Sunday, May 24, 2026


Your Daily News Update About CALABARZON and Beyond.
ISSN 2799-1911

Home Blog Page 57

DILG: 4 retired PNP generals kunukupkop si Atong Ang, ‘Wag sumuko’ payo ng abogado

Venus L Peñaflor
-
0
DILG: 4 retired PNP generals kunukupkop si Atong Ang, ‘Wag sumuko’ payo ng abogado

MAYNILA — Handang sampahan ng criminal case ng Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) ang apat na retired generals na pinaniniwalaang tumutulong para itago ang negosyanteng si Charlie “Atong” Ang, ayon kay DILG Secretary Jonvic Remulla.

Sinabi ni Remulla na may matagal nang access sa mga awtoridad si Ang dahil ang kanyang mga bodyguards ay galing sa NBI o dating NBI mula 1988 hanggang 2022. Aniya, ginamit umano ang mga dating PNP at bodyguards ni Ang sa pagpatay sa mga “missing sabungeros,” dahilan para ituring siyang armed and dangerous habang hindi pa siya nahuhuli.

Iniimbestigahan na ng DILG ang apat na retired generals na malapit kay Ang noong kasagsagan ng kanyang sabong at e-sabong operations, na kasama rin nito sa sabong, palabas, at mga kainan. Ayon kay Remulla, may sapat na resources si Ang para bumili ng armas at armadong bodyguards, ngunit may hangganan ang loyalty ng mga nagtatago sa kanya dahil may pamilya rin sila.

‘Wag Kang Sumuko!’

Pinayuhan ng abogado ni Ang na si Atty. Gabriel Villareal, ang kanyang kliyente na huwag munang sumuko sa mga awtoridad habang hindi pa nagagamit ang lahat ng available legal remedies sa hukuman. Aniya, hindi dapat ilagay sa panganib si Ang sa pamamagitan ng pagsuko, at hindi pa rin siya dapat ikonsiderang kriminal dahil wala pang trial o declaration of guilt laban sa kanya.

“Bakit naman niya ipag­sasapalaran ang sarili niya sa pagsuko? Marami pa siyang natitirang judicial remedies. Hindi naman dapat siyang tinutugis na parang isang kriminal. Wala pa naman tayong trial at declaration of guilt para kay Mr. Ang,” paliwanag ni Villareal sa radyo.

Nauna rito, inisyuhan ng hukuman ng warrant of arrest si Ang at 17 iba pa kaugnay sa kasong kidnapping with homicide na may kinalaman sa “missing sabungeros.” Nabigo ang mga awtoridad na maaresto si Ang, kaya nag-alok ang DILG ng P10 milyong reward para sa sinumang makapagbibigay ng impormasyon sa kanyang kinaroroonan.

Signal No. 2 itinaas sa 7 lugar habang lalong lumalakas si Ada

Carlo Juancho Funtanilla
-
0
Signal No. 2 itinaas sa 7 lugar habang lalong lumalakas si Ada

MAYNILA — Lalong lumakas si Tropical Storm Ada (international name: Nokaen) habang nasa silangan ng Bicol Region, ayon sa huling bulletin ng state weather bureau na PAGASA nitong Sabado ng umaga.

Itinaas ang Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal No. 2 sa mga sumusunod na lugar: silangang bahagi ng Camarines Sur (Siruma, Tinambac, Ocampo, Baao, Nabua, Bato, Iriga City, Buhi, Sagñay, Tigaon, Goa, Lagonoy, San Jose, Garchitorena, Presentacion, Caramoan, Milaor, Camaligan, Pili, Magarao, Minalabac, Balatan, Naga City, Calabanga, Bombon, Bula, Canaman, Gainza), Catanduanes, Albay, Sorsogon, Northern Samar, hilagang bahagi ng Eastern Samar (Jipapad, Maslog, Dolores, Oras, San Policarpo, Arteche), hilagang-silangan ng Samar (Matuguinao, San Jose de Buan), silangang bahagi ng Quezon (Tagkawayan, Guinayangan, Lopez, Calauag, Buenavista, San Narciso, San Andres, San Francisco, Mulanay, Catanauan, General Luna, Macalelon, Gumaca, Pitogo, Unisan, Atimonan, Plaridel, Agdangan, Padre Burgos, Quezon, Alabat, Perez) kabilang ang Polillo Islands, Marinduque, Camarines Norte, natitirang bahagi ng Camarines Sur, Masbate kabilang ang Ticao at Burias Islands, natitirang bahagi ng Eastern Samar at Samar, Biliran, Leyte, Southern Leyte, at hilagang bahagi ng Cebu (Medellin, Daanbantayan, San Remigio, City of Bogo, Tabogon) kabilang ang Camotes at Bantayan Islands.

