HEADS UP: Why is Living in Manila So Expensive? (April 23)

Here's a Heads Up from Reportr.World on news that you need to know today, April 23:

ECONOMY EXPLAINED

• Why is Manila among the most expensive cities in Southeast Asia in terms of living costs?
• Does milk tea go with everything? GrabKitchen thinks its data has the answer

COVID VACCINES EXPLAINED

• Increase your vaccine IQ. Here your guide to how vaccines work and why you should get one against COVID-19.

FUTURE

• Injap Sia's MerryMart thinks smart lockers are the future of grocery shopping. Tap. Add to cart. Check out. Pick up.

COMMUNITY PANTRY

• Some lawmakers want to defund the government task force NTF-ELCAC for red-tagging community pantry operators.
• This community pantry run by BTS fans are rejecting red-tagging. Yes, they're AMRY, not New People's Army.
• Talk about ambag, a sorbetes vendor gave out free ice cream to those in line at a community pantry. 
• Another community pantry has sprung up, dedicated to keeping our furry friends fed during these difficult times.
• ABS-CBN's Lingkod Kapamilya also put up a community pantry to long queues from people in the area.

NEWS YOU NEED TO KNOW

• China maintains "big" fishing and surveillance ships in the West Philippine Sea so Manila dispatched coast guard ships and rubber boats to protect Filipino fishermen.
• Distribution of ayuda in ECQ/MECQ areas is extended until May 15.
• The northbound and southbound Nagtahan exit ramps of the Skyway are now open, allowing faster travel to the Sta. Mesa area.
• President Rodrigo Duterte is not in favor of shortening the mandatory 14-day quarantine for returning OFWs, citing the threat of further coronavirus infections.
• Husavik, that Icelandic town, is excited for next week's Oscars. It inspired the Best Original Song nominee from the Netflix hit "Eurovision Song Contest: The Story of Fire Saga."
• The story of a small group of Chinese men who survived the sinking of the Titanic is being told for the first time in a new documentary produced by James Cameron.