ROY Espinosa, well-known artist and founder of Filarts, announced the publication of his latest coffee-table book, "Filipino Artists: Their Culture, Their Art." This eagerly awaited book, which is Espinosa's seventh coffee-table book, honors the rich artistic heritage of the Philippines and displays the skills of 50 Filipino artists. On July 16 at 6 p.m., the book launch will take place at the famed Nami Art Gallery in Mandaluyong City's SMDC Fame Mall. The cover of ‘Filipino Artists: Their Culture, Their Art’ coffee-table book CONTRIBUTED PHOTOThe featured artists will be available for attendees to meet and purchase autographed copies of this aesthetically spectacular compilation. "We want to honor the amazing skill of Filipino artists through this book while also safeguarding our cultural heritage for future generations," he added.

Nonetheless, Hagedorn said he maintains that he is "innocent" of the charges. PALAWAN 3rd District Rep. Edward Hagedorn. Photo from HoR"It is about PNP-issued firearms, which I was accused of not returning," Hagedorn said, referring to the Philippine National Police. The complaint was filed against Hagedorn by his successor, Mayor Lucio Bayron, who claimed Hagedorn failed to surrender 14 of 20 assault rifles owned by the local government unit at the end of Hagedorn's term as mayor in 2013. "In my years of public service, I have never enriched myself at the expense of the Filipino people.

A 26-year-old bus driver was arrested on Friday night after the double-decker he was driving hit an elderly woman pushing a cart loaded with cardboard in the driving lane of an overpass in Kowloon Bay. The incident occurred at around 11 pm last night when the Tsuen Wan West-bound KMB route 33 was traveling along Wai Yip Street and reached the overpass on Kai Fuk Road. The driver failed to apply the brakes in time and hit a 65-year-old woman named Wong, pushing a cart loaded with cardboard on the overpass. Police are investigating the incident and have arrested the bus driver, also named Wong, for dangerous driving causing death. The bus giant added they had sent staffers to the scene and to the hospital to understand the situation and will fully cooperate with the police investigation.

Filipinos granted visa-free entry to Taiwan until July 2024This photo taken June 30, 2005 shows the sunrise over Taiwan's most famous tourist spot Alishan. Taiwan has announced a one-year extension of visa-free entry for nationals of the Philippines, including Thailand and Brunei. The visa-free privilege, initially set to expire on July 31, 2023, has been extended until July 31, 2024. To take advantage of the visa-free entry, Filipino travelers must fulfill certain requirements before their trip. However, individuals holding diplomatic, official, or service passports are not eligible for the visa-free entry.

AFTER two tune-up matches, Gilas Pilipinas coach Chot Reyes expects training to ramp up as the team conducts two-a-day practice in Lithuania. Reyes said the losses to national teams of Estonia and Finland gave them a good handle of what Gilas needs to work on as they continue their build up for the 2023 FIBA World Cup. The Gilas mentor added they are looking at playing four tune-up games in Lithuania as they grow further in team chemistry. Gilas dropped an 81-71 decision to Estonia, followed by a narrow 89-85 result to Finland early this week. Gilas is eyeing to improve on its one-win output in the 2014 FIBA World Cup in Seville, Spain.

Some 40 Hong Kong private cars drove to Guangdong province through the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macau Bridge on Saturday morning as the government’s northbound travel scheme commenced today. Secretary for Transport and Logistics Lam Sai-hung said a total of 42 Hong Kong vehicles had crossed the border to the mainland as of 10 am this morning. Lam also said over 100 Hong Kong vehicles are expected to travel to Guangdong today under the scheme. Lam stressed that the government would strive to increase the regular quota for vehicles using the bridge with the goal of boosting better use and management of the bridge. Lam noted that the bridge, a crucial policy for Hong Kong integrating into the Greater Bay Area development, connects not only the three regions but also people’s hearts.

The Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Board has approved a P40 increase in the workers' daily minimum wage. The Trade Union Congress of the Philippines (TUCP) is disappointed by the 'too little' and 'too late' increase in the minimum pay provided under Wage Order NCR-24, which will take effect on July 16, 2023. VIDEO AND INTERVIEW BY EZRAH RAYA

You are here:HOUSTON, June 30 (Xinhua) -- The number of active drilling rigs in the United States fell to 674 this week, down by eight from the previous week and by 76 from this time last year, according to the weekly data released by Houston-based oilfield services company Baker Hughes on Friday. These active drilling rigs included 545 oil rigs operating in U.S. oil fields, down by one from the previous week; 124 gas rigs, down by six from last week; and five miscellaneous rigs, down by one from last week. The rigs included 653 land drilling rigs, two inland water drilling rigs, and 19 offshore drilling rigs. Of them, 50 were directional drilling rigs, 606 were horizontal drilling rigs and 18 were vertical drilling rigs. So far, the Permian Basin in western Texas and eastern New Mexico has been the largest source of shale oil production growth in the United States, having become an engine of supply growth outside the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries in the past years.

