January 14, 2014 Edition

Philippine President Benigno Aquino III continued to enjoy a majority approval rating of 73%, according to December 8-16 Pulse Asia survey. It was a decline of 6 points from his 79% in September, although statistically insignificant considering the error margin of +/-3. But the survey showed a significant decline in Luzon, excluding Metro Manila, where he dropped 13 points. The largest island Luzon along with the top urban center Metro Manila is historically a critical block. Aquino was criticized for government’s slow response in the aftermath of typhoon Haiyan. The survey also showed more Filipinos approve and trust Vice President Jejomar Binay than Aquino. Senate President Franklin Drilon was the biggest loser, seen as a backlash of the pork barrel scam, where he was linked to the mastermind but untouched by charges. Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno was a winner in Metro Manila, where her ratings enjoyed significant improvement.

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Visayas, Bicol, Caraga and northern Mindanao must prepare for landslides and flashfloods that may be triggered by the low pressure area (LPA) in Mindanao. State weather bureau Pagasa says the LPA was estimated to be 60 km northeast of Butuan City. On Monday, the LPA already battered parts of Mindanao still recovering from the devastation of 2012’s Typhoon Pablo. The affected areas include Surigao del Norte; the towns of Lupon and Tarragona in Davao Oriental; the town of Monkayo in Compostela Valley, and Barangay Andap in New Bataan. Five local government units declared a state of calamity. At least 13 people have died, 34 others injured, while more than 25,000 families are in evacuation shelters in 16 towns and 2 cities.

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In a letter to new cardinals, Pope Francis warned them to avoid “worldliness” and “celebrations” telling them to keep “a simple and humble heart.” He added, “The post of cardinal is not a promotion or an honor or a decoration. It is simply a service that demands a wider view and a bigger heart.” The new cardinals come from 12 countries in 5 continents. One of the 16 new cardinals is Cotabato Archbishop Orlando Quevedo, the first cardinal to come from Mindanao. Within his archdiocese, the Church estimates only 51.54% of the population are Catholics, while the rest are predominantly Muslim. Critics tagged the cardinal and 6 other bishops in 2011 as recipients of expensive vehicles from the government for personal use. Quevedo denied the accusation.

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Taiwan, which calls itself the Republic of China (ROC), rejected China’s new fisheries law but also dismissed Manila’s claim over the Spratly Islands in the disputed South China Sea. The Philippines earlier slammed China’s new policy, which requires foreigners to seek China’s permission to fish in the disputed sea. In a statement, Taiwan stood firm in claiming the Spratly Islands (Nansha Islands), Paracel Islands (Shisha Islands), Macclesfield Islands (Chungsha Islands), and Pratas Islands (Tungsha Islands). Taiwan also urged countries “bordering the islands,” such as the Philippines, “to respect the principles and spirit” of the United Nations Charter and the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). In place of unilateral measures, Taiwan broached the idea of joint exploration.

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US President Barack Obama defended his strategy in the Afghan war mission after former Pentagon chief Robert Gates said the president lacked passion for military action. Gates sparked a Washington firestorm when he suggested in his new memoir that Obama became disillusioned with the troop surge strategy, and lost confidence in his troop commanders and Afghan President Hamid Karzai. But in his first public comments on the criticisms, Obama said he “continued to have faith” in the US mission in Afghanistan. Speaking on NBC’s “Today Show,” the former Pentagon chief said his memoir was hijacked by those pushing a political agenda adding that he “actually agreed with virtually every decision President Obama made.” But Gates made no apologies for his blunt criticism of Vice President Joe Biden whom he said was wrong about every major foreign policy issue over the past four decades.

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The girlfriend of French President Francois Hollande remained in hospital Monday, where she was admitted after reports came out of Hollande’s alleged affair with an actress. Valerie Trierweiler was taken to hospital Friday after she suffered from low blood pressure, exhaustion and “a severe case of the blues.” This came after French magazine Closer published details of Hollande’s alleged relationship with actress Julie Gayet. Hollande slammed Closer’s report as an attack on his right to a private life but did not deny the substance of the claims. Quoting friends of the First Lady, the Le Parisien newspaper said Trierweiler was devastated about the affair, but is ready to forgive Hollande.

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A new study said a jolt of caffeine can stir memory, providing a scientific motive for students slurping coffee when cramming for exams. A team at Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, Maryland, found that caffeine enhances certain memories for at least a day after they were formed. The test sought to discern the effect of caffeine on the hippocampus, a part of the brain that distinguishes between patterns – requiring both short- and long-term memory. Evidence for caffeine as a memory booster has been anecdotal until now.

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Nearly 21 million people watched the 71st annual Golden Globes on US television, its best audience for a decade. Industry watchers said it reflected the popularity of Globes hosts TV comedy actresses Tina Fey and Amy Poehler. Crime caper “American Hustle” was the big winner with best film, best actress for Amy Adams and best supporting actress for Jennifer Lawrence. Historical drama “12 Years a Slave” won best drama, while Leonardo DiCaprio, Cate Blanchett, Matthew McConaughey and Jared Leto went home with the other acting prizes. The night was also jampacked with great “little” moments: Diane Keaton accepting the Cecil B. DeMille award for Woody Allen, the appearance of the real Philomena Lee whose life was portrayed in the movie Philomena by actress Judi Dench, Liev Schreiber getting emotional during Jon Voight’s speech, Emma Thompson swaggering up the stage and Jennifer Lawrence photobombing Taylor Swift.

Read more of the story on the following links:

Golden Globes draw biggest US audience for 10 years
Great moments from the 2014 Golden Globes
Red Carpet Recap: The 71st Golden Globes

Three trends dominated the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas: 4K, wearable computers, and high tech cars. 4K is 4x Full HD or Ultra High Definition. Different vendors talked about 4K video acquisition, delivery and consumption, Korean-rivals Samsung and LG showed off impressive 4K curved televisions, while other vendors showed off 4K cams. As for the wearables shown at CES 2014, most are worn on the wrist. Fancy concept cars include a Tron-like vehicle without a steering wheel, gas pedal and brake, three-wheel ultra-compact car with zero emission, a hydrogen fuelled sedan, a self-driving car that calls 911 when you snooze, and an electric car.

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The mean, green, evil witch of Oz is coming to Manila for the musical, Wicked. What does it take to bring the mythical land to life onstage? Theater magic happens backstage with the production’s wardrobe and makeup heads. Head of Wardrobe Paul Flanagan said the costume of Glinda the Good Witch was designed to look lightweight and frilly to emulate the look of princesses and brides. For the Wicked Witch Elphaba, designer Susan Hilferty went with a heavier, darker earthy look. Kelly Ritchie, head of hair and makeup, said about 70 wigs go onstage every night. Each wig is individually hand knotted and custom made for the performers. To create the actors’ mythical looks, the entire makeup process takes up to 45 minutes.

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