Philippines

SAN JOSE, ISABELLA, PHILIPPINES - OCTOBER 19: People look through damage from Typhoon Megi October 19, 2010 in San Jose, Philippines. It has been reported that Megi has killed more that 10 people after the storm dumped heavy rains and had wind gusts of up to 160 mph across the main island of the Philippines.

SAN JOSE, ISABELLA, PHILIPPINES - OCTOBER 19: People look through damage from Typhoon Megi October 19, 2010 in San Jose, Philippines. It has been reported that Megi has killed more that 10 people after the storm dumped heavy rains and had wind gusts of up to 160 mph across the main island of the Philippines.

SAN JOSE, ISABELLA, PHILIPPINES - OCTOBER 19: Kids play near damage from Typhoon Megi October 19, 2010 in San Jose, Philippines. It has been reported that Megi has killed more that 10 people after the storm dumped heavy rains and had wind gusts of up to 160 mph across the main island of the Philippines.

SAN JOSE, ISABELLA, PHILIPPINES - OCTOBER 19: A school damaged from Typhoon Megi sits among debris October 19, 2010 in San Jose, Philippines. It has been reported that Megi has killed more that 10 people after the storm dumped heavy rains and had wind gusts of up to 160 mph across the main island of the Philippines.

SAN JOSE, ISABELLA, PHILIPPINES - OCTOBER 19: Police help to clear a tree that fell on a house from Typhoon Megi October 19, 2010 in San Jose, Philippines. It has been reported that Megi has killed more that 10 people after the storm dumped heavy rains and had wind gusts of up to 160 mph across the main island of the Philippines.

SAN JOSE, ISABELLA, PHILIPPINES - OCTOBER 19: People drive past downed power poles felled by Typhoon Megi October 19, 2010 in San Jose, Philippines. It has been reported that Megi has killed more that 10 people after the storm dumped heavy rains and had wind gusts of up to 160 mph across the main island of the Philippines.

SAN JOSE, ISABELLA, PHILIPPINES - OCTOBER 19: People look through damage from Typhoon Megi October 19, 2010 in San Jose, Philippines. It has been reported that Megi has killed more that 10 people after the storm dumped heavy rains and had wind gusts of up to 160 mph across the main island of the Philippines.

SAN JOSE, ISABELLA, PHILIPPINES - OCTOBER 19: A building sits destroyed by Typhoon Megi October 19, 2010 in San Jose, Philippines. It has been reported that Megi has killed more that 10 people after the storm dumped heavy rains and had wind gusts of up to 160 mph across the main island of the Philippines.

SAN JOSE, ISABELLA, PHILIPPINES - OCTOBER 19: A school damaged from Typhoon Megi sits among debris October 19, 2010 in San Jose, Philippines. It has been reported that Megi has killed more that 10 people after the storm dumped heavy rains and had wind gusts of up to 160 mph across the main island of the Philippines.

Philippines' President Corazon Aquino (front) delivers her state of the nation address on August 13, 1988 in front of House Speaker Ramon Mitra at the Congress in Manila. Aquino warned the Philippines would take more radical action to solve its foreign debt problem if creditors failed to ease repayment terms.

MANILA, PHILIPPINES - NOVEMBER 20: Philippine President Benigno Aquinoo III addresses the audience at Malacanang Palace in Manila following Manny Pacquiao's win in the WBC super welterweight crown against Mexican Antonio Margarito on November 20, 2010 in Manila, Philippines. Pacquiao, an icon in the Philippines, won his eigth world title against Mexican Antonio Margarito last week. Pacquiao is regarded as a hero in the country and is the first boxer to be elected to the House Representatives in the Philippines.

MANILA, PHILIPPINES - NOVEMBER 20: Boxer and congressman, Manny Pacquiao attends his concert in Manila with wife Jinky and youngest daughter Qeen Elizabeth following his win of the WBC super welterweight crown against Mexican Antonio Margarito on November 20, 2010 in Manila, Philippines. Pacquiao, an icon in the Philippines, won his eigth world title against Mexican Antonio Margarito last week. Pacquiao is regarded as a hero in the country and is the first boxer to be elected to the House Representatives in the Philippines.