“Dahil hindi pa rin maalis ang posibilidad na lumakas pa si Ada at maging severe tropical storm, posible ring itaas ang Wind Signal No. 3,” ayon sa 5 a.m. bulletin ng PAGASA nitong Sabado.

Kaninang 4 a.m., ang sentro ni Ada ay nasa 120 km silangan-kanluran ng Catarman, Northern Samar o 175 km silangan ng Juban, Sorsogon. May maximum sustained winds na 85 km/h sa paligid ng sentro at pumutok na hangin hanggang 105 km/h.

Papuntang west northwestward si Ada sa bilis na 20 km/h at inaasahang dumaan malapit sa Catanduanes mula Sabado hapon hanggang Linggo ng umaga.

“Ang mas malawak na paggalaw patungong kanluran sa forecast track ay maaaring magdulot ng posibleng landfall sa Bicol Region,” dagdag ng PAGASA.

Nagbabala rin ang PAGASA ng minimal hanggang moderate na panganib ng storm surge na maaaring umabot sa 2.0 metro sa mga mabababang baybaying komunidad sa Camarines Sur, Catanduanes, Albay, Sorsogon, Masbate, Northern Samar, Eastern Samar, Samar, Biliran, at Leyte sa susunod na 48 oras.

Dahil sa Northeast Monsoon at periphery ni Ada, inaasahang magdadala rin ito ng malalakas hanggang gale-force na hangin sa Batanes, Babuyan Islands, hilaga at silangang bahagi ng mainland Cagayan, silangang Isabela, Ilocos Norte, Abra, Aurora, Quezon, Oriental Mindoro, Romblon, Marinduque, Cuyo Islands, Bicol Region, Visayas, Dinagat Islands, Camiguin, at Surigao del Norte ngayong Sabado.

“Inaasahang mananatiling tropical storm si Ada habang nasa dagat sa silangan ng Visayas at Southern Luzon,” ayon sa PAGASA. “Maaaring humina ito at maging tropical depression pagsapit ng Martes (Enero 20) dahil sa epekto ng pag-igting ng Northeast Monsoon.”

Dahil sa bagyo, sinuspinde ang klase sa lahat ng antas sa Naga City, Camarines Sur ngayong Sabado. Kanselado rin ang ilang domestic flights at naapektuhan ang biyahe sa dagat sa iba’t ibang bahagi ng bansa.

Ayon sa Office of Civil Defense, kailangan ng mas maingat na paghahanda sa Albay dahil sa patuloy na aktibidad ng Bulkang Mayon kasabay ng pagdaan ni Ada.

Sa CALABARZON region at Metro Manila, inaasahan ang maulap na may kalat-kalat na pag-ulan, may pagkakataong uulan ng malakas, at lalakas ang hangin sa ilang lugar ngayong Sabado.

Mother of Musk’s child sues xAI over alleged Grok deepfakes

EDGARDO HERNAL
-
0
Mother of Musk’s child sues xAI over alleged Grok deepfakes

NEW YORK — The mother of one of Elon Musk’s children has filed a lawsuit against the billionaire’s artificial intelligence company, alleging that its Grok chatbot enabled users to generate sexually exploitative deepfake images of her, causing humiliation and emotional distress.

Ashley St. Clair, 27, who describes herself as a writer and political strategist, filed the case Thursday in New York City state Supreme Court against xAI, the company behind Grok, which operates on Musk’s social media platform X.

In her complaint, St. Clair claims that users were able to manipulate a photograph of her taken when she was 14 years old, altering the fully dressed image to depict her in a bikini. She also alleges that other images portrayed her as an adult in sexualized poses and in a bikini bearing swastikas. St. Clair is Jewish.

Lawyers for xAI did not immediately respond to requests for comment Friday. In an email to The Associated Press, xAI replied only, “Legacy Media Lies,” when asked about the lawsuit and its allegations.

St. Clair said she began reporting the deepfake images to X last year and requested their removal. She alleged that the platform initially told her the images did not violate its policies, later promising not to allow her images to be used or altered without her consent. She further claimed that X subsequently removed her premium subscription and verification badge, prevented her from monetizing her account, which has about one million followers, and continued to allow what she described as degrading fake images of her to circulate.

