Two Fil-Am Kids Raise More Than $100,000 for Haiyan Relief

Ten-year-old Filipino-American Malaya David and her 13-year-old sister, Tala, raised $102,160 to help survivors of Supertyphoon “Yolanda," reports Inquirer.net. After raising $2,160 from selling colorful hand-made bracelets in December, they received $100,000 from an anonymous donor—all to rebuild a school in Tanauan, in the province of Leyte, one of the towns ravaged by Yolanda.

EU Built 4,000 Houses in Storm-Ravaged E. Mindanao

The European Union has built 4,000 homes in Compostela Valley and Davao del Sur for 200 families, whose houses were destroyed when Typhoon Pablo hit the area last December 2012, according to EU Ambassador Guy Ledoux, reports Manila Standard Today.He said the 200 families were part of a total of 4,000 families, who had their homes repaired or rebuilt with the help of the EU through the Philippine National Red Cross.

PH Slams China's New Fishing Law in Disputed Sea

The Philippines on January 10, slammed the new Chinese law that requires foreigners to seek China's permission to fish in the disputed South China Sea, reports Rappler.com. The new fisheries law was issued by the Hainan Provincial People's Congress. “This development escalates tensions, unnecessarily complicates the situation in the South China Sea, and threatens the peace and stability of the region,” the Department of Foreign Affairs said in a statement.

OFWs Warned Not to Wear Red or Yellow in Thailand

The Philippine Embassy in Thailand has warned Filipinos in the country to avoid wearing red and yellow so they would not be accused of showing support for the opposing political parties, reports Inquirer.net. “Large crowds and demonstrations should be avoided as there have been incidents of violence with some fatalities,” the Embassy said in an advisory.

PH Economy Given Positive Evaluation Despite Haiyan

The National Competitiveness Council gave the Philippines a positive 2013 evaluation, citing rapid economic growth, credit upgrades from ratings agencies, and surges upwards in international competitiveness ratings, reports the Asia Foundation. Despite the devastation caused by Super typhoon Haiyan (Yolanda), economic estimates show that the overall economic growth of the nation will not be greatly affected.

Pinay Caregiver Takes "X-Factor Israel" By Storm

A 47-year-old Filipino caregiver has emerged as the newest star of Israeli reality television, reports Inquirer.net/AP Rose Fostanes, a diminutive woman with a booming voice, has taken “X-Factor Israel” by storm and emerged as a national phenomenon. Known simply as “Rose,” she is mobbed by fans wherever she goes.

Start of PH School Year May Change to Sept.

President Benigno Aquino is open to moving the start of the Philippines' school year to September instead of June, reports Inquirer.net. Communications Secretary Herminio “Sonny” Coloma, Jr. said over state-run dzRB that the proposal was in line with the Asean (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) Integration in 2015.

Firecracker Victim Is PH's First Child Kidney Donor

John Kenneth Deñega, a 12-year-old boy killed by firecracker blast, became the first pediatric kidney donor in the country, reports Interaksyon.com.  Deñega's parents donated the boy's kidneys to a 64-year-old male radio commentator, a diabetic, who is suffering from end-stage renal disease.