Good morning. The largest and most expensive pearl was found in Palawan! It weighed 75 pounds, valued at an astonishing $100 Million. In case you’re wondering, it looks more like a coral than a sphere.

Local News

🤥 Impostor Alert: Philippine Stocks Edition

By Tobias Bautista

Remember the game Among Us? Well, someone’s playing it in real life. The SEC has flagged a company posing as Aboitiz Equity Ventures Inc., luring the public with promises of high returns.

This shady “Aboitiz” is peddling online jobs through an e-commerce platform, asking investors to complete tasks for commissions. But here’s the catch: investors need to “recharge” (i.e., fork over more money) to withdraw their so-called earnings.

The SEC made it clear this is a scam, as legitimate securities need proper registration. They urged everyone to be wary of any investment offers claiming to represent Aboitiz.

The real Aboitiz Equity Ventures took to their verified Facebook page in March to announce they’re not involved in any e-commerce schemes and will never ask for money.

So, next time you’re tempted by a too-good-to-be-true offer, you might as well go hunting for unicorns. Don’t fall for the impostor.

World News

⚔️ Balloon Warfare: North Korea’s Latest Stunt

By Tobias Bautista

In one of the wackiest provocations yet, North Korea sent hundreds of balloons filled with trash and manure floating over to South Korea. Talk about an unfriendly neighbor!

South Korea’s military scrambled teams to clean up the mess, finding around 260 of these delightful “gifts” scattered across the country. Thankfully, no human excrement was detected—just your standard garbage and manure. Residents are advised to report any suspicious balloon debris to authorities and definitely not to touch it.

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un orchestrated this bizarre campaign while urging his military scientists to fix their latest rocket mishap and beef up their satellite tech. He also had some choice words for South Korea’s military exercises, calling them a “hysterical attack formation flight.”

South Korea isn’t amused. They’re cracking down on the balloons, which were reportedly retaliation for South Korean activists sending anti-North Korean leaflets over the border.

Kim Yo Jong, Kim Jong Un’s sister, mocked South Korea’s complaints, saying it’s just North Korea exercising its freedom of expression. If only our “freedom of expression” didn’t involve cleaning up after our unruly neighbor!

The bizarre balloon battle underscores the heightened tensions between the Koreas, each flexing its military muscles in a high-stakes game of one-upmanship.

Sports

🏀 Timberwolves aren’t going home yet as they force a Game 5 to keep the WCF alive

By Koby del Rosario

Put away the brooms! The Minnesota Timberwolves avoided a sweep despite an intensely-tight Game 4 against the Dallas Mavericks, 105-100, to keep their championship hopes alive in the best-of-7 2024 NBA Western Conference Finals, 3-1.

All-Star Anthony Edwards went out swinging, as he made timely play after timely play to finish the game with a near triple-double of 29 points, 10 rebounds, and nine assists. Big man Karl Anthony-Towns was also efficient from the field, scoring 25 points on a 9-out-of-13 shooting clip.

For the Mavs, they’ll be looking to close out the series and head to their first Finals since 2011 on Game 5 in away territory. The duo of Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving couldn’t close it out this time despite the former’s triple double of 28 markers, 15 boards, and 10 dimes as the latter’s Playoff unbeaten streak has come to an end.

No team has ever come back from an 0-3 deficit in any Playoffs series. If it’s going to be Anthony Edwards and company, discussions might already be made on Antman being the best player in the world.

🥉 Alas Pilipinas makes her-story, secures Philippines’ first podium finish at AVC Challenge Cup

By Koby del Rosario

Despite bowing out to veteran volleyball nation, Kazakhstan, in the semi-final that broke their unbeaten streak, Alas Pilipinas represented the country well as hosts by earning its first ever podium finish in the AVC Challenge Cup—finishing in 3rd place after edging out Australia, 25-23, 25-15, 25-7, in the battle for third.

Collegiate sensation Angel Canino paved the way to the victory as she finished with 14 points on 13-of-24 spikes and one service ace. Following her up from the team was veteran Sisi Rondina’s 13 markers while college standouts Thea Gagate and Eya Laure pitched in 10 apiece.

Canino, who was making her debut on the international stage, was also subsequently named as the tournament’s Best Opposite Hitter. Team captain Jia de Guzman was then named as the Best Setter due to her impeccable playmaking skills.

In the loss, Caitlin Tipping was the lone bright spot for the Volleyroos with 13 points as Australia fell to 4th place to round out the tournament standings.

Meanwhile, in the Finals matchup, defending champion Vietnam dominated Kazakhstan, 25-20, 25-22, 25-22, to repeat as champions of the cup. 

Kudos to the queens of Philippine volleyball for their mighty efforts.

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