PH Backs Down, Won't Randomly Open Balikbayan Boxes

President Aquino ordered the Bureau of Customs (BOC) to refrain from opening “balikbayan” boxes, except when the boxes pose a threat to public safety, after overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) sent a storm of online protests, reports Inquirer.net. The BOC initially announced the physical inspection of balikbayan boxes to curb smuggling, but OFWs and their families voiced concern over the possible pilfering of the boxes' contents by customs employees.

Filipinos Paying More for Slower Internet Speed -- Study

Internet users in the Philippines are “paying more for less” as the actual speed of their connection has never reached the “advertised speed” by Internet service providers (ISPs), a study showed. Mary Grace Santos, a research fellow of the LIRNEasia, presented the results of their study during the hearing of the Senate committee on trade on the impact of slow and expensive Internet in the country, reports Inquirer.net.

Meet the First Filipino Astronaut, Chino Roque

Filipino astronaut Chino Roque (Source: rappler.com/Axe Philippines)

Chino Roque always wanted to become an astronaut and follow in the footsteps of Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin, the two men widely credited as the first two people to step on the moon. Little did he know that he would soon get the chance of a lifetime to become the first ever Filipino astronaut, through the Axe Apollo Space Academy (AASA), a global program that aims to send out 23 individuals to space as part of the first commercial suborbital flights by XCOR Aerospace, reports Asian Journal.

Filipino Bishops OK Marijuana Use for Dying Patients

The Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines is not absolutely opposed to the legalization of marijuana use for dying patients, reports Inquirer.net.

Remittances to PH Hit Highest in June -- Central Bank

Cash remittances in June hit their highest level this year on the back of sustained demand for skilled Filipino manpower overseas. Cash sent home by Filipinos living and working abroad grew by 5.6% in the first half of 2015 to $12.08 billion, or $637 million higher compared with $11.45 billion in the same period last year, reports Rappler.com.

Teachers from PH Filling Shortage in Arizona Public Schools

A school district in Arizona is fixing the problem of teacher shortage by recruiting from a pool of highly educated and certified teachers from the Philippines. The Casa Grande Union High School District has hired 16 Filipino teachers this year to help ease the shortage of qualified teachers who are leaving the state of Arizona in big numbers. There are about 1,000 teacher openings in the Phoenix area alone as teachers flee the state because of low pay and inadequate classroomresources, reports Inquirer.net.

Former Senator Agapito 'Butz' Aquino Passes Away

Agapito "Butz" Aquino (Source: malacanang.gov.ph)

Former Sen. Agapito ‘Butz’ Aquino, 76, passed away August 17, his nephew Sen. Benigno "Bam" Aquino IV announced. The uncle of President Benigno Aquino III and brother of the late Ninoy Aquino served Congress both as senator and representative of Makati City, report GMA News.

Fil-Aussie Jason Day Wins PGA in Record-Breaking 20-Under

Filipino-Australian Jason Day won his first career major title in what was an absolutely unbelievable performance at the 2015 PGA Championship. Day became the first player in history to finish 20 under, breaking the record set by Tiger Woods in 2000 at the British Open (-19), reports CBS Sports.