Filipino Reporter back issues from January 2003:
Counting our blessings
Jan 02, 2003 ... Filipino Reporter 01-02-2003 AS WE MAKE merry this season and enjoy the various customs and traditions connected with Christmas, one of the holiest, most sacred days in the Christian calendar and a holiday shared and celebrated today by many religions and nations, let us ...
MANILA MAIL: Ramos, Estrada, Arroyo all had a hand in Impsa
Jan 02, 2003; ... Pascual, Federico D. Filipino Reporter 01-02-2003 MORE BOMBSHELLS: There will be more explosive revelations on millions changing hands as the key players in the $2-million extortion case involving Justice Secretary Hernando Perez and Manila Rep. Mark Jimenez stumble over ...
American Samoa bans Filipinos and other nationalities
Jan 02, 2003 ... Filipino Reporter 01-02-2003 The United States Pacific territory of American Samoa has banned Filipinos and nationals of 22 other countries from entering due to supposed terrorist threats. Reports reaching the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said that, on orders ...
No clemency for priest killer
Jan 02, 2003 ... Filipino Reporter 01-02-2003 Malacaang has refused to grant executive clemency to former gaming official Alberto "Ambet" Antonio, convicted for the 1996 murder of ex-basketball star Arnulfo "Arnie" Tuadles, and priest killer Norberto Manero as recommended by the Board of ...
$751M surplus in BOP
Jan 02, 2003 ... Filipino Reporter 01-02-2003 The Philippines' balance of payments (BOP) stood at a surplus of $751 million for the first nine months of the year, a dramatic reversal from last year's deficit. The payments statistics lag behind that of trade. Bangko Sentral ng ...
3.4 million jobless
Jan 02, 2003 ... Filipino Reporter 01-02-2003 The number of jobless persons rose to 3.4 million last October, representing 10.2 percent of the labor force, worse than last year's jobless rate of 9.8 percent and 29 percent higher than October 1997's rate of 7.9 percent. Compared with ...
Preparing for death
Jan 02, 2003; ... Francisco, Alice Filipino Reporter 01-02-2003 In my profession, I've seen the face of death a thousand limes and, every lime, the traumatic experience is replayed all over again, and over the years have seem to have deadened the feelings or emotions that ...
Arroyo lauds TOYM awardees
Jan 02, 2003 ... Filipino Reporter 01-02-2003 President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo has lauded this year's Ten Outstanding Young Men (TOYM) for their exemplary achievements in their respective fields and for continuing to be paragons of excellence in humanitarian service. The Chief ...
Miller PBA's MVP
Jan 02, 2003 ... Filipino Reporter 01-02-2003 Batang Red Bull's Willie Miller on Sunday was named as the Most Valuable Player (MVP) of the Philippine Basketball Association's (PBA) 2002 season, beating a dominating Filipino-American teammate and the sentimental choice of players who wanted ...
Phil-Am Grand Slam '02
Jan 02, 2003; ... Eustaquio, Ernie V. Filipino Reporter 01-02-2003 Among city parks in Queens, Cunningham Park is the busiest when it comes to tennis. Not only tennis aficionados from all over Queens but even those from Manhattan, Bronx, Brooklyn and Long Island, come to Cunningham Park ...
POTPOURRI: Cost of prescription drugs up while insurance dwindles
Jan 02, 2003; ... Sibal, Meg Filipino Reporter 01-02-2003 NEARLY everyone who is on any type of medication is fully aware of the ever-rising cost of prescription drugs and the ever-dwindling coverage of drug expenses by insurance. In spite of all the talk in Washington of adding a ...
FELINA SPEAKS: 2003 year of the goat
Jan 02, 2003; ... Saguil, Felina Filipino Reporter 01-02-2003 PEACE and love to all! We are leaving the year of the horse and entering the year of the goat, according to Chinese folklore. Well, are we Fil-Ams thinking of the same things'? Just thinking ...isn't it best we create our ...
GOVERNOR'S MEMO: Crisis role of physicians
Jan 02, 2003; ... Pataki, George E. Filipino Reporter 01-02-2003 I recently announced that $1.8 million in funding will go to New York City-based World Medical Leaders (WML) to provide critical web-based training and urgent communications to doctors in New York State to help them respond to ...
