘Wonka’ claims top spot as Hollywood closes 2023 with $9 billion in post-pandemic box office sales

NEW YORK. Hollywood’s rollercoaster year of 2023 concluded with “Wonka” reclaiming the No. 1 position at the box office, accompanied by robust sales for “The Color Purple,” contributing to a total of $9 billion in ticket sales. While surpassing 2022 figures, the industry still fell short by about $2 billion compared to pre-pandemic levels.

The New Year’s weekend lacked a single blockbuster, unlike the previous year when “Avatar: The Way of Water” dominated theaters. Instead, a diverse range of films, including “Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom,” “The Boys in the Boat,” “Migration,” “Ferrari,” “The Iron Claw,” and “Anyone But You,” vied for attention in this lucrative box office period.

“Wonka,” directed by Paul King and starring Timothée Chalamet as a young Willy Wonka, remained the top choice. In its third weekend, the Warner Bros. release earned an estimated $24 million from Friday through Sunday and $31.8 million, including estimates for the Monday holiday, bringing its domestic total to $142.5 million.

Despite Warner Bros.’ “Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom” trailing in second place with $19.5 million in its second weekend, the DC superhero film struggled to match its predecessor’s success. The original “Aquaman” grossed $215.4 million over a similar period in 2018, more than double that of the sequel. Internationally, the sequel added $50.5 million.

Sales during the Christmas to New Year’s period, treated as Saturday every day due to school breaks and work holidays, showcased the success of various releases. Blitz Bazawule’s “The Color Purple,” an adaptation of the 2005 stage musical, debuted on Monday, leading Christmas sales with $18 million and reaching $50 million by the end of the week.

Jeffrey Goldstein, Warner Bros.’ distribution chief, emphasized the strategic release timing, stating, “The excitement of awards season could really help ignite a bigger box office.” The film, with producers Oprah Winfrey, Steven Spielberg, and Quincy Jones, is nominated for multiple Golden Globes and expected to contend at the Oscars.

Although 2023 marked the first time since the pandemic that the industry surpassed $9 billion in U.S. and Canadian theaters, the total still fell short of pre-pandemic levels. The impact of strikes and delayed productions, notably “Dune: Part Two,” influenced the uneven year. As Hollywood faces challenges in 2024, with postponed releases and changing audience preferences, the industry remains optimistic about regaining its pre-pandemic strength.

“It’s an $11 billion business. We’re climbing our way back,” said Goldstein. “This next year is going to be a big challenge because of the strikes. But we’re seeing very clearly in 2023, when there are movies out there that people want to see, they come.”

The final weekend of the year featured a diverse lineup of films, including successful releases like “Migration,” “The Boys in the Boat,” “Anyone But You,” and “The Iron Claw.” Despite a challenging year, Hollywood’s ability to adapt and deliver a mix of films resonating with audiences has left the industry optimistic about the future.

Estimated ticket sales for Friday through Sunday at U.S. and Canadian theaters, according to Comscore:

  • “Wonka,” $24 million.
  • “Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom,” $19.5 million.
  • “Migration,” $17.2 million.
  • “The Color Purple,” $13 million.
  • “Anyone But You,” $9 million.
  • “The Boys in the Boat,” $8.3 million.
  • “The Iron Claw,” $5 million.
  • “Ferrari,” $4.1 million.
  • “The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes,” $2.9 million.
  • “The Boy and the Heron,” $2.5 million.

‘No Registration, No Travel’ campaign ng LTO muling sisimulan: Asahan ang mahigpit na implementasyon ngayong Linggo

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Matapos ang mahabang bakasyon ng Pasko at Bagong Taon, muling magsisimula ang pagpapatupad ng kampanya ng Land Transportation Office (LTO) na tinatawag na ‘No Registration, No Travel’ sa buong bansa.

Sa pahayag ni LTO Chief Assistant Secretary Atty. Vigor Mendoza II, ipinaalala niya sa mga motorista na sumunod sa mahigpit na implementasyon ng nasabing polisiya. Idiniin niya na ang sinumang mahuhuling lumalabag sa polisiya ay papatawan ng kaukulang kaparusahan, tulad ng P10,000 multa kapag nahuli ng mga enforcers ng LTO.

