Philippines and Chile Sign Agreement on Disaster Reduction and Management

The Philippines on Monday signed a memorandum of understanding in Malacañang with the government of Chile for cooperation in disaster risk reduction and management.

The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC), in a news release, said that the signing is one of the highlights of the state visit of Chilean President Michele Bachelet, who is also in the country for the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation summit. Read more on Inquirer.net.

Gold-winning Philippine Athletes to Get P10-M from Government

National athletes, coaches and trainers who win in international competitions are now entitled to more incentives following the enactment of Republic Act 10699. 

In a news release on Saturday, Senator Sonny Angara, who chairs the Senate committee on games, amusement and sports, lauded the enactment of the law, which also recognizes athletes with disabilities. See more from GMANews Online.

Kobe Paras to Play for UCLA

Kobe Paras (Source: UCLA Twitter)

Kobe Paras, son of Philippine basketball superstar Benjie Paras, has officially committed to UCLA, submitting his National Letter of Intent. Paras is currently finishing his senior year of high school while playing for the Middlebrooks Academy Team. He also plays for the Gilas Pilipinas Youth Team. More from SLAM Philippines.

Leslie-Ann Huff Joins The Vampire Diaries

Leslie-Ann Huff (Source: ew.com)

Fil-Am actress Leslie-Ann Huff will join the cast of The Vampire Diairies. She will portray Rayna, a vampire hunter. Reported from EW.com.

Filipina Wins City Council Seat in Utah

Jewel Allen (Source: facebook.com/Photo by the Sweetest Moments Photography)

Jewel Allen made the switch from political activist to politician Nov. 3. In a six-person race for three city council seats in Grantsville, Utah, Allen received the third-most support with 20 percent of the ballot. It was just enough to edge the fourth-place candidate and make her the first Filipino to win a city council position in state history, reports ABS-CBN News.

Philippines and China hold 1st meeting in 2 years

To prepare for a key regional summit and to ease the tensions between the two countries, the Philippines and China on Tuesday, November 10, held their first bilateral meeting in two years.

In a breakthrough, Philippine Foreign Secretary Albert del Rosario and Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi met on Tuesday at the Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) in Pasay City. More on Rappler.com.

23M Adult Filipinos Run Out of Money for Basic Necessities – WB Survey

A World Bank survey, whose results were announced on Wednesday, October 21, showed that 23 million adult acknowledge that their households run out of money for food and other necessary items either “sometimes” (29%) or “regularly” (26%). More on Rappler.com

Special Filipino District Coming Up in San Francisco

San Francisco is setting up an official Filipino social and cultural district to preserve symbols Filipino American presence in the South of Market neighborhood as its longtime residents face threats of displacement from surging high-tech development.

Dubbed SoMa Pilipinas, the special area would showcase more than 25 historic buildings, sites and objects to mark the neighborhood as a hub for new Filipino immigrants and therefore a center for Filipino culture in the city. More in Inquirer.net.