“I have suffered and continue to suffer serious pain and mental distress as a result of xAI’s role in creating and distributing these digitally altered images of me,” St. Clair said in a statement attached to the lawsuit. “I am humiliated and feel like this nightmare will never stop so long as Grok continues to generate these images of me.”

She added that she lives in fear of people who view the deepfakes.

St. Clair is the mother of Musk’s 16-month-old son, Romulus, and resides in New York City. She is seeking an undisclosed amount in damages for alleged infliction of emotional distress and other claims, as well as court orders barring xAI from allowing further deepfakes of her.

Later Thursday, xAI moved to transfer the case to federal court in Manhattan. The company also filed a countersuit the same day in federal court in the Northern District of Texas, alleging that St. Clair violated the terms of her xAI user agreement, which it says requires lawsuits against the company to be filed in federal court in Texas. xAI is seeking an undisclosed monetary judgment.

X is based in Texas, where Musk maintains a residence and where Tesla is headquartered in Austin.

Carrie Goldberg, St. Clair’s lawyer, criticized the countersuit as an unprecedented tactic.

“Ms. St. Clair will be vigorously defending her forum in New York,” Goldberg said in a statement. “But frankly, any jurisdiction will recognize the gravamen of Ms. St. Clair’s claims — that by manufacturing nonconsensual sexually explicit images of girls and women, xAI is a public nuisance and a not reasonably safe product.”

The lawsuit follows an announcement by X earlier this week that Grok would no longer be able to edit photos to portray real people in revealing clothing in jurisdictions where such actions are illegal, after a global backlash over sexualized images of women and children.

X also said it is implementing additional safeguards, including limiting image creation and editing to paid accounts to improve accountability. The company reiterated its zero-tolerance policy for child sexual exploitation, nonconsensual nudity, and unwanted sexual content, stating that such material would be removed immediately and accounts involved in child sex abuse materials reported to law enforcement.

Social media platforms remove 4.7 million child accounts following Australia’s under-16 ban

Paraluman P. Funtanilla
-
0
Social media platforms remove 4.7 million child accounts following Australia’s under-16 ban

WELLINGTON, New Zealand — Social media companies have removed or restricted about 4.7 million accounts identified as belonging to children in Australia since the country enforced a nationwide ban on platform use by those under 16, government officials said, marking the first major assessment of the law’s impact.

The figures were submitted to Australian regulators by 10 major platforms after the law took effect in December, amid concerns over the effects of harmful online environments on young people. The ban has triggered intense national debate over technology use, privacy, child safety, and mental health, while also drawing interest from governments abroad considering similar measures.

“We stared down everybody who said it couldn’t be done, some of the most powerful and rich companies in the world and their supporters,” Communications Minister Anika Wells told reporters on Friday. “Now Australian parents can be confident that their kids can have their childhoods back.”

Under the law, Facebook, Instagram, Kick, Reddit, Snapchat, Threads, TikTok, X, YouTube, and Twitch can face fines of up to 49.5 million Australian dollars ($33.2 million) if they fail to take reasonable steps to remove accounts held by children under 16. Messaging services such as WhatsApp and Facebook Messenger are exempt.

Platforms are allowed to verify users’ ages through several methods, including requesting identification documents, using third-party age-estimation technology based on facial analysis, or inferring age from existing account data, such as how long an account has been active.

Australia’s eSafety Commissioner Julie Inman Grant said about 2.5 million Australians are between the ages of 8 and 15, and previous estimates suggested 84% of children aged 8 to 12 had social media accounts. While the total number of accounts across the 10 platforms was not disclosed, she described the reported figure of 4.7 million accounts “deactivated or restricted” as encouraging.

“We’re preventing predatory social media companies from accessing our children,” Inman Grant said.

The commissioner added that all 10 major companies covered by the ban had complied with reporting requirements and submitted their figures on time. She said enforcement efforts are now expected to shift toward preventing children from creating new accounts or bypassing the restrictions.

Officials did not provide a platform-by-platform breakdown. However, Meta, which owns Facebook, Instagram, and Threads, said in a blog post this week that it had removed nearly 550,000 underage accounts by the day after the ban took effect.

In the same post, Meta criticized the legislation, warning that smaller platforms not covered by the ban might not prioritize child safety. The company also noted that children can still be exposed to algorithm-driven content while browsing platforms, a concern that helped drive the law’s passage.

