Beauty, International, Politics, Social Media, Tourism

Petition For Miss Universe To Pull Out From The Philippines Fails; Next Target: Miss Earth

November 3, 2016 Pol Pinoy Leave a comment

The 2015 Miss Universe Pageant — Photo: Getty Images

MANILA, Philippines (The Adobo Chronicles. Manila Bureau) – Several weeks ago, a group of Filipinos and others here and abroad signed a letter petition asking the owners of Miss Universe to pull the 2016 beauty pageant from being held in the Philippines.

The petition states: ‘This reason is the objectionable, scandalous, and demeaning sexist attitude demonstrated by the newly elected leaders of our country, by no less than President Rodrigo Duterte, and his cohorts towards womankind.’

As expected the letter, signed by about 200 individuals, didn’t have much support from beauty pageant-loving Filipinos.

Well, the petition has officially failed. No less than reigning Miss Universe Pia Alonzo Wurtzbach of the Philippines has confirmed that indeed, the international pageant will be held in Manila on January 30, 2017 (January 29, US time). Pre-pageant events are also reportedly being planned in cities like Baguio, Bohol, Cebu and Davao.

Disappointed but determined, the group of petitioners is reportedly setting its sight on the next target : Miss Earth, another major international beauty pageant based in the Philippines.

This time, the group’s reason has nothing to do with President Duterte but with this year’s Philippine representative, Imelda Schweighart, who embarrassed the country by asking Miss Austria if Adolf Hitler was from her country; accused the pageant winner Miss Ecuador of having fake nose, chin and breasts; and made a huge deal about the yellow gown that she was supposed to wear had she been chosen a semi-finalist (she wasn’t.)

It seems that this group of petitioners has too much time on their hands.

Government, Law Enforcement

What You Need To Know When Applying For A Philippine Driver’s License

November 3, 2016 Pol Pinoy Leave a comment

MANILA, Philippines (The Adobo Chronicles, Manila Bureau) – While driving under the influence (DUI) is a big no-no in almost all countries, road rules as well as licensing requirements vary from one continent to another.

In Thailand, for example, driving shirtless is against the law, and while it may be frowned upon in the Philippines, it is not a violation.

But when applying for a driver’s license in the Philippines, there are rules and requirements that must be adhered to.

An applicant must be at least 18 years old, able to read and write in Filipino or English, in possession of a valid student driver permit, have a medical certificate, pass a drug test as well as a written and practical examination.

There’s more. The applicant must be “clean, neat and presentable.”

The wearing of sando (sleeveless t-shirt), sports shorts, and slippers during photo-taking and examinations is not allowed.

A spokesperson for the Land Transportation Office (LTO), the government agency tasked with issuing driver’s licenses, told The Adobo Chronicles that the reason wearing slippers during the application process is prohibited because it doesn’t look good in the license photo (see picture above).

So, when in the Philippines, you can drive wearing slippers, but you can’t wear them when applying for your driver’s license.

Government, Immigration, Politics, Race Relations

Political Asylum In The Philippines Offered To Americans Wanting To Escape A Donald Trump Presidency

November 2, 2016 Pol Pinoy 1 Comment

MANILA, Philippines (The Adobo Chronicles, Manila Philippines) – Many Americans are starting to make plans to move to other countries in the event that Donald Trump is elected president of the United States on Tuesday.

Canada and countries in Europe are among the more popular choices for a new life for Americans.

But Philippine President Rodrigo Roa Duterte has laid out an offer that’s hard to refuse. He is offering Americans wanting to escape a Trump presidency a hassle-free political asylum status. No questions asked.

“Despite my rhetoric against the U.S., I have a soft spot in my heart for Americans — including Filipino Americans — who are fearful of Donald Trump as president of the most powerful country on earth,” Duterte said.

“We’ve been a colony of America for many decades, we speak English, and we love Hollywood movies, so Americans will not have a difficult time adjusting to life in the Philippines, the president pointed out.