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Breath-taking landscapes, artistically trimmed trees, spotlessly-clean streets, well-organized systems, courteous and helpful people, healthy and delectable cuisine... what’s there not to love about Japan? Oh yes, there’s one minus factor—Japan is one of the most expensive places in the world. However, it definitely is a country to visit. The redeeming factor I can think of is that going to Japan has become more affordable these days with the coming in of low-cost airlines.

First on my mind is AirAsia, the no-frills airline which recently commenced flights to Narita from Mactan. My travel friends and I were privileged to be onboard for the inaugural flight early this month. As is traditional, there was a water canon salute on the runway shortly before take-off. AirAsia offers low fares and the invariable basics in air travel. Meals, drinks and snacks are available for sale onboard at reasonable prices, and service is excellent. AirAsia’s senior sales executive Larry Luna proudly shares that AirAsia has been voted as the World’s Best Low-Cost Airline for the 14th consecutive year. Flight to Narita was less than five hours and since Japan time is an hour ahead, it was early evening when we arrived, just in time for a healthy Japanese dinner. I’ve been to Tokyo several times before but this time around I decided to be more “eagle-eyed” because the place has been getting rave reviews from all over and I thought it was time to see it with “new eyes.”

The next two days were a flurry of activities in and around the city. Tokyo’s hot spots were not to be missed. The Sky Tree, a broadcasting and observation tower standing all of 634 meters was one of them. It is the tallest tower in the world and the third tallest structure after Merdeka118 in Malaysia (#2) and Burj Khalifa in Dubai, the record holder. Among the attractions there are the Sumida Aquarium, Pokémon Center, cafes, restaurants and shopping areas.

Definitely in our list was the Asakusa Temple (also known as Sensoji), the oldest religious building in the city. The entire complex is made up of the main temple building dedicated to Kannon Bosatsu (Goddess of Compassion and Mercy), the five-storey pagoda, the shopping street Nakimise and two famous gates—the Kaminarimon (Thunder Gate) with its distinctive giant red chochin lantern, and the Hozomon Gate, the two-storey inner gate infront of the temple. I’ve visited the place in past trips but now it seems more lively and crowded. Not surprising since it has an estimated 20 million or so visitors every year.

A “must-experience” in Tokyo is going with the huge crowd at the Shibuya Crossing. Touted as the busiest intersection in the world, it is where droves of pedestrians scramble to cross the street at all hours. Quite a sight like herds of animals on their way to somewhere! (Pardon the animal comparison.) In one corner of the area is the statue of Hachiko, a Japanese Akita dog known for his loyalty to his master so much so that even after his master died the dog continued (for nine years) to wait for him at their appointed place in Shibuya.

For a dose of local color, we spent time at the Tsukiji Seafood Market where all kinds of seafood goodies were on display. We took in the sight and the smell of raw, cooked, grilled, dried, pickled and smoked Japanese favorites and even tasted some. Later in the day, we strolled around the famed Ginza district to feel its pulse and for a bit of shopping.

Japan’s most famous destination is the iconic Mount Fuji, an active volcano (last recorded eruption was 1707) and the country’s tallest peak at 3,776 meters. Our tour guide brought us to Lake Kawaguchico, one of the five Fuji lakes for a vantage look at the celebrated mountain. We took a boat ride around the lovely lake and found the scenery postcard-pretty. What a feast for the eyes! Shimmering waters against a backdrop of white clouds delicately sitting on the majestic crater of Mt. Fuji!

For most women a trip is never complete without shopping time. Gotemba Premium Outlets answered this need. As in all Japan establishments, the place was impeccably setup with the shoppers’ comfort and convenience in mind. Luckily, many stores were having bargain sales so we were able to shop—yes, shop in one of the most expensive places in the world!

Till next time, domo arigato, Japan.

STARTING next month, the local government unit (LGU) of Tuburan in northwest Cebu will no longer collect unsegregated waste.

The LGU stated that it will begin enforcing its "No Segregation, No Collection" policy on August 1, 2023, emphasizing that garbage trucks would only collect trash that had been divided into solid and non-solid waste.

This is because the machine that recycles trash will begin to operate in the town.

This is the government's way of reducing the pollution and helping to preserve the environment.

Starting next month, the municipal garbage collectors will pick up the biodegradable waste in the morning and the non-biodegradable waste in the afternoon.

The local government hoped that the community would cooperate and comply with the rule to obtain a cleaner, more orderly environment.

"Atong suportahan ug sugdan sa atong tagsa-tagsa ka panimalay, aron palibot nato limpyo ug puy-an nga haruhay kay sa Tuburan, walay hugawan," the LGU said.

(Let's support and start in our individual homes to make our environment clean and to live comfortably because in Tuburan, there is no “untidy person”).(ANV, TPT)

UTAH Jazz star Jordan Clarkson will don the jersey of the Gilas Pilipinas in the upcoming Fiba World Cup as he finally committed to join the squad. He will arrive in the country on Aug. 6, 2023 to participate in the preparations for the prestigious meet.