The ban has been widely supported by parents and child safety advocates. However, online privacy groups and some youth organizations have opposed it, arguing that vulnerable or geographically isolated teenagers often rely on online communities for support. Some young users have also said they were able to bypass age checks or received help from parents or older siblings to retain access.

Since Australia began debating the policy in 2024, other countries have explored similar approaches. Denmark’s government said in November it plans to introduce a social media ban for children under 15.

“The fact that in spite of some skepticism out there, it’s working and being replicated now around the world, is something that is a source of Australian pride,” Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said.

Opposition lawmakers have questioned the effectiveness of the measures, suggesting young people may be migrating to less regulated apps. Inman Grant said her office observed a spike in downloads of alternative platforms when the ban was introduced, but not a sustained increase in usage.

“There is no real long-term trends yet that we can say but we’re engaging,” she said.

The eSafety Commissioner also said her office plans to introduce what she described as “world-leading AI companion and chatbot restrictions” in March, though further details were not disclosed.

Naghain ang Ombudsman ng kasong malversation, graft laban Kay Bong Revilla at 6 na iba pa

Carlo Juancho Funtanilla
-
0
Naghain ang Ombudsman ng kasong malversation, graft laban Kay Bong Revilla at 6 na iba pa

MAYNILA — Naghain ang Office of the Ombudsman nitong Biyernes ng kasong malversation through falsification of documents at graft laban sa dating Senador Ramon “Bong” Revilla, Jr., dating DPWH Bulacan Assistant District Engineer Brice Hernandez, at iba pang limang opisyal kaugnay ng umano’y P92.8-milyong ghost flood control project sa Purok 5, Barangay Bunsuran, Pandi, Bulacan.

“Ang Ombudsman ay ipagpapatuloy ang mga kasong ito nang matatag, independyente, at walang kinikilingan,” ani Assistant Ombudsman Mico Clavano sa isang press conference matapos ihain ang mga kaso sa Sandiganbayan anti-graft court.

Ayon sa inilabas na impormasyon, nagkasundo ang mga nasasakdal na padaliin ang pagpapalabas ng humigit-kumulang P76 milyon para sa proyekto na base sa opisyal na inspeksyon at testimonya ng mga saksi, ay hindi kailanman naisakatuparan.

Kasama sa listahan ng mga kinasuhan sina:

  • Engr. Jaypee Mendoza
  • Engr. Arjay Domasig
  • Engr. Emelita Juat
  • Juanito Mendoza, finance section chief ng DPWH Bulacan First District Engineering Office
  • Christina Pineda, cashier ng DPWH Bulacan First District Engineering Office

“Sa kabila ng kawalan ng aktwal na konstruksyon, idineklarang natapos ang proyekto ng mga nasasakdal. Upang padaliin ang pagpapalabas ng kabuuang halaga ng proyekto, pinalabas ng mga nasasakdal ang pekeng accomplishment reports, nag-isyu ng fraudulent billing documents, at nag-endorso ng disbursement vouchers,” dagdag pa ni Clavano.

Ayon sa Assistant Ombudsman, ang P92.8-milyong proyekto ay na-award sa kontratista noong Marso 28, 2025.

Dahil sa paghahain ng kaso laban kay Revilla at sa anim pang iba, naghain din ang Ombudsman prosecutors ng urgent motion para sa special raffle ng mga kasong ito, na magsasaayos kung aling dibisyon ng Sandiganbayan ang hahawak sa mga kaso. Kasama rin sa motion ang kahilingan na agad maglabas ng warrant for arrest at hold departure order laban sa lahat ng pitong akusado.

“Ang Office of the Ombudsman ay nananatiling matatag sa pagpapatupad ng pananagutan sa paggamit ng pondo ng bayan. Ang paghahain ng kasong ito ay malinaw na mensahe: ang sinumang mang-abuso sa public funds ay pananagutin ayon sa batas,” ani Clavano.

Ito na ang pangalawang batch ng flood control-related criminal cases na inihain ng Ombudsman prosecutors laban sa mga public officials sa Sandiganbayan. Ayon sa batas, ang mga kaso laban sa public officials na nasa Salary Grade 27 pataas ay inihahain sa Sandiganbayan; si Revilla, bilang senador noon, ay nasa Salary Grade 31.

Noong Disyembre 2025, naghain ang Ombudsman prosecutors ng malversation at graft charges laban kay dating Ako Bicol party-list Rep. Zaldy Co at 16 iba pa kaugnay ng P289-milyong substandard road dike project sa Oriental Mindoro.

