POP NEWS DIGITAL

Senator Cynthia Villar has said that she will look into alleged overpriced fertilizer contract of the Department of Agriculture. “I will look into the issue but I have to file a Senate Resolution first in order to schedule an inquiry or investigation. Congress is in recess right now and will resume on the third week of July. So I would have to wait till then," said Villar in a statement issued on June 15. Villar added: “For the meantime, the agri groups and farmers can bring their concern or complaints to the State Prosecutor at the Department of Justice (DoJ); “Once the Senate opens, we will of course, look at all the sides to this issue. We have to ensure that the funds made available by the government to help our countrymen cope with the ongoing pandemic are being used for their intended purpose and beneficiaries, particularly the farmers," the senator said.

The Department of Health (DOH), the Film Development Council of the Philippines (FDCP), and the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) have joined forces to release guidelines for the resumption of production work and activities in the film and audiovisual industry amid the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) crisis.   The "Joint Administrative Order (JAO) No. 2020-001 on the Health and Safety Protocols for the Conduct of Film and Audiovisual Production Shoots and Audiovisual Activities During COVID-19 Pandemic" was signed with immediate effectivity on June 7, 2020 by FDCP Chairperson and CEO Liza Diño-Seguerra, DOLE Secretary Silvestre Bello III, and DOH Secretary Francisco Duque III.   "These guidelines, drafted in consultation with professional guilds and stakeholders, prioritize the health and safety of our film and audiovisual workers as they slowly resume operations," said Diño-Seguerra. "As the film and audiovisual industry is part of the country'...

Senator Cynthia Villar has called on the people to rise to the challenge and make a difference in facing difficult days. Villar made the remarks in a message to commemorate the 122nd anniversary of Philippine Independence on June 12. Her full message: "I join the entire nation in commemorating the 122nd Anniversary of the Proclamation of Philippine Independence; "Walang hanggan ang gating pasasalamat sa ating mga dakilang bayani at mga kababayan na nag-sakripisyo at nag-buwis ng buhay para sa kasarinlan ng ating mahal na bayan; "That is the essence of our commemoration of this occasion from generation to generation. This particular generation is facing a challenging period, a global pandemic. But it offers an opportunity to rise to the challenge and make a difference; "Our forefathers have fought and Won their own wars. This is this generation’s battle and it entails sacrifices, too. Together, we can win this battle and emerge as a more resilient race; "God ble...

2018 Miss Universe Catriona Gray smiles and even laughs during an interview in Manila. 'It's the first time I was asked those questions,' says the beaming Catriona.  For more of Catriona and other celebrities, visit Pop News Philippines at robertrequintina.blogspot.com.

The staging of the Miss Asia Pacific International (MAPI) 2020 beauty pageant, one of the most enduring beauty contests, has been "suspended until further notice" due to COVID-19. "As the world faces uncertain times, we are one with the global community in raising awareness about the importance of preventing the spread of COVID-19 and flattening the curve. We can all save lives by staying home and dutifully following the necessary health and safety guidelines; "With this in mind, it is with a heavy heart that we announce that the staging of Miss Asia Pacific International 2020 is suspended until further notice. This was a very difficult decision to make, but we deem the safety of our staff, our candidates, our partners, and our supporters of utmost priority and importance," said in a statement issued by MAPI on June 1. While the holding of the pageant is remote this year, MAPI officials said that they will continue with their charity works related to the pandem...

Thousands of  Facebook users in the Philippines were surprised to find out that they have several dummy Facebook accounts on Sunday, June 7. The Department of Justice - Office of Cybercrime (DOJ-OOC) said that it has received reports regarding the creation of dummy Facebook accounts of persons who have purportedly aired their grievances against the legislation of the Anti-Terrorism Bill, which aims to amend Republic Act (R.A.) No. 9372 or the Human Security Act of 2007. In a statement, the DOJ encouraged everyone affected and those who have knowledge of relevant circumstance relating to the aforesaid modus to report the incident to the DOJ-OOC. Here's how: Name: (e.g., Juan Dela Cruz) Facebook profile username: (e.g., Juan Dela Cruz) Facebook profile account link: (e.g., www.facebook.com/juan.delacruz) Dummy account username: (e.g., Juan Delacruz) Dummy account link: (e.g., www.facebook.com/juan.dela.cruz.111) Please be reminded that the intentional acquisition, use, misuse, transf...

Multi-awarded Filipino actress Pinky Amador lost her cool after she and some neighbors found out that the condo-tel where they are staying has been designated as a quarantine facility for people with COVID-19 without their knowledge. Amador issued the statement through her talent management ALV Talent Circuit on Sunday, June 7, after she figured in a viral video that showed her in a fit of rage and emotional outburst last Friday, June 5. "Ironically, the very same people who provoked her anger and ignored her pleas were the very same ones who documented the commotion and uploaded it on social media without Pinky’s knowledge, thereby presenting a prejudiced and misinformed account of what really happened," the talent agency said. "Just to give a brief clarificatory overview of her personal statement, Pinky’s outrage was the offshoot of her personal grievance against misinformation, a plea for accountability from her building owners and administrators, and her rightful rea...

Filipino beauty queens led by Miss Universe titleholders Pia Wurtzbach and Catriona Gray have joined forces in urging the public to junk the new anti-terror bill which Congress approved on June 3. Wurtzbach began her opposition to the controversial Anti-Terrorism Act of 2020 with the tweet of the cards "Junk Terror Bill Now!" Then she followed it up with another tweet hashtag #ActivismIsNotTerrorism. "I'll be honest, I never really liked commenting about politics simply cos I felt like I didnt know enough. I wasn't confident enough to speak up... I also was never really a fan of tweeting (I'm barely online here) but I realized that I need my voice back...and I need to use it," the Filipino-German beauty queen tweeted. She added: "Sa lahat ng nangyayari ngayon sa Pilipinas at sa mundo.. overwhelming. Diba? Parang di mo alam kung maiiyak ka o magagalit. Parang pakiramdam mo minsan powerless ka. Parang sasabog yung puso mo. Yung feeling na parang may g...

A new group centering on empowering women has been launched to increase their role in shaping policies and incubating ideas in business, community and the environment. Led by former beauty queen Carla Cabrera, the new movement dubbed "World Women Leading Change Philippines" (WWLC PH) is expanding its presence in the Philippines. It was founded by Dr. Ayla Aldjufrie in Jakarta, Indonesia in 2018. "World Women Leading Change is a movement that empowers leading business women to lead, change and give impact to their families, work field, community, environment and industry," said Cabrera, President and Co-founder of WWLC Philippines, and founder and Chief Branding Strategist of Creatio7 Asia. "WWLC PH will mobilize women entrepreneurs from various industrial sectors, countries, organizations and backgrounds, all of which presented access to global market to expand their business network internally and create vast new opportunities globally by sharing information, ...

Senator Cynthia Villar has called on the public to help protect wildlife habitats and biodiversity to prevent the spread of infectious diseases. Villar, chair of the Committee on Environment and Natural Resources, made the reaction after she cited a study which showed that the continuous destruction of wildlife habitats and biodiversity loss contribute to the spread of infectious diseases. “We designate some areas in our country as protected areas because it is important for these places to remain untouched and unexploited. There’s already a wealth of studies out there asserting that infectious diseases such as Ebola, HIV, swine fever and avian flu originated from animals,” said Villar, during the celebration of World Environment Day recently. A study conducted by the Wildlife Conservation Society showed that habitat loss forces animals to move to areas populated by people, who become exposed to the pathogens of animals that in turn spread viruses. Scientist cited as example the Ni...