PH-Based Creator of Site Used By Mass Shooters Says It Should Be Shut

Vigil in El Paso (Photo by Herika Martinez/Getty Images)

The creator of 8Chan, which is being linked to recent white supremacist mass shootings, says the site should be shut down. Self-proclaimed “eugenicist” turned born-again Christian Fredrick Brennan, who lives in the Philippines told the New York Times, “It’s a complete negative to everybody except the users that are there. And you know what? It’s a negative to them, too. They just don’t realize it.” The site is currently being operated by an Army veteran named Jim Watkins and his son Ronald, who also live in the Philippines (See Los Angeles Magazine for story). 

Ryan Cayabyab Only Filipino Magsaysay Awardee This Year

Ryan Cayabyab (Photo by Joseph Pascual/CNN PH)

Composer, musician and National Artist Ryan Cayabyab is the only Filipino among the five awardees in the Ramon Magsaysay Awards this year, as announced on Friday at the De La Salle University-Rufino Campus in Taguig City (See bit.ly for story). 

PH Is Most Dangerous Country for Protectors of Environment

(Photo by Karl Malakunas/AFP/Getty Images)

The Philippines has replaced Brazil as the most murderous country in the world for people defending their land and environment, according to research that puts a spotlight on the administration of President Rodrigo Duterte (See story in The Guardian).

UST Singers Crowned 'Choir of the World Champions'

(Photo from UST Singers’ facebook page)

The UST Singers were crowned “Choir of the World Champions” at the Choir of the World Champion of Champions Online Voting Contest, besting 32 other choirs from all over the world. The Singers are the first choral group to win the much-coveted Luciano Pavarotti Grand Prize of the Choir of the World competition twice, first in 1995 and again in 2010 in the mixed (male and female) choir category (See story in The Varsitarian).

Photographers Raise Funds for Batanes Quake Victims

(Photo courtesy of Dominic De Sagon Asa/AFP)

A group of photographers launched an online fund drive called “Bayanihan para sa Batanes” to help the Ivatans affected by the two powerful earthquakes. To help the Ivatans recover, some Filipino photographers are now selling their photographs online through the Facebook page “Bayanihan Para sa Batanes” (See story in Philstar.com).

Cordillera High Choral Group Wins Gold in Bali

(Photo courtesy of Jayson Manuel L Osong)

A choral group from the Cordillera Regional Science High School (CRSHS) won a Gold medal (Level 1) in the Teenagers Category and another gold medal in the level 4 Championship Qualifier in the ongoing 8th Bali International Choir Festival held in Indonesia (See story in WowCordillera.com). 

Fil-Korean Actress to Play Batgirl in 'Birds of Prey'

Ella Jay Basco is cast as Cassandra Cain in “Birds of Prey” (Source: nextshark.com)

Ella Jay Basco, a young Filipina-Korean actress, is playing Batgirl in the upcoming DC Extended Universe (DCEU) film “Birds of Prey” (See Nextshark.com for story).

3 In 5 Filipinos Want Int'l Bodies to Probe Drug War Deaths -- Survey

Human rights groups put up a “rage shrine” honoring victims of the government’s anti-drug operations. (Photo by Mark Demayo, ABS-CBN News)

Three in 5 Filipinos believe that the government should not block international groups looking into deaths under the local anti-narcotics drive, according to an opinion poll (See story in ABS CBN News).