Entertainment

Entering the Banksy Universe

Before it even opened to the public, "The Banksy Universe | Manila 2024" gained attention online after it was announced that the exhibit of the elusive street artist Banksy at the Metropolitan Museum of Manila (The M) was unauthorized. ‘Armored Dove of Peace’ (left) and ‘Flower Thrower’ ‘Girl with Ballon’ is one of the many recreated works, prints and paintings of Banksy now on view at ‘The Banksy Universe | Manila 2024.’ The exhibit is brought...

Dead Olive Ridley sea turtle found in Quezon

LUCENA CITY — An Olive Ridley sea turtle (Lepidochelys olivacea), locally known as “pawikan,” was found dead along the coast of Tayabas Bay in Agdangan, Quezon on Friday, May 17. “The marine turtle had wounds around the neck area, signs of another victim of stationary fish traps sunk into the bottom of the bay,” Jay Lim, project officer of Tanggol Kalikasan (TK), a public interest law office that advocates environmental protection, posted on his...

The Grande Dames of country music

Come Holy Spirit

In our recent pilgrimage, we had an octogenarian pilgrim who was hard of walking. Often he would be left behind, or would not go down the bus, and missed a lot of activities. I bought him a simple cane. At first, he was reluctant to use it, but soon, he tried it, and he liked it! And we all liked it, too, because we saw him happy and strong, joining us in our activities, smiling at everyone as we went along. A Pentecost moment! —————- Happy...

How wild swimming puts you at risk of a raft of waterborne diseases

It sounded like good news for wild swimmers. Last week, 27 new river bathing sites were added to the map of the UK's coastal and inland waterways deemed safe for use.

A Comprehensive Guide to the UnionBank Miles+ Program

Get the most out of your cards.

What life is like in the world’s happiest country, from a 28-year-old who left the U.S. for Finland

Entrepreneur, content creator and U.S. expat Jade Ventoniemi shares why she loves living in Finland, the world's happiest country.

Costco price hike: Popular items see unexpected jumps in cost

Costco's multinational chain of membership-only stores have increased some prices like for olive oil and gas while its $1.50 hot dog soda combo is unchanged for the time being.

IndiGo to Vistara: Why airlines continue to face challenges

While new airports are coming up fast and passenger traffic is scaling all-time high levels, flight cancellations and delays continue to affect travellers…

Credit Cards in the Philippines with Airport Lounge Access

Does your credit card have airport lounge access?

Mountain song: PHL Pavilion brings the aura of Banahaw to the Biennale

VENICE, Italy — Well, I stand up next to a mountain… Contemporary art often does not reveal itself on first meeting, much like an enigmatic lover. Usually, a conceptual piece or space is felt first before it is even understood. If you go around the Philippine Pavilion’s current exhibition titled “Sa kabila ng tabing lamang sa panahong ito/Waiting just behind the curtain of this age” (curated by Carlos Quijon Jr., featuring artworks by Mark...

10 national parks you should visit in 2024

There are 63 national parks scattered around the US, each with its own unique beauty. If you're a fan of nature and wildlife, here are ten that you can't miss.

Crowds turn out for Peterborough Celebrates festival

Organisers and visitors hail the two-day Peterborough Celebrates a success.

Spitfire Women: Blue plaque unveiled for WW2 pilot

Freydis Sharland was also British Air Racing Champion and a trailblazer for women in aviation.

American town torn apart in 400-year dispute over historic landmark

A 400-year-old dam in Ipswich, Massachusetts is causing a stir in a small town with a long history.

Monthlong World Cocktail Day celebration

May is a truly festive month. Aside from Labor Day, May the 4th Be With You, Cinco de Mayo, and my gorgeous sister Goldee’s birthday on the 30th, we also celebrated World Cocktail Day last May 13. Of course the hotel industry would not allow World Cocktail Day to be celebrated for just a day. So Admiral Hotel—along with MGallery bars around the world—is celebrating World Cocktail Day for a whole month or until June 13th! Admiral Hotel is a...

Two Tickets to Greece review – a holiday you may want to cut short

The closest of schoolfriends in 1989, despite their wildly contrasting personalities, risk-averse introvert Blandine (Olivia Côte) and gobby showoff Magalie (Laure Calamy) fell out spectacularly (full details are hazy, but it involved a boy) and lost touch. Now, thanks to the adult son of Blandine, who worries that his divorced mother is in danger of closing herself off from the world, the pair are reunited and find themselves embarking on the...

What happens when councils take control of buses?

More people are using buses in Reading where they are publicly-owned - will others towns follow?

French town apologises for not flying Union Jack in D-Day decorations

Pictures from previous years show flag bunting depicting all the nations involved in the Allied resistance to the Nazis adorning the streets of the charming town of Carentan.

Beyond Machu Picchu and Cancun: Latin American wonders for a dream vacation

Indoor market to host late night events

Visitors can attend the events across four Saturdays between June and September.

