Interaksyon • 29th December 2020

From VIP testing to VIP vaccination, Filipinos deplore 'unfair' vaccination of soldiers, Cabinet exec

The hashtag #NotoVIPVaccination dominated online conversations on Monday and Tuesday after government officials, including President Rodrigo Duterte, disclosed that Cabinet members and personnel of the Presidential Security Group had already been vaccinated for the coronavirus. On Tuesday, Eduardo Año, who earlier confirmed that some Cabinet members were vaccinated by COVID-19 vaccine developed by China National Pharmaceutical Group (Sinopharm) ahead of its approval from the country’s Food and

Interaksyon • 25th December 2020

'Piracy is a crime': 'Fan Girl' creators urge public to report MMFF pirates

The creators of Metro Manila Film Festival entry “Fan Girl” are calling on the public to report pirates or those who are selling its film illegally. This year, the Filipino film festival goes online due to the continued movement restrictions caused by the coronavirus pandemic. All ten MMFF entries are available to stream on demand via Upstream and GMovies starting Christmas day. The festival will have a two-week run. Here are this year’s MMFF entries: • The Boy Foretold by the Stars Since th

Interaksyon • 11th December 2020

Food delivery service, beauty and wellness e-shopping platform now offering assorted gift-worthy items

A food delivery service app and a beauty and wellness ecommerce platform recently diversified their offerings amid the continued online shopping trend. Filipinos have turned to online shopping when the national government implemented the enhanced community quarantine or the nationwide lockdown mid-March this year. Since then, the e-commerce industry boomed with Filipino shoppers now having the habit of shopping online for their groceries and other daily essentials. A report of AI solutions fi

Interaksyon • 10th December 2020

'Marriage of color': Ultimate Gray, Illuminating named 2021 Pantone color of the year

Pantone announced on Thursday that for the year 2021 it chose two independent colors as Color of The Year. Pantone Color Institute said these colors highlight how different elements come together to support one another, best express the mood for Pantone Color of the Year 2021. “It is a story of color that encapsulates deeper feelings of thoughtfulness with the promise of something sunny and friendly,” the institute said. The marriage of color is not just for aesthetics as it conveys a message

Interaksyon • 9th December 2020

'Finding Agnes': This Filipino Netflix film was shot in 'picture-perfect' Morocco

The latest Netflix film from the Philippines “Finding Agnes” continued to dominate the trending list and top ten list of the streaming giant. “Finding Agnes” starring Sue Ramirez and Jelson Bay premiered globally last November 30 and has since made it to the streaming service’s trending and top ten lists. It was shot in Morocco as the film follows a successful entrepreneur (Bay), who on an emotional journey in that country and pieces together the turbulent life of his estranged mother, and mee

Interaksyon • 3rd December 2020

DOT, Mystery Manila’s free gamified virtual tour lets you play tourist in Philippines

A gamified virtual tour titled “Where in the Philippines is Sam San Mateo?,” that lets players immerse themselves in the next best thing to physical travel, will be made available to the public for free this month. The Department of Tourism has partnered with escape room specialist Mystery Manila for a 60-90-minute online mystery tour of the Philippines. In the virtual game, players will join a quest to track down the fictional travel vlogger Sam San Mateo while playing as virtual tourists who

Interaksyon • 27th November 2020

Black Friday finds for audiophiles: Audio products on-the go, work-from-home essentials

It is that time of the year again when shoppers can enjoy several discount deals ahead of the holiday season through shopping events like Black Friday, Cyber Monday and 12.12. The Telegraph said that Black Friday, that comes a day after Thanksgiving Day, is the USA’s biggest shopping event of the year, when many shops cut their prices on a range of products. On the other hand, Cyber Monday that comes three days after Black Friday, generally revolves around online deals, according to the Busine

Interaksyon • 23rd November 2020

Manila International Book Fair's first-ever digital edition: What to expect

For the first time ever, the Manila International Book Fair will launch its digital edition on Tuesday, November 24. The online edition of the book fair will run from November 24 to 30. Some booklovers were surprised to know that the book fair is pushing through despite social distancing restrictions. Others are confused about how it will be conducted. Patrons can visit manilabookfair.com and register as visitors to access book sales and events. After registering, visitors can browse throug

Interaksyon • 18th November 2020

#FeelTheRhythmofKorea: Filipinos jump in TikTok-Korea Tourism's global dance challenge

Video-sharing platform TikTok and Korea Tourism Organization (KTO) recently teamed up to launch a dance challenge in the Philippines that seeks to unite people across the globe. The dance challenge called #IYKoongChallenge was launched last November 13. It will run until November 22, where Filipinos can groove to the rhythm of Korea and express their creativity. “The pandemic has significantly impacted the tourism industry worldwide, including Korea,” Ahn Young-bae, president of KTO said. “Th

Interaksyon • 12th November 2020

From 'Ondoy' to 'Ulysses': Jericho Rosales lauded for 'heroic' acts for Marikina residents anew

Matinee idol Jericho Rosales once again became the talk of the town after extending help to fellow Marikina residents on Thursday morning. Reports said that Rosales and his wife model Kim Jones personally helped stranded residents in their village as Typhoon Ulysses (International name: Vamco) caused heavy flooding in several areas. They used their surfboards and helped rescuers in the village. In a video interview of ABS-CBN, Rosales shared that lack of floatation devices is usually the probl

Interaksyon • 6th November 2020

Ben&Ben draws from tough life choices in new single 'Di Ka Sayang'

