• Marcos won’t pick full-time DA chief soon: You’ll just have to put up with me

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. isn’t saying goodbye to the Department of Agriculture any time soon. In a chance interview, Marcos says he won’t be leaving the department unless there are already ‘systems in place to guarantee the food supply’ of the country.

• Judge handling De Lima’s remaining drug charge inhibits from case

The judge handling former senator Leila de Lima’s remaining drug case voluntarily inhibits himself from the case in an order made public on Friday, June 16.

• PH media landscape remains ‘largely grim’ despite change in leadership, says report

The annual Digital News Report by the Reuters Institute for the Study of Journalism or RISJ finds, the Philippines media landscape, despite the change in leadership in 2022, remains ‘largely grim.’

• Cebu Pacific passengers decry ‘arbitrary’ flight cancellations, Senate probe set

With the increasing complaints about Cebu Pacific in viral posts, the Senate committees on tourism and on public services will begin an investigation on Wednesday, June 21.

• Carlos Yulo nails all-around silver in Asian Gymnastics Championships, earns spot in worlds

Filipino gymnastics star Carlos Yulo claims the men’s individual all-around silver in the Asian Artistic Gymnastics Championships in Singapore securing his place in the World Championships in Belgium in September.

• ‘LOONA is free’: All 12 members leave BlockBerry Creative after winning lawsuits

All 12 members of K-pop group LOONA have left their agency BlockBerry Creative. This, after Haseul, Yeojin, Yves, Go Won, and Olivia Hye win their respective injunctions to suspend their exclusive contracts with BlockBerry.

• Dylan Sprouse and Barbara Palvin are engaged

Disney child actor Dylan Sprouse and Victoria’s Secret model Barbara Palvin are getting married after almost five years of dating. — Rappler.com

The new 2023 ASUS Zenbook S 13 OLED (UX5304) got a major upgrade from last year’s model, including a design aspect you most likely didn’t expect. This year’s release, as ASUS claims, is their most eco-friendly model to date.

ASUS has always taken design inspiration from nature, and so they’re taking a more active role in protecting the environment. They did this by replacing whichever parts they could with recycled materials (post-industrial, post-consumer, and ocean-bound materials). For their Basalt Gray model, they used eco-friendly plasma ceramic aluminum on the laptop’s lid that not only feels premium but is more durable as well.

And to test its durability, the laptop has gone through rigid military-grade testing (MIL-STD-810) to see how the device will hold up in various harsh environments, which it passed with flying colors.

They also avoided using single-use plastics for any of their packaging, making each component recyclable and compostable.

In this TechRap unRap video, we take the new ASUS Zenbook S 13 OLED (UX5304) out of its compostable packaging and put it to the test. This ultrabook has a 13th Gen Intel® Core™ i7 Processor housed in a body that is a centimeter thick and weighs only a kilogram. It also has the brand-new ASUS Lumina OLED that makes it sharper, brighter, and more color accurate. With an even thinner and lighter build, we’re setting out to see if it can keep up with our needs and busy schedules, or if ASUS has made any compromises to introduce new design elements.

Spoiler alert: There were no compromises found, your honor.

Watch our video to see how the ASUS Zenbook S 13 OLED (UX5304) did.

Want to know more about this ultrabook? Visit its official product page. You can also order a device through authorized resellers found on the ASUS website. – Rappler.com

• DILG chief Abalos says ‘powerful syndicate’ behind P6.7-B shabu mess

Interior Secretary Benhur Abalos reveals a ‘powerful syndicate’ is said to be the brains behind the P6.7-B shabu mess hounding the Philippine National Police.

• Magnitude 6.3 earthquake strikes off Calatagan, Batangas

A magnitude 6.3 earthquake strikes off Calatagan, Batangas, at 10:19 am on Thursday, June 15. The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology warns damage and aftershocks are expected.

• Hong Kong protest anthem disappears from iTunes, Spotify, others as government seeks total ban

Versions of the pro-democracy protest anthem ‘Glory to Hong Kong’ are  unavailable on the iTunes Store, Spotify, KKBOX, Facebook, and Instagram’s Reels on Wednesday, June 14, after the government sought an injunction banning the song outright.

• ‘Last’ Beatles record to be released this year thanks to AI, Paul McCartney says

Paul McCartney says a ‘last’ Beatles song, featuring the voice of late member John Lennon, will be released this year thanks to the use of artificial intelligence.

