Pinay teener to grace Sochi Winter Olympics closing ceremonies

A United Arab Emirates court last week sentenced two Emiratis to seven years in jail for kidnapping and raping a Filipina housemaid last December.

The Fujairah Criminal Court also slapped a fine of Dh10,000 on one of the two, UAE news site Khaleej Times reported Friday.

Both men, aged 19 and 20, admitted to the charges before the Public Prosecution, the report said.

Court records showed the Filipina maid told police in Fujairah that the men claimed to be policemen then abducted and raped her.

She said the men drove her to a hilly area then raped her before fleeing.

The Filipina managed to identify the two via photos the police showed her. Police then arrested the two. — LBG, GMA News

Saudi council seeks stronger ties with PHL Congress

Saudi Arabia's Shoura, or formal advisory body, has expressed its intentions to strengthen ties with the Philippine Congress, Philippine Ambassador to Saudi Ezzedin Tago said this week.

Tago disclosed this after meeting with Consultative Council speaker Abdullah Al-Asheikh, Saudi news site Arab News reported Thursday.

Arab News added Al-Asheikh made the statement when Tago called on him to "discuss various ways to improve bilateral relations between the two countries."

It quoted him as saying he looked forward to the exchange of visits between Saudi Arabia and the Philippines.

For his part, Tago thanked the Kingdom for its support to the peace process in Mindanao.

Tago also thanked Saudi ing Abdullah for donating $10 million to the victims of super Typhoon Yolanda (Haiyan).

Also present at the meeting were Minister and Consul General Marshall Louis Alferez and Attache Mohamad Taha. — LBG, GMA News
Pinay teener to grace Sochi Winter Olympics closing ceremonies
Aside from figure skater Michael Christian Martinez, another Filipino is set to make an appearance in the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi, Russia.

An exclusive report by Raffy Tima on “24 Oras” on Friday said 14-year-old Audrey Alcaraz has been invited by South Korea to perform in the closing ceremonies of the Olympics.

“At first po medyo na-shock,” said Alcaraz, who is scheduled to fly to Russia on Saturday, in the report. “Parang hindi ko pa po ma-process.”

The Grade 8 student added, “[I] can't really describe it po because it's a once in a lifetime thing.”

The report said Alcaraz joined a skating competition in South Korea last year where she emerged victorious. It said she believes this is the reason why she was invited to appear in the Sochi Olympics.

“It's a cultural performance,” said Alcaraz on her appearance on the closing ceremonies, where Russia will pass the hosting to South Korea for the 2018 Pyeongchang Olympics.

“There are only five of us from other parts of the world,” she said.

Meanwhile, Martinez's recent success in the Winter Olympics has made him an instant idol among other figure skaters in the country.

“Yeah I want to be like him,” said Sabine Katigbak in the same “24 Oras” report.

According to figure skating coach Ronan Capili, the country has a lot of talented figure skaters despite lack of equipment and the fact that the Philippines doesn't have winter season.

“We have a lot of potential,” he said. — KBK, GMA News

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