Across the Islands

Boat on historic sail drops anchor in Dumaguete

Friday, 06 November 2009 04:52 Alex Pal/Inquirer.net

DUMAGUETE CITY, Negros Oriental - The Diwata ng Lahi (Fairy of the Race), a replica of a historical Balangay wooden boat used by Indo-Malay families in their vast sea travel during pre-Hispanic times, sailed into the calm waters of the Dumaguete port, Wednesday, on its way to Mindanao and beyond.

"After five months and seven typhoons since we left Manila, we have arrived in Dumaguete," said former Transportation and Communication Undersecretary Arturo Valdez, the leader of the Balangay mission who also organized the Philippine Mt. Everest expedition.

Noynoy Aquino gets warm reception in Pangasinan

Thursday, 05 November 2009 07:13 Gabriel Cardinoza/Inquirer.net

DAGUPAN CITY - If a presidential election can be won on the basis of the people's warmth in receiving a candidate, then Senator Benigno "Noynoy" Aquino III, Liberal Party standard bearer, seems to have taken Pangasinan.

At the St. John the Evangelist Cathedral here on Wednesday, church goers gave him a rousing applause as he walked to the altar to greet newly installed Lingayen-Dagupan Archbishop Socrates Villegas. He received the same applause as he went back to his seat.

Total log ban set in parts of Negros Occidental

Wednesday, 04 November 2009 06:34 Carla Gomez/Inquirer.net

BACOLOD CITY - After a long wait, a bill that sought a total log ban in the third district of Negros Occidental has finally become a law.

President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo signed into law, on Tuesday, Republic Act 9741, which has strictly imposed a logging ban in the cities of Silay, Talisay and Victories and the towns of EB Magalona and Murcia, Representative Jose Carlos Lacson (Negros Occidental, 3rd District) said Wednesday.

Baguio experiencing ‘Christmas weather’

Tuesday, 03 November 2009 06:30 Desiree Caluza/Inquirer.net

BAGUIO CITY - After the typhoons, it's now time for residents and tourists to enjoy Baguio's "Christmas weather" as the temperature drops.

"Bring out your sweaters and bonnets because this kind of weather makes you shiver and makes you feel like your head will burst," said Leticia Dispo, weather specialist of the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) here.

Santi damage toll in Bicol reaches P35M

Sunday, 01 November 2009 12:40 Rey Nasol/Inquirer.net

LEGAZPI CITY, Albay - At least 12 people died in the northern provinces of the Bicol region when typhoon “Santi” hit it on Saturday, the Regional Disaster Coordinating Council (RDCC) reported on Sunday.

Santi’s strong winds and heavy rains destroyed 1,481 houses and partially damaged 4,276 in the provinces of Camarines Norte, Camarines Sur and Catanduanes.