Aquino Baffled By Rising Unemployment in Strong Economy

Baffled by the high unemployment rate, President Aquino on Tuesday quizzed the Cabinet on its “action plan for poverty reduction” as the benefits of a strong economy were eluding the country’s middle class and poor, reports Inquirer.net.

Filipinos Warned of TPS Scams

Immigration specialists from the Catholic Charities of Santa Clara County warned Filipinos to beware of Temporary Protected Status (TPS) scams and to rely instead on licensed professionals for their visa problems, reports Inquirer.net. 

Filipino Canadian Skater to Compete in Winter Olympics

Gilmore Junio will have the distinction of representing not one, but two countries at Sochi 2014 Winter Olympics, reports the Toronto Sun. Junio is a 23-year-old long-track speed skater who was born in Calgary but is proud of his Filipino heritage.

Colder Winds Continue in Northernmost Luzon

Extreme North Luzon will continue to experience colder winds as the northeast monsoon still lingers over the area, according to the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa), reports Inquirer.net.

OFWs Warned of Fake Job Prospects in So. America; Russia

Filipinos seeking jobs overseas were warned against falling for fake job prospects in Brazil, other parts of South America and Russia, reports GMA News. The Philippine Consulate General In Hong Kong  cited information from the Philippine embassies in Brazil and Russia about Filipinos being duped by the scams.

Filipinos Are World's Third Heaviest Drinkers

After ranking 15th in the world’s top porn-watchers according to an adult website, Filipinos are now involved in another kind of bottom, shot glass bottoms, reports Inquirer.net. According to a study, Filipinos drink an average of 5.4 shots of any spirit per week, behind Russia, 6.3 shots, and South Korea, 13.7 shots.

Pinoys in Malaysia Mourns Loss of OFW Defender

Filipinos in Malaysia mourn the loss of Embassy Labor Attaché and Overseas Filipino Workers (OFW) defender, Dr. Alicia Santos, reports Rappler.com. Santos was well-loved by the Filipino community in Malaysia for organizing events for OFWs and leading the development of the Filipino Workers Resource Center (FWRD) in Kuala Lumpur. She passed away at age 64.

Domestic Helpers in Hong Kong Find Sexual Liberation

Working long hours away from home for low pay and little time off, foreign domestic workers lead a tough life in Hong Kong. But for some, the city has brought sexual liberation unheard of in their home countries, reports Inquirer.net/AFP.