MANILA, PHILIPPINES - NOVEMBER 20: Philippine President Benigno Aquinoo III addresses the audience at Malacanang Palace in Manila following Manny Pacquiao's win in the WBC super welterweight crown against Mexican Antonio Margarito on November 20, 2010 in Manila, Philippines. Pacquiao, an icon in the Philippines, won his eigth world title against Mexican Antonio Margarito last week. Pacquiao is regarded as a hero in the country and is the first boxer to be elected to the House Representatives in the Philippines.

MANILA, PHILIPPINES - NOVEMBER 20: Boxer and congressman, Manny Pacquiao gives President Benigno Aquino III a shirt and memorabilia following his win of the WBC super welterweight crown against Mexican Antonio Margarito on November 20, 2010 in Manila, Philippines. Pacquiao, an icon in the Philippines, won his eigth world title against Mexican Antonio Margarito last week. Pacquiao is regarded as a hero in the country and is the first boxer to be elected to the House Representatives in the Philippines.

MANILA, PHILIPPINES - NOVEMBER 20: Boxer and congressman, Manny Pacquiao performs with his band during a concert in Manila following his win of the WBC super welterweight crown against Mexican Antonio Margarito on November 20, 2010 in Manila, Philippines. Pacquiao, an icon in the Philippines, won his eigth world title against Mexican Antonio Margarito last week. Pacquiao is regarded as a hero in the country and is the first boxer to be elected to the House Representatives in the Philippines.

MANILA, PHILIPPINES - NOVEMBER 20: Boxer and congressman, Manny Pacquiao attends his concert in Manila with wife Jinky and youngest daughter Qeen Elizabeth following his win of the WBC super welterweight crown against Mexican Antonio Margarito on November 20, 2010 in Manila, Philippines. Pacquiao, an icon in the Philippines, won his eigth world title against Mexican Antonio Margarito last week. Pacquiao is regarded as a hero in the country and is the first boxer to be elected to the House Representatives in the Philippines.

MANILA, PHILIPPINES - NOVEMBER 20: Philippine President Benigno Aquinoo III addresses the audience at Malacanang Palace in Manila following Manny Pacquiao's win in the WBC super welterweight crown against Mexican Antonio Margarito on November 20, 2010 in Manila, Philippines. Pacquiao, an icon in the Philippines, won his eigth world title against Mexican Antonio Margarito last week. Pacquiao is regarded as a hero in the country and is the first boxer to be elected to the House Representatives in the Philippines.

MANILA, PHILIPPINES - NOVEMBER 20: Boxer and congressman, Manny Pacquiao gives President Benigno Aquino III a shirt and memorabilia following his win of the WBC super welterweight crown against Mexican Antonio Margarito on November 20, 2010 in Manila, Philippines. Pacquiao, an icon in the Philippines, won his eigth world title against Mexican Antonio Margarito last week. Pacquiao is regarded as a hero in the country and is the first boxer to be elected to the House Representatives in the Philippines.

MANILA, PHILIPPINES - NOVEMBER 20: Boxer and congressman, Manny Pacquiao gives President Benigno Aquino III a shirt and memorabilia following his win of the WBC super welterweight crown against Mexican Antonio Margarito on November 20, 2010 in Manila, Philippines. Pacquiao, an icon in the Philippines, won his eigth world title against Mexican Antonio Margarito last week. Pacquiao is regarded as a hero in the country and is the first boxer to be elected to the House Representatives in the Philippines.

MANILA, PHILIPPINES - NOVEMBER 20: Boxer and congressman, Manny Pacquiao sings with youngest daughter Queen Elizabeth during his concert in Manila following his win of the WBC super welterweight crown against Mexican Antonio Margarito on November 20, 2010 in Manila, Philippines. Pacquiao, an icon in the Philippines, won his eigth world title against Mexican Antonio Margarito last week. Pacquiao is regarded as a hero in the country and is the first boxer to be elected to the House Representatives in the Philippines.