PIECE OF CAKE: License renewal of former Filipinos may be illegal
Jan 02, 2003; ... Campo, Antonio C. Filipino Reporter 01-02-2003 "The practice of all professions in the Philippines shall be limited to Filipino citizens, save in cases prescribed by law." - Paragraph 2, Section 14, Article XII on "National Economy and Patrimony," Constitution of the ...
ON MY OWN: Saddam's 'material breach' leaves U.S. no choice but war
Jan 02, 2003; ... Pelayo, Libertito Filipino Reporter 01-02-2003 IT is no longer a question of whether the United States will attack Iraq, 'mano a mano' if need be. The only question is when. The war with Iraq has become a matter of time after Saddam Hussein flatly denied, in so many ...
THE MAYOR'S CORNER: 22,000 children adopted by city agency since '96
Jan 02, 2003; ... Bloomsberg, Michael R. Filipino Reporter 01-02-2003 EVERY child deserves a loving, supportive and permanent home. As a parent, I can tell you what a difference this makes in a child's life. Since its formation in 1996 as New York City's first agency dedicated to ensuring ...
Media blitz to shore up Cabinet bets
Jan 02, 2003 ... Filipino Reporter 01-02-2003 Cabinet officials have been given the go-signal to go on a media blitz by Malacaang because of their poor showing in a survey of senatorial preferences. The Pulse Asia survey, conducted from Nov. 6 to Nov. 22, showed that not one of the ...
Jimenez to be forcibly deported
Jan 02, 2003 ... Filipino Reporter 01-02-2003 Rep. Mark Jimenez of this city's 6th congressional district will be forcibly extradited to the United States if he insists on staying here beyond Dec. 26. This is the position of Malacaang, according to Press Secretary Ignacio Bunye, who ...
Rage Band resurrected
Jan 09, 2003 ... Filipino Reporter 01-09-2003 When the Rage Band's original members Marissa Buag and Juan Miguel Salvador resurrected the band last May 2002, their main goal was to slowly reestablish themselves in the live performance circuit. From three gigs per week, the band members ...
Comeback actress gets another chance
Jan 09, 2003 ... Filipino Reporter 01-09-2003 Guess who is on the comeback trail these days? Former "Eat Bulaga" cohost/actress Mickey Ferriols, who disappeared from the showbiz, scene three years ago after a much-publicized falling out with talent manager Chit Ramos. Mickey and ...
Upstart Ara licks pro Vilma: Kris, Piolo winners too
Jan 09, 2003 ... Filipino Reporter 01-09-2003 Regal Films' "Mano Po" romped off with the most number of awards a total of 12 in the Metro Manila Film Festival's "Gabi ng Parangal" at the Philippine International Convention Center (PICC) last Friday, including the best actress plum that went ...
11 Jolo fishers feared dead
Jan 09, 2003 ... Filipino Reporter 01-09-2003 Eleven fishermen have been reported missing and feared dead after gunmen attacked their boat in waters off Jolo, police and survivors said. Two fishermen escaped the attack that took place on Dec. 23 but were only found by town officials on ...
Islam fanatics sow fear in Asia in 2002
Jan 09, 2003 ... Filipino Reporter 01-09-2003 Islamic extremists extended their reign of fear deep into Asia in 2002, a year that was otherwise dominated by China defying regional economic gloom and stepping up its march onto the international stage. Undoubtedly the biggest single event ...
2 versions of 'Ultimo Adios'
Jan 09, 2003; ... Andrade, Pio, Jr. Filipino Reporter 01-09-2003 On the afternoon of Dec. 29, 1896, a day before his execution, Dr. Jose Rizal was visited by his mother, Teodora Alonzo, sisters Lucia, Josefa, Trinidad, Maria and Narcisa, and two nephews. When they took their leave, Rizal ...
Measles kill 9 kids
Jan 09, 2003 ... Filipino Reporter 01-09-2003 A measles outbreak in remote mountain villages in Agusan del Norte has killed nine people, mostly children of the Mamanwa tribe, and hospitalized nearly 60 others officials said. "We are still receiving more patients," said Dr. Cerna ...