“Starting this  week, we will be reviving our strict ‘No Registration, No Travel’ campaign across the country, so wala ng warning lang. As such,  I would like to appeal to our delinquent motor vehicle owners to find time to renew the registration of their respective motor vehicles to avoid paying hefty fines,” ayon kay Mendoza.

Sa pangangasiwa ni Department of Transportation Secretary Jaime Bautista noong unang bahagi ng Disyembre 2023, inatasan ni Mendoza ang kanilang mga Regional Directors at enforcers na magbigay babala sa mga motoristang hindi sumusunod sa batas sa halip na isyuhan ng tiket sa panahon ng kapaskuhan.

Nagbabala si Mendoza na magiging mas agresibo ang kampanya laban sa mga pasaway na driver ng motor vehicles sa buong taong 2024. Ayon sa tala ng LTO, umabot sa 24.7 milyon ang mga pasaway na driver sa buong bansa, na kumakatawan sa 65% ng kabuuang bilang ng mga sasakyan.

“Our determination to have all these delinquent motor vehicles registered is primarily about safety for all road users,” giit ni Mendoza.

“Aside from strict enforcement, we are also implementing ways to make the renewal of the motor vehicle registration fast and comfortable to all our clients. This is the reason why I ordered the creation of special or fast lanes for delinquent motor vehicle registration in all our offices nationwide,” dagdag pa ng opisyal.

Bawas-presyo sa petrolyo, sasalubong sa motoristang pinoy sa 2024

Inaasahang bababa ang presyo sa produktong petrolyo sa unang linggo ng 2024.

Sa magkakahiwalay na pahayag, inanunsyo ng Pilipinas Shell Petroleum Corp. at Seaoil Philippines Corp. na magkakaroon ng bawas-presyo sa kada litro ng gasolina na P0.10, diesel, P0.35, at P1.40 sa kerosene. Kasabay nito, nagpahayag din ng ganitong balita ang Cleanfuel at Petro Gazz.

Ang pagbabawas-presyo ay inaasahang magiging epektibo mula kaninang 6:00 ng umaga, araw ng Martes, Enero 2, maliban sa Cleanfuel na magpapatupad ng price adjustment simula 12:01 a.m. mamaya.

Matatandaang noong nagdaang linggo, nagkaroon ng malaking pagtaas sa presyo ng gasolina, diesel, at kerosene, kaya nakikitang malaking ginhawa ang idudulot ng bawas-presyo sa mga naglalakbay at nagmamaneho.

Sa harap ng patuloy na pagbabago ng presyo ng langis sa pandaigdigang merkado, ang aktibong pagmamanman at pagsasaliksik ng mga mamamayan ukol sa oil price adjustments ay mahalaga upang maging handa at makapaghanda ng mga hakbang sa gitna ng patuloy na pagbabago ng ekonomiya.

Ang pagpapatupad ng bawas-presyo sa petrolyo ay isang magandang simula para sa mga motorista sa pagtahak ng 2024, at umaasa tayo na ito ay magdudulot ng kaunting ginhawa sa kanilang bulsa at pang-araw-araw na gastusin.

Japan issues tsunami warning following a series of very strong earthquakes along western coastline

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TOKYO, Japan. The Japan Meteorological Agency reported more than a dozen quakes off the coast of Ishikawa and nearby prefectures shortly after 4 p.m. yesterday, one of them with a preliminary magnitude of 7.6 off the eastern coast of South Korea.

The Japanese government has issued a tsunami warning and established a special emergency center to disseminate crucial information rapidly to residents in potentially affected regions.

The South Korean weather agency has urged residents in some eastern coastal towns to remain vigilant for potential changes in sea levels. Authorities have warned that tsunami waves hitting later could be more substantial than the initial ones, underscoring the need for immediate action.

Prime Minister Fumio Kishida addressed reporters, emphasizing the severity of the situation and the urgency of evacuation measures in affected areas. He disclosed the establishment of a dedicated emergency center aimed at swiftly gathering and relaying information on both seismic activities and potential tsunami threats.

