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Visayas Grid Red and Yellow Alerts on Tuesday, October 27 — 30MW Supply Shortfall

📌 On Tuesday, October 27, the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) raised a red alert for the Visayas grid from 5 to 6 p.m., and yellow alerts from 4 to 5 p.m. and from 6 to 9 p.m. Against a projected peak demand of 2,482MW, available capacity was 2,452MW, a shortfall of 30MW.

■ What Changed
· Units 1 and 2 of the large coal-fired Therma Visayas (TVI) plant and Unit 1 of KSPC went offline, and power imports from Mindanao also dropped because of scheduled maintenance at some Mindanao plants.
· A total of 861.2MW of capacity is out of the grid. The number of plants shut down by outages differs by report (15 per GMA, 30 per The Manila Times), and 16 plants are running at reduced output.
· A red alert is issued when supply cannot meet demand and the grid's regulating reserve, and a yellow alert is issued when contingency reserves are insufficient.

■ Tips for Residents and Travelers
· If you are staying in the Visayas, such as in Cebu or Bohol, power outages may occur during the alert hours in the evening, so charge your phone and power bank in advance.
· Reducing the use of high-consumption appliances such as air conditioners during alert hours can help ease the strain on the grid.

■ Sources
GMA News (10/27), The Manila Times (10/27)

■ Photos
· 1. File photo · NGCP signboard — The Manila Times
· 2. File photo · Transmission towers and power lines — GMA News

Buy-Bust Operation in Dapdap, Mabalacat — 4 Arrested, Shabu Worth ₱34,000 Seized

📌 According to the Pampanga Provincial Police Office (Pampanga PPO), four people were arrested in a buy-bust operation on 31G Street, Barangay Dapdap, Mabalacat City, Pampanga, at around 9:03 PM on Monday, October 26. About 5 g of suspected shabu (standard price ₱34,000) was seized.

■ Incident Details
· The Mabalacat City Police Station's Station Drug Enforcement Unit (SDEU) conducted the operation together with the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) Regional Office 3.
· The ages and genders of the four arrested have not been disclosed.

■ Investigation / Current Status
· The four arrested and the seized items were taken to the Mabalacat City Police Station for further investigation, and proceedings under the relevant laws are underway.
· Pampanga Provincial Police Director Ricardo M. David said, "There is no place for illegal drugs in Pampanga," and vowed to continue the crackdown.

■ Notice for Residents and Travelers
· The Philippines imposes severe penalties even for possessing very small amounts of drugs.
· Do not accept items handed to you by strangers or suspicious offers of deals.

■ Source
Pampanga Police Provincial Office (official Facebook, 10/27)

■ Photo
· Photo of the Pampanga PPO buy-bust scene (faces blurred) — Pampanga Police Provincial Office (official Facebook)

Conan runs into his ex-wife on the subway

Undas Oct. 29–Nov. 3: Congestion expected on NLEX, SCTEX and other expressways — peaking on the 30th and 31st

📌 Metro Pacific Tollways (MPTC) will begin its special expressway operation "Biyaheng Arangkada" on NLEX, SCTEX and other expressways from Thursday, Oct. 29 to Tuesday, Nov. 3, in time for the Undas holiday travel (All Saints' Day on Nov. 1 and All Souls' Day on Nov. 2). It projects traffic volume to rise about 5% above normal, and about 12% on the peak days, Friday, Oct. 30 and Saturday, Oct. 31.

■ What's changing
· Roads covered: NLEX, SCTEX, NLEX Connector, CAVITEX, CALAX, and Cebu's CCLEX.
· On NLEX and SCTEX, traffic heading out to the provinces is expected to surge from the afternoon of Friday the 30th to the afternoon of Saturday the 31st, and traffic returning is expected to surge from late afternoon on Monday, Nov. 2 to early morning on Tuesday the 3rd.
· During this period, road works and lane closures will be suspended except for emergency safety repairs, and about 2,000 personnel will be on duty 24 hours.
· From 6 a.m. on Oct. 30 to 6 a.m. on Nov. 3, Class 1 vehicles will be towed free of charge to the nearest exit.

■ Tips for residents and travelers
· If you plan to travel between Angeles/Clark and Manila, it's best to schedule your trip to avoid the afternoons of the 30th and 31st and the evening hours of Nov. 2.
· Before you set out, top up your RFID balance with plenty of credit (you can reload through the MPT DriveHub app, e-wallets, and customer service centers).
· For road condition updates and emergency assistance, use the 24-hour hotline 1-35000 or the MPT DriveHub app.

■ Source
The Voice Newsweekly (10/27)

200

Hello! 😊
I'm planning to spend New Year's in the Philippines, and I'm traveling solo!

If there's any group of foreigners who'd like to celebrate New Year's together, I'd be happy to join.

Can anyone recommend a good place to spend New Year's? 🎉

Are there any shows, fireworks, or special events too?