MANILA, PHILIPPINES - NOVEMBER 20: Boxer and congressman, Manny Pacquiao gives President Benigno Aquino III a shirt and memorabilia following his win of the WBC super welterweight crown against Mexican Antonio Margarito on November 20, 2010 in Manila, Philippines. Pacquiao, an icon in the Philippines, won his eigth world title against Mexican Antonio Margarito last week. Pacquiao is regarded as a hero in the country and is the first boxer to be elected to the House Representatives in the Philippines.

MANILA, PHILIPPINES - NOVEMBER 20: Boxer and congressman, Manny Pacquiao attends his concert in Manila with wife Jinky and youngest daughter Qeen Elizabeth following his win of the WBC super welterweight crown against Mexican Antonio Margarito on November 20, 2010 in Manila, Philippines. Pacquiao, an icon in the Philippines, won his eigth world title against Mexican Antonio Margarito last week. Pacquiao is regarded as a hero in the country and is the first boxer to be elected to the House Representatives in the Philippines.

MANILA, PHILIPPINES - NOVEMBER 20: Boxer and congressman, Manny Pacquiao addresses the audience at Malacanang Palace in Manila following his win of the WBC super welterweight crown against Mexican Antonio Margarito on November 20, 2010 in Manila, Philippines. Pacquiao, an icon in the Philippines, won his eigth world title against Mexican Antonio Margarito last week. Pacquiao is regarded as a hero in the country and is the first boxer to be elected to the House Representatives in the Philippines.

MANILA, PHILIPPINES - NOVEMBER 20: Boxer and congressman, Manny Pacquiao performs with his band during a concert in Manila following his win of the WBC super welterweight crown against Mexican Antonio Margarito on November 20, 2010 in Manila, Philippines. Pacquiao, an icon in the Philippines, won his eigth world title against Mexican Antonio Margarito last week. Pacquiao is regarded as a hero in the country and is the first boxer to be elected to the House Representatives in the Philippines.

MANILA, PHILIPPINES - NOVEMBER 20: Boxer and congressman, Manny Pacquiao attends his concert in Manila with wife Jinky and youngest daughter Qeen Elizabeth following his win of the WBC super welterweight crown against Mexican Antonio Margarito on November 20, 2010 in Manila, Philippines. Pacquiao, an icon in the Philippines, won his eigth world title against Mexican Antonio Margarito last week. Pacquiao is regarded as a hero in the country and is the first boxer to be elected to the House Representatives in the Philippines.

To go with AFP story 'PHILIPPINES-FARM-POVERTY-RICE-FOCUS' by Cecil Morella Photo taken on August 12, 2010 shows workers unloading sacks of rice from a truck at a warehouse of National Food Authority (NFA) in Manila. Two years after a food crisis that forced the rationing of the staple cereal in Manila's slum neighbourhoods, the government says its own policies rather than pesky birds are to blame for wastage and mismanagement. Roughly a third of the Philippines' 94 million people live on one dollar a day, and food expenses account for more than half of their budgets, according to government data.

To go with AFP story 'PHILIPPINES-FARM-POVERTY-RICE-FOCUS' by Cecil Morella Photo taken on August 12, 2010 shows a worker inspecting stacks of rice at a warehouse of National Food Authority (NFA) in Manila. Two years after a food crisis that forced the rationing of the staple cereal in Manila's slum neighbourhoods, the government says its own policies rather than pesky birds are to blame for wastage and mismanagement. Roughly a third of the Philippines' 94 million people live on one dollar a day, and food expenses account for more than half of their budgets, according to government data.

US ambassador to the Philippines Harry Thomas speaks during a dialogue with members of the Foreign Correspondents Association of the Philippines in Manila on October 4, 2010. Thomas said the US is willing to help craft a legally binding 'code of conduct' for the Spratly islands in the South China Sea to end a territorial dispute between ASEAN members and China that threatens regional stability.

Philippines top civil aviation regulator Alfonso Cusi Alfonso Cusi gestures in Manila on November 12, 2010 gives a press conference on Philippine efforts to fight threats to global aviation. Cusi said he expects the Philippines to exit soon from the US and EU blacklist of countries deemed to be deficient in overseeing the safety of airlines.

