What now appears as a wasteland is the former site of the Filipino Multi-Purpose Centre (MPC) in Duke Street, Rooty Hill, NSW. Note the debris left after the single storey building was demolished. It was recently acquired by Bathla Construction and is being readied for new buildings, presumably several houses which will be up for sale toward the end of this year. The 2,400 sq.m. property was sold for only $750,000 while MPC manager Philippine Australian Community
Foundation, Inc. bought a 5.5 acre piece of land in Schofields for $1,150,000.

Fishermen in the Philippines accidentally caught a megamouth shark, one of the rarest fish in the world and later ate it after it had been identified. Only 40 other sightings of the shark have ever been recorded, according to the World Wildlife Fund. The 500kg, four metre megamouth (Megachasma pelagios) died while struggling in the fishermen’s net off Burias island in the central Philippines. It was taken to nearby Donsol in Sorsogon province, said Gregg Yan, a spokesman for WWF-Philippines. – ?

From the very start of the publication of Philippine Tribune, I have always emphasized that I am not a journalist. I never claimed to be a journalist. I have obtained no degree in journalism. I just happen to know how to write. Thanks to the writing skills given to me by the American Jesuits of Ateneo de Manila University, I am now deeply involved in the intricate art of report writing.

I must admit that I am still in the learning process. Yes, there is so much to learn and one doesn’t really know what to expect or what is going to happen next. And so it happened!

One fateful afternoon, a Statement of Claim was personally delivered to the home office of Philippine Tribune by Cresencio Pilao who turned out to be one of the plaintiffs in a defamation case filed against the newspaper. The other plaintiff was Arturo Sayas, owner of Zignal Travel in Blacktown. (more…)

Six months ago I considered myself as one of those blessed and happiest people on earth. Why not? I married a guy who was an epitome of kindness. A guy who worshipped even the footsteps I made. More importantly, our union blessed us with a daughter who not only became the main source of our happiness….more so; she was the center of our lives.

We’re simple folks who led a simple life. We felt the happiest even about mundane things and inconsequential ones that most people would only take for granted. Our joy mostly revolved on simple pleasures like a sudden trip to Jollibee or a late night marauding of the fridge for any leftovers. A family, which shared plain happiness, humble dreams, and modest aspirations. Everything was fine…Until that fateful night on December 5, 2008. In keeping with my devotion on every first Friday of the month, I went to Quiapo Church, to pay homage and respect to the Almighty One. My husband and daughter were supposed to pick me up in Pasay City after which we planned on giving our daughter a treat to Jollibee. I tried calling my husband’s cell phone, just to let him know I was on my way to our meeting place. He wasn’t picking up. Despite my trepidation, I took the next jeep going home and prayed that everything was alright. I felt relieved when near our place my phone rang. It was my helper. The words I heard forever changed my life. My husband and daughter were shot to death by “men in uniform.” (more…)

Effective Friday, April 17, 2009, Philippine Airlines will offer a Special Fare of AUD499 plus tax to any destination in the Philippines where PAL regular flights operate.  Your relatives and friends can avail of this promotion.

As an example, a passenger who would be going to Legazpi, Albay will spend a total amount of AUD786 only (breakdown: Fare $499 plus Tax $287).  The discount is substantial, particularly if the passenger would travel with family members.  A family of 5 adults would only spend $3930.  Regular fares with no discount would cost approximately $7,000.

Another example: A passenger who is travelling  to Manila only (in case he has no intention of going to any Philippine domestic point) would have to pay a reduced amount of $704 only (breakdown:  Fare $499 plus Tax $205)

This promotion is also available on Business Class for AUD1640 plus tax.

Tickets should be paid from April 17, 2009 to June 15, 2009.

Travel period would be from May 01, 2009 to November 30, 2009.

PAL Country Manager Arnul Pan clarified that $499 plus tax means Return Airfare from Sydney to anywhere in the Philippines. The amount of tax will vary depending on the actual destination in the Philippines. – ?