On Wednesday, a drag queen from the Philippines, known as Pura Luka Vega, was apprehended for her portrayal of Jesus Christ reciting the Lord's Prayer. This performance, captured on video, had led to criminal complaints by Christian organizations back in July. Amadeus Fernando Pagente, who is 33 years old and goes by his real name, now faces the possibility of a 12-year jail sentence, in accordance with the obscenity laws prevalent in the predominantly Catholic Philippines, where nearly 80% of the population adheres to Roman Catholicism.
Chinese vessels obstructed Filipino supply boats en route to an outpost in the South China Sea in an incident that unfolded during a mission to the Second Thomas Shoal. This mission involved two Philippine coast guard ships, one of which had personnel on board, as well as two small commercial boats.
Existence is fragile in Itbayat.
The steep limestone cliffs and rolling hills that make up this tiny island at the northern edge of the Philippines rise out of the Luzon Strait.