The President of the Philippines Corazon Aquino visits the Aeta tribespeople of the village of Poonbato outside the town of Botolan, some 130 kms northwest of Manila, on November 7, 1987. The fast-dwindling hill people who are the first known inhabitants of Philippines were visited by the Filippino President who declared a 600-hectare reservation for the nomadic hunters.

To go with AFP story 'PHILIPPINES-FARM-POVERTY-RICE-FOCUS' by Cecil Morella Photo taken on August 12, 2010 shows workers carrying sacks of rice for stacking at a National Food Authority (NFA) warehouse in Manila. Two years after a food crisis that forced the rationing of the staple cereal in Manila's slum neighbourhoods, the government says its own policies rather than pesky birds are to blame for wastage and mismanagement. Roughly a third of the Philippines' 94 million people live on one dollar a day, and food expenses account for more than half of their budgets, according to government data.

Former Philippines first lady Imelda Marcos (R), 76, is assisted by her grandson Martin 'Borgy' Manotoc (L) for a photo shoot beside the bayside pool of a top hotel in Manila, 06 November 2006, for the launch of the 'Imelda Collection' which she, her daughter - House of Representatives member Maria Imelda 'Imee' Marcos and grandson Martin jointly designed. The fashion collection might include Imelda's shoes and jewellery. The former first lady returned to the Philippines in the early 1990s from US exile, several years after her late husband Ferdinand Marcos was toppled in a bloodless 1986 popular revolt.

Joseph Casio (L) of the Philippines attempts to block Hamed Sohrabnejad (R) of Iran during the Group F men's preliminary round basketball match between Iran and the Philippines at the 16th Asian Games in Guangzhou on November 16, 2010. Iran won 65 - 48.

Kelly Williams (L) of the Philippines attempts to block Mahdi Kamrani (C) of Iran taking a shot at the basket during the Group F men's preliminary round basketball match between Iran and the Philippines at the 16th Asian Games in Guangzhou on November 16, 2010. Iran won 65 - 48.

Philippines top civil aviation regulator Alfonso Cusi Alfonso Cusi gestures in Manila on November 12, 2010 gives a press conference on Philippine efforts to fight threats to global aviation. Cusi said he expects the Philippines to exit soon from the US and EU blacklist of countries deemed to be deficient in overseeing the safety of airlines.

To go with AFP story 'PHILIPPINES-FARM-POVERTY-RICE-FOCUS' by Cecil Morella Photo taken on August 12, 2010 shows Billy Vallejera. a warehouseman of the Philippine National Food Authority (NFA) supervising the unloading of sacks of rice from a truck at a warehouse in Manila. After 36 years working as a warehouseman, Billy Vallejera deems sparrows to be the most serious threat to the Philippines' rice granaries, their sharp, sack-ripping beaks more than the equal of tiny rice weevils.

Philippines top civil aviation regulator Alfonso Cusi Alfonso Cusi gestures in Manila on November 12, 2010 gives a press conference on Philippine efforts to fight threats to global aviation. Cusi said he expects the Philippines to exit soon from the US and EU blacklist of countries deemed to be deficient in overseeing the safety of airlines.

Joseph Evans Casio (C) of Philippines tries to break through Khalid Suliman Abdi (L) and Ba Mohammed (R) of Qatar during the basketball preliminary round group F match at the 16th Asian Games in Guangzhou on November 17, 2010. Philippines beat Qatar 90-68.

Kelly Williams (R) of Philippines receives a pass as Yaseen Musa (L) of Qatar looks on during the basketball preliminary round group F match at the 16th Asian Games in Guangzhou on November 17, 2010. Philippines beat Qatar 90-68.

President of the Philippines Corazon Aquino (L) and Armed Forces Chief General Fidel Ramos stand in attention as the 1986 graduates of the elite Philippine Military Academy pass in review at a commencement exercise in Baguio, a resort city 250 kilometers of Manila. President Aquino is the first woman Commander-in-chief of the Armed Forces of the Philippines.

