Filipino Boy Is in Pope's Sistine Chapel Choir

Any important ceremony in the Vatican--like the canonization of Pope John Paul II and Pope John XXIII--features music by the Coro della Capella Sistina or the Sistine Chapel Choir.  Two members of Sistine Chapel Choir are Filipinos, one of them is 10-year-old Dan Valenzona, reports GMA News.

New Envoy--China Won't Go to War

Going to war “is not in the interest of China,” new Chinese Ambassador to the Philippines Zhao Jian Hua declared at Thursday night’s celebration of Queen Elizabeth II’s birthday hosted by the British embassy, reports Interaksyon.com.

Filipina Fined for Chewing Gum in Dubai Bus Stop

A Filipina commuter in Dubai was shocked when she was penalised by an inspector from Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) for chewing gum inside a bus stop, reports Gulf News. According to RTA rules and regulations, eating, drinking and smoking inside RTA’s air-conditioned bus shelters is an offence that attracts a Dh100 fine when caught.

Canada Eases Immigration Rules

Here’s good news for Filipinos wishing to work or permanently settle in Canada. The Canadian government is forging ahead with a new immigration system that will offer “express entry” to qualified immigrants, Labor Secretary Rosalinda Baldoz's announcement, reports Inquirer.net.

Filipino American Doctor Killed in Afghanistan

An Afghan government security guard opened fire April 24 on a group of foreign doctors at a Kabul hospital, killing three American physicians including Chicago-based Filipino American Dr. Jerry Umanos, reports Inquirer.net

Filipinos Are 2nd Shortest People in Southeast Asia -- Study

If Southeast Asians stood in a straight file, Filipinos would be at the second spot, in a line according to height, reports Inquirer.net. According to a study that the Association of Southeast Asian Nations conducted, Filipinos are the second shortest people in the region.

Filipino Caregivers in Canada Struggle to Advance in Careers

Preliminary results of a study revealed that Filipino caregivers in Canada are struggling to advance in their careers, as many of them stick to caregiving-related jobs even after completing the Live-In Caregiver Program (LCP), a federal government program that allows Temporary Foreign Workers to seek permanent residency and eventually citizenship, reports ABS-CBN News.

Developers Target One Million New Homes By 2016

The Subdivision and Housing Developers Association (SHDA) hopes to build one million new homes by 2016, reports Inquirer.net.  SHDA, the country’s largest housing development association, said the past year highlighted the nation's housing problems, especially in the face of national calamities.