Magnitude-7.8 earthquake rocks Ecuador, kills at least 28

A powerful 7.8-magnitude earthquake hit Ecuador on Saturday night, April 16 (Sunday morning in Philippine Time). At least 28 people have died, the country's vice president, Jorge Glas, told in a televised address.

At least 28 people killed after powerful earthquake hit Ecuador. Photo Credit: Daily Mail Online

"We have 16 people dead in the city of Portoviejo, 10 in Manta and two in the province of Guayas," Glas said at a news conference. He added that number is still for confirmation.

Glas also declared state of emergency and said that preventive evacuations in coastal areas were underway because of possible tsunami risks.

According to the United States Geological Survey (USGS), the tremor was centered about 27 kilometers (16.8 miles) south-southeast of Muisne. Earthquake occurred as the result of shallow thrust faulting on or near the plate boundary between the Nazca and Pacific plates.

M7.8 Earthquake at 27km SSE of Muisne, Ecuador. Photo Credit: USGS

CNN has reported that there were no immediate reports of damage or injuries in the capital of Quito, located 173 kilometers (108 miles) from the epicenter of the earthquake.

The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center issued a threat forecast for some parts of Ecuador, saying waves could could reach 1 meter (3 feet) above tide level. An earlier warning for other nations with coastlines on the Pacific was canceled.

Ecuador is prone to earthquakes. It is located along the Ring of Fire, a horseshoe-shaped, seismically turbulent area of the Pacific Ocean.

LIVESTREAM: "Harapan ng Bise" VP Debate 2016 on ABS-CBN video

MANILA, Philippines - ABS-CBN’s “Harapan ng Bise,” the vice presidential debate happens today, April 17, 2016. Dubbed as the part two of the UST debate, candidates face off anew to help voters decide for May 9 general elections. The full livestream video will be available on this page.

The "Harapan ng Bise" debate, which airs live on ABS-CBN this Sunday from 5:30 P.M. to 7:30 p.m., will allow Sen. Alan Peter Cayetano, Sen. Chiz Escudero, Camarines Sur 3rd District Rep. Leni Robredo, and Sen. Antonio Trillanes IV to talk about their platforms and stand on important issues. Sens. Gringo Honasan and Bongbong Marcos were also invited but could not make it to the debate due to a scheduling conflict.

Catch the livestream of "Harapan ng Bise" VP Debate 2016 here (ABS-CBNnews.com):


Note: The full video replay courtesy of ABS-CBN will be available also on this page.

Meanwhile, here's the live Twitter feed of the second vice presidential debate for the 2016 elections:

#HarapanBise Tweets

The debate will be moderated by seasoned broadcast journalists Alvin Elchico and Lynda Jumilla. Viewers, meanwhile, will also get to ask the vice presidential candidates questions via social media correspondent Gretchen Ho.

In “Harapan ng Bise,” the vice presidential candidates will go through several rounds of debate on the most urgent national issues on jobs, health, crime, security and economy. They will also test each other’s opinions, and will be grilled by panelists composed of broadcast journalist Tina Monzon-Palma and political analysts Edna Co and Julio Teehankee.

“Harapan ng Bise: The ABS-CBN Vice Presidential Debate” is part of ABS-CBN’s “Ipanalo Ang Pamilyang Pilipino” election campaign that encourages Filipinos to use their vote and uphold the interest and welfare of their families.

On April 24, the third and final leg of PiliPinas Debates 2016, the Towh Hall presidential debate will be held at the University of Pangasinan with media sponsors ABS-CBN and Manila Bulletin.

How to vote PGT5 semi-finalist: Google and Text

MANILA, Philippines - Semi-finalists of Pilipinas Got Talent Season 5 (PGT5) battle for the top slots every week with the results being announced Sunday nights. During the live shows, viewers may support contestants through public voting - Google and mobile (text) voting.

Here are the mechanics of voting for PGT5 semi-finalist: Google and Mobile:

To vote via text, key in PGT space NAME OF CONTESTANT and send to 2366. Note: One vote per SIM, per contestant is allowed. ABS-CBN mobile subscribers can cast their votes for free while P 1.00 per vote is being charged for other networks.

READ: PGT Season 5 judges pick 36 semi-finalists

To vote via Google, go to google.com.ph and log-in using your Google account. Type PGT5 in the search box, select photo of semi-finalist and submit. One vote per Google account is allowed.


The Quarterfinals round had started on April 9, 2016 in Newport Performing Arts Theater, Resorts World Manila in Pasay City. Every week, performances from four out of six acts took place on Saturday nights, while during Sunday nights, the two remaining acts performed.

Semi-finalists are grouped into two: the bottom three in the public votes (automatically eliminated) and the top 3 to include the winner of voting who will advance to the next round. The judges will then decide of who will continue his/her journey on the remaining acts.

