World’s Largest Human Flag Planned in New York

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You are invited to participate in the first Philippine human flag march at the Philippine Independence Day Parade on June 3, 2012 (Sunday) at 10AM.  Assembly area is at Madison Avenue (37th and 38th Streets).  Please feel free to bring friends and family members.

Each marcher will wear the human flag t-shirt and will be . . . → read more

United States defends visa granted to Raul Castro’s daughter

Mariela Castro

WASHINGTON – The United States Thursday defended its decision to grant a visa to the daughter of Cuban President Raul Castro, saying there was no blanket ban on visits by officials from the communist state.

Mariela Castro, a sexologist who backs gay rights, is due to attend the annual conference of the Latin American . . . → read more

Philippines still on US ‘watch list’ for counterfeit goods

Counterfeit DVDs

MANILA, Philippines – The Philippines remains on the Office of the United States Trade Representative’s (USTR) “watch list” of countries where pirated and counterfeit goods are readily available.

A USTR report posted on the website of the US Embassy in Manila said the Philippines was on the list in 2010 and 2011.

The USTR . . . → read more

Pacquiao KOs anti-gay allegations

Manny Pacquiao, world champion boxer and Filipino congressman, smiles during a break while speaking about his views on same-sex marriage, and other subjects, during the taping of a segment of the entertainment TV show "Extra" at his home in Los Angeles on Wednesday, May 16, 2012. Pacquiao says he loves and supports gays and lesbians, even though he does not approve of gay marriage. Pacquiao has been criticized ever since he gave an interview to the examiner.com website in which he opposed President Barack Obama's support for gay marriage. (AP Photo/Reed Saxon)

LOS ANGELES — Manny Pacquiao says he loves and supports gays and lesbians, even though he does not approve of gay marriage.

The Filipino world boxing champion and congressman has been criticized ever since he was quoted in an interview on the examiner.com website saying he opposed US President Barack Obama’s support for gay . . . → read more

Facebook prices IPO at $38 per share

Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg. (AP Photo/Paul Sakuma, File)

NEW YORK – Facebook has priced its initial public offering of stock at $38 per share, at the high end of its expected range. It means investor demand is strong for the world’s largest online social network.

Facebook Inc. and its early investors now stand to reap as much as $18.4 billion from the . . . → read more

US envoy to Israel: US ready to strike Iran

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JERUSALEM — The US has plans in place to attack Iran if necessary to prevent it from developing nuclear weapons, Washington’s envoy to Israel said, days ahead of a crucial round of nuclear talks with Tehran.

Dan Shapiro’s message resonated Thursday far beyond the closed forum in which it was made: Iran should not test . . . → read more

Japan eyes maritime aid for Philippine defense

Map showing the disputed areas in the West Philippine Sea (south China Sea), including the Spratlys Islands and Scarborough Shoal. AFP

MANILA, Philippines – Japan is planning to provide maritime vessels, including 1,000-ton patrol ships, to the Philippines to “support the island country in its territorial dispute against China,” a Japanese newspaper reported in March, weeks before tensions erupted over the Panatag (Scarborough) Shoal.

The Philippine Navy said it welcomed any form of assistance from . . . → read more

Philippines willing to share Spratlys bounty – Aquino

President Benigno Aquino III/Malacañang photo bureau

MANILA, Philippines – President Benigno Aquino III is willing to share with other countries in the region the benefits of the natural gas deposits in the disputed territories in the West Philippine Sea. But he said he will not be a  party to the ceding of portions of the Philippine archipelago to a foreign . . . → read more

It’s final: DFA to close 10 foreign posts

Secretary of Foreign Affairs Albert del Rosario. AP FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines – The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) will proceed with the closure of 10 diplomatic outposts to make the Philippine foreign service “smarter, meaner and leaner.”

Foreign Secretary Albert del Rosario told the Makati Business Club (MBC) and the Management Association of the Philippines (MAP) the other day that the closures are . . . → read more

Pinoys hold ‘pancit party’ for Jessica Sanchez

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MANILA, Philippines – Filipinos here and in the US organized viewing parties to show their support for American Idol bet Jessica Sanchez.

Some watched Jessica's videos over a plate of pansit.

They say although they can't vote for her, they continue to urge their relatives and friends in the US to support their idol.

"Sinasabihan . . . → read more