Category Archives: Technology

International, Politics, Technology, Travel

Duterte Unveils Proposed Philippine Railway Plan In Exchange For Giving Up Spratlys To China

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imageDAVAO CITY, Philippines (The Adobo Chronicles, Manila Bureau) – With over 7,000 islands separated by water, the Philippines has faced major challenges in bringing about fast and efficient travel within the country, thereby creating barriers in terms of trade, tourism and unity among Filipinos.  Not anymore.

Previously, we reported that presidential candidate Rodrigo Duterte promised, if elected, to abandon the Philippines’ claim to the Spratly islands in the South China Sea provided China builds trains that would make it easier for Filipinos to travel within their country.

Duterte’s statement caught the attention of the Beijing government and asked for more specifics.

In response, Duterte unveiled his plan for a Pan-Philippine high-speed railway system that would connect the northernmost province of the Philippines to the southernmost tip in Tawi-Tawi. The Davao City mayor wants China to pay for building the system.

China is reportedly very interested but is withholding a final decision until after the May 9 Philippine presidential elections — just in case Dueterte does not win.

Human Interest, International, Technology

Mystery: International Space Station Photo Of Island Of Oahu Shows Ted Cruz Face

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Photo: Timothy Peake

INTERNATIONAL SPACE STATION (The Adobo Chronicles, Washington Bureau) – A stunning photograph of the Hawaiian island of Oahu taken from aboard the International Space Station (ISS) is going viral.  It was taken by British astronaut Timothy Peake, an ISS crew member.

But the reason it has gone viral has nothing to do with the beauty of the photo.  Rather, it is because of a familiar face that can be seen in the photograph — that of presidential candidate Ted Cruz.

At first, experts thought it was the face of President Barack Obama who was born on the island.  But after closer scrutiny, it was determined that indeed, it was the image of Cruz.

Perhaps a sign from above that the senator from Texas will win the Republican nomination for president?

Donald Trump, be afraid. Be very afraid!

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Government, Technology, Travel

New Philippine Passport Will Include Automatic Tourist Visa To U.S., Canada And Europe

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imageMANILA, Philippines (The Adobo Chronicles, Manila Bureau) – The Philippine government has announced that beginning this April, it will start rolling out a fraud-proof, machine-readable e-passport which has enhanced security features that are difficult to replicate.

The new passport has an embedded chip with biometric information used to confirm the identity of the traveler, including a photo and fingerprints. Each page has illustrations that speak to the country’s history, but they’re more than just pretty: the fine-lined embossed effect on the printed surface, created by a process called intaglio printing, is exceptionally difficult to copy.

As a special bonus, the government says the new passport will include an automatic tourist visa to the U.S., Canada and countries in the European Union (EU), but it will only be extended to the first 20,000 Filipinos who will apply for the new passport.

First come, first served.