PH, China in Fresh Row Over Disputed Shoal

The Philippines accused China's coast guard Friday of illegally seizing fishing equipment near a disputed shoal in the South China Sea, sparking a fresh spat with Beijing. Scarborough Shoal, one of several reefs controlled by China, is one of the region's richest fishing grounds and a flash point between the two countries (See Yahoo News/AFP for story).

Nearly 50% of PH Covid Fatalities Never Hospitalized

Nearly half of the persons who died of coronavirus disease 2019 were never admitted to hospital or medical facilities, according to data from the Department of Health (DOH) (See Philstar.com for story)..

PH Jeepney Drivers Going Hungry, Homeless Due to Pandemic

Forced off the road by coronavirus lockdowns, Philippine jeepney driver Daniel Flores now plies the streets of Manila on foot begging for money to feed his hungry family (See Inquirer.net for story)..

Half of Filipino Adults Are Jobless -- Survey

Unemployment is at record levels due to the coronavirus lockdown. The Social Weather Stations estimates that nearly half of Filipino adults, or some 27.3 million are jobless as of July (See Esquiremag.ph) for story).

Pandemic Puts 2 Caregivers' Lives in Limbo

Mary Anne De Ramos (left) in Mexico and Genalin Bautista in United Arab Emirates. (Photos from The Star)

Two Filipina caregivers who traveled with their employers abroad are stuck outside Canada due to Covid-19 restrictions (See Inquirer.net for story).

79% of Filipinos Say Life Got Worse in Pandemic--Survey

The latest Social Weather Stations (SWS) survey found that majority of Filipinos believe their quality of life has gotten worse compared to last year in the face of the unprecedented crisis due to the coronavirus pandemic. Conducted from July 3 to 6, the survey found that 79 percent of Filipinos said their quality of life worsened (See Inquirer.net for story).

Thai Newspaper Calls PH 'Land of Covid'

 Malacañang Tuesday linked a Thai newspaper headline calling the Philippines "land of COVID" to the supposed media restrictions in Thailand. Newspaper Thai Rath gave the Philippines the unflattering description in an August 9 article about the arrival of 165 Filipino teachers in Thailand (See Philstar.com for story).

Vancouver Upgrades Plaza Named After Fil-Canadian Leader

Mel Tobias

VANCOUVER, British Columbia – Filipinos may not have their own cultural center in Vancouver, but there is a plaza honoring a Fil-Canadian community leader and pioneering cultural figure, Mel Tobias (See Inquirer.net for story).