Friday, May 16, 2003
RUNAWAY CIRCUS ELEPHANT SNARLS EDSA TRAFFIC
Quezon City, May 9, 2003 -- A behemoth from Thailand named Jumbo, one of the 10 stars in the "Elephant World" show at the Araneta Center in Cubao, escaped from his trainers yesterday afternoon and brought both chaos and cheers on the streets of Quezon City.
"The elephant crossed over a fence and just ran away during practice. This is unusual since Jumbo is obedient," said a handler.
Jumbo headed for EDSA and strolled past Nepa-Q-Mart, with security guards and other employees of the Araneta Center in pursuit. He turned to Kamuning street and was eventually cornered along Tomas Morato avenue.
Now that's a great publicity stunt-- whether it was premeditated or not!
Quezon City, May 9, 2003 -- A behemoth from Thailand named Jumbo, one of the 10 stars in the "Elephant World" show at the Araneta Center in Cubao, escaped from his trainers yesterday afternoon and brought both chaos and cheers on the streets of Quezon City."The elephant crossed over a fence and just ran away during practice. This is unusual since Jumbo is obedient," said a handler.
Jumbo headed for EDSA and strolled past Nepa-Q-Mart, with security guards and other employees of the Araneta Center in pursuit. He turned to Kamuning street and was eventually cornered along Tomas Morato avenue.
Now that's a great publicity stunt-- whether it was premeditated or not!
Wednesday, May 14, 2003
Singer April Boy Regino loses van to thieves
The 37-year-old actor singer who popularized the aptly titled song "Kung Mawawala Ka" said his vehicle was stolen between 3 a.m. and 11 a.m. while parked in front of his house at 132 M. H. Del Pilar St., Barangay Calumpang, Marikina City.
Unfortunately, losing a van won't make him shut up. But I must commend the thieves. If youre going to steal someone's van , it may as well be an annoying entertainer's.
The 37-year-old actor singer who popularized the aptly titled song "Kung Mawawala Ka" said his vehicle was stolen between 3 a.m. and 11 a.m. while parked in front of his house at 132 M. H. Del Pilar St., Barangay Calumpang, Marikina City.
Unfortunately, losing a van won't make him shut up. But I must commend the thieves. If youre going to steal someone's van , it may as well be an annoying entertainer's.
Knapsack left inside church had dead baby
The body was wrapped in a white cloth and stuffed inside a blue nylon knapsack placed near the candle stand, apparently to ensure its immediate discovery, he said.
Candelaria said the police station received a telephone call at about 8:30 a.m. from churchgoers of the San Antonio de Padua Parish Church in Barangay Calumpang who noticed the presence of an unattended knapsack.
The body was wrapped in a white cloth and stuffed inside a blue nylon knapsack placed near the candle stand, apparently to ensure its immediate discovery, he said.
Candelaria said the police station received a telephone call at about 8:30 a.m. from churchgoers of the San Antonio de Padua Parish Church in Barangay Calumpang who noticed the presence of an unattended knapsack.
Ban sought on sexy street billboards
In a proposed ordinance before the city council, councilor Victor Ferrer is seeking a prohibition on the display of "obscene or distracting" motion or still pictures on major thoroughfares.
Ferrer said having obscene pictures on major roads is not only a nuisance to the public, but also raises issues on road safety.
In a proposed ordinance before the city council, councilor Victor Ferrer is seeking a prohibition on the display of "obscene or distracting" motion or still pictures on major thoroughfares.
Ferrer said having obscene pictures on major roads is not only a nuisance to the public, but also raises issues on road safety.
Robbers hit armored van in QC, take P1M At least 12 heavily armed men Wednesday afternoon hit an armored van and fled with around one million pesos in Quezon City.
Rigor Alvarez, roving teller of Asiatrust Bank and a passenger of the armored van with body number 1280, told the Inquirer that they pulled up in front of the Dunkin Donuts branch at the corner of Aurora Boulevard and Balete Drive in Quezon City at 4:10 p.m. to collect the store's earnings for the day.
When the guards and bank employees opened the doors of the armored vehicle, the suspects suddenly got down from a red Mitsubishi Adventure van parked at the establishment's parking lot and announced a holdup. The suspects, about 12 of them according to Alvarez, pointed their M-16 rifles and .45-caliber automatic pistols at the guards and proceeded to rob the van.
High caliber weapons? Knew the schedule of the bank? Shootout? Can anyone say Ex-Military/Ex-Police?
Rigor Alvarez, roving teller of Asiatrust Bank and a passenger of the armored van with body number 1280, told the Inquirer that they pulled up in front of the Dunkin Donuts branch at the corner of Aurora Boulevard and Balete Drive in Quezon City at 4:10 p.m. to collect the store's earnings for the day.
When the guards and bank employees opened the doors of the armored vehicle, the suspects suddenly got down from a red Mitsubishi Adventure van parked at the establishment's parking lot and announced a holdup. The suspects, about 12 of them according to Alvarez, pointed their M-16 rifles and .45-caliber automatic pistols at the guards and proceeded to rob the van.
High caliber weapons? Knew the schedule of the bank? Shootout? Can anyone say Ex-Military/Ex-Police?
Tuesday, May 13, 2003
Major roads clear of ‘colorum’ buses
The major roads and arteries of the Metro like Edsa are reported to be clear of ‘colorum’ or out of line buses.
The Department of Transportation and Communications (DoTC), after launching the bus route rationalization program, announced last week that they have successfully cleared the main roads and highways of colorum or illegally plying buses.
