All posts by Pol Pinoy

Religion, Sports

Pope Francis’ Message To Gilas Pilipinas: Sad For PH But Happy For Italy

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THE VATICAN (The Adobo Chronicles, Rome Bureau) – Gilas Pilipinas’ loss to Italy in last night’s do-or-die game in the ongoing FIBA World Cup is devastating to most Filipino basketball fans. But Pope Francis has missed reactions: sad and happy.

In a message sent to controversial Gilas coach Chot Reyes, the Pope empathized with the overwhelmingly Catholic country the Philippines but admitted he was happy that his home team Italy won the match.

Here is the Pope’s message to Gilas, courtesy of AI:

Dear members of Gilas Pilipinas,

“In this moment of both sorrow and unity, I extend my heartfelt condolences for your loss in the FIBA World Cup game against Italy. While saddened for the Philippines, I rejoice with Italy on their victory. Let the spirit of sportsmanship and camaraderie continue to bridge nations.”

Pope Francis

Food, International, Media

Market Supply: Move Over Sili, Will Salt Be Next? (Video)

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(Adobo Chronicles’ senior geopolitical correspondent Brian Neyra contributed to this report.)

MANILA, Philippines (The Adobo Chronicles, Manila Bureau) – The irony of ironies! The Philippines is surrounded by sea water, yet it imports 80-90% of its supply of this basic commodity. The country imports at least 850,000 metric tons of salt from mainly Australia and China every year.

Then there are calls to boycott commercial goods from China because of the South China Sea territorial conflict. But then, that boycott may not even be necessary when it comes to salt as there may not be any to import from China.

There is panic over salt in China — people are emptying supermarket shelves and buying out all salt in online stores

The “salt rush” (抢盐潮) started after Japan began dumping radioactive water into the Pacific Ocean from the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant. The Chinese are worried that food-grade sea salt will soon be contaminated with radiation.

So is Philippine news media gearing up for its next salty “price and supply” narrative?

“Salt rush in China”