(UPDATE) INVESTIGATORS are zeroing in on two to three possible motives behind Thursday's shooting of a tabloid photographer in Barangay Masambong in Quezon City. "There are two to three motives, we do not discount any possibilities... We saw in his Facebook page that he may have enemies," BGen. According to the Presidential Task Force on Media Security, Abiad was a witness of the police, as well as the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency in a drug case. The National Union of Journalists of the Philippines (NUJP), meanwhile, condemned the photojournalist's shooting. "There is no justification for the shooting of a media worker, but we note news reports that Abiad had signed as witness in drug busts," the group said.

Over 300 grocery items up to 50% off on 7-Eleven DayMANILA, Philippines — Another year means another bang-for-the-buck bash is going down in 7-Eleven stores nationwide. Although an annual tradition, this year’s 7-Eleven Day promises to be anything but boring because this time, it’s the ultimate pantry party that’s worth writing a shopping list for. Not just in personal or pantry supplies, 7-Eleven Day is also the yes day for affordable and steal deals for foodies. Save the date: 7-Eleven Day is from July 7 to 11, happening all day, all night. Like 7-Eleven Philippines on Facebook, follow @711ph on Instagram, and @711philippines on Twitter for more information.

Beni, DR Congo: A ranger at a DR Congo wildlife reserve was killed and a second wounded when their team came under attack near an illegal mine, the park said on Thursday. The incident happened on Tuesday at the Okapi Wildlife Reserve (RFO) in the country's northeast. A ranger at a DR Congo wildlife reserve was killed and a second wounded when their team came under attack near an illegal mine, the park said on Thursday, June 29. Another ranger was wounded and an assailant was captured, it said. The biggest country in sub-Saharan Africa, the Democratic Republic of Congo has world famous wildlife reserves.

Couple slain in Maguindanao del SurCOTABATO CITY , Philippines — A couple were killed in an ambush in Shariff Aguak, Maguindanao del Sur early yesterday. Nokoy Abdul, 54, and his wife Siaya, 49, suffered multiple gunshot wounds and died at the scene, Maj. Haron Macabanding, Shariff Aguak police chief, told reporters. Initial investigation showed the victims were in a tricycle on their way home when they were waylaid in Barangay Labu-Labu. Macabanding said Shariff Aguak Mayor Akmad Ampatuan ordered barangay officials to help probers identify the culprits. On June 15, two policemen were killed and four others were wounded in an ambush, also in Shariff Aguak.

(UPDATE) THE legal counsel of a company in Las Piñas suspected of being a Philippine Offshore Gaming Operator (POGO) firm called on the Philippine National Police (PNP) to conduct an "unbiased investigation" on an incident on Thursday, June 29, that resulted in the injury of several human trafficking victims from China, who were part of the 2,000 rescued individuals. Operatives from the Philippine National Police check the vicinity of an alleged illegal Philippine Offshore Gaming Operation (POGO) in Las Piñas City on June 27, 2023, following a raid and rescue of 2,000 victims, mostly foreigners, of trafficking. PHOTO BY RENE H. DILAN Operatives from the Philippine National Police check the vicinity of an alleged illegal Philippine Offshore Gaming Operation (POGO) in Las Piñas City on June 27, 2023, following a raid and rescue of 2,000 victims, mostly foreigners, of trafficking. "Otherwise, our clients shall be well within their rights to file the necessary action against you and the entire task force before the courts of law," Vargas Law said. At least 2,724 individuals — 1,534 Filipinos and 1190 foreigners — were supposedly rescued by a joint task force of the PNP on Tuesday, June 27, at a suspected POGO firm in Las Piñas City.

WATCH: Vatican-approved Michelangelo exhibition opens in the PhilippinesMANILA, Philippines — Step into the grandeur of the Sistine Chapel and experience Michelangelo’s masterpieces up close and personal right here in Manila! A first in Southeast Asia, ATIN Global Inc. and SEE Global Entertainment Inc. are bringing "Michelangelo’s Sistine Chapel :The Exhibition" to Filipinos from July 1 to September 30. "Michelangelo’s Sistine Chapel :The Exhibition" offers a complete experience wherein stepping inside the exhibition grounds feels like you’re being transported into the hallowed halls of the actual Sistine Chapel in Vatican City. For group bookings, schools, and organizations, contact Sistine Chapel Philippines via landline at (02) 8631-5470, Danika Cruz via mobile at 0945-798-7612, or Andre Trinidad at 0915-306-2273. Whether you have already been to the Sistine Chapel or not, don’t miss the chance to enjoy this iconic artwork up close.

Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said Thursday that a request for his country to temporarily host a U.S. immigrant visa processing center for thousands of Afghan nationals faces security and other concerns but is still being considered by his administration. A Philippine official said an initial 600 Afghan nationals would be allowed in a “pilot phase” if the U.S. proposal gets approved. Some Filipino officials have expressed fears the Afghan nationals could become targets of attacks while in the Philippines. Others raised legal questions about an arrangement where U.S. authorities would have a say in vetting who could enter the Philippines. One prospective problem is what to do with Afghan nationals whose U.S. special visa immigrant application is indefinitely stalled or rejected, Marcos said.