Cebu City Hall consultants: Archival okays hiring them

Cebu City Hall consultants: Archival okays hiring them

CEBU CITY, Philippines — Mayor Nestor Archival Sr. has given the green light to the City Council’s plan to hire legal and legislative consultants. He said that the additional expertise was necessary to help address the complex policy and governance issues confronting the local government. In a press conference earlier this week, Archival welcomed the resolution passed by the council on August 19, allowing Vice Mayor Tomas Osmeña and the councilors to engage consultants. READ:  Cebu City Council seeks Mayor’s nod to hire new consultants “Sure. I’m happy about it. I’m just waiting sa ilang recommendation. Kinahanglan gyud ta og […]... Keep on reading: Cebu City Hall consultants: Archival okays hiring them

Comelec en banc upholds ruling canceling Duterte Youth's registration

Comelec en banc upholds ruling canceling Duterte Youth's registration

ZAMBOANGA CITY — The Commission on Elections (Comelec) en banc has upheld the ruling canceling the registration of the Duterte Youth party-list. In a resolution dated Friday, the Comelec en banc, voting 5-1-1, dismissed the motion for reconsideration filed by the party-list. “WHEREFORE, premises considered, the Commission (En banc) RESOLVED, as it hereby RESOLVES to DENY the Motion for Reconsideration. The Assailed Resolution is hereby AFFIRMED,” the 10-page resolution reads. READ: Comelec 2nd Division cancels Duterte Youth party-list’s registration However, Comelec Chairperson George Erwin Garcia told reporters on Friday that the Comelec en banc’s decision is not yet final and executory […]... Keep on reading: Comelec en banc upholds ruling canceling Duterte Youth's registration

Nartatez holds first command conference as acting PNP chief

Nartatez holds first command conference as acting PNP chief

MANILA, Philippines — Acting Philippine National Police (PNP) Chief Lt. Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. held his first command conference in Camp Crame on Friday, four days after taking the helm of the law enforcement agency. Nartatez assumed command of the PNP last Tuesday, after Malacañang suddenly relieved then-Chief Gen. Nicolas Torre III over a dispute with the National Police Commission (Napolcom). “We expect that the first order of business is his seven program thrusts, which he mentioned when he assumed office the other day,” PNP public information chief Brig. Gen. Randulf Tuaño said in Filipino during an interview on […]... Keep on reading: Nartatez holds first command conference as acting PNP chief

From Cannes to Canada: Why ‘Agapito’ is the Filipino short everyone’s talking about

From Cannes to Canada: Why ‘Agapito’ is the Filipino short everyone’s talking about

The cheers haven’t died down from Cannes, yet the team behind “Agapito” already has another reason to celebrate. The short film, co-directed by Arvin Belarmino and Kyla Danelle Romero, has been officially selected for the Short Cuts Programme at the 2025 Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF), running from Sept. 4 to 14 in Canada. “I’m excited because this is also its North American premiere,” Belarmino told Inquirer Entertainment in a recent interview. “We’re excited to find out what the reception of the audience there will be.” Romero recalled how she and the team first received the news: “Nagtawagan kami kaagad. […]... Keep on reading: From Cannes to Canada: Why ‘Agapito’ is the Filipino short everyone’s talking about

Philippine national heroes reimagined as video game characters

Philippine national heroes reimagined as video game characters

A full-service independent ad agency is giving the country's national heroes a digital makeover to celebrate them for National Heroes Day and beyond. In one of the more recent posts on their official Facebook page, the ad agency The Huddle Room showcased 12 illustrations that reinterpreted the country's heroes as video game characters. The heroes featured in the post are Jose Rizal, Apolinario Mabini, Andres Bonifacio, Gabriela Silang, Melchora Aquino, Teresa Magbanua, Emilion Aguinaldo, Juan Luna, Marcelo H. del Pila, Sultan Kudarat, Gomburza, and Francisco Dagohoy. In the caption to the post, the agency noted that people “flex heroes from games, know their backstories by heart, and even argue over who's the GOAT. But how about the real heroes who actually fought for our freedom?” Check out their reimagining of our national heroes in the gallery below. Love this content? Subscribe to our newsletter for more captivating stories and lifestyle features. Just enter your email here .

