Category Archives: International

Mark Your Calendars: February 2018 Only Has 27 Days

7A3D3FC7-08FF-4CCF-A3E3-A30970AE045CBEIJING, China (The Adobo Chronicles, Tokyo Bureau) – Once every four years, the calendar counts 366 days in a year, as opposed to the usual 365 days.  It’s because every four years is a leap year which means there are 29, instead of 28 days in February.

But lo and behold, the year 2018 (not a leap year) only has 364 days because February 14 has been scratched from the calendar.

It is a phenomenon that has baffled historians, politicians, sociologists and religious leaders.

To add insult to injury, Ferbruary 14 this year is not only Valentine’s Day but also Ash Wednesday. The Catholic Church has urged its followers to skip Valentine’s celebration in  order to appropriately commemorate Ash Wednesday, a day of fasting and abstinence.

Canada Will Honor Helicopter Sale To Philippines, Promises To Take Back Trash

AFCD75E3-D2B8-4DBA-8DF0-F55C9A7C287ATORONTO, Canada  (The Adobo Chronicles, Toronto Bureau) – The Canadian government has ordered a review of the purchase of  Bell 412 EPI by the Philippine government amid concerns that it will be used against local insurgents.

In response, the Philippine Department of Defense that it will purchase the combat helicopters elsewhere should Canada cancel the sale.

Upon hearing the Philippine response, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau apologized for his country’s threat and begged President Rodrigo Duterte not to seek to purchase the equipment elsewhere.

D4622E4D-69EF-4F33-B3D8-701BBDA79E89In a show of good faith,  Trudeau promised that Canada will take back  the back the disputed trash it exported to the Philippines years ago under the guise of recyclable plastics. It was a sore thumb in Philippines-Canada relations.

Do we have a deal?

 

 

Philippines To Ship Luxury Car Scrap Metal To Canada

 

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Smuggled luxury cars, top; Canadian trash, bottom

MANILA, Philippines (The Adobo Chronicles, Manila Bureau) – In 2013, a shipment from Canada arrived in the Port of Manila, disguised as recyclable plastics. But upon inspection by Customs, it was discovered that the 103 shipping containers had nothing but old wires, CDs, used plastic cups and soiled adult diapers. 

The Philippines wanted to ship back the trash but Canada has consistently rejected the idea.

Forward to 2018.

Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte presided over the crushing of dozens of smuggled luxury cars as a clear message that his government will not tolerate any form of illegal shipment.

In an exclusive interview with The Adobo Chronicles, Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque said that Duterte has instructed the Bureau of Customs to ship the scrap metal from the crushed luxury cars to Canada. Roque said that it was Duterte’s answer to the Canadian trash shipment of 2013.

Now it’s even, but Duterte’s move was described by many as more classy: BMW, Mercedes, Lexus and Lamborghini scrap metal vs. soiled adult diapers.