Filipina Wins Best Actress Award in Cannes

Jaclyn Jose (Source: rappler.com)

Filipino actress Jaclyn Jose won best actress at the Cannes film festival Sunday, May 22 for her mesmerizing performance as a mother forced to sell drugs to survive before falling prey to corrupt police. A tearful Jose said she was "so surprised" as she took to the stage to accept the award for her role in Ma' Rosa by acclaimed director Brillante Mendoza, reports Rappler.

Filipino Teen Invents Biodegradable Plastic Bags

Amin Hataman, a 15-year-old, a student at the Fountain International School in San Juan City, Metro Manila, is now a certified international award-winning inventor of biodegradable plastic bags, reports Tankler.com.

PH Economy Grew Faster Than Expected in First Quarter

The Philippine economy grew faster than expected at 6.9 percent in the first quarter from the same period a year ago, its highest quarterly growth in almost three years,  as the government prepares to hand over leadership to the incoming administration, reports Inquirer.net,.

Remittances From Abroad Totaled $6.56 Billion in 1st Quarter

Cash sent home by Filipinos abroad through banks inched up to $2.42 billion in March as deployment of overseas workers remained steady during the first quarter. The latest Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) datashowed a 1.5-percent increase in cash remittances last March from $2.39 billion a year ago, bringing the first quarter total to $6.56 billion, reports Inquirer.net.

Duterte to Create Separate Department for OFWs

Presumptive president Rodrigo Duterte said he will create a separate department for overseas Filipino workers (OFWs), which may be housed in the Post Office building in Manila, reports ABS-CBN News.

New York-New Jersey Filipino Restaurant Week '16 Is On

Foodiesin New York and New Jersey will once again feast on authentic, bold and innovative Filipino dishes as Filipino Restaurant Week 2016 kicked offMay 11 at the Philippine Center with the 15 participating restaurants offering samples from their menus. It runs from 16 May through 27 May 2016, reports Inquirer.net.

Cebu City Council Junks Coal Plant Project

Through their collective efforts, Cebuanos won against the proposed coal-powered plant in Sawang Calero, Cebu City. Residents of Sawang and its neighboring barangay Pasil handed white flowers to members of the City council to celebrate the junking of Ludo Power Corporation's 300 megawatts coal power plant project, reports Rappler.

Duterte Brings Investor Jitters, But Stands to Gain From Aquino Reforms

The incoming Duterte administration would bring some uncertainty among investors, but it stands to gain from the economic reforms introduced by President Aquino, according to Washington-based Institute of International Finance (IIF), reports Inquirer.net.