Clarkson’s participation in the Fiba World Cup was initially cast in doubt when Gilas coach Chot Reyes imposed a deadline on the players’ arrival in the Philippines. However, catastrophe was averted as a compromise was reached between representatives of the two camps, paving the way for the Philippines’ most decorated player to take part in the World Cup.

Clarkson, a former NBA Sixth Man of the Year winner, has already suited up twice for the Philippines in World Cup qualifiers where he averaged 25.0 points, 6.5 assists and 5.5 rebounds.

The Philippines has a tough road ahead as it is in the same group as the Dominican Republic, Angola and Italy. Only the top two teams from each group will advance to the next round. / JNP

State weather bureau PAGASA reported Tuesday afternoon that Super Typhoon Egay has maintained its strength while posing an imminent threat to northern Luzon. 

July 25, 2023 6:59 PM

He was handed a suspended death sentence that will be commuted to life imprisonment after two years.

Court overturns impeachment of Lee Sang-min for the tragic incident that killed 160 people last October in Seoul, saying botched response was due to broader failures, while critics claim police were lenient on members of President Yoon Suk Yeol’s government.

Locals affected by singer Matty Healy's protest say it was disrespectful and did more harm than good.

Prime Minister Lee’s brother, Lee Hsien Yang, says trust in the ruling party ‘has been shattered’ over various political scandals involving PAP ministers in recent weeks.

According to estimates from the Department of Finance, “the implementation of the MVUC reform will have minimal impact on public transport fares in 2024” of between seven to 42 cents.

The PDD-owned app kicked off its Asian expansion last month with a launch in Japan, and has signalled interest in the Southeast Asian market.

“The existence of idle funds in (Government Financial Institutions) is a myth created to justify the diversion of bank funds to (the Maharlika Investment Corporation).  If there are indeed idle surplus funds in the GFIs, then their leadership is not doing their job in maximizing use of funds,” Villanueva said. 

A MAN was arrested after being accused by the three women of following them while they were at a mall in Barangay Mambaling, Cebu City.

The suspect was identified as Jerome Lobitaña, 40, a native of Borbon town in northern Cebu who has been separated from his wife.

The women, who requested anonymity, saw Lobitaña following them and immediately called the police for help out of their concern for safety.

Police Major Jonathan Bethoven Taneo, chief of the Mambaling Police Station 11, said the incident occurred around 10 p.m. on Monday, July 24, 2023.

Taneo claimed that Lobitaña followed the women around the shopping center until they exited to the parking lot.

During the course of the police inquiry, it was discovered that the suspect was previously convicted for drug offense.

In his defense, Lobitaña said what happened was purely coincidental and it just happened that he had the same direction with the girls.

Lobitaña is currently detained at the Mambaling Police Station.(BBT, TPT)

For the third time in two months, the US secretary of state is coming back to the region – to talk Aukus, New Zealand’s Beijing diplomacy and show Pacific island nations that it’s a ‘willing partner’, analysts say.

President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr.'s second State of the Nation Address (SONA) echoed his father, particularly his plans on agriculture, economy and infrastructure.

July 25, 2023 6:00 PM

How the gruesome 1998 incidents paved the way for black magic to be criminalised last year in 2022, in the predominantly Muslim country of Indonesia.

July 25, 2023 5:50 PM

They tried to recruit like-minded Indonesians to conduct terror attacks in the country.

WELLINGTON, New Zealand - With its first goal at its first Women's World Cup the unfavored Philippines achieved its first win Tuesday, shocking host New Zealand 1-0 in a Group A match made contentious when a potential equalizer was disallowed.

New Zealand achieved its first World Cup win when it upset favored Norway in the opening match of the tournament five days ago. For the first time in six World Cups, the Fo

July 25, 2023 5:25 PM

The political deadlock has dragged on for more than two months after a May general election.

WELLINGTON, July 25 (Xinhua) -- The Philippines sealed their first FIFA Women's World Cup win in their second game, as they shocked co-hosts New Zealand 1-0 in Group A here on Tuesday.

New Zealand had just picked up their first victory in this campaign after a 1-0 victory over Norway in the opening game, while the Philippines had been beaten by Switzerland 2-0 in their first-ever World Cup match.

In Tuesd

MORE than a kilo of suspected shabu worth P6,970,000 were confiscated during buy-bust operation by the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA 7) in the mountain Cebu City barangay of Pulangbato at 5:15 p.m. on Monday, July 24.

The anti-illegal drug operation resulted in the arrest of Jundam Dacalos, 37, a resident of Sitio San Vicente, Barangay Bulacao, Cebu City.

Seized from him were 26 large packs of alleged shabu weighing a total of 1,025 grams and valued at P6,970,000, bust-bust money, a cellphone and a weighing scale.

According to PDEA 7 information officer Leia Alcantara, they subjected Dacalos to a case buildup for a week after receiving information from their reliable source about his involvement in illegal drug activity.

It was learned that Dacalos can dispose of between 500 and 1,000 grams of illegal substance every week. (AYB, TPT)