Top of the Morning: See PBB Baby Shower for Toni Gonzaga and Mariel Rodriguez

1. Pinoy Big Brother throws baby shower for Toni Gonzaga and Mariel Padilla

In case you missed the episode last night, the reality TV show threw a baby shower for their two hosts, Toni Gonzaga and Mariel Rodriguez. Pinoy Big Brother (PBB) co-host Bianca Gonzalez took to Instagram to send a sweet message to her preggo friends: "You'll be amazing mommies, I'm so sure. Your babies are so lucky to have you. I love you both!!" Mariel thanked Bianca with this message: "Toni and I are blessed to have a friend/sister like you!!!! Kuya's Angels now have their own Angels." Mariel also thanked her PBB family. "Everything was perfect the decors, the food, the cakes, the gifts, the games and, most of all, you even went the extra mile and invited our husbands to join," she wrote. Toni and husband Paul Soriano are expecting a baby boy, while Mariel and husband Robin Paddila are expecting a baby girl.


2. Krista Ranillo welcomes fourth child

"So happy to announce that @ninojeff and I welcomed Nash into our lives this morning," the former actress wrote to accompany an Instagram photo of her fourth baby, Nash Archibald. Krista shared she was in extreme pain, but it was too late for her to get an epidural. To help her, she said she had to trust her doctor, her body, and God. "Thankfully, it only took three pushes and many times of feeling like I was gonna die and he was out safely. The cord was wrapped around his neck and he was sunny side up but we are both safe and healthy," she wrote. Krista thanked everyone who sent prayers and well wishes. She was also grateful to her husband, businessman Nino Jeff Lim, and her dad, Matt Ranillo III, for never leaving her side, and her mom, Linda, who looked after her older kids, Nolan Jayden, Nate Jacob, and Natalie Lourdes. "I'm so in love with my little boy," added Krista, who is now based in Los Angeles with her family. Congratulations! (pep.ph)


3. National Library now open to the public for free

The National Library of the Philippines (NLP) no longer requires one to have a library card to be able to access the wide collection of reading materials it houses. One who wishes to use the library only has to present a valid ID and register. You cannot, however, take the books out. Photocopying is allowed for certain cases, but taking photos of some materials, such as theses are not allowed. There is no eating, drinking or smoking (of course) in the library, but there's free Wi-Fi on the second floor of the east wing. NLP is located at T.M Kalaw St. Ermita, Manila and is open on weekdays, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. (cnnphilippines.com)

4. Proposed Junior Citizens Act will give kids discounts
Representative Robert "Ace" Barbers has proposed House Bill 2881 or the "Junior Citizens Act." The bill, when passed into law, seeks to help kids ages 0 to 12, who comes from families with an annual income not exceeding P250,000, with a 20 percent discount and exemption from value-added tax (VAT) on medical services and goods. The proposed Junior Citizens Act also aims to make all junior citizens, regardless of income status, automatic PhilHealth members until they reach the age of 12. "Compared to other countries, Filipino children have limited access to basic services and are definitely left behind in terms of obtaining their economic, social and health rights. How we take care of our children is a reflection of our character as a nation," Barbers explained. (mb.com.ph)

5. QC government wants Pokémon Go banned in some areas
Quezon City (QC) councilor Alan Butch T. Francisco insists that there are areas that should not be used as Pokéstops. Pokestops are where Pokémon Go players can get free game items such as balls and potions. The QC government in resolution plans to ask game developer Niantic, Inc., "to exclude from putting lure locations in inappropriate places like government offices, schools, and places of worships within the Quezon City...for reasons of public safety and human decency." Francisco suggested that lure spots for Pokémon Go be placed in malls, pubs, train stations and other interesting architecture, instead of, for example, government offices, which could affect the productivity of government employees. (inquirer.net)