Monthly Archives: June 2015

International

CHINA LAYS CLAIM OVER MANILA’S CHINATOWN

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Manila’s Chinatown

BINONDO, Philippines (The Adobo Chronicles) – Apparently not content with its claim over the disputed territory in the South China Sea, the Chinese government today announced it was laying claim over the oldest Chinatown in the world — in Manila!

Manila’s Chinatown, located in and around the Binondo district, was established in the late 1500s. It was built by the Spaniards as a settlement for Catholic Chinese, and was positioned across the Pasig River so that the colonial rulers could keep a close eye on their migrant subjects.  To this day, it continues to be a center of commerce and trade in Manila where all types of businesses are run by Filipinos of Chinese ancestry.

Almost a quarter of the Philippines’ 100 Million population are of Chinese descent, and China is demanding loyalty from them.

The administration of Philippine President NoyNoy Aquino immediately protested the Chinese announcement, saying “China cannot just kidnap 25 percent of our population. What are they planning to do? Build a wall around Binondo and make our Chinatown their overseas seat of government?”

Aquino called U.S. President Barack Obama at 3 a.m. Monday morning (U.S. East Coast time) to report the latest move by the Chinese government.

The U.S. and the Philippines have a mutual defense agreement which provides for the use of Philippine bases by American military forces.  In exchange, the Americans are training the Filipinos on military combat and providing military equipment to help the Philippines defend itself against foreign aggressors.

Unfortunately, Obama was out of the country attending a summit meeting of the G7 nations.

Entertainment, International

MISS PHILIPPINES GAINS INTERNATIONAL ACCLAIM FOR HER WIT

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Miss Philippines-Earth, left
Miss Philippines-Earth, left

MANILA, Philippines (The Adobo Chronicles) – It was her answer to the final question that sealed her victory as the new Miss Philippines-Earth.  Asked what she thought of gay marriage, twenty-four-year-old Angelia Gabrena of Manila told the judges and audience that she didn’t mind having sex marriage.

While that response gained her notoriety in her country, it was a recent interview with CNN Philippines that brought her international acclaim.

Asked what she thought of the allegations that Senator Grace Poe, a potential 2016 Philippine presidential candidate, is a foundling whose citizenship and residency were put into question by her political opponents, Gabrena said, with much confidence:

“As a woman, I have very strong feelings about these allegations. It should definitely be investigated.  Senator Poe — or any woman for that matter — should never be subjected to fondling.  It’s a  crime!”

It looks like the Philippines will be well represented in the upcoming Miss Earth Beauty Pageant.

International, Travel

AMERICANS VISITING THE PHILIPPINES NOW REQUIRED TO SECURE ENTRY VISAS

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Photo source: asianjournal.com
Photo source: asianjournal.com

MANILA, Philippines (The Adobo Chronicles ) – The government of the Philippines, following in the footseteps of American Samoa, is now requiring U.S. citizens visiting the country to obtain an entry visa.

Previously, Americans were allowed to visit the Philippines for tourism or business for 30 days without the need for an entry visa. But the Philippine government is fed up with the inequality and lack of reciprocity  between the U.S. and the Philippines in as far as travel is concerned.

The Philippines, despite being a former American colony, is not included in the list of participating countries under the U.S. Visa Waiver Program (VWP). Filipinos wanting to visit the U.S. for business or pleasure need to obtain a visa which is very hard to come by.

VWP is a program of the United States Government which allows citizens of specific countries to travel to the United States for tourism, business, or while in transit for up to 90 days without having to obtain a visa. The program applies to the 50 U.S. states as well as the U.S. territories of Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands in the Caribbean, with limited application to other U.S. territories.

“An eye for an eye, a tooth for tooth,” President NoyNoy Aquino said as he signed an executive order revising the Philippines’ immigration policy as it relates to U.S. citizens.

The visa requirement for U.S. citizens visiting the country will be revoked as soon as the U.S. adds the Philippines to the list of countries under the VWP, Aquino said.

The visa requirement does not apply to U.S. military personnel assigned to the Philippines in connection with the Enhanced Defense Cooperative Agreement (EDCA) which gives the U.S. access to Philippine military bases and deploys military personnel to train Filipino soliders to be better equipped and prepared for combat against insurgents and aggressors.