In case you missed it, here are 12 stories Coconuts Manila readers talked about this week:
1. A Bellagio Tower Two condo resident filed a formal against Megaworld for a ceiling that caved in and fell on their bed. Check out the shocking comments at the bottom of the story. <Shoulda coulda woulda: Ceiling collapses in BGC condo>
2. Justin Bieber was in Tacloban to visit super typhoon Yolanda’s survivors. Da Biebs played basketball with coach Chot Reyes and local fans, sang a few songs, and brought lots of cheer into this devastated province. Word on the street is that Katy Perry wants to do a Bieber as well. <Justin Bieber visits Tacloban to meet #YolandaPH survivors>
3. On the subject of foreign acts, we got word about what could well be 2014’s biggest event, to be held in Pampanga (Clark). Red Hot Chili Peppers headlines. Australian band Empire of the Sun will be joining too. Pre-sale price for a 2-day VIP pass is at PHP20,000. <Red Hot Chili Peppers to headline 7107 International Music Festival>
4. If you think a PHP20,000 concert ticket is a lot of money, wait till you hear Elmer de Guzman’s story. After a trip overseas, he came home to a staggering PHP3 million (rounded off) phone bill for call and data roaming charges. <Globe subscriber stumped with a PHP3 million bill>
5. PHP3 million may sound huge but it’s a drop in the bucket compared to what our Pambansang Kamao supposedly owes the America’s IRS: a mind-blowing USD18 million (rounded off). <Pacman owes Uncle Sam, says TMZ>
6. Letting go is an art, but maybe what Mar Roxas needs is closure. This week has been particulary tough on the Interior secretary after he was accused by Tacloban Mayor Alfred Romualdez of, among other things, saying, “You have to understand, you are a Romualdez and the president is an Aquino.” <Roxas discusses ‘splice video’ in quickie press con>
7. Speaking of closure, Manila Seedling Bank tenants had the shock of their lives on Monday when they saw the compound shut down. <QC shuts down Manila Seedling Bank | 15 arrested in rumble>
8. Six additional green, environment-friendly hybrid buses are now plying the Kalayaan-Buendia route in Makati, with 16 designated stops. The airconditioned buses are equipped with CCTV, GPS and a tap card ticketing system. Very first world. Throw in free WiFi and you have a mobile office in the CBD. <‘Green’ bus line in Makati adds 6 more units>
9. A gay couple who met online is the first batch of US fiancé visa holders involving a Filipino partner based in the Philippines. Noel Amaro and Robert Cotterman (he is in the US military, hot) will get married next month in the US after Cotterman returns from a tour of duty in Afghanistan (hotter). <US Embassy issues first fiancé visa to same-sex couple>
10. Let’s gay it on! Our entertainment guru Mark Sablan asks the thought-provoking question: Can straight Pinoy men kiss to prove they are not homophobic? Apparently, that’s how they do it in Germany. <Read Mark’s story to find out why>
11. Mikey Bustos’ new YouTube video about balikbayan boxes, inspired by Miley Cyrus’ ‘Wrecking Ball’, resonated with our readers who have OFW relatives. YouTube also released it’s top 10 list of most viewed videos in the Philippines in 2013, and Psy was #1 and #10 for the same song. Say what? <Mikey Bustos parodies Miley’s ‘Wrecking Ball’ | Top 10 trending YouTube videos in the Philippines>
12. Finally, it’s the weekend! If you survived last night’s Friday the 13th traffic situation (the trifecta of traffic jams: payday weekend, office parties, and Christmas shopping), reward yourself with a drink at any of these rooftop bars. <5 best rooftop bars in Metro Manila with happy hour deals>
