ICYMI: Same-sex Marriage Bill To Be Filed In Philippine Congress

1. Bill on same-sex marriage to be filed in Congress

House Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez is drafting a bill that supports same-sex marriage. At a news conference, he said that it is to show his respect for and uphold the dignity of the LGBT (Lesbian-Gay-Bisexual-Transgender) community. "Tayo naman ay nakikiisa sa ating mga kapatid na LGBT. Kung happy sila doon, bakit naman natin hindi suportahan. Kasi dumadami na iyong population ng LGBT. Kailangan din natin protektahan sila," Alvarez said, clarifying that the same-sex marriage would only apply to civil unions. Taguig-Pateros Rep. Pia Cayetano welcomed the proposal, saying it could pave the way to discuss other LGBT issues in Congress, while Camarines Sur Rep. LRay Villafuerte added that they should prioritize the divorce bill. Some have also said that they would vote against it, citing the word of God. (gmanetwork.com)


2. Joseph Bitangcol and wife welcome first baby

IMAGE Screencap from Pep,ph

IMAGE Screencap from Pep.ph

The 32-year-old actor is now a certified dad. He and his wife Chesca Tonson welcomed their first baby, a daughter whom they named Emmanuelle Sky, on September 29. Chesca made the announcement on Facebook the day after she gave birth. "Hello World, meet Emmanuelle Sky T. Bitangcol. It doesn't look like it but she's happy to meet you! HAHAHA," she wrote as caption. One of their friends also shared their first family photo. Both Joseph and Chesca also posted snaps of their new life with Emma Sky at home. Congratulations! (pep.ph)


3. Vina Morales files three cases against Cedric Lee
The singer actress confirmed that she had filed three cases -- kidnapping, illegal detention, and Violence Against Women and Their Children (VAWC) -- against former partner Cedric Lee and his sister Bernice Lee. The cases were said to be due to the incident when their daughter Ceanna was allegedly forced to stay with his dad longer than what was allowed in his child visitation rights. "Sa nangyari sa amin, alam naman ng lahat na nine days hindi naibalik ang anak ko," Vina said. She adds that it's a legal battle for her whole family. "Actually, my witness are my sisters, sina Shaina at Ate Shiela... So, buong pamilya kami. Suportado nila ako," she said. Vina is also prepared to defend herself from the libel complaint Cedric's camp had filed. "May batas naman tayo, sumusunod lamang kami dun, just to show him that no one is above the law," she added. (pep.ph,)


4. Watch: first teaser trailer for Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales

Disney dropped the very first teaser trailer for the upcoming movie Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales. The movie brings back its original stars Johnny Depp as Captain Jack Sparrow and Orlando Bloom as Will Turner -- but you won't see them in this trailer. What you will see is Pirates franchise newcomer and award-winning actor Javier Bardem as Sparrow's old nemesis Captain Salazar and his crew of deadly ghost pirates. In the trailer, Captain Salazar asks a young man to find Captain Jack Sparrow for him, so he could end his life. Captain Jack Sparrow's only hope of survival lies in the legendary Trident of Poseidon, who gives its possessor total control over the seas. Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales opens in theaters in May 2017. (eonline.com)


5. More evidence links Zika to damage beyond microcephaly
The mosquito-borne illness has been proven to cause microcephaly among the offsprings of women who are infected while pregnant. However, a Brazilian study suggests that Zika's effects might be more than that. "Microcephaly is not the only thing that happens with fetal Zika infection," said senior study author Dr. Amilcar Tanuri, a researcher in the laboratory of molecular virology at the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro. Researchers studied 11 babies diagnosed with Zika from birth to six months and found a range of brain-development issues, which could cause problems for developing motor skills and cognitive abilities such as memory, language, social skills and problem solving skills. Researchers suggest that Zika should be considered a congenital virus. Some babies do not survive the condition, and if they do, would carry with them a lifetime of numerous developmental or cognitive impairments. (gmanetwork.com)