• Filipino Roland Abante receives standing ovation in ‘America’s Got Talent’ audition

Filipino singer Roland Abante wows America’s Got Talent judges and audience members when he auditioned for the reality talent competition. 

• Song Joong-ki, Katy Louise Saunders welcome 1st child

South Korean star Song Joong-ki is now a dad! Joong-ki’s agency announces his wife, Katy Louise Saunders has given birth to a baby boy in Italy. 

• Andrea Brillantes says her heart’s okay: ‘Nagmahal ako nang totoo’

Following speculations that her relationship with basketball player Ricci Rivero has ended, Andrea Brillantes opens up on her current emotional state, saying her heart’s ‘okay.’ — Rappler.com

The indie pop/rock act first came together in 2018, performing in various bars and gig venues and opening for American pop-rock band Against the Current in the same year.

In 2019, they released their hit debut single “Selos,” which was later included in their debut EP Ang Unang Ikot.

They released their sophomore EP tuloy tuloy tuloy!  in March, which carries their latest single, “If You Come Back To Me.”

Catch up with the band when they perform on Rappler Live Jam on Thursday, June 15. Bookmark this page or head over to fb.com/rapplerdotcom. – Rappler.com

Here comes another push for nuclear energy, an alternative with a monumental showpiece: the Bataan Nuclear Power Plant (BNPP). Its proponents argue that nuclear is cheap, reliable, and clean. They say it is the better alternative to fossil fuels.

However, nuclear disasters in the past raise concerns on the government’s preparedness to manage a nuclear plant with utmost regard for safety.

Congressman Mark Cojuangco, chairperson of the House committee on nuclear energy, led a media tour of the BNPP last June 3. Watch the report here. – Rappler.com

The pros and cons of Marcos’ nuclear energy dreams

• DNA from crime scene matches samples from 4 Degamo slay suspects

The National Bureau of Investigation says DNA samples from crime scenes in the killing of Negros Oriental Governor Roel Degamo match those of four suspects in the massacre.

• China rebukes US in phone call ahead of Blinken’s planned Beijing trip

China’s foreign minister Qin Gang urges the United States to stop meddling in its affairs and harming its security in a phone call with his U.S. counterpart Antony Blinken.

• Most Filipinos feel safe in homes, communities, says Octa Research survey

Most Filipinos feel safe in their homes and neighborhoods with 91% of surveyed residents in NCR and Balance Luzon feeling safe. Safety is measured through people’s perceptions of whether their neighborhoods are safe from drugs, thieves and whether it’s safe to walk these neighborhoods at night.

• White House bans LGBTQ activists for going topless at Pride event

The White House bans three attendees from its Pride Month celebration after they went topless on the South Lawn on Saturday, June 10. White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre says the behavior is ‘simply unacceptable.’

• Pokwang files petition to deport ex-partner Lee O’Brian

Filipina host and actress Pokwang files a petition for the deportation of her ex-partner Lee O’Brian and the cancellation of his visa. In an Instagram post, Pokwang shares a photo of the complaint affidavit, saying ‘This is it!’ — Rappler.com

• Leila de Lima’s 3 co-accused want Muntinlupa judge to stop handling their case

Former senator Leila de Lima’s co-accused in her third drug case, ask Muntinlupa Judge Romeo Buenaventura to inhibit from the case due to a conflict of interest.

• 50 cops, including generals, face criminal complaints over P6.7-B shabu mess

The National Police Commission and the Philippine National Police file criminal complaints against 50 policemen, including police generals over the P6.7-billion shabu mess hounding the national police.

• Local politicians take lead in filing libel cases against journalists – NUJP study

A study commissioned by the National Union of Journalists of the Philippines shows local politicians take the lead in filing criminal cases of libel and cyber libel against journalists.

• Golden Globe Awards sold, Hollywood Foreign Press group shut down

The Golden Globe Awards is sold to a new owner shutting down the Hollywood Foreign Press Association. Eldridge Industries buys the Golden Globe assets, which will continue to manage the awards telecast.

• Leren Bautista on ‘romantic involvement’ with Ricci Rivero: ‘Entirely false’

Beauty queen-turned-politician Leren Bautista comments on her ‘alleged romantic involvement’ with basketball player Ricci Rivero. In a statement, Leren’s camp says ‘These claims are entirely false and have no basis in reality.’