Japan, being an earthquake-prone nation, has faced similar challenges in the past. In March 2011, a major earthquake and subsequent tsunami led to meltdowns at a nuclear plant, causing widespread devastation. Government spokesperson Hayashi reassured the public that, as of Monday, nuclear plants in the affected area had not reported any irregularities.

Despite this reassurance, authorities are urging residents to remain vigilant and adhere to evacuation orders promptly. The government’s primary concern is the safety and well-being of its citizens, with a commitment to ensuring that lessons learned from past disasters are applied effectively in managing the current crisis.

The situation is evolving, and the Japanese government, in collaboration with relevant agencies, is closely monitoring developments to provide timely updates and support to those in need.

Ruta ng Traslacion 2024 inilabas na ng Quiapo Church

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Inihayag na ng pamunuan ng Quiapo Church ang opisyal na ruta ng prusisyon para sa Traslacion ng Itim na Nazareno na gaganapin sa Enero 9, 2024.

Ang prusisyon ay magsisimula sa Quirino Grandstand, tatahakin ang kanan sa Katigbak Drive, at magtatapos sa Finance Road patungo sa Ayala Bridge. Pagdating sa tulay, kakaliwa sa Palanca St., kanan sa Quezon Boulevard, at kakakanan sa Arlegui Street.

Ang ruta ay magpapatuloy sa Fraternal Street, Vergara Street, at kakaliwa sa Duque de Alba Street. Mula rito, kakaliwa sa Castillejos Street, Farnecio Street, at kanan sa Arlegui Street. Pagkatapos, kakaliwa sa Nepomuceno Street, kakaliwa sa Concepcion Aguila Street, at kanan sa Career Street.

Kasuod nito ay kakaliwa sa Hidalgo at Plaza del Carmen, pagkatapos ay kaliwa sa Bilibid Viejo patungong Gonzalo Puyat. Kaliwa sa J.P. de Guzman Street at kanan muli patungo sa Hidalgo Street.

Kaliwa sa Quezon Boulevard, kanan sa Palanca Street, at dadaan sa ilalim ng Quezon Bridge. Pagkatapos ay kanan sa Villalobos papuntang Plaza Miranda hanggang sa makarating sa Quiapo Church.

Ang Traslacion, isang taunang pagdiriwang ng deboto sa Poong Nazareno, ay inaasahang dadaluhan ng libu-libong mga deboto mula sa iba’t ibang parte ng bansa. Ang ruta ng prusisyon ay nilalabas ng maaga upang maghanda at maayos na maipatupad ang seguridad at kaayusan ng nasabing kaganapan.

Pagbaba ng mga kaso ng respiratory illness, kinumpirma ng DOH

Unti-unti nang humuhupa ang bilang ng mga kaso ng respiratory illnesses sa bansa, ayon sa kalihim ng Department of Health (DOH) na si Ted Herbosa.

Batay sa pahayag ni Herbosa, ang maaaring dahilan nito ay ang sunod sunod na bakasyon ng mga tao at ang pagsasara ng mga paaralan at opisina.

“Luckily, kinakausap ko ang aming epidemiology unit, ang sabi humuhupa na raw, parang nag-plateau na ang number of cases. Siguro nagkanya-kanyang bakasyon na dahil wala nang pasok sa trabaho at eskwela, hindi na masyadong kumalat ang respiratory illness,” ayon kay Herbosa sa isang panayam sa radyo.

Gayunpaman, mahigpit pa rin ang kanyang paalala sa publiko, lalo na sa mga taong nasa mas mataas na risk tulad ng mga matatanda at may comorbidities. Pinapayuhan niya ang mga ito na maging maingat, lalo na sa pagdalo sa mga party at pagtitipon kung saan madalas maganap ang hawahan.

Nananawagan si Herbosa na dapat mag-ingat at magtakip ng mukha kung may ubo o sipon. Binigyang diin din niya ang kahalagahan ng pag-iwas sa pagdalo sa mga pagtitipon, at mas mainam pa rin ang manatili sa bahay kung may nararamdaman.

Bilang pag-iingat, hinikayat niya ang publiko na magpabakuna laban sa flu at magsuot ng face masks upang mapigilan ang pagkalat ng influenza-like illnesses (ILIs).