Unpaid salaries, allowances: Cebu City Hall to start releasing them

Unpaid salaries, allowances: Cebu City Hall to start releasing them

CEBU CITY, Philippines — After weeks of uncertainty, Cebu City Hall employees and barangay responders will finally start receiving their long-delayed salaries and allowances, following the designation of a new officer-in-charge (OIC) treasurer. Vice Mayor Tomas Osmeña confirmed Thursday, August 28, that Emma Villarete would formally assume the vacant post of City Treasurer effective today, Friday, August 29, unlocking the release of payroll funds that had been stalled since early August. READ: Cebu City workers salaries delayed as treasurer post remains vacant “Done! Effective tomorrow, the vacant position of City Treasurer will be filled by Emma Villarete. The months-long backlog […]... Keep on reading: Unpaid salaries, allowances: Cebu City Hall to start releasing them

will.i.am's perspective on AI: ear less, create more

will.i.am's perspective on AI: ear less, create more

Artificial intelligence is transforming the way the world creates. In music, what once required entire studios and teams of session players can now be sketched out on a laptop with the help of AI-powered tools. Beats can be generated, melodies suggested, and production techniques refined in seconds. Far from replacing artistry, these innovations have provided musicians with new canvases to explore, accelerating creativity and pushing the boundaries of sound. For artists who embrace it, AI is not a threat but a collaborator. Few know this better than will.i.am, the multi-hyphenate musician, producer, and tech entrepreneur who has long been at the forefront of fusing creativity with innovation. But his belief in AI is rooted in something deeper than the studio. It comes from his personal journey, growing up in an all-Mexican neighborhood in the inner city of Los Angeles. “How can I be afraid of AI if you come from the inner city?” he said at a press conference prepared for him by LG Philippines on Wednesday, August 27, at the Okada Manila in Parañaque City. will.i.am is the experiential architect and collaborator for the LG XBOOM product line of the electronics brand. The Black Eyed Peas member added, “I've already experienced struggle. And here's a tool that can help folks that are struggling not struggle anymore--because it has access to all the information in the world.” For will.i.am, the true advantage of AI isn't just about music--it's about access. He explains, many places have long been underserved in education and financial literacy. Communities have been left behind, not because of a lack of talent or ambition, but because of a lack of resources. AI, with its ability to provide knowledge instantly, could change that equation. The Grammy award-winning artist noted, “You don't have to wait for the government to bring you the best educators. You don't have to wait for politics. You can ask the right questions, aim at the problems you've been struggling with, and find solutions. And when you find solutions, new industries and new careers are born.” Fear vs. Imagination Of course, he doesn't ignore the reality that AI will replace certain jobs. But to him, that shift is nothing new: it's part of the history of creativity. He draws a parallel to the invention of the drum machine. “When the drum machine came out, people feared it would replace drummers. And it did. But look at today: almost every hit song you dance to on Spotify or Apple Music doesn't have a live drummer. A human didn't play those drums, but a human made the beat. Drummers became producers, creators in an entirely new way, he said. The same story unfolded with samplers and synthesizers: initial fear, then explosive innovation. To will.i.am, AI is simply the next chapter. “If you were stuck in yesterday, you feared the drum machine. But if your imagination was going 1,000 miles an hour, the drum machine helped you bring your ideas to life. AI is the same. For hyper-creative people, it's a tool that makes the impossible possible.” Still, he emphasizes responsibility. Like any powerful technology, AI can uplift or undermine, depending on how it's used. “AI is your tool,” he said. “It really depends on how you use it. And you have to be responsible.” For will.i.am, the future of AI isn't just about making hit records--it's about making sure communities once left behind can finally create their own paths forward. Meanwhile, here are some highlights from the event:

Mutya ng Pilipinas Liana Barrido to crown Miss Tourism Int'l successor in Malaysia

Mutya ng Pilipinas Liana Barrido to crown Miss Tourism Int'l successor in Malaysia

Liana Barrido‘s reign as Miss Tourism International will end in Malaysia, where she also won the crown, this coming October, the organizers of the global tilt announced on social media. Forty delegates from around the world are expected to compete in the 28th edition of the Malaysia-based international pageant, which will conclude in the “World Final” scheduled on Oct. 18 at the Genting International Showroom of Resorts World Genting. The competition was originally planned to take place in the Philippines, with Davao City chosen to host the international pageant in November this year. Mutya ng Pilipinas, the organization that holds […]... Keep on reading: Mutya ng Pilipinas Liana Barrido to crown Miss Tourism Int'l successor in Malaysia

Trump moves to end US tariff exemption for small packages

Trump moves to end US tariff exemption for small packages

WASHINGTON, United States — An approaching US deadline to end tariff exemptions on small parcels has tripped up global deliveries to the world’s biggest economy. Some businesses halted shipments to American consumers and mulling price hikes. Come Friday [Aug. 29], President Donald Trump’s administration is abolishing a rule that allows packages valued at $800 or below to enter the United States duty-free. Instead, packages will either be subject to the tariff level applicable to their country of origin, or face a specific duty ranging from $80 to $200 per item. Trump’s trade adviser Peter Navarro told reporters that closing this “loophole” […]... Keep on reading: Trump moves to end US tariff exemption for small packages