The major roads and arteries of the Metro like Edsa are reported to be clear of ‘colorum’ or out of line buses.
The Department of Transportation and Communications (DoTC), after launching the bus route rationalization program, announced last week that they have successfully cleared the main roads and highways of colorum or illegally plying buses.
PNR modernization begins
The much needed facelift for the Philippine National Railway (PNR) has begun as the demolition team that was tasked to pave the way for the widening construction initiated their work early this week.
The PNR modernization project of the Arroyo Administration entails the laying down of three additional tracks parallel to the existing aged track. This would also require a widening of about 3.5 to 15 meters sideward.
Meantime, as the PNR demolition team carries on with their work, the settlers along the rails have expressed their opposition to the move and were reported to have even resorted to violent measures. In the process, a sizeable number of resistant illegal residents along the rails sustained injuries as they clashed with the authorities. A handful was also detained.
The much needed facelift for the Philippine National Railway (PNR) has begun as the demolition team that was tasked to pave the way for the widening construction initiated their work early this week.
The PNR modernization project of the Arroyo Administration entails the laying down of three additional tracks parallel to the existing aged track. This would also require a widening of about 3.5 to 15 meters sideward.
Meantime, as the PNR demolition team carries on with their work, the settlers along the rails have expressed their opposition to the move and were reported to have even resorted to violent measures. In the process, a sizeable number of resistant illegal residents along the rails sustained injuries as they clashed with the authorities. A handful was also detained.
LRT aims at doubling its passenger load for 2003
The 17-year old Light Rail Transit-1 (LRT-1) is aiming to double its passenger load this year to have room for some 40, 000 commuters more every hour.
The mass transit built with Belgian technology has been deteriorating with natural wear and tear. And as stated in reports, the LRTA admits that they are having difficulty nowadays in refurbishing their coaches and systems since spare parts are outdated and are no longer available in the market.
vicious cycle if you ask me. how do you upgrade? by doubling its load, so you get more income? but how will more people ride if your coaches lack airconditioning and need to be retired?
The 17-year old Light Rail Transit-1 (LRT-1) is aiming to double its passenger load this year to have room for some 40, 000 commuters more every hour.
The mass transit built with Belgian technology has been deteriorating with natural wear and tear. And as stated in reports, the LRTA admits that they are having difficulty nowadays in refurbishing their coaches and systems since spare parts are outdated and are no longer available in the market.
vicious cycle if you ask me. how do you upgrade? by doubling its load, so you get more income? but how will more people ride if your coaches lack airconditioning and need to be retired?
No more weaving on roads, even on late nights
May 7, 2003: The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) will be implementing the “yellow lane” rule round the clock from now on. Prior to this, the said road rule was carried out only from 6 in the morning till 9 in the evening.
Now, the MMDA has cleared the designation of lanes for each vehicle type on major roads like EDSA and C-5. The Traffic Operations Center (TOC) stressed that the major roads are dissected by yellow lines for clear distinct functions; the yellow lanes, which spans two lanes, are meant for public utility buses (PUBs) with the outermost lane for loading and unloading and the inner lane for moving buses; the third inner lane are for trucks and provincial buses, the innermost and last two lanes are for private vehicles.
The MMDA likewise asserted that although the traffic enforcers are on duty and at their respective posts till 10 in the evening only, mobile traffic enforcers in their motor bikes will be scouring the Metro streets all day and night to apprehend violators. Offenders will be charged 300 pesos once caught.
May 7, 2003: The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) will be implementing the “yellow lane” rule round the clock from now on. Prior to this, the said road rule was carried out only from 6 in the morning till 9 in the evening.
Now, the MMDA has cleared the designation of lanes for each vehicle type on major roads like EDSA and C-5. The Traffic Operations Center (TOC) stressed that the major roads are dissected by yellow lines for clear distinct functions; the yellow lanes, which spans two lanes, are meant for public utility buses (PUBs) with the outermost lane for loading and unloading and the inner lane for moving buses; the third inner lane are for trucks and provincial buses, the innermost and last two lanes are for private vehicles.
The MMDA likewise asserted that although the traffic enforcers are on duty and at their respective posts till 10 in the evening only, mobile traffic enforcers in their motor bikes will be scouring the Metro streets all day and night to apprehend violators. Offenders will be charged 300 pesos once caught.
GET CIGARETTE VENDORS OFF THE STREETS - FERNANDO
Manila, May 10, 2003 -- After its long-drawn campaign against sidewalk vendors, the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) is now embarking on a drive to save teenagers who are forced to sell cigarettes and other items in the middle of the streets.
To start with, the MMDA's Metro Manila Council has approved Resolution No. 03-13 identifying 25 major thoroughfares as “no ambulant vending zone.”
The resolution urges local government units of Metro Manila to enact
ordinances that will ban vendors, of any age, from selling goods in the
middle of major thoroughfares in any part of the metropolis.
Manila, May 10, 2003 -- After its long-drawn campaign against sidewalk vendors, the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) is now embarking on a drive to save teenagers who are forced to sell cigarettes and other items in the middle of the streets.
To start with, the MMDA's Metro Manila Council has approved Resolution No. 03-13 identifying 25 major thoroughfares as “no ambulant vending zone.”
The resolution urges local government units of Metro Manila to enact
ordinances that will ban vendors, of any age, from selling goods in the
middle of major thoroughfares in any part of the metropolis.
