Day: April 27, 2024

The new head of the doctors’ association vowed Saturday to wage an all-out war against the government in case of any disadvantage to medical professors considering taking weekly breaks in support of the ongoing walkout by junior doctors.

Lim Hyun-taek, the president-elect of the Korean Medical Association (KMA), is known for his hawkish stance in the ongoing stalemate with the government regarding an increase in the medical school enrollment quota.

“The Ministry of Health and Welfare’s treatment of professors as criminals and its intimidation are deeply infuriating,” said the KMA’s transition team for Lim in a press release, adding that 140,000 doctors and medical students will launch an all-out war if the professors are mistreated.

Lim has come under police scrutiny after the Ministry of Health and Welfare filed a complaint alleging he violated medical law by inciting collective action by trainee doctors opposed to the government’s plan to sharply increase medical school admissions.

The country’s 13,000
trainee doctors have been on strike, resigning en masse since Feb. 20, protesting the government’s decision to significantly increase the medical school enrollment quota. In solidarity with medical interns and residents, medical professors at major general hospitals nationwide have joined the movement.

In an attempt to break the stalemate with the doctors, the government last week accepted a request from the chiefs of six national universities for flexibility in expanding the medical school enrollment quota.

Source: Yonhap News Agency

MANILA: Thirty-four local government units (LGUs) have expressed support in upholding Philippine sovereignty in the West Philippine Sea (WPS) amid China’s aggressive actions, Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Benjamin Abalos Jr. said at the Saturday News Forum in Quezon City.

Abalos said the DILG received manifestations of support to protect the country’s interests in the WPS.

“They came together to express support in safeguarding the Philippine Sea at tiningnan namin anong mga kailangan nila – mga patubig ba ito, mga pa-ilaw, etcetera (and we are identifying what they need — water, electricity, etcetera),” he said.

The resolutions were among the outcomes of the DILG’s first National Summit for the West Philippine Sea held last year.

It aimed to create a common vision and develop a plan of action for a more secured, sustainable, prosperous future for the WPS, particularly among LGUs in coastal areas.

In his speech during the 503rd commemoration of the Victory of Mactan at
Liberty Shrine in Lapu-Lapu City, Cebu also on Saturday, President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. hailed Filipinos for their patriotism as shown by their collective effort to assert sovereign rights aligned with international law and order.

President Marcos said patriotism can be seen in every Filipino through their valor and selfless participation for nation-building.

‘Ito ay nakikita sa pagmamahal natin sa ating kapwa, pag-aaruga sa mga napinsala, pagtulong sa mga nagdarahop, at pagtanggol sa mga inaapi (This [patriotism] can be demonstrated by our love for others, caring for the afflicted, helping the impoverished, and protecting the oppressed,’ Marcos said.

‘Ito ay nakikita sa matapang nating paggiit sa ating karapatan at sa pagtanggol kung ano ang atin ayon sa ilalim ng batas, sang-ayon sa pandaigdigang kaayusan at sa mata ng ating Diyos (This is also demonstrated by fighting for our rights and defending our sovereignty in accordance with law and international order, as well as in the eyes of God),’ he added
.

The Philippines’ tough stand against China is one of the reasons why the President was named one of the world’s 100 most influential people by the 99-year-old American publication Time Magazine.

Source: Philippines News Agency

K-pop girl group NewJeans unveiled the music video for its new single, “Bubble Gum,” on Saturday, the group’s agency said.

“Bubble Gum” is an easy-listening track featuring a simple drum pattern and a synthesizer sound, according to ADOR.

The song will be included in the group’s new single album, “How Sweet,” set to come out May 24.

The video opens with member Hyein saying “Today, I’ll teach you how to make soap bubbles.”

It then shows the members blowing bubble gum or playing with each other using bubbles, balloons and glass beads.

The video’s settings, including a beach, a green ranch and a camping car on an early summer night, give viewers a refreshing feeling.

As of 4 p.m., 15 hours after it was uploaded to YouTube, the video has garnered more than 6.2 million views.

Source: Yonhap News Agency

MANILA: Police, fire and jail officers can wear light uniforms while on duty amid the excessive heat caused by the El Niño phenomenon.

Secretary Benjamin Abalos Jr. announced at the Saturday News Forum in Quezon City that the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) already issued an urgent memorandum allowing Philippine National Police (PNP), Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) and Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) officers to wear light and comfortable uniforms to ease their working conditions.

“Dahil nga mainit (Since it’s hot), dangerous heat and index levels are quite high across the country, you are hereby directed to issue an urgent advisory for all PNP, BJMP and BFP personnel to wear light uniforms in the performance of their respective duties to alleviate discomfort and protect them from illnesses such as heat stroke, heat cramps, heat exhaustion among others due to extreme heat,” Abalos said, indirectly addressing agencies under the DILG.

“May narinig kasi ako na parang may
na-heat stroke na isang kasama natin (I’ve heard reports that one of our personnel had a heat stroke). That’s why we have to issue this advisory,” he added.

Earlier in the day, state weather bureau Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) warned of dangerous heat index levels ranging from 42 degrees to 48 degrees Celsius in 44 areas.

PAGASA said heat index is what the temperature feels like to the human body when relative humidity is combined with the air temperature.

The bureau advised the public to limit time spent outdoors, especially at noon, and drink plenty of water.

People going outdoors are reminded to use umbrellas, or wear hats and sleeved clothing.

Source: Philippines News Agency

The Korean crime-action film “The Roundup: Punishment” surpassed 2 million admissions on Saturday, three days after its release, its distributor said.

It became the fastest film of 2024 to date to reach the milestone, according to ABO Entertainment.

The fourth installment of “The Roundup” crime-action film franchise starring Ma Dong-seok opened big Wednesday, drawing 820,000 moviegoers nationwide, and topped 1 million the following day.

As of 9 a.m. Saturday, it accounted for 870,000, or 92.7 percent, of all ticket reservations at the local box office, with the animated U.S. film “Kung Fu Panda 4” in a distant second with 2.7 percent.

“Punishment,” if the current trend continues, is expected to exceed 3 million admissions over the weekend.

The movie revolves around tenacious cop Ma Seok-do (played by Ma Dong-seok) as he tracks down a ruthless global drug kingpin, Baek Chang-ki (Kim Moo-yeol), and a cryptocurrency entrepreneur, Chang Dong-cheol (Lee Dong-hwi), who employs illegal online casinos for money
laundering.

In addition to taking on the lead role, Ma, also known as Don Lee, served as a planner, screenwriter and producer of the film project.

It was directed by Heo Myeong-haeng, who previously worked as a martial arts choreographer on the first three installments.

Source: Yonhap News Agency

RM, the leader of K-pop superband BTS, will unveil a prerelease track from his upcoming second solo album, “Right Place, Wrong Person,” early next month, the group’s agency said Saturday.

The song will be released along with its music video on May 10 at 1 p.m. (Korean time), two weeks ahead of the album’s release, BigHit Music said.

It would mark the first release from the BTS leader since his first official solo album “Indigo” in December 2022.

Following the album’s release on May 24, more music videos for additional tracks and videos of RM live performing the songs will be uploaded on May 28, 30-31 and June 10.

The agency has introduced the album as one that focuses on the core essence of RM as an artist.

Although the rapper is currently serving in the South Korean Army, RM was able to film music videos for nearly half of the album’s 11 tracks before his enlistment in December.

The upcoming album explores feelings of alienation, the agency said, adding that all the 11 tracks fall under the alternativ
e genre with rich sounds. RM also served as a lyricist for all the tracks.

Source: Yonhap News Agency