The nine-piece collective Ben&Ben dropped another single on Friday midnight, this time seeking to empower its listeners with “Di Ka Sayang.” The new track, inspiring confidence and fearlessness, amid adversity was written by Paolo and Miguel Benjamin. It was inspired by the twin band members’ conversation during one of their out of town shows last year. “Migs and I were having a conversation on our career choices and how hard it was to fight for who we really are and what we want to do in life

Interaksyon • 3rd November 2020

This is where you can send in donations for Rolly-hit Filipinos

(Updated Nov. 6, 2011; 6:05 p.m.) With a series of tropical cyclones that hit Philippines, including “Rolly” (International name: Typhoon Goni), the strongest tropical cyclone in the world this year, numerous organizations and volunteers launched donation drive to help fellow Filipinos affected by the typhoons. Tropical Storm Rolly which made a landfall as a super typhoon in Catanduanes last Sunday is about to exit the Philippine Area of Responsibility on Tuesday. Meanwhile, Tropical Storm Sio

Interaksyon • 29th October 2020

'Sige, i-cover mo lang': 6cyclemind’s hits get fresh spins almost 2 decades later

After almost two decades of generation-defining anthems, a number of hits of local band 6cyclemind get fresh renditions via the “Sige, I-cover Mo Lang!” project. Sony Music Philippines and 6cyclemind on Wednesday evening officially released the special compilation of this project that seeks to introduce to young listeners some of the band’s greatest music. The project features shortlisted entries from music fans remaking select hits of the band. It contains three tracks that were rearranged an

Interaksyon • 27th October 2020

Beauty brand's eco-packaging does away with those wasteful bubble wraps

Cosmetic brand Garnier Philippines recently launched “Green Beauty,” an end-to-end approach to sustainability in beauty retail aimed at reducing its environmental impact at every stage of the value chain from education, purchasing and recycling. The initiative is part of L’Oréal Group’s global sustainability targets geared towards fighting climate change, sustainable water management, respecting biodiversity and the preservation of natural resources. “Our constant search for innovation and rei

Interaksyon • 23rd October 2020

'Never say die': Miss Universe Philippines bet Christelle Abello looks up to Pia Wurtzbach

Miss Universe Philippines 2020 candidate Christelle Abello, representing Aklan, bared that the never-say-die story of Miss Universe 2015 Pia Wurtzbach inspired her to join Philippine pageantry. Abello is a 26-year-old model who was introduced as the new face of Ginebra San Miguel’s calendar for 2021. She is a current candidate of Miss Universe Philippines 2020 with coronation night slated Sunday, October 25. “The world of pageantry fascinated me so much because I witnessed phenomenal women and

philstar.com • 24th July 2020

National Library director: No law mandates that I must be a licensed librarian

MANILA, Philippines (UPDATED 7:00 p.m.) — The National Library of the Philippines head on Thursday issued a statement addressing the criticisms hounding his name, including his controversial appointment to the highest post of the organization. Cesar Gilbert Adriano, was appointed by President Rodrigo Duterte as the executive director of the NLP on March 17, 2017 and was sworn into office on April 6, 2017. Adriano’s appointment, however, is being questioned by registered librarians since he is

InterAksyon • 10th July 2020

Who’s who: A rundown of votes during ABS-CBN franchise renewal final hearing

(Updated July 11, 4:48 p.m.) The House Committee on Legislative Franchises on Friday denied ABS-CBN’s request to be granted a 25-year year extension of broadcast franchise after a series of hearings. A total of 70 members voted “yes” in favor of rejecting ABS-CBN’s franchise renewal while 11 lawmakers voted no. Two solons inhibited from voting and only one abstained. Rep. Alfred Vargas (Quezon City, 5th District), an actor-politician, inhibited himself from voting, citing “conflict of Interes

InterAksyon • 2nd July 2020

Sharks of Maribojoc: 2nd tooth fossil of megalodon found in Bohol

(Updated 10:14 p.m.) The National Museum Bohol last Tuesday presented online the second Megalodon or “giant shark” tooth fossil discovered in Bohol in time for the end of the observance of #CelebrateTheSea last month. Local resident Christian Gio Bangalao found the tooth fossil, which measures 7.6 centimeters x 6.5 cm, in Barangay Jandig, of Maribojoc town and donated it to the National Museum last May 28. In its “Shark Encounters in Bohol” series, the Bohol-based museum said it is the second

philstar.com • 28th May 2020

Life After Lockdown: Restaurants, dining, franchises, food and beverage services in the Philippines

Life After Lockdown: Restos pivot to delivery as Filipinos’ social life moves away from dining Philstar.com's Life After Lockdown is a compendium of references on Filipinos' shift to a new normalcy during a coronavirus pandemic. MANILA, Philippines — Food and beverage businesses were buzzing with walk-in guests offered with culinary experiences before the health crisis. Now, the pandemic is forcing the already strained industry to reinvent the dining experience as cities graduate from the lock

philstar.com • 28th January 2020

'Left with nothing': Aeta community in Batangas among affected during Taal eruption

'Left with nothing': Aeta community in Batangas among affected during Taal eruption TAGAYTAY CITY (UPDATED August 10, 2020; 9:46 p.m.) — An Aeta community of around 69 families in San Luis, Batangas were among the residents who were forced to relocate when the Taal Volcano erupted last January 12. This community, composed of almost 300 individuals, were residents in a seaside area in Barangay Banoyo, San Luis, Batangas. Their ancestors were formerly from Tayabas, Quezon but some of them reloca