Limahong was born as Dim Mhon to parents with questionable morals, in a province of China called Cuytan. Exposed to vices, he resorted to criminal activities, including robbery, at an early age. He met and became a protege of an old pirate, Tial-lao. When Tial-lao died, Lim became his heir, inheriting the old pirate's fleet and around 2,000 pirates. His numerous attacks on ports and ships throughout southern China made the authorities issue a warrant for his capture. This brought him to pursue his criminal activities on higher seas, far from China's reach. He was able to accumulate 40 ships which increased to 95 ships when he took over the fleet of another pirate, Vin To Quiam. He came to be the notorious king of the waters of southern China. It was in late 1573 that an army of 3,000 outlaws, bandits, and pirates led by Limahong arrived at the island of Luzon. There, they established a kingdom and waged war against the Spaniards. In early 1574, their fleet fled to Ilocos Sur and had a run-in with its Spanish commander, Juan de Salcedo. The pirates were driven away by the Spaniards. When they fled from Ilocos Sur, Limahong learned that Manila was an unprotected city though already occupied by the Spaniards. He decided to take over Manila and make it his kingdom. He attacked the city in 1574 with 64 ships but failed. However, he was able to kill Martin de Goiti of the first Spanish expeditionary force and several Filipinos under the leadership of Rajah Lakandula... (read more)

Lourdes Jansuy Cruz, PhD is a Filipina biochemist. She is best known for her research on the properties of toxins found in Conus snails. She was conferred the rank and title of National Scientist in 2008. Dr. Lourdes Cruz graduated with a BS Chemistry degree from the University of the Philippines, Diliman in 1962. She then finished her MS and PhD in Biochemistry at the University of Iowa, United States, 1966 and 1968, respectively. Upon her return to the Philippines, she served as a research aide in 1962 at the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI). She then began teaching as assistant professor at the UP Department of Biochemistry in 1970, and became a full professor in 1977... (read more)

• Project EASE is a program designed by DepEd for students who miss classes due to various reasons...

• The Metro Manila Community Orchestra (MMCO) is a 50-piece community-based orchestra composed of young musicians...

• Ramon Villavicencio is a veteran oil man who has worked in the oil industry since 1962...

• Flying V is an independent Philippine oil retailer company founded by Ramon Villavicencio...

• Rolen "Loen" Urriquia is the current mayor of the municipality of Rizal in Laguna...

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  Manny Pacquiao graces the cover of TIME magazine's Asia edition this November.
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  Lopez family agrees to sell half of its Meralco stake to Manuel Pangilinan's group.
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  Nueva Vizcaya sets a record turnout of new registrants.
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  DLSU receives Excellence Award for its campaign on the Influenza A(H1N1) at the 2009 Philippine Quill Awards.
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  Architect Palafox urges government to remain vigilant on climate change issue.
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  Over 23,000 prisoners register for the Philippine elections in 2010.

Hello Epey! Corregidor was compared to Gibraltar, the peninsular fortress that guards the main entrance to the Mediterranean Sea between Europe and Africa. American servicemen who came to the Philippines during the World War noticed Corregidor's resemblance to the fortress in Europe and dubbed it the “Gibraltar of the East.” Both Corregidor and Gibraltar were also alternately dubbed “The Rock.” If want to know more about Corregidor and its rich historical records, click HERE.

• Higantes Festival - grand paper-mâché parade
• Clark Air Base - urbanized military facility
• Trinidad Tecson - woman of the revolution
• Mock Battle of Manila - advent of American colonization
• Francisco V. Coching - Philippines' greatest illustrator
• Battle of Leyte Gulf - largest naval battle in history
• Nepenthes attenboroughii - the rat-eating plant
• Ma Mon Luk - food trip in old Manila
• Vintage Magazines - back to back issues