On Week 1, Crossover Family has won the judges' votes Next Option received the highest percentage of public votes, 50.16 percent.

Who will win the viewers' hearts next and will move on to the grand finals of Pilipinas Got Talent Season 5?

Don’t miss “Pilipinas Got Talent” every Saturday right after “MMK,” and every Sunday after “Rated K” on ABS-CBN.

Like Us on Facebook, follow Us on Twitter and subscribe to our email list to receive more updates.

VIDEO: Mastermind mesmerizes PGT5 judges, viewers on semi-finals performance

MANILA, Philippines - Pilipinas Got Talent (5) Season 5 semi-finalist "Mastermind" mesmerized the judges and viewers anew during the live performance on Saturday, April 16, 2016 at the Resorts World Manila in Pasay City.

The 9-member group from Borongan, Eastern Samar received approval on their simple, clean yet dazzling choreography.

"Gusto ko malaman niyo na binubuhay ninyo ang pagiging buhay kalye ko," judge Robin Padilla said.

"Mastermind, simpleng-simple lang pero tusok na tusok, baon na baon," Vice Ganda commented.

Some netizens also expressed their support and admiration to the dance group.

Ang organize at linis sumayaw ng Mastermind.I think my vote is for them😍
#2ndPGT5LiveSemis

— Joyce Domingo (@domingojoyce81) April 16, 2016

you can say that mastermind deals synchronization seriously. that is their edge among other dancing groups in PGT. #2ndPGT5LiveSemis

— Badge Santiago Majid (@DemigodBadge) April 16, 2016

#2ndPGT5LiveSemis there's something unexplainable sa Mastermind na alam mong simple lang ang choreography but it's very magical asf x

— Jacques. (@ohhjacques) April 16, 2016

WATCH: Pilipinas Got Talent Season 5 Semi-finals: Mastermind - Dance Group (video courtesy of ABS-CBN)

Updating for the video...

Here's how to vote for Mastermind

To vote via text, key in PGT space MASTERMIND and send to 2366. Note: One vote per SIM, per contestant is allowed. ABS-CBN mobile subscribers can cast their votes for free while P 1.00 per vote is being charged for other networks.

To vote via Google, go to google.com.ph and log-in using your Google account. Type PGT5 in the search box, select photo of semi-finalist and submit. One vote per Google account is allowed.

Astig ba para sa'yo ang performance ng Mastermind? Narito ang paraan para iboto sila #2ndPGT5LiveSemis pic.twitter.com/ftLMPa56XF

— Pilipinas Got Talent (@OfficialPGT5) April 16, 2016

Did you like Mastermind's performance? Express your thoughts in the comment section below.

Hontiveros tops 2nd Rappler Senatorial Debate, pushes for mental healthcare

MANILA, Philippines - "Compassionate, competent, compelling" - this was just some of the descriptions used by netizens to describe senatorial aspirant Risa Hontiveros during the second senatorial debate hosted by Rappler Friday afternoon, April 15 at the University of the Philippines Diliman School of Economics Auditorium.

"Sadyang may mga laban na hindi sinusukuan” - Hontiveros. Photo Screengrab from Youtube

Adjudged best debater in all three rounds of the debate, Hontiveros was hailed as the over-all winner by netizens who watched the event through Rappler live stream and PTV 4.

Hontiveros spoke on issues ranging from the Catholic Church's position on reproductive health to benefits for barangay health workers to traffic and tax reform.

She spoke most passionately though about her advocacy for universal health.

"Seven out of ten Filipinos die without seeing a doctor. This is why I work. This is why we should work together”, she said.

Hontiveros also pushed for mental health care package for Filipinos.

“If I get to work in the Senate, simula na ako doon sa mga nasimulan na, so susuportahan ko 'yung pagdevelop ng PhilHealth ng benefit packages para sa mental health, both post-trauma o kaya yung addressing depression”, she urged.

Hontiveros also spoke candidly about her first two failed attempts to run and why she decided to run again.

"Tinatanong ng mga classmates ng anak ko, bakit ba ako takbo ng takbo".

She said that universal health is a goal that can be achieved through vision and hard work. “Healthy Pinoy, Healthy ‘Pinas is not just a pipe dream. Universal healthcare can be achieved in our lifetime”, she said, referring to her campaign slogan.

“Sadyang may mga bagay na hindi dapat bitawan”, she concluded.

Aside from Hontiveros, other senatorial candidates present during the debate were Sherwin Gatchalian, Dionisio Santiago, Richard Gordon, Walden Bello, and Leila de Lima.

WATCH: #TheLeaderIWant Senatorial Debate at the UP Diliman (video courtesy of Rappler)