Thanks in advance for the recommendations! 🙏

Didn't know this: Cruise ship in Subic Bay

The Italian cruise ship Costa Serena arrived in Subic today, October 25, carrying:
1,851 passengers
1,072 crew members
2,923 people in total

Passengers were offered tours of Subic, Pampanga, and Bataan.

From what I've read, 6 to 8 cruise ships come into Subic every year.

Why do foreigners living in the Philippines call their girlfriends "my Filipina"?

You never hear this kind of phrasing anywhere else. If you have a girlfriend in the US, you don't say "my American," you just say "my girlfriend" or "Jen."

It sounds condescending and dehumanizing. It's as if they see Filipino women as interchangeable, commodified companions. Like you can just pick up a generic Filipina at a store, you don't need to know her name, and if you don't like her, you can return her for another "My Filipina."

Peso closes at 64.17 per dollar — first time past 64, a record low

📌 On Tuesday, October 27, the Philippine peso closed at 64.17 per dollar, a record-low close and the first time it has gone past 64. That is down 22 centavos from the previous day's record-low close of 63.95, and at one point during the session it slid as far as 64.20.

■ What's changing
· The peso opened at 63.95 that day and rose as high as 63.90 at one point, then fell to 64.20 as dollar demand picked up again.
· According to the Daily Tribune, it is down about 10% from its February 28 close of 57.66.
· The central bank (BSP) raised its benchmark interest rate by 0.5 percentage points on Thursday the 22nd, but the decline has not stopped.
· The Daily Tribune reported that unrest in global oil prices and tensions surrounding Iran have boosted demand for the dollar as a safe-haven asset.

■ Impact on daily life
· Energy Secretary Sharon Garin said the weaker peso raises the cost of imported coal, diesel, and liquefied natural gas (LNG), which could push up electricity rates and fuel prices (Philstar).
· Philstar reported that because some power contracts are dollar-based, the weaker peso has already affected this month's electricity rate hike in Metro Manila.

■ Tips for residents and travelers
· If you exchange dollars for pesos, you get more pesos than before, but the cost of living may also rise if prices of imported goods and fuel go up.
· When exchanging a large amount of money, compare the posted rates at several money changers.

■ Sources
Philstar (10/28), Daily Tribune (10/27)

■ Photos
· 1. File photo · Dollar and peso bills at a currency exchange counter — Philstar
· 2. File photo · Illustration of U.S. and Philippine flags with a declining graph — rappler.com

22-Year-Old Working Student in San Jose, Batangas Shot Dead by Two Gunmen While Riding Home on Motorcycle

📌 At around 9 p.m. on Sunday, October 25, a 22-year-old college student riding a motorcycle home along the national highway in Barangay Banay-Banay II in San Jose, Batangas province, was shot and killed by two men on a motorcycle who had been following him. Police are pursuing the suspects and the motive.

■ What Happened
· The deceased was a working student who was on his way home after finishing a music gig (GMA reported he had performed at the restaurant where he worked, while Daily Tribune reported he performed at a bar).
· According to Daily Tribune, CCTV captured two men on a motorcycle following the student.
· Police initially thought it was a traffic accident, but responding officers found gunshot wounds. A bullet that entered through his back passed through his chest; he was taken to a hospital but died.

■ Investigation and Current Status
· Two .45-caliber shell casings were recovered at the scene (GMA).
· The San Jose police station is working to identify the suspects and determine the motive, and there is no word yet of an arrest.

■ Advice for Residents and Travelers
· If you are riding a motorcycle at night and another motorcycle is following closely behind you, head to a well-lit, crowded place.
· It is best to avoid riding alone on remote highways late at night as much as possible.

■ Sources
GMA News (10/27), Daily Tribune (10/27)

Dump truck overturns in Culiat, Quezon City — father and 11-month-old baby killed after truck lands on motorcycle

📌 At around 12:30 a.m. on Tuesday, October 27, a dump truck loaded with sand tipped over onto its side near the intersection of Congressional Avenue and Luzon Avenue in Barangay Culiat, Quezon City, Metro Manila, crushing a motorcycle traveling alongside it. The 42-year-old man driving the motorcycle and an 11-month-old baby died, and the baby's mother (31) was hospitalized with a broken leg.

■ How the accident happened
· The truck and the motorcycle were heading in the same direction toward Luzon Avenue.
· The Quezon City Police District (QCPD) said the truck tipped over to the left and landed on the motorcycle beside it.
· Daily Tribune reported that police believe the driver lost control of the vehicle, while GMA reported that the truck, which was hauling sand from Pampanga to Quezon City, had brake failure.
· The three were taken to East Avenue Medical Center, but the man died at 2:23 a.m. and the baby died at 4:55 a.m. (GMA).

■ Investigation and current status
· The 29-year-old truck driver is in police custody, and complaints for reckless imprudence resulting in homicide, physical injuries, and damage to property are being filed.