Iran cleric demands executions of protesters, warns Trump as unrest escalates

Venus L Peñaflor
-
0
Iran cleric demands executions of protesters, warns Trump as unrest escalates

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates — A senior hard-line cleric leading Friday prayers in Iran’s capital called for the execution of protesters detained in a nationwide crackdown and issued a direct warning to U.S. President Donald Trump, underscoring the hardening stance of the Islamic Republic following weeks of unrest.

Ayatollah Ahmad Khatami, speaking in a sermon broadcast by Iranian state radio, drew chants from worshippers, including calls for the death of what he described as “armed hypocrites.” Executions and the killing of peaceful demonstrators have previously been cited by Trump as “red lines” that could prompt possible U.S. military action against Iran.

Khatami, who was appointed by Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and serves on both the Assembly of Experts and the Guardian Council, accused protesters of acting as agents of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and “Trump’s soldiers,” alleging they sought to “disintegrate the country.”

“They should wait for hard revenge from the system,” Khatami said, referring to Netanyahu and Trump. “Americans and Zionists should not expect peace.”

The cleric also presented what he said were nationwide figures detailing damage caused during the demonstrations, which began on Dec. 28 over Iran’s struggling economy and later expanded into direct challenges to the country’s theocratic leadership.

According to Khatami, 350 mosques, 126 prayer halls, and 20 other holy sites were damaged, along with 80 homes belonging to Friday prayer leaders. He said the unrest also affected critical services, claiming damage to 400 hospitals, 106 ambulances, 71 fire department vehicles, and 50 other emergency vehicles.

Iran cut off internet access on Jan. 8 and intensified its crackdown on dissent. The U.S.-based Human Rights Activists News Agency reported that at least 2,677 people have been killed, though The Associated Press said it could not independently verify the figure and Iranian authorities have not released official casualty totals.

“They want you to withdraw from religion,” Khatami told the congregation. “They planned these crimes from a long time ago.”

Khatami, known for his uncompromising rhetoric, has previously drawn international attention, including a 2007 statement asserting that a fatwa calling for the death of author Salman Rushdie remained in effect, and a 2018 speech in which he threatened that Iran could “raze Tel Aviv and Haifa to the ground” with its missile arsenal.

In his latest remarks, he also urged the arrest of anyone he said had supported the protests “in any way,” signaling continued pressure on dissent as Iran’s leadership confronts one of its most significant internal challenges in years.

Most Wanted si Atong Ang; may ₱10-M reward

Carlo Juancho Funtanilla
-
0
Most Wanted si Atong Ang; may ₱10-M reward

MAYNILA — Itinuturing na isa sa Most Wanted sa bansa si negosyanteng Charlie “Atong” Ang, na may ₱10 million reward para sa sinumang makapagbibigay ng impormasyon na hahantong sa kanyang pag-aresto, ayon sa mga awtoridad ngayong linggo. Ang anunsiyo ay kasunod ng inilabas na arrest warrant ng hukuman sa Laguna laban kay Ang dahil sa umano’y pagkakasangkot niya sa pagkawala ng mga sabungero o cockfighting enthusiasts.

Sinabi ni Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla na pinapalakas na ng mga awtoridad ang paghahanap kay Ang, na nananatiling nagtatago, at hinihikayat siyang sumuko nang kusa. “Ang kusang pagsuko ang pinakamainam na hakbang kung naniniwala siyang inosente,” ani Remulla, na binanggit na kinansela na rin ang lahat ng firearms na nakapangalan sa kanya at nagpadala ng mga tauhan sa iba’t ibang bahagi ng bansa upang subaybayan ang kanyang galaw.

Hindi pa rin sumusuko si Ang. Ayon sa kanyang legal na kinatawan, kasalukuyang ginagawa niya ang lahat ng legal na paraan upang labanan ang arrest warrant, na kanilang tinuturing na posibleng may procedural na depekto. “Pinag-aaralan niya ang bawat legal na hakbang bago magdesisyon na sumuko,” ayon sa kanyang abogado, na nagsabing layunin ni Ang na ipagtanggol ang sarili sa pamamagitan ng tamang proseso ng batas.

Kinumpirma rin ng National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) na mayroong mga kredibleng lead tungkol sa kinaroroonan ni Ang, ngunit nananatili siyang nagtatago. Pinayuhan siya ng mga opisyal na makipagtulungan sa mga awtoridad, na binigyang-diin na ang kusang pagsuko ay makakatulong sa maayos na paglutas ng kaso at pagbibigay ng pagkakataon na ipakita ang kanyang depensa sa hukuman.