Sam Verzosa, Miss Universe PH, Aqua Boracay hold medical mission for Ati community

Despite the vibrant tourism and economic growth on Boracay Island, the Ati community, the original nurturers of the land, often find themselves overlooked. In the episode of Dear SV, hosted by Sam “SV” Verzosa, the spotlight was turned on the challenges facing the Ati community, and the efforts being made to uplift them. Sister Elvie Oliamot, a dedicated missionary from Cebu, has been caring for the Ati community for nearly five years. Nestled...

Gorgeous Oregon coast hotel with no TVs or WiFi that encourages guests to read its enormous selection of books and enjoy ocean views is sold to new owners who hint they'll modernize it

The Sylvia Beach Hotel in Newport captured local attention thanks to its picturesque Pacific Ocean views and literary theme - which extended to a total ban on TVs and Wi-Fi.

Heading north? Here are 5 food places to visit when in La Union

Going on a trip to La Union soon? Aside from its well-loved tourist attractions, the province is also home to a variety of must-try restaurants. From refreshing drinks to fulfilling meals, here are some food places you should check out. —JCB, GMA Integrated News This article Heading north? Here are 5 food places to visit when in La Union was originally published in GMA News Online.

The future NAIA

A world-class Ninoy Aquino International Airport is soon to become a reality following the takeover of the airport by the San Miguel Corp.-led consortium by Sept. 14 this year, according to Transportation Secretary Jaime Bautista. In an interview before he had to leave for Singapore Friday night to accompany his wife for a medical check-up, Secretary Bautista gave the assurance that the takeover would proceed as scheduled by September, even as...

Burnouts and boggings: the idyllic Queensland island ‘hammered’ by four-wheel-drives

Jacqui Fitzgerald bought her home in the seaside village of Woorim two years ago, seeking a peaceful lifestyle. She soon discovered it would be anything but. Fitzgerald is on the frontline of Bribie Island’s rapid growth in tourism. Her home borders the entrance to the national park and four-wheel drive beach on the southern tip of the island just north of Brisbane. Cameras outside her home have captured some of the dangerous behaviour over the...

'Maldives what?': Saudi fashionistas attempt beach rebrand

Saudi designer Tima Abid got her start at a time when fashion shows were taboo and tourism, apart from religious pilgrimages, was almost nonexistent in the Gulf kingdom. Taking in preparations for Abid's show, Saudi designer Alanoud Badr of Lady Fozaza compared the kingdom favourably to a more established island locale.

Queen Maxima to visit Philippines, to push financial inclusion

MANILA, Philippines — Queen Máxima of the Netherlands is scheduled to visit Manila next week in her capacity as United Nations Secretary-General’s Special Advocate for Inclusive Finance for Development (UNSGSA). She is expected to stay from May 21 to 23 and meet with President Marcos and top finance officials. The visit will focus on advancing key foundational building blocks for financial inclusion – including connectivity, digital...

Your dream beach vacation can happen right at home in America

Can’t go abroad this year? Don't sweat it. The US has some awesome beaches for you to kick back and relax on that are closer to home. Check them out!

Redemption of the Macabebes

MACABEBE, PAMPANGA, Philippines — When the ancestors of this coastal town are bluntly tagged “traitors” or subtly branded as “dugong-aso” (loyal to a fault) for choosing to side with colonial rulers, or blamed for the capture of President Emilio Aguinaldo and fall of the First Philippine Republic, Vice Mayor Vince Flores takes time to explain the “unjust labeling.” So when the National Historical Commission of the Philippines recently installed...

Disneyland Character Workers Vote to Unionize With Actors' Equity

Another union is coming to Disneyland. On Saturday, a majority of the amusement park’s character workers voted to unionize with Actors’ Equity Association in a National Labor Relations Board vote, ushering more employees at Disneyland into the union fold. Nine hundred and fifty-three workers voted “yes” to join Equity, while 258 voted “no.” The parties […]

Palace declares May 21 a holiday in Malabon

Malacañang has declared May 21 as a special non-working day in Malabon City in honor of its 425th founding anniversary. The order signed by Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin stated that the declared holiday would allow citizens of Malabon an opportunity to participate in the activities of the celebration. During a special non-working day, some employees including those in the government are still called to work. The Department of Labor and...

What is There to Do in Switzerland?

This might just be your sign to go ahead and finally tick one of the world’s most beautiful countries off your travel bucket list.

Castle tearoom to reopen after nearly two years

The council admitted the search for new operators had not been 'as quick as we would have liked'.

The best new camping and glampsites around the UK, from festival vibes to no-frills meadows

Festival vibe, Bedfordshire Wild Canvas, one of the recent wave of pop-up campsites with a festival vibe, has a host of new additions for its fifth outing this summer. The campsite makes the most of its riverside setting on the Turvey House Estate near Bedford. It has a new wellness area, the Nest, with direct river access (BYO paddleboard!) plus a yoga yurt, a mobile sauna, a treatment tent for massages and free early-morning activities from...

