Category Archives: International

Business, International, Travel

AIRBUS UNVEILS NEWEST AIRCRAFT: MORE LEGROOM, LESS ELBOW ROOM

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imageBLAGNAC, France (The Adobo Chronicles® ) –  The Airbus A380 , a double-deck, wide-body, four-engine jet airliner manufactured by Airbus, remains the world’s largest passenger airliner todate, and the airports at which it operates have upgraded facilities to accommodate it.

But even this massive aircraft is not big enough to fully accommodate the increasing volume of air travel in this  inter-connected world of ours.

In an effort to keep up with the high demand for airline seats, Airbus has redesigned a quarter of its current fleet of 380’s, which consequently also means higher profits for airline companies.

The new design, named Airbus 380-B, features rows of seats that alternately face forward and backward. The configuration adds at least 6 more seats per row. Although the design provides less elbow room and less space between seats, it creates more legroom — an additional 12 inches —  for passengers, even and especially in the economy section.

Some airlines like United and Philippines Airlines charge an additional premium fee for front-facing seats.

Rich de la Cruz, a frequent traveler from the Philippines who experienced flying in economy class on the new aircraft recently, said he appreciates the additional legroom especially on 13 to 16-hour flights. Asked about the reduced elbow room and space between seats, de la Cruz said,  “I don’t mind it at all.  It’s actually cozy, especially when you’re seated next to a beautiful lady. It’s a pleasant perk!” He added, “It also encourages more social interaction among passengers.”

If you’re a frequent air traveler, which would you prefer: more legroom, or more elbow room? Participate in our poll below:

Economy, Government, International

PHILIPPINES LENDS $1 BILLION TO IMF, ASKS FILIPINOS TO BE AUSTERE

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Skyline of the affluent Makati City in the Philippines (background), slums (foreground)
Skyline of the affluent Makati City in the Philippines (background), slums (foreground)

MANILA, Philippines (The Adobo Chronicles® ) –  The Philippines is lending the International Monetary Fund (IMF) $1 billion to help stabilize the global economy amid the euro zone’s debt crisis, the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (Central Bank of the Philippines) said on Wednesday.

“The Philippines is supporting the global efforts to stabilize the world economy and maintain it on a growth path. This is the reason why the Philippines is extending a $1 billion loan to the IMF. We are a member of the global community of nations and it is also in our interest to ensure economic and financial stability across the globe,” BSP Governor Amando M. Tetangco Jr. said in a statement.

Tetangco said the loan to the IMF is the Philippines’ way of giving back to the world’s so-called lender of last resort after it helped the country address its financial difficulties in the past.

The Philippines had been a net borrower from the IMF for almost 40 years until the country finally settled its loans in 2006.

In order to lessen the negative impact of this loan on the Philippine economy, President NoyNoy Aquino asked the Filipino people to institute austerity measures, including:

  • Reducing their daily meals from three to two, and to avoid eating rice altogether
  • Turning off airconditioners in homes, malls, offices, and cars from 10am to 6pm, 7 days a week
  • Save on gasoline by driving their cars only on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays
  • Using candles or gas lamps to light up their homes  from 8pm to midnight
  • Avoid charging cell phones, tablets and other mobile devices on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays
  • Avoid taking long showers and,  if possible, limiting them to three times a week

In addition, Aquino issued an executive order mandating that all government offices and hospitals be closed on Wednesdays. Police and firefighters nationwide will be asked to take a mandatory day off every Friday. Also, all ongoing road repairs and improvement work on the MRT (light railway system), will be suspended immediately.

He also urged all elected officials and members of his cabinet to reduce their plunderous activities by at least 15 percent . At the same time, he asked the Philippine Catholic Church to donate 10 percent of its Sunday collections to the government.

Aquino said that this is a time for all Filipinos to do their share in ensuring that the country’s economy will continue to remain robust while maintaining the Philippines’ reputation as the new “Darling of Asia.”

 

Beauty, Entertainment, International, The Media

KRIS AQUINO: THUMBS DOWN FOR MARIA OZAWA, THUMBS UP FOR PIA WURTZBACH

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imageMANILA, Philippines (The Adobo Chronicles® ) – First, Philippine President NoyNoy Aquino was romantically linked to reigning Miss Philippines-Universe Pia Wurtzbach.  The two were seen having dinner at a restaurant in Metro Manila days before Wurtzbach won the pageant crown.

Now, Aquino’s love (less) life is again in the headlines.  This time it involves  29-year-old Japanese actress and former adult video star Maria Ozawa. Ozawa is in the Philippines filming a new movie with Filipino actor Robin Padilla.

Ozawa was quoted by the media as saying that she was open to dating the president.

That didn’t sit well with Aquino’s younger sister Kris.  The television host said she is 100% against her brother dating Ozawa. “We are a respectable family, and I will not allow a former adult video star to taint our good name,” Kris said. “I much prefer Wurtzbach to be my brother’s wife — she is beautiful, respectable and queenly, di ba?”

Reigning Miss Philippines-Universe Pia Wurtzbach
Reigning Miss Philippines-Universe Pia Wurtzbach

Days after Wurtzbach won the beauty crown, Kris interviewed her on television talk show. During that interview, Aquino told Wurtzbach  “I promise I will be a good sister-in-law.”

No love lost there between the beauty queen and the queen of all medial!