Okada cancels world-record attempt to drop largest number of balloons

MANILA, Philippines --- The management of Okada Manila has decided to cancel its attempt to break the world record for the most number of balloons dropped following an order issued by the Department of Environmental and Natural Resources (DENR). In a statement on Sunday, Okada Manila noted that after its announcement of its plan to hold a record breaking balloon dropping event at Cove Manila, "many concerns were raised from various sectors about the environmental impact of the event." "Okada Manila has explained to the public that the event will not harm the environment, as the event will be held indoors and the balloons will not be released in the air," it said. "The balloo...

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Mentally-rejuvenated Nick Kyrgiosto cut back on 2019 schedule

Temperamental Australian Nick Kyrgios says he will cut back on his schedule in 2019, blaming long stints away from home for mental health issues that led him to see psychologists. The fiery 23-year-old had another roller-coaster tennis season this year where he was criticized for his on-court antics, before an elbow injury forced him to call an early halt to the year in October. On returning home he told his local Canberra Times newspaper he was "starting to see some psychologists and trying to get on top of my mental health", admitting he had "probably left it a little too long". He makes his tennis comeback at the Brisbane International this week as defending champion an...

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NDFP consultant optimistic on peace talks resumption in 2019

        LUCENA CITY -- A detained "peace consultant" of the communist-led National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP) has expressed optimism that the stalled peace talks will resume in 2019. "The GRP (Government of the Republic of the Philippines) is bound to reconsider, as it is incessantly confronted and besieged in all possible arenas of struggle, both armed and unarmed," Rey Casambre, also the executive director of the Philippine Peace Center, said in a statement issued by the NDFP Sunday. He added: "The negotiating table will increasingly become a palatable and practical option." Casambre noted that the NDFP, the political arm of the ...

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Abu Sayyaf frees kidnapped son of Labason Mayor Quimbo

      ZAMBOANGA CITY -- After more than a year in captivity, Jed Quimbo, son of Labason Mayor Eddie Quimbo, was freed by the Abu Sayyaf group on Rizal Day, Sunday, in Patikul town, Sulu. Chief Superintendent Emmanuel Licup, police regional director here, said Quimbo was freed around 4:14 p.m. on December 30, in the vicinity of Anuling village, Patikul town. Quimbo was abducted on September 6, 2017, in Labason by six unidentified men whoforced him to board a van. Licup said Quimbo was released by the Abu Sayyaf in Patikul and later, was handed over to his brother Justin. "Mister Justin Quimbo was together with former Governor Abdusakur Tan. The kidn...

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LPA exits PAR, northeast monsoon to affect parts of Luzon

    MANILA, Philippines --- The northeast monsoon or "Amihan" will continue to affect parts of Luzon, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) said on Sunday afternoon.   In its latest weather update at 5 p.m., Pagasa said that even as Tropical Depression "Usman" - which was downgraded to a low-pressure area (LPA) - left the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) at 11 a.m. on Sunday, rains whipped up by the northeast monsoon would prevail over parts of Luzon.   The LPA earlier affected parts of the Bicol Region and Eastern Visayas which claimed the lives of individuals due to landslides and flas...

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INQUIRER SPORTS TOP 7 Stories of the year: Team Lakay’s dominance in ONE

MANILA, Philippines---It's the year of Team Lakay. Gold was the luster of 2018 for the Baguio-based team as it ran through the competition in ONE Championship to become the most prolific organization in the promotion, making their story no. 2 in INQUIRER.net's top 7 sports stories of the year. Mark Sangiao, the quiet and peaceful mentor of equally friendly warriors, guided Kevin Belingon, Joshua Pacio, Geje Eustaquio, and the iconic Eduard Folayang to World titles in their respective weight classes. Eustaquio (11-6) was the first of the four to become a World champion in 2018 when he unified the flyweight belts after a split decision win over rival Adriano Moraes in June aft...

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Albay, Cam Sur placed under state of calamity after ‘Usman’

LEGAZPI CITY --- Albay Governor Al Francis Bichara and Camarines Sur Governor Migz Villafuerte declared their respective provinces under a state of calamity after Tropical Depression "Usman" caused landslides and widespread flooding Sunday. Albay province was placed under state of calamity through a special organized session by members of Sangguniang Panlalawigan on Sunday after the province suffered severe flooding, landslides and several infrastrcture damage due to heavy rains brought about by Usman. Cedric Daep, Albay Public Safety and Emergency Management Office chief, said 15 persons died in the whole province due to the effects of Usman. He said 68 houses were also destroy...

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