To go with AFP story 'PHILIPPINES-FARM-POVERTY-RICE-FOCUS' by Cecil Morella Photo taken on August 12, 2010 shows workers carrying sacks of rice for stacking at a National Food Authority (NFA) warehouse in Manila. Two years after a food crisis that forced the rationing of the staple cereal in Manila's slum neighbourhoods, the government says its own policies rather than pesky birds are to blame for wastage and mismanagement. Roughly a third of the Philippines' 94 million people live on one dollar a day, and food expenses account for more than half of their budgets, according to government data.

US ambassador to the Philippines Harry Thomas speaks during a dialogue with members of the Foreign Correspondents Association of the Philippines in Manila on October 4, 2010. Thomas said the US is willing to help craft a legally binding 'code of conduct' for the Spratly islands in the South China Sea to end a territorial dispute between ASEAN members and China that threatens regional stability.

US ambassador to the Philippines Harry Thomas speaks during a dialogue with members of the Foreign Correspondents Association of the Philippines in Manila on October 4, 2010. Thomas said the US is willing to help craft a legally binding 'code of conduct' for the Spratly islands in the South China Sea to end a territorial dispute between ASEAN members and China that threatens regional stability.

US ambassador to the Philippines Harry Thomas speaks during a dialogue with members of the Foreign Correspondents Association of the Philippines in Manila on October 4, 2010. Thomas said the US is willing to help craft a legally binding 'code of conduct' for the Spratly islands in the South China Sea to end a territorial dispute between ASEAN members and China that threatens regional stability.

Philippines top civil aviation regulator Alfonso Cusi Alfonso Cusi gestures in Manila on November 12, 2010 gives a press conference on Philippine efforts to fight threats to global aviation. Cusi said he expects the Philippines to exit soon from the US and EU blacklist of countries deemed to be deficient in overseeing the safety of airlines.

Miguel Luis Tabuena of the Philippines celebrates on the podium during the medals ceremony for the men's individual golf event at the 16th Asian Games in Guangzhou on November 20, 2010. South Korea won gold ahead of Philippines for silver and Taiwan for bronze.

MANILA, PHILIPPINES - NOVEMBER 20: Boxer and congressman, Manny Pacquiao and Philippine President Benigno Aquinoo III share a laugh at Malacanang Palace in Manila following his win of the WBC super welterweight crown against Mexican Antonio Margarito on November 20, 2010 in Manila, Philippines. Pacquiao, an icon in the Philippines, won his eigth world title against Mexican Antonio Margarito last week. Pacquiao is regarded as a hero in the country and is the first boxer to be elected to the House Representatives in the Philippines.

MANILA, PHILIPPINES - NOVEMBER 20: Boxer and congressman, Manny Pacquiao addresses the audience at Malacanang Palace in Manila following his win of the WBC super welterweight crown against Mexican Antonio Margarito on November 20, 2010 in Manila, Philippines. Pacquiao, an icon in the Philippines, won his eigth world title against Mexican Antonio Margarito last week. Pacquiao is regarded as a hero in the country and is the first boxer to be elected to the House Representatives in the Philippines.

MANILA, PHILIPPINES - NOVEMBER 20: Boxer and congressman, Manny Pacquiao attends his concert in Manila with wife Jinky and youngest daughter Qeen Elizabeth following his win of the WBC super welterweight crown against Mexican Antonio Margarito on November 20, 2010 in Manila, Philippines. Pacquiao, an icon in the Philippines, won his eigth world title against Mexican Antonio Margarito last week. Pacquiao is regarded as a hero in the country and is the first boxer to be elected to the House Representatives in the Philippines.

MANILA, PHILIPPINES - NOVEMBER 20: Boxer and congressman, Manny Pacquiao performs with his band during a concert in Manila following his win of the WBC super welterweight crown against Mexican Antonio Margarito on November 20, 2010 in Manila, Philippines. Pacquiao, an icon in the Philippines, won his eigth world title against Mexican Antonio Margarito last week. Pacquiao is regarded as a hero in the country and is the first boxer to be elected to the House Representatives in the Philippines.