That enviable kind of sparkling, visionary leadership came quite early in the life of 28-year-old teacher Efren Peñaflorida, who was voted CNN Hero of the year. Peñaflorida obtained the highest number of online votes at 2.75 million. He won over nine other outstanding CNN heroes, but became the most outstanding, winning a purse of US$100,000, which he readily donated to further the pursuit of the goals of his group of young followers, the Dynamic Teen Company (DTC).  Read more... (267 words, estimated 1:04 mins reading time)

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GENERAL SANTOS CITY , Philippines  – Datu Unsay town Mayor Andal Ampatuan Jr., accused of masterminding an election-related massacre that left more than 50 people dead, was formally charged with multiple murder here by the Department of Justice (DOJ) yesterday.

Justice Secretary Agnes Devanadera said the charges against Ampatuan stemmed from the formal complaint filed by Buluan town Vice Mayor Esmael Mangudadatu whose wife, Genalyn, was among the 57 victims in last Monday’s carnage in Maguindanao.

Devanadera said they took the opportunity to conduct the inquest since the accused and the complainant, along with other witnesses, were present.  Read more... (198 words, estimated 48 secs reading time)

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The country’s top aviation body has installed a cutting edge communications system, linking the Philippines with other countries to get the latest aeronautical and other relevant information critical to flight safety.

Dubbed as the Automated Aeronautical Information Service (AIS), the new facility has brought the country closer to achieving Category 1 status, two years after the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has moved the country one notch lower to Category 2.

Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) Director General Ruben F. Ciron said the new system will automatically update information in real time, reaching subscribers without the time lag associated with the old mode.  Read more... (218 words, estimated 52 secs reading time)

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BAGUIO CITY – At the current growth rate, the Philippines’ population may reach 184.4 million by 2040 to place it on 10th place as the most populated country, the Population Commission (PopCom) said Saturday.

PopCom Executive Director Tomas Osias said that with the country’s rapid population growth, the government needs to adopt appropriate adolescent reproductive health practices to prevent over population which could result to pressing problems, such as scarcity of food and water supply and over development in both rural and urban centers.

Currently, the Philippines has a population of 92.2 million and the said figures will eventually double in 31 years to place the country in 10th spot.  Read more... (205 words, estimated 49 secs reading time)

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ROME (AP) – A Vatican researcher claims a nearly invisible text on the Shroud of Turin proves the authenticity of the artifact revered as Jesus’ burial cloth.

The claim made in a new book by historian Barbara Frale drew immediate skepticism from some scientists, who maintain the shroud is a medieval forgery.

Frale, a researcher at the Vatican archives, said Friday that she used computers to enhance images of faintly written words in Greek, Latin, and Aramaic scattered across the shroud.  Read more... (185 words, estimated 44 secs reading time)

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Are your debts mounting each month? Are you finding it harder to juggle the bills? Do you find yourself relying on cash advances on your credit cards to get you through your pay day? Anne Starke shares 10 tips on how to navigate through credit crunch as painlessly as possible.

Fretting over unpaid bills is a terrible energy-sapper. Money worries hang over your head, undermining your self-confidence and your sense of security.

But things usually aren’t as bad as they seem and the worst thing you can do is accept the situation and continue living hand-to-mouth, day-to-day.  Read more... (542 words, estimated 2:10 mins reading time)

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MANILA, Philippines – (UPDATE 3) Filipino boxing icon Manny Pacquiao made history Sunday (Manila time) when he bagged the welterweight title, his seventh in as many divisions, via technical knockout of Puerto Rican Miguel Cotto, the reigning champion in that division.

Kenny Bayless, the referee of the match, stopped the fight at 2:04-minute mark of the 12th round declaring Pacquiao the winner in the fight held at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Pacquiao bucked a size disadvantage against Cotto on his way to becoming the first fighter to win world titles in seven divisions.  Read more... (313 words, estimated 1:15 mins reading time)

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A Brazilian woman whose short, pink dress caused a near riot at a private college and led to her expulsion will be allowed to return to class.

The private Bandeirante University backed down Monday on its decision to expel 20-year-old Geisy Arruda following a flood of negative reaction in a nation where skimpy attire is common. Videos of students ridiculing her and making catcalls Oct. 22 made her an Internet sensation.

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Of course, like any other Manny Pacquiao fan, I am excited about the pound-for-pound champion’s bout at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas against Puerto Rican welterweight champion, Miguel Cotto. But apart from excitement, there’s another feeling that’s coming over me when I see Pacquiao step into the ring one more this Saturday night (Sunday morning, Manila time): relief.

See, sixth months have passed since he knocked out Ricky Hatton, and Pacquiao certainly kept himself busy over that period. I run a sports blog, so I’ve had to keep track of every little thing that the Pacman has done since the Hatton fight last May.  Read more... (216 words, estimated 52 secs reading time)

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HOLLYWOOD — Manny’s time has come.

The Filipino ring icon, generally regarded as the world’s pound-for-pound champion, graces the cover of Time Magazine Asia edition—where he is featured in a five-page story—that will hit the US and global magazine stands this weekend.

Not only is he the first Filipino to grace the weekly magazine’s cover since the late former President Corazon C. Aquino, regarded as the icon of democracy, but he is also the first boxer in 20 years to be accorded the honor, after Mike Tyson.  Read more... (169 words, 1 image, estimated 41 secs reading time)

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