NEWS IN FOCUS: Prove it - Duterte
Jan 09, 2003 ... Filipino Reporter 01-09-2003 Mayor Rodrigo Duterte challenged anyone who could prove that he has ordered the summary execution of juvenile delinquents. "I will resign as mayor if they can bring even just one case that I was behind the killing of any minor," Duterte ...
PAL plane hijacking retold
Jan 09, 2003 ... Filipino Reporter 01-09-2003 On Dec. 30, 1952, the first hijacking of a commercial airliner in the Philippines happened. And airline pilot Capt. Felix Gaston became a hero. Gaston's exploits 50 years ago today read like a Tom Clancy novel filled with action, drama and ...
45% of Filipinos favor neutrality
Jan 09, 2003 ... Filipino Reporter 01-09-2003 Forty-Five percent of Filipinos do not want the Philippines to get involved in the United States' war against Iraq, according to a survey by the Pulse Asia poll firm. The survey, conducted nationwide Nov. 9-22, also showed more Filipinos ...
Iraq war won't affect R.P. oil
Jan 09, 2003 ... Filipino Reporter 01-09-2003 Malacaang said the government is prepared to handle any contingencies, including evacuation of Filipino contract workers, in case war breaks out in Iraq. Presidential spokesman Rigoberto Tiglao also expressed optimism that an armed ...
Civilian death toll in 2002: 30
Jan 09, 2003 ... Filipino Reporter 01-09-2003 Communist insurgents in the Philippines have killed at least 30 civilians, destroyed P110 million in property and collected over P290 million in extortion this year, according to Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) chief of staff Gen. Dionisio ...
Eala assumes helm of PBA from Jun B
Jan 09, 2003 ... Filipino Reporter 01-09-2003 His schedule remains as hectic as ever. There are relatives to be fetched from or taken to the airport, hundreds of gatherings to attend to and the inevitable meetings. Even the phones are incessantly ringing. No wonder his planner and ...
Tennis player still #1
Jan 09, 2003 ... Filipino Reporter 01-09-2003 Johnny Arcilla subdued Adelo Abadia, 6-4, 6-4, as the Philippines' top netters provided this town with a glimpse of big-time tennis recently in the Mayor Eduardo Mansueto Cup championship here. Arcilla, the number one tennis player of the ...
R.P. finetunes Mideast evac
Jan 02, 2003 ... Filipino Reporter 01-02-2003 Malacaang said that the government is continuously fine-tuning its contingency plan for the Middle East amidst reports that the United States and Great Britain would launch a military offensive against Iraq in January. Press Secretary ...
Bomb kills 12, Muslim mayor
Jan 02, 2003 ... Filipino Reporter 01-02-2003 A bomb planted in a residential compound here have killed 13 people, including a prominent Muslim mayor in Mindanao. Datu Piang Mayor Saudie Ampatuan died from injuries sustained when a homemade bomb exploded during a party he was hosting in ...
Priest marks 25th year
Jan 02, 2003 ... Filipino Reporter 01-02-2003 Reverend Father Roberto D. Coruna, associate pastor at Our Lady of Victories in Sayreville, N.J., marked his 25th year as a priest by celebrating two thanksgiving masses on Dec. 15 at Our Lady of Fatima in Piscataway, N.J. and on Dec. 21 at Our ...
NBI foiled in attempt to arrest fugitive solon
Jan 02, 2003 ... Filipino Reporter 01-02-2003 Speaker Jose de Venecia Jr. stopped a composite team of more than 30 policemen and agents of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) from forcibly taking into their custody controversial Manila Rep. Mark Jimenez on Monday ...
FOCUS@HEALTH: Diabetes mellitus can cause erectile dysfunction
Jan 02, 2003; ... Chua, Philip S. Filipino Reporter 01-02-2003 DIABETES and sex will be the focus for this week's column. Is sex affected by diabetes? Yes. In men, diabetes mellitus can cause a varying degree of erectile dysfunction (inability to attain or sustain erection ...
New leads in slay of Fil-Am executive
Jan 02, 2003; ... Silvestre, Edmund M. Filipino Reporter 01-02-2003 The still unsolved murder of Filipino-American pharmaceutical executive Anna Lisa Raymundo has turned "more complicated" with investigators now looking for leads in Raymundo's alleged involvement with an Internet ...
