Philippines

Christians in the Philippines are speaking out against upcoming concerts by Lady Gaga, arguing that the singer has a negative influence on young Filipinos because her attitude promotes "godlessness."

Catholic leaders are now calling on religious groups to boycott Gaga's upcoming concerts, which are part of her "Born This Way" tour in Manila, scheduled for Pasay City on May 21 and 22.

"Her attitude seems to promote godlessness, offensive to any religion," Sorsogon Bishop Arturo Bastes, a member of the Permanent Council of the Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines, told reporters, according to Philippine Daily Inquirer. more >>

World champion boxer Manny Pacquiao has denied ever referencing a Bible passage that says homosexuality is punishable by death after the erroneous attribution stirred a flurry of criticism and even had the boxer's sponsors worried.

"I told (the reporter) I'm against same-sex marriage," Pacquiao shared on Wednesday with The Associated Press. "He said, 'Why?' I said, 'It's the law of God.' That's all I said."

Responding to President Barack Obama's recent endorsement of same-sex marriage, Pacquiao made it clear that he defends the traditional definition of marriage as between one man and one woman in an interview last week with Examiner.com. more >>

Manny Pacquiao, high-profile Filipino boxer and congressman who has earned eight world titles, has begun training with God in his corner for an upcoming bout against Timothy Bradley.

Pacquiao, 33, has recently strengthened his Christian faith which at one time made him question his violent career choice. However, Pacquiao recently credited God for helping to improve his training regiment which began on Wednesday.

"Nothing has changed," Pacquiao said in an Agence France-Presse report. "I am still fully focused on training although now I am happier because I have God." more >>

Manny Pacquiao, the Filipino boxer who has dominated the world rankings in multiple weight classes, may be hanging up his gloves for good after his upcoming fight with Timothy Bradley Jr., stating that it might not look good for a "Bible ambassador" like himself to beat on people in the ring.

Pacquiao (54-3-2, 38 KOs), who in addition to being a prize fighter is also a politician and representative in the Province of Sarangani in the Philippines, recently told ABS-CBN News that his fight at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas on June 9 might be the last of his career.

The Catholic fighter-politician told the news station in January that his faith was reignited after he encountered God in a dream. He also said he would have "gone straight to hell" if he had died a year or two ago. He had faith at the time but said he would also do "evil things" like gambling and womanizing. more >>

The Philippines has been hit by a 5.6 magnitude earthquake Saturday as a tremor struck just off the island of Samar.

The 5.6 magnitude quake was revised down from an initial reading of 6.0, according to the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS).

No tsunami warning was issued after the quake, which struck at 9:09 p.m. local time. more >>

Millions of Catholics ignored terror threats Monday and flooded the streets of Manila during the procession of the Feast of the Black Nazarene. Almost 1,000 were injured in the scramble to get near a religious icon.

"For as long as I can walk or crawl, I will join the procession. That is my vow," 47-year-old Ruby Pacardo told Agence Frence-Presse after she rubbed her grandson’s shirt on the statue of the Christ to heal his cataracts.

An estimated 3 million of the 8 million revelers expected packed the streets in the procession of the Black Nazarene after Manila's Archbishop Luis Antonio Tagle led a Mass. The predominately Catholic Philippines celebrates the event annually. more >>