15,000 devotees of Black Nazarene join ‘Walk of Thanksgiving’ to kickstart feast of the Black Nazarene 2024

Over 15,000 devotees of the Black Nazarene converged upon Quiapo Church from Saturday night until the early hours of Sunday morning, marking the commencement of the Feast of the Black Nazarene 2024 with a solemn “walk of thanksgiving.”

Bro. Rumel Eijansatos, Chief of Quiapo Church’s Disaster Risk Reduction and Management (DRRM) unit, reported that the two-hour procession commenced at 11:45 p.m. on Saturday. Prior to the march, a communal rosary prayer united the faithful in spiritual preparation for the significant event.

The revered image of Hesus Poong Nazareno, carried on the Andas, officially entered the church’s patio at 1:45 a.m. on Sunday. Despite the massive turnout, only eight minor medical cases were reported, ensuring the overall safety and well-being of the participants.

Fr. Hans Magdurulang emphasized the need for continued vigilance and adherence to safety measures. He urged the devotees to maintain the sanctity, order, and safety of the activities even in the midst of their excitement.

“We should just do what we have been doing for the past years. But of course, we have to be more careful and follow the rules even if we’re all excited. Let’s not forget three things — to keep the activities holy, proper and safe,” said Fr. Magdurulang during his address on Sunday.

The organizers, Hijos del Nazareno, have previously released the schedule of activities leading up to the culmination of the Feast on January 9, highlighted by the Traslacion:

  • Barangay Visitation (Quiapo community): January 1 and 6
  • Replica Blessing and Procession: January 3 and 4, 1:30 p.m.
  • First Friday Masses: January 5, 2024, from 4 a.m. to 9 p.m.
  • Mass for Volunteers and Start of Pahalik: January 6, 2024, at 6 p.m. and 7 p.m., respectively.
  • Continuation of Pahalik and Visperas Masses: January 8, from 5 a.m. to noon, Fiesta Masses from 3 p.m. to 11 p.m., Panalangin sa Takipmsilim at 5:30 p.m., vigil, and program at 6 p.m.
  • Feast of Black Nazarene: January 9, with Misa Mayor at midnight and a vigil leading up to the grand celebration.

As devotees continue their spiritual journey, the Feast of the Black Nazarene 2024 promises to be a deeply meaningful and transformative experience for all participants.

US forces sink ‘Houthi’ boats in Red Sea following attack on Maersk vessel

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U.S. Navy helicopters engaged and sank three Houthi “small boats” near the Red Sea after their crew attempted to board the Maersk Hangzhou, a container ship. The incident occurred early morning local time on Sunday, marking the second attack on the vessel within 24 hours.

According to the U.S. military, four Houthi-controlled vessels from Yemen approached the Maersk Hangzhou and opened fire, coming within meters of the commercial ship. In response to a distress call from the crew, helicopters from nearby U.S. warships, including the USS Eisenhower aircraft carrier and USS Gravely destroyer, swiftly intervened.

As the helicopters issued verbal warnings, they were fired upon by the Houthi boats. In self-defense, the helicopters returned fire, sinking three of the four small boats and neutralizing the crews. The fourth boat managed to escape the area.

A Houthi spokesperson claimed that the Maersk Hangzhou had ignored warning calls, and 10 members of their group were either dead or missing. This incident is part of an escalating series of attacks by Houthi forces in the Red Sea, targeting vessels passing through the vital shipping lane.

The Maersk Hangzhou, registered in Singapore and operated by a Danish firm, was attacked at around 06:30 Yemeni time (03:30 GMT). Mounted weapons and small arms were used by the Houthi boats, which came within 20 meters (66 feet) of the container ship. The ship’s crew, in a valiant effort, issued a distress call, and a security team returned fire.

This is the second assault on the Maersk Hangzhou in 24 hours. On Saturday, anti-ship missiles were fired from Houthi-controlled areas, prompting the destroyers USS Gravely and USS Laboon to respond.

Maersk, one of the world’s largest shipping companies, has temporarily suspended sailings through the Red Sea for 48 hours. The firm had only recently resumed using the route after the launch of a mission by the U.S. and its allies to protect ships in the area.