Free after 3 years: Del Caparas to be released in late 2003
Jan 02, 2003; ... Silvestre, Edmund M. Filipino Reporter 01-02-2003 Fidela Caparas, the Filipino-American bookkeeper who pleaded guilty to stealing $12.5 million from a Manhattan publishing firm, will be out on parole in 2003 after serving only three of her six to 18 year sentence, it was ...
Filipino, Muslims wants UN say on Iraq
Jan 02, 2003 ... Filipino Reporter 01-02-2003 The country's Muslim population wants the Philippine Government to lead the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) in calling on the United States to allow the United Nations (UN) to decide whether or not Iraq is indeed violating its ...
IMMIGRATION CORNER: How do you remember Christmas in homeland?
Jan 02, 2003; ... Gurfinkel, Michael J. Filipino Reporter 01-02-2003 WHAT does Christmas mean to Filipinos? A child's eyes glowing upon the sight of beautifully wrapped Christmas gifts under a well-lit Christmas tree; the family all gathered around the festive table for noche buena; gifts ...
Canada, Australia to reopen embassies
Jan 02, 2003 ... Filipino Reporter 01-02-2003 The Canadian and Australian Embassies, which closed down last month following a reported terrorist threat, will resume operations by the end of the year. The office of the European Commission in this city, which also closed down, reopened ...
Gloria loses mantle of euphoria
Jan 02, 2003 ... Filipino Reporter 01-02-2003 President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo is ending 2002 and her second year in office choking on dust. Her popularity and confidence ratings have tumbled during the year. How to get back up and off the ground has become a presidential nightmare that ...
IMF chides R.P. for singling out small fry
Jan 02, 2003 ... Filipino Reporter 01-02-2003 Authorities have assailed as "uncalled for" assessment by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) that the government is glossing over big tax evaders and instead is focusing on small people. "That is not the case. We are not limiting ...
6,000 OFWs in Kuwait await relocation
Jan 02, 2003 ... Filipino Reporter 01-02-2003 The Philippine Government anticipates a U.S. attack on Iraq immediately after the holidays, and is preparing to evacuate some 6,000 overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) in Kuwait in early January. The announcement gained added force when the ...
GMA: Governing not politicking
Jan 02, 2003 ... Filipino Reporter 01-02-2003 President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo said the opposition, not her, is engaged in politicking and hampering development. Mrs. Arroyo in an interview over government radio earlier this week, said she is just engaged in governance while the ...
Returning OFWs get royal treatment
Jan 02, 2003 ... Filipino Reporter 01-02-2003 President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo welcomed Monday hundreds of returning overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) at the arrival area of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA), a symbolic gesture meant to provide warm welcome for the country's ...
FPJ sized up for 2004
Jan 02, 2003 ... Filipino Reporter 01-02-2003 Will action king Fernando Poe Jr. seek the presidency in 2004? Despite his repeated denials, the speculation continues, especially because surveys consistently show Poe among the frontrunners if presidential elections were held ...
Estrada loyalists hit back & accuse Perez of BOT fraud
Jan 02, 2003 ... Filipino Reporter 01-02-2003 The political party of deposed president Joseph Estrada said last Friday that Justice Secretary-on-leave Hernando Perez violated the Build-Operate-Transfer Law for making the national government the loan guarantor of a Argentine power firm in ...
Estrada pushed IMPSA deal - Perez
Jan 02, 2003 ... Filipino Reporter 01-02-2003 Deposed President Joseph Estrada had pushed the National Power Corp.-IMPSA deal "up to the last minute." Department of Justice (DOJ) Secretary on-leave Hernando Perez said documents show that Estrada signed the $470-million contract awarded ...
Traffic chokes Manila
Jan 02, 2003 ... Filipino Reporter 01-02-2003 If you think that traffic in Metro Manila will get better after several days of heavy gridlock, think again. Camp Crame-based former traffic officials warned that the worst is yet to come. They blamed the traffic woes not only on the ...
R.P. exports slow sharply
Jan 02, 2003 ... Filipino Reporter 01-02-2003 Philippine export momentum slowed sharply in October and import growth fell for the second month, pushing down the country's trade surplus by nearly 25 percent as external demand for electronics and computer parts eased. Shipments across ...
