Category Archives: International

Business, International, Politics, Technology, The Media, Travel

TOP TEN THINGS YOU’LL NEED UPON LANDING AT NINOY AQUINO INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT

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imageManila, Philippines (The Adobo Chronicles) – The murdered Filipino opposition leader must be turning and twisting in his grave as the international airport named after him has gained the reputation as the worst in the world. Manila’s Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) has been the subject of ridicule in recent months not only for overcrowding, confusing signage or lack thereof, clueless airport personnel, and most of all, non-functioning airconditioning units.

As of press time, new airconditioning units  have reportedly arrived but it is no guarantee that incoming and outgoing passengers will keep their cool.

As a stop-gap measure, the Philippines’ Airports Authority issued a travel advisory recommending the top ten things traveling passengers will need upon disembarkation:

1. Anahaw (wicker) fans. They’re relatively inexpensive. Foreigners can easily borrow these from their Filipino friends and neighbors. They are also sold at NAIA concession stands.

2. If you want to go high tech, you can purchase battery-operated personal fans from almost every mall in America and elsewhere.

3. Cotton towel, to wipe your sweat and keep you dry at all times, especially while in line at the immigration, customs and baggage claim areas.

4. Plastic spray bottle. Make sure to fill it up with water before de-planing. You will need to squirt some mist on your face every minute or so.

5. Deodorant. Be courteous to your fellow incoming passengers.

6. Perfume. Make it a Prada. Filipinos love designer stuff

7. Face mask. It will not only protect you from airborne viruses, but from the stench of sweat all around you.

8. Bikini top for women. Think of it as entering a dry sauna.  And make it Victoria’s Secret. Filipinos love designer stuff.

9. Bikini bottom for men. Make it Calvin Klein. Filipinos love designer stuff.

10. Ice-cold bottled water. Not just any bottled water. Make it a Fiji. Did we already mention Filipinos love designer stuff?

Mabuhay! Welcome to Manila, you know, the place novelist Dan Brown calls “the gates of hell.”

Business, Film and TV, Human Interest, International, Law Enforcement, Politics, The Media

PHILIPPINE PORK BARREL SCAM: ‘NAPOLES LIST’ FINALLY REVEALED

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Justice Secretary Leila de Lima
Justice Secretary Leila de Lima

Manila, Philippines (The Adobo Chronicles) – After weeks of intense pressure from senators and congressmen as well as the media, Philippine Justice Secretary Leila de Lima finally revealed the so-called ‘Napoles List’ which contained names of individuals that benefited from the 10 Billion-peso pork barrel scam. The scam allegedly siphoned taxpayer money into ghost nongovernmental organiztions (NGOs) and projects as well as the pockets of senators, congressmen, Aquino administration officials, the Justice Department, journalists and yes, even Catholic bishops.

The ‘Napoles List’ was contained in a signed affidavit obtained from suspected pork barrel scam mastermind Janet Lim-Napoles.  De Lima persistently refused to make the list public, saying that the Justice Department needed more time to conduct a more thorough investigation of the celebrated case.

But today, de Lima made the list public.

The Adobo Chronicles obtained an early copy of the list.  Because of limited space, we are publishing the list in installments of ten, starting with these names:

  1. Elena Magtanggol
  2. Perla Silanganan
  3. Bayani Magiliw
  4. Alana Puso
  5. Lupa Hinirang
  6. Duhat Magiting
  7. Dibdiban de la Cruz
  8. Juan Tamadino
  9. Dyesebel Moreno
  10. Darna Zobel

While no senators and congressmen are on this initial list, it does not mean that they are scathe-free. In fact this initial list are names of  mistresses and gigolos of senators and congressmen who received money from the Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF) or pork barrel funds.

Stay tuned for the next installment.

Health & Medicine, Human Interest, International

NEW GENETIC STUDY MAY EXPLAIN WHY SOME HUMANS ACT LIKE DOGS

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Same gene causes albinism in dogs and humans
Same gene causes albinism in dogs and humans

Detroit, Michigan (The Adobo Chronicles) – Ever wondered why some humans act like dogs? The answer seems to be in the genes.

A new study finds that certain dogs, just like certain humans, carry a gene mutation that causes albinism — a condition that results in little or no pigment in the eyes, skin and hair.

The study by researchers at Michigan State University identifies the exact genetic mutation that leads to albinism in Doberman pinschers, a discovery that has eluded veterinarians and dog breeders until now. Interestingly, the same mutated gene that causes albinism in this dog breed is also associated with a form of albinism in humans.

While the study was limited to the ‘albino gene,’ many behavioral scientists were quick to conclude that dogs are not only humans’ best friend; humans and dogs share a generic makeup that explains why dogs act like humans ans humans act like dogs.

Encouraged by this new genetic study, researchers from major scientific institutions are embarking on follow up studies aimed at identifiying other genes shared by humans and dogs.

We may soon find new meaning, and truth, to the human expeession, ‘wag the dog.’