#ThewRap: Videos you need to watch this week, January 8-14, 2018

Dear Rappler readers,

The week began with the Feast of the Black Nazarene, a unique display of religious passion in predominantly Catholic Philippines, where thousands brave the crush of human bodies to touch or wipe the supposedly miraculous icon. This year, one died and several others were injured.

It’s survey season once again, and according to the latest Pulse Asia survey, Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno is the least trusted government official. The Social Weather Station, on the other hand, releases a survey showing President Rodrigo Duterte’s trust ratings are, once again, “excellent.”

In other news, Thais were amused by the latest antics of Thai junta leader Prayut Chan-O-Cha after he told reporters to direct any serious questions to a cardboard cut-out of himself. Could Oprah Winfrey run for president and beat Donald Trump? Speculation runs high that the talk show star is harboring White House ambitions after an impassioned Golden Globes speech. 

In the annual Consumer Electronics Show, robo-strippers and emotional robots take centerstage.

Here are the stories we think you shouldn’t miss.

PANOORIN: Pag-uumapaw ng debosyon sa Nazareno

Kahit mga pari, hirap pa ring maintindihan ang debosyon sa Poong Nazareno

Sereno least trusted, approved gov’t official – Pulse Asia

She gets a disapproval rating of 26% and a distrust rating of 33% in the survey conducted from December 10-15 and December 17, 2017

Malacañang says liberation of Marawi boosted Duterte’s trust rating

Malacañang also cites the ‘growing’ economy as another factor in President Rodrigo Duterte’s ‘excellent’ trust rating

Not cut out for the job: Thai PM’s stunt bemuses public

Talking to reporters outside Government House on Monday, Prayut turned the media’s attention to a life-size likeness of himself after an aide dutifully places the cut-out in front of a microphone

Oprah for president? Speech sparks fevered speculation

Hollywood, liberals and fans are abuzz with speculation that the TV talk show host and self-made tycoon is haboring White House ambitions

Pole-dancing robots aim to spice up CES 2018

The robo-strippers are the creation of British artist Giles Walker, who says he designed the vaguely humanoid machines as an expression about surveillance, power, and voyeurism

[Right Of Way] The fault in our signs, part 1

Road safety advocate Vincent Lazatin tackles several issues in this first vlog in a series about road signs and pavement markings