■ Notes for residents and travelers
· When riding a motorcycle, do not ride right alongside large trucks carrying sand or gravel; keep plenty of distance.
· Riding a motorcycle with a young child can lead to severe harm in an accident. Avoid main roads with heavy truck traffic late at night whenever possible.

■ Sources
Daily Tribune (10/27), GMA News (10/27), Philstar (10/28)

■ Photos
· 1. Overturned dump truck with spilled sand and rescuers — Daily Tribune
· 2. Map showing the location of Quezon City — Philstar

Drug Buy-Bust in Dau, Mabalacat — 2 Arrested, 60g of Shabu and a Handgun Seized

📌 On the night of Monday, October 26, two people were arrested in a buy-bust operation by police and the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) in Barangay Dau, Mabalacat City, Pampanga. Authorities seized about 60g of suspected shabu (methamphetamine) worth 408,000 pesos and one .38 caliber revolver with no serial number.

■ What Happened
· The Pampanga Provincial Police Office (PPO), PDEA Regional Office 3, and the Mabalacat City Police Station carried out the operation together.
· The ages and genders of the two people arrested have not been disclosed.

■ Investigation and Current Status
· Police are preparing charges for violations of the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act (RA 9165) and the Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulation Act (RA 10591).
· Pampanga Provincial Police Director Ricardo M. David said the crackdown on illegal drugs and illegal firearms will continue.

■ Notice for Residents and Travelers
· The Philippines punishes drug possession severely, even for very small amounts, and foreigners are no exception.
· Do not accept items that strangers ask you to hold or hand to you, or any suspicious offers of deals.

■ Source
Punto! Central Luzon (10/27)

■ Photos
· The buy-bust scene and the two people arrested (faces blurred) — Punto! Central Luzon

Latest Neighborhood Tech

Excited Frogs

Ambush Shooting in Datu Anggal Midtimbang, Maguindanao del Sur — 4 Men in a Car Killed

📌 On the afternoon of Monday, October 26, four men riding in a silver sedan on the road in Barangay Tulunan, Datu Anggal Midtimbang, Maguindanao del Sur, Mindanao, were ambushed by armed gunmen and all of them were killed on the spot. The perpetrators have not yet been identified.

■ What Happened
· The four were traveling together in the car along an inland stretch of road in Tulunan when they came under fire.
· Philstar reported that the gunmen were armed with rifles, and Abante Tonite reported that the car was riddled with bullet holes.
· All four suffered multiple gunshot wounds and died at the scene.

■ Investigation and Current Status
· Police and local officials believe the victims were not residents of Maguindanao del Sur. The provincial police director said the perpetrators may have been lying in wait as the victims were passing through, and appealed for witnesses to come forward.
· The Datu Anggal police station is investigating, and intelligence personnel from the Army's 6th Infantry Division are helping to identify the perpetrators.

■ Advisory for Residents and Travelers
· If you need to travel on inland roads in this area, first check security advisories from local police and the local government.
· Avoid traveling on remote stretches after dark, and if possible, travel in groups.

■ Sources
Philstar (10/26), Abante Tonite (10/27)

■ Photo
· Wrecked silver sedan after the ambush — policefilestonite.net

When the feeder runs out of food

Will criminology departments and schools follow suit?

64-Year-Old Filipino-American Arrested on Arrival at NAIA Terminal 1 on Falsification of Public Documents Charge

📌 On Monday, October 26, a 64-year-old Filipino-American man who flew in from San Francisco, USA, and arrived at Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal 1 in Manila was arrested on a warrant for falsification of public documents. The Bureau of Immigration (BI) notified airport police that he was the subject of a warrant, and the police arrested him.

■ How It Happened
· The Bureau of Immigration informed the NAIA-1 police station that an arriving passenger was the subject of a court order.
· When police checked the Philippine National Police's electronic warrant system (e-Warrant), the warrant was still valid and had not yet been served.
· The NAIA-1 police station and the Southern Police District (SPD) Baclaran Sub-Station 3 served the warrant together.

■ Investigation and Current Status
· The charge is falsification of public documents under Article 172 (in relation to Article 171) of the Revised Penal Code, with a recommended bail of 12,000 pesos.
· The man was turned over to Baclaran Sub-Station 3 for paperwork and legal procedures.
· Dionisio Bartolome Jr., head of the police Aviation Security Group (AVSEGROUP), said the airport must not become a safe passage for criminal suspects.

■ Notice for Residents and Travelers
· If you have a case pending in a Philippine court, you can be arrested at the airport the moment you enter the country, even if you hold foreign citizenship.
· If you are involved in a complaint or lawsuit in the Philippines, it is advisable to check through a lawyer whether a warrant has been issued before traveling in or out of the country.

■ Sources
Daily Tribune (10/27), The Global Filipino Magazine (10/27)

Don't you know I'm crazy? (Don't you know I'm loco?)

My friends and I have a tradition of dressing up as famous actors every Halloween! Reddit asked for it, so I put this together: this year it's Mike Myers! "Do I make you horny, baby? Do I make you randy?" (Full gallery in the comments)