Binigyang-diin naman ni Acting Philippine National Police Chief Lt. Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. na determinado ang PNP na ipatupad ang utos ng hukuman at ipagpapatuloy ang paghahanap. Nakikipag-coordinate rin ang mga awtoridad sa Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) upang suriin ang mga posibleng opsyon, kabilang ang paghiling ng Interpol Red Notice, para matiyak na mahuhuli si Ang.

Ada Gumagalaw papuntang hilaga-kanluran; 15 lugar nasa Signal No. 1

Carlo Juancho Funtanilla
-
0
Ada Gumagalaw papuntang hilaga-kanluran; 15 lugar nasa Signal No. 1

MAYNILA — Ang Tropical Storm Ada ay patuloy na gumagalaw nang mabagal papuntang north northwest habang nasa Philippine Sea, sa silangan ng Eastern Visayas, habang 15 lugar ang nananatiling nasa ilalim ng Signal No. 1, ayon sa pinakabagong Tropical Cyclone Bulletin ng PAGASA.

Ang sentro ng Tropical Storm Ada ay tinatayang nasa 370 kilometro silangan ng Surigao City, Surigao del Norte o 430 kilometro silangan ng Maasin City, Southern Leyte, na may maximum sustained winds na 65 kilometro kada oras malapit sa sentro, may gusts na umaabot hanggang 80 km/h, at central pressure na 998 hPa.

Ayon sa PAGASA, ang bagyo ay mabagal na gumagalaw papuntang north northwest, na may malalakas hanggang gale-force na hangin na umaabot nang hanggang 400 kilometro mula sa sentro.

Nanatili ang Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal (TCWS) No. 1 sa mga sumusunod na lugar: sa Luzon, ang silangang bahagi ng Camarines Norte (Mercedes, Basud, San Lorenzo Ruiz, San Vicente, Daet, Talisay, Vinzons), Camarines Sur, Catanduanes, Albay, Sorsogon, at silangang bahagi ng mainland Masbate (Pio V. Corpuz, Cataingan, Palanas, Dimasalang, Uson, Mobo, City of Masbate, Baleno, Aroroy) kabilang ang Ticao at Burias Islands; sa Visayas, Northern Samar, Samar, Eastern Samar, Biliran, hilaga at gitnang bahagi ng Leyte (Carigara, Barugo, San Miguel, Babatngon, Tacloban City, Tunga, Jaro, Alangalang, Santa Fe, Palo, Dagami, Pastrana, Tanauan, Tabontabon, Julita, Dulag, Tolosa, La Paz, Mayorga, Macarthur, Javier, Abuyog, Mahaplag, Kananga, Capoocan, Leyte, Calubian, San Isidro, Tabango, Burauen, Ormoc City, Matag-Ob, Villaba, Albuera, Palompon, Merida, Isabel, City of Baybay), at silangang bahagi ng Southern Leyte (Silago, Sogod, Libagon, Saint Bernard, Hinunangan, Hinundayan, Anahawan, San Juan, Liloan, San Ricardo, San Francisco, Pintuyan); sa Mindanao, Dinagat Islands, Surigao del Norte, at Surigao del Sur.

Tinatayang ang mabigat na pag-ulan ay aabot mula 100 hanggang 200 mm sa Northern Samar at Eastern Samar, at 50 hanggang 100 mm naman sa Catanduanes, Sorsogon, Samar, Biliran, Leyte, Southern Leyte, Dinagat Islands, Surigao del Norte, at Agusan del Norte.

Magdudulot din ang Northeast Monsoon at periphery ni Ada ng malalakas hanggang gale-force na hangin sa Batanes, Babuyan Islands, Ilocos Norte, silangang Isabela, Aurora, CALABARZON, Occidental Mindoro, Oriental Mindoro, Romblon, Marinduque, Cuyo Islands, Bicol Region, Visayas, at Caraga, lalo na sa mga baybaying dagat at upland areas na direktang tinatamaan ng hangin.