R.P. not yet prepared for 'open skies'
Jan 02, 2003 ... Filipino Reporter 01-02-2003 The country's economic czar believes the Philippines is not ready to adopt the so-called open skies policy, contrary to an earlier policy directive from Malacaang. "We cannot open Manila, Cebu and Davao to American Airlines ...
Guingona will throw hat in '04
Jan 02, 2003 ... Filipino Reporter 01-02-2003 Vice President Teofisto "Tito" Guingona is setting his eyes on the presidency despite finishing last in a recent survey of possible presidential candidates. "For the 'presidentiables' survey, I was last. But as in the Bible saying, the ...
Dickie's dandy debut
Jan 09, 2003 ... Filipino Reporter 01-09-2003 Dickies' first attempt to enter the exciting world of motorsports ended on a triumphant note as ace driver Monching Gutierrez emerged overall champion at the end of the 2002 Sports Values Inc. Challenge Cup. Gutierrez, a former teen ...
Coca-Cola Christmas champ
Jan 09, 2003 ... Filipino Reporter 01-09-2003 Coca-Cola coach Chot Reyes is no Ebenezer Scrooge. Yet, uncannily like the Charles Dickens character, he forbade his players from thinking about this Christmas. At least until the task at hand was complete. So it was not surprising that ...
United Home Care plays Santa
Jan 09, 2003 ... Filipino Reporter 01-09-2003 United Home Care hosted more than 200 employees and guests at their annual Christmas party celebration and Employees' Appreciation Night at the Imperial Room of the Astoria World Manor on Dec. 21, 2002. Highlighting the affair was the ...
POTPOURRI: Quit smoking in new year
Jan 09, 2003; ... Sibal, Meg Filipino Reporter 01-09-2003 AT the risk of sounding like a broken record to smokers, I shall reiterate strategies for quitting smoking successfully and the many health benefits from treating nicotine addiction, giving it top priority on a smoker's list of New ...
PIECE OF CAKE: Requirements to renew license to practice law
Jan 09, 2003; ... Campo, Antonio C. Filipino Reporter 01-09-2003 "Once a Pinoy, always a proud Pinoy." - Senate President Franklin Drilon, principal author of Senate Bill No. 2130 otherwise known as the Dual Citizenship Act THE bill on dual citizenship which is expected to benefit ...
GOVERNOR'S MEMO: Alcohol-related traffic deaths decline sharply
Jan 09, 2003; ... Pataki, George E. Filipino Reporter 01-09-2003 I signed into law this week legislation that lowers the blood alcohol content (BAC) for legal intoxication while driving from .10 percent to .08 percent. The new law allows for the suspension of a license pending prosecution ...
FELINA SPEAKS: Economy hot button
Jan 09, 2003; ... Saguil, Felina Filipino Reporter 01-09-2003 WHAT'S going on? It seems to me like W's war with Saddam is still on rehearsal. As to action on North Korea, W's tigress of National Security, Condi Rice, is mum ...no speak'a Korean - only Russian. The dove I like, Colin ...
ON MY OWN: Infighting and intrigue made GMA call it quits
Jan 09, 2003; ... Pelayo, Libertito Filipino Reporter 01-09-2003 IF you can't stand the heat, it has been said, get out of the kitchen. Apparently, President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo followed this sage advice when she announced, a bit abruptly, that she will not run for president ...
THE MAYOR'S CORNER: Reported crimes are at their lowest since 1963
Jan 09, 2003; ... Bloomberg, Michael R. Filipino Reporter 01-09-2003 PUBLIC safety is city government's most basic responsibility. And despite unavoidable budget cuts, during 2002 we've made New York an even safer place, by continuing dramatic reductions in crime, improving protection against ...
New Year surprise
Jan 09, 2003 ... Filipino Reporter 01-09-2003 THE SURPRISE DECISION of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo to junk her plans to run in the 2004 presidential elections and legitimize her controversial ascension to the presidency may well be the biggest news of the outgoing year and the New ...
MANILA MAIL: Surrender to the Lord, gain peace and fortitude
Jan 09, 2003; ... Pascual, Federico D. Filipino Reporter 01-09-2003 CYCLOPS GONE BLIND: We're amazed that until last Wednesday President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo was reportedly still undecided on whether to keep Justice Secretary (on leave) Hernando Perez in the Cabinet or not. The obvious ...