The Red Sea attacks by Houthi forces have led several shipping companies, including Maersk, to reroute vessels around the Horn of Africa, avoiding the Houthi-controlled areas. These attacks have raised concerns about potential disruptions to vital shipping lanes and, consequently, an impact on global trade and oil prices.

The rise in Houthi attacks prompted the U.S. to launch Operation Prosperity Guardian in December, an international coalition aimed at safeguarding shipping in the region. Despite these efforts, the Houthis have continued their attacks, emphasizing the need for ongoing vigilance in the face of this maritime threat.

2014 (not 2023): The year that was

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(This is a rerun of what I penned nine years ago when my penny was in riyal. It is a reminder for us to fear God who is not limited to distance and time. He is powerful and so is all scripture like this one in 2 Peter 3:8: “But, beloved, be not ignorant of this one thing, that one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day.”)

Our lady Ombudsman is a positive thinker. She says: “The spirit of good governance and integrity will triumph over the forces that sow social inequities and economic disparities. Earnest cooperation and collective effort will allow the nation to attain its development objectives. These undertakings work toward ending the cycle of impunity and poverty, and cultivate a culture of integrity and excellence.”

The future of the Philippines looks bright, and I do not thank the Ombudsman for what she says. I thank her for she does what she believes in. And, so, should I come back to the Philippines?

(To my Social Work teacher, your good lines of questioning, particularly in the context of what I posted in my self-intro where I said I will be back in the Philippines for good – under prayer though – deserve my honest answers. Honest but they may not be considered by many as good responses.)

It has something to do with my whole grasp of my current condition as I value my relationship first with God, then with my wife, with my son who is in his formative years (four years old), etc. I know that my desire for a relationship strongly shapes many of my values, but it is a gut-check time for a husband/father/Filipino citizen. I have begun to believe that more positive things will come into my life, and I should start planning how I can express my thank-yous and adieus to tough, convoluted things on my way out.

I need my wife to help me recap each night or midnight what God’s will for my family and people is. We do that from a distance of five hours, a continent away from each other… we do that infrequently.

If I am based in the Philippines, I can contribute more to Social Work initiatives of individuals and institutions while working as a development communicator, PR practitioner, and writer/editor.

I utilize my very own method and approach to providing care for and helping children (training, development, GMRC, and all); in fact, my wife’s approach differs from mine at times. But she is better than me, simply because she almost always applies it to my son. As I always cry to God, “How can he honor his father if his father is in Saudi Arabia?” If I were asked to describe the bio-psychosocial aspect of my help to my son, I would need a lawyer!

What about facing others’ contention (God forbid) concerning my son’s right to develop all aspects of his being – mental, spiritual, physical, and emotional – because he does not have a father who stays personally beside him? Do I give my best attention and care to him as a typical Filipino father does and is expected by a society that has a child-centered culture? If my son demonstrates sweetness to his mother, does he know I appreciate it? Have I treated him with enough story-telling sessions that have a therapeutic value?

So why would I intend – again, under prayer – to join my family, explore possibilities, and work again in the Philippines? To radically develop my relationship with my family. This is also because of Wharf’s principle of “our children, our culture” (Howse, Y. & Stalwick, H 1990). All it takes is for me and my wife to be ready for my return.

Is there a safe way/process to go about working with your clients – or, as we would like to call them – partners in social work? Yes, there definitely is. A social worker exhausts all peaceful means and ensures the safety of their clients above anything else (venues for proper dialogue, negotiations, etc.); but, when all peaceful means are already exhausted… it is up to the free will of both the client and the worker to choose which path to pursue legally, or otherwise. This, to me, is the very essence of critical social work: It has a strong commitment to structural change but does not discount free will.

A special shout-out to my friend

Interestingly, a colleague, old friend, and new Tutubi.ph reader asked me to rerun what I wrote two weeks ago in this column to commemorate the National Hero’s martyrdom on December 30, 1896. Here it goes, my friend:

One so wrongly trusts the eagle that they can ride on its wings and fly over Luneta (when that happens, he would have promised in front of Rizal’s monument that he will help the youth so that they become hope of the nation).