Russia just discovered the world’s largest oil reserve

15 Tips for You to Surf Through Thailand’s Songkran Festival

Thailand, known for its beautiful beaches, delicious food, rich culture, and friendly people, has one festivity that draws tourists from all over the world—Songkran. Also known as Thai New Year, it is the country’s most vibrant and energetic festival, celebrated annually from April 13 to 15. It is a festival mixed with tradition, merrymaking, and

Taiwan and China: Different views across the strait

KINMEN, Taiwan – Standing on the shore of Taiwan's Kinmen island, Taiwanese tourists snap photos of the skyline of the southeastern Chinese city of Xiamen that is clearly visible across the sliver of water separating them. For the best view of Xiamen's skyscrapers, visitors stand on a beach where anti-landing spikes jut out — a reminder of when the island was a battlefield front line after Chinese nationalists fled to Taiwan in 1949. More than...

Airbnb hosts are bracing for an unpredictable summer

To beat the competition, short-term-rental owners are turning to direct bookings and influencer stays to lure guests and make money off summer travel.

Marcos: Better transport, infra mean more tourists

Boasting that “there is no place in the Philippines that is not beautiful,” President Marcos on Friday said he was eyeing a tenfold increase in the number of “balikbayan” tourists visiting the country. At the inauguration of a tourist rest area on the pristine beach at Barangay Saud in Pagudpud, Ilocos Norte, the President said the government would continue improving travel, transportation and tourist infrastructure to turn the country into...

PAL sets sights on India flights

MANILA, Philippines — Flag carrier Philippine Airlines (PAL) is exploring the possibility of launching direct flights to India to capture the emerging demand for connections to South Asia. PAL president and chief operating officer Stanley Ng told reporters the airline is considering to mount Manila flights to India as soon as it gets out of the supply crunch that it is dealing with. The carrier aims to snare the Philippine demand for South Asian...

Cruise stomach bug issue not new, passengers say

People who travelled on previous Ventura cruises say the company is "downplaying" the situation.

First crewed flight of Boeing Starliner postponed again

WASHINGTON, United States — The first crewed launch of Boeing’s Starliner to the International Space Station has been delayed again due to a technical issue, NASA said Friday. The launch in Florida was scheduled for Tuesday but NASA said it is now planned for May 25 to allow teams to further assess a helium leak linked to the service module, which sits on top of the rocket. Earlier this month, a Starliner launch was postponed just hours before...

Swiss village bids to introduce Venice-style entry fee for tourists

Lauterbrunnen in the Bernese Oberland has seen a surge in tourism in the warmer months, with some visitors only staying for a day and contributing little to the economy.

California's new 'Honest Pricing Law' will require cruise lines to be transparent about fees

California's "Honest Pricing Law" makes it illegal to advertise prices for goods or services that don't include all the required fees or charges.

Vatican tightens Church rules for probing the ‘supernatural’

VATICAN CITY — The Vatican sharpened its rules for investigating supernatural events such as visions of Christ or the Virgin Mary, acknowledging on Friday that overactive imaginations and outright “lying” risked harming the faithful. The new norms allow for a more “prudent” interpretation of events that generally avoids declaring them outright a supernatural event. They were published by the Holy See’s powerful Dicastery for the Doctrine of the...

The most dangerous (and the safest) countries for female travelers

In an attempt to determine which countries are the most dangerous for female travelers, husband and wife journalists Asher and Lyric Fergusson studied and ranked the 50 most popular countries amongst tourists. The data was compiled using sources ranging from the 2018 Gallup World Poll to Equal Measures 2030's Gender Advocates Data Hub. The Fergusson's Women’s Danger Index ranked each country based on eight factors: street safety for women, intentional homicide of women, non-partner sexual violence, intimate partner sexual violence, legal discrimination, global gender gap, gender inequality index, and violence against women attitudes. Using these metrics, their list of the 20 most dangerous countries for women emerges. Intrigued? Take a look at their findings by clicking through the following gallery.

Disneyland performers in California to join union

ANAHEIM, California – Disneyland performers who help bring Mickey Mouse, Cinderella and other beloved characters to life at the Southern California resort chose to unionize following a three-day vote culminating on Saturday (Sunday in Manila). The Actors' Equity Association labor union said in a statement Saturday that cast members for the parades and characters departments at Disney's theme parks near Los Angeles voted by a wide margin for the...

Ang See: Tougher visa rules for Chinese not right solution

Tightening visa rules for Chinese tourists will not stop the influx of undesirable visitors if immigration officers can be bribed anyway, civic leader Teresita Ang See said on Thursday. “We already have a proper visa application process in place in our consular and embassy office abroad. That system ain’t broke,” said Ang See, a longtime anticrime crusader from the Filipino-Chinese community. “Instead, the problem lies with our bureaucrats here...

The risky allure of WiFi Money: private jets, sports cars, and ruined investors

A motley crew of Instagram-obsessed, hustle-culture influencers made millions. In their wake, they left a trail of lawsuits and financial devastation.