• Fans celebrate K-pop supergroup BTS’ 10-year anniversary

Fans of K-pop powerhouse BTS gather in Seoul, South Korea to celebrate the 10-year anniversary of the boy band’s debut. Although the group is on hiatus with two members in military service, their loyal fanbase called ARMY still gather in Seoul.

• Looking for underrated beaches? A travel guide to Leyte and Biliran

Calling all beach lovers! Looking for an underrated island getaway? The islands of Leyte and Biliran could be for you! Travel to Tacloban City is easily accessible by plane or bus. — Rappler.com

In this episode, Kitchen 143 host Michelle Aventajado of Momma ‘N Manila visits the Yurari Kissa by LAB Manila coffee shop at Serendra, where she chats with owner Ros Juan about all things coffee.

Kitchen 143 airs on Tuesday, June 13, at 8 pm. – Rappler.com

• SWS survey puts Sara Duterte, Raffy Tulfo as 2028 presidential front-runners

A commissioned survey shows Vice President Sara Duterte is the ‘best leader to succeed President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. in 2028.’

• Marcos tells Filipinos to ‘assert liberty day by day’

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., in a message on Monday, June 12, tells Filipinos to ‘assert our liberty day by day,’ in an ‘age where battles remain but occur in places the eyes cannot see.’

• Ex-senator Rodolfo Biazon dies at 88

Former senator Rodolfo ‘Pong’ Biazon dies at the age of 88 on Monday, June 12. The Biazon family says it is ‘perfectly fitting’ that Biazon passed on Independence Day, adding he ‘dedicated his life and laid it on the line in defending freedom and democracy.’

• NLEX to hike toll rates starting June 15

The North Luzon Expressway Corporation (NLEX) will implement higher toll rates starting June 15. Rates will be hiked by an additional P7 in the open system, and P0.36 per kilometer in the closed system.

• Eldrew Yulo vaults way to junior silver in Asian Gymnastics Championships

Rising gymnast Eldrew Yulo bags the vault silver in the men’s junior division of the Asian Artistic Gymnastics Championships in Singapore on Monday, June 12.

• Kaladkaren becomes first transgender Philippine news anchor

Actress and comedian Kaladkaren joins TV5’s Frontline Pilipinas, becoming the first transgender news anchor in the Philippines. She will present the latest entertainment news and trivia for Frontline Pilipinas. 

• ‘Holy grail’: Juan Luna’s lost masterpiece revealed after 132 years

After 132 years, Juan Luna’s missing masterpiece Hymen, oh Hyménée! has been found and returned to the Philippines for the first time.

• Coldplay headed to PH in 2024; EXO drops teaser for ‘EXIST’

British rock band Coldplay is coming back to the Philippines. Meanwhile, K-pop boy group EXO is set to make its highly-anticipated comeback on July 10 with the release of its new album EXIST. — Rappler.com

But there is more to PIDCI than parades. The organization also aims to empower Filipinos in America, and strengthen unity and cooperation among the community.

On its first Independence Day episode, At Home sa Abroad: Stories of Overseas Filipinos hosted by multimedia reporter Michelle Abad features Nora Galleros, PIDCI president, to talk about what it means to celebrate Philippine independence, even when one is far away from home.

Watch the video on Rappler at 7 pm (Manila time) on Monday, June 12. – Rappler.com

At Home sa Abroad: Stories of Overseas Filipinos is Rappler’s one-stop video podcast for all things Filipino diaspora. 

Watch other At Home sa Abroad episodes:

• What OFWs expect from new Department of Migrant Workers
• How this leadership program helped Fil-Ams connect with their roots
• How is the local economic crisis affecting OFWs?
• Inside a migration reporter’s notebook
• The Filipino diaspora through a migrant’s eyes
• Is exporting Filipino workers a good thing?
• How this Gen Z couple is making their LDR work
• Tales of Martial Law, People Power from migrant Filipinos
• The plight of overseas Filipino women
• Navigating the int’l film industry as a Filipino woman
• After EU decision, what’s next for Filipino seafarers?
• Why do so many Filipinos go abroad to work?
• Filipino mom and daughter champion diversity in US