In Texas: Hundreds of Filipino Teachers Get Break

(Tuesday, March 27) - Judge Kathleen Cardone of the United States District Court of Western District of Texas declared a “mistrial” of the case after learning from two of the 12 jurors that they read about the case in El Paso Times, a daily newspaper. A juror reading about a case will be prejudging the case... (Asian Journal) ...full story here

In Dubai: Registered Filipino Voters

(Tuesday, March 27) - DUBAI Registered Filipino voters are advised to check the certified list of registered voters at the Philippine Embassy in Abu Dhabi and the consulate in Dubai, before the elections. They are also urged to vote early to avoid hassle during the election month starting from April 14... (The Emirates Evening Post) ...full details here

In Los Angeles: Fil-Am Kids Learning Tagalog

(Tuesday, March 27) - Sitting in one of the 70B of Introductory Filipino/Tagalog class at UCLA, group-by-group Filipino American students went in front of the class shy and reluctant to speak a language they’ve known all their life- Tagalog. Each group speaks with a stutter, an apprehension, regularly mispronouncing words like a broken tape player while trying to read a Tagalog passage from their textbook, singing a song or performing a skit...(Asian Journal) ...full story here

In All Islands: The Power of "Sachet"

(Monday, March 26) - THE FILIPINOS' success in using the "sachet" method to market almost everything--from vinegar and rice to mobile phone load--can also be used to spread the use of computers in the country, according to a local entrepreneur. RFM Corp. president Jose Concepcion III, who is also presidential consultant on entrepreneurship, said using the sachet method to provide more Filipinos with access to computers should not be any different from how that marketing strategy worked to propel the success of neighborhood sari-sari (convenience) stores... (Asian Journal) ...full story here

In California: Sanctuary For Troubled Filipino Youths

(Monday, March 26) - Life in general can be a challenge for many Filipino youths, who often turn to drugs, alcohol and gangs for comfort, said Ahmed Animo, 18, of Daly City. That's why he hopes the new Liwanag Kultural Center for Filipino youth in the community will help change this trend. According to the 2000 census, 35,297 Filipinos live in Daly City — 34 percent of its population. (San Mateo County Times) ...full story here

In Iraq: Filipino Workers Exploited

(Monday, March 26) - Many Filipinos have fallen to promises of lucrative jobs in the Persian Gulf and ended up being exploited and tricked into working in war-torn Iraq, according to the International Organization for Migration. The workers are taken against their knowledge to Iraq, often by rogue recruiters, while others are falsely lured by promises of high-paying jobs, IOM spokesman Jean-Philippine Chauzy said when interviewed last weekend on Voice of America. (GMA 7)

In Manila: John Regala Arrested

(Monday, March 26) - Character actor John Regala along with two others were picked up by operatives of the Manila Police District (MPD) in a drug operation over the weekend. However, the 39-year-old Regala and his companion, 42-year-old Antonio Flores, were released Monday morning after an order for their release was issued. (GMA 7)

In Masbate: Ambush Kills Mayor's Leader

(Monday, March 26) - Political tension in Masbate province continued to rise as a local political leader was killed and three other people wounded in an an ambus on Sunday night. Radio dzRH reported Monday that unidentified armed men shot dead Rene Alcala, a local political leader of Marvie Espinosa-Bravo, who is seeking a mayoralty seat in San Fernando town. (GMA 7)

In Malaysia: Inexpensive Phone Rates for Filipinos

(Monday, March 26) - Filipinos in Malaysia can now enjoy the benefits of cheaper phone rates to their loved ones in the Philippines. This after the Ayala-owned Globe Telecom, Inc. entered into a joint venture with Malaysia’s telecommunications service provider Maxis... (GMA 7) ...full story here

In All Islands: Be Positive

(Monday, March 26) - Malacañang told Filipinos not to be too negative and to congratulate themselves in their achievements once in a while. Press Secretary Ignacio Bunye, in his weekly column, said among the country's achievements that Filipinos should be proud of are the stronger peso, reduced budget deficit and public debt and increased foreign investments. (SunStar Manila)