Sa mga baybaying tubig, inaasahang magkakaroon ng rough seas hanggang 4.0 metro sa hilaga at silangang baybaying dagat ng Catanduanes at Northern Samar, silangang baybaying dagat ng Albay, Sorsogon, at Eastern Samar, hilagang baybaying dagat ng Camarines Sur, at baybaying dagat ng Camarines Norte. Aabot naman sa 3.5 metro ang alon sa hilaga at silangang baybaying dagat ng Siargao-Bucas Grande at Polillo Islands, silangang baybaying dagat ng Dinagat Islands at Surigao del Sur, at baybaying dagat ng Aurora at hilagang mainland Quezon, habang aabot sa 3.0 metro sa baybaying dagat ng Isabela at silangang baybaying dagat ng mainland Cagayan at Babuyan Islands. Pinapayuhan ang mga mariners ng maliliit na sasakyang pandagat, kabilang ang motorbanca, na huwag lumabas sa dagat lalo na kung walang karanasan o kulang sa kagamitan.

Ang moderate seas naman ay aabot sa 2.5 metro sa baybaying dagat ng Batanes, Ilocos Norte, at Davao Oriental, hilagang baybaying dagat ng mainland Cagayan, silangang baybaying dagat ng Camarines Sur, at natitirang bahagi ng baybaying dagat ng Catanduanes at Babuyan Islands, at hanggang 2.0 metro sa silangang baybaying dagat ng Davao Occidental. Pinapayuhan ang mga manlalayag ng motorbanca at katulad na sasakyang pandagat na mag-ingat at kung maaari, iwasang lumayag sa ilalim ng ganitong kondisyon. Ang iba pang baybaying tubig ay may alon na mas mababa sa 2.0 metro.

Ayon sa PAGASA, inaasahang gagalaw nang northwestward si Ada mula ngayong araw hanggang bukas (17 January) bago unti-unting lumiko papuntang north northwest hanggang northeast sa Linggo (18 January). “Simula Martes (20 January) ng gabi, inaasahang gagalaw si Ada papuntang southeast habang nasa dagat silangan ng Bicol Region,” ani PAGASA. Sa forecast track, maaaring dumaan ang sentro ni Ada malapit sa Eastern Samar at Northern Samar bukas at Catanduanes sa Linggo. Idinagdag ng PAGASA na ang karagdagang paglipat pakanluran sa forecast track ay maaaring magresulta sa posibleng landfall sa Eastern Visayas at Bicol Region.

Bagama’t maaaring magbago pa ang forecast track sa Sabado o Linggo, inaasahang mananatili sa kategoryang tropical storm si Ada habang nasa dagat silangan ng Visayas at Southern Luzon at posibleng humina sa kategoryang tropical depression pagsapit ng Martes.

San Pablo City’s 2026 Coco Festival showcases local talent and giant buko pie

Venus L Peñaflor
-
0
San Pablo City’s 2026 Coco Festival showcases local talent and giant buko pie

SAN PABLO CITY, Laguna — San Pablo City marked a renewed chapter in its cultural calendar as it staged the 2026 Coconut Festival (Coco Festival), the first major fiesta-season celebration under the leadership of Mayor Najie Gapangada, highlighting a more organized, community-centered approach and a strong focus on homegrown talent and cultural expression.

The multi-night celebration was held from January 12 to 15, 2026, in line with the Feast of Saint Paul the First Hermit, with festival activities strategically distributed between the City Plaza and Regidor Street to improve crowd flow, enhance public safety, and create clearly defined zones for performances, food fairs, and community interaction. Monsignor Jerry Bituon led the opening religious observances, underscoring the spiritual roots of the annual celebration, while city officials said the layout allowed families and visitors to better enjoy the festivities and provided wider exposure for local artists and small businesses.

City tourism officials, including An Mercado Alcantara, Tourism Officer for Special Projects, played a key role in shaping this year’s Coco Festival program, positioning it as part of the city government’s broader strategy to adopt culture-based tourism and strengthen San Pablo’s identity as both a cultural and pilgrimage destination. Alcantara, who has represented the city in national tourism forums and championed creative tourism initiatives rooted in local culture and community participation, emphasized that the redesigned festival lineup reflects a commitment to integrating artistic expression with sustainable tourism development.

Branded as a showcase of talent, this year’s festival placed emphasis on music, dance, and performing arts, featuring competitions and open stages that included choral performances, street and contemporary dance showcases, amateur and professional singing contests, rock band competitions, pageants, and open-mic segments that welcomed grassroots performers from different barangays across the city.

One of the major highlights remained the presentation of the World’s Largest Buko Pie, reinforcing San Pablo City’s reputation as a center for coconut-based products and culinary tourism. The showcase was sponsored by Colette’s, with local producers and major buko pie brands using the festival platform to present large-scale versions of the iconic pastry, accompanied by public tastings and giveaways at the City Plaza main stage that drew large crowds and visiting tourists.

Mayor Gapangada said the Coconut Festival is being repositioned as a cultural movement that celebrates artistic excellence, youth participation, and community pride, while maintaining the religious and historical roots of the annual observance. He added that the city government aims to make the festival a model for organized, inclusive, and talent-driven cultural celebrations in Laguna.

City officials also confirmed that future editions of the Coconut Festival will align more closely with May 7, San Pablo City’s Charter Day, a move intended to distinguish the cultural festivities from the religious solemnity of January and to strengthen tourism and civic engagement during the city’s anniversary celebrations.

Monsignor Jerry Bituon leads the opening rites as city officials highlight the festival layout for visitors and local artists.
Tourism officials, led by An Mercado Alcantara, helped shape CocoFest 2026 as a culture-driven event.
Mayor Gapangada and family attend a patronal mass as the Coconut Festival celebrates culture, youth, and community pride.

Photo credits: Dong Fullo, SPPF, and San Pablo City Information Office

Crane collapse near Bangkok kills 2, comes a day after deadly train derailment

Venus L Peñaflor
-
0
Crane collapse near Bangkok kills 2, comes a day after deadly train derailment

BANGKOK, Thailand — A construction crane collapsed onto an elevated road near Bangkok on Thursday, killing two people and trapping vehicles in the wreckage, just one day after another crane fell onto a moving passenger train in northeastern Thailand, claiming 32 lives.

The twin accidents prompted Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul to announce late Thursday that he would terminate the contracts of the contractors involved in both incidents. The government also vowed to blacklist the companies and pursue full legal action.

The highway accident occurred on an extension of the Rama 2 Road expressway, a major artery from Bangkok notorious for construction-related accidents, some of which have been fatal. The crane fell in Samut Sakhon province Thursday morning, immediately killing two people, according to Transport Minister Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn.

Meanwhile, the search for survivors from Wednesday’s train derailment concluded. Officials said three passengers listed as missing were presumed to have exited the train before the accident. The high-speed train had 171 passengers aboard its three carriages, and nearly 70 people were injured. Among the dead were a South Korean man in his late 30s and a German national, the foreign ministries of both countries confirmed.

The railway project is part of Thailand’s high-speed rail line connecting China and Southeast Asia under Beijing’s Belt and Road Initiative. This line has previously been marred by accidents: in August 2024, a railway tunnel in Nakhon Ratchasima collapsed, killing three workers.

Italian-Thai Development (Italthai) is the lead contractor for both the highway and rail projects, while a Chinese firm handled design and construction supervision for the railway. Italthai issued statements expressing condolences and pledging full cooperation with recovery efforts and investigations.

The company has a history of construction accidents in Thailand. It was a co-lead contractor on the State Audit Building in Bangkok, which collapsed during a major earthquake in March last year, killing about 100 people. Following that disaster, 23 individuals and companies were indicted, including Italthai’s president and the local director of its Chinese joint-venture partner, China Railway No. 10, on charges of professional negligence causing death and document forgery.

The repeated involvement of Italthai and Chinese firms in accidents on major Thai infrastructure projects, including expressway extensions in and around Bangkok, has drawn increased scrutiny from both government authorities and the public.

Chinese Ambassador Zhang Jianwei expressed condolences to Prime Minister Anutin over the railway crane collapse and pledged full cooperation and transparency in the ongoing investigation, emphasizing the strategic importance of the project.

Prime Minister Anutin, an engineer by training and former executive of a major construction firm, said the government would seize performance bonds and bank guarantees from the terminated contractors and pursue new contractors to complete unfinished projects. He also announced that a contractor “scorecard” system to track performance records will be enforced by early February.

“These companies will face the full force of the law,” Anutin said, vowing accountability for the repeated accidents that have plagued Thailand’s major infrastructure projects.

1...565758...826Page 57 of 826




Tutubi Digital News will shape up the way you stay up to date with the goings-on around Calabarzon, and the world. Tutubi is committed to keep you socially active. Tutubi updates on the Go!


Contact us:

info@tutubi.ph

Popular Posts

Popular category

PH News3539World News3449Asia1492Curiosity1038War Reports and Updates645

Developed by Tutubi News Magazine |Privacy Policy | Terms and Conditions of Use | Cookie Policy | All rights reserved