Metrobriefs

Robbers strike in Manila

A 45-year-old man lost on Tuesday afternoon more than P100,000 to four motorcycle-riding robbers in Manila. Nelson de Guzman, a resident of Pilar Street in Tondo, was on his way home on a motorcycle when his path was blocked by two men riding tandem on another motorcycle at the corner of Severino Reyes and Batangas streets in Sta. Cruz. Manila Police District station 3 intelligence and investigation division head Senior Inspector Danilo Salonga told the Inquirer that the two men told De Guzman to give them his money at gunpoint.—Jeannette I. Andrade

UST authors to sign books at book fair

The University of Santo Tomas Publishing House (USTPH) joins the 32nd Manila International Book Fair with book-signing activities featuring the authors of some of its new titles. The fair runs from September 14 to 18 in the SMX Convention Center at SM Mall of Asia. From 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 15, Inquirer entertainment editor Emmie G. Velarde will sign copies of her new book at the UST booth. “Show Biz, Seriously—Entertainment as Life, Life as Entertainment” (2011), her third, is part of a personal chronicles series by contemporary women writers. At 2 p.m. on September 16, novelist Charlson Ong, whose latest work is “Blue Angel, White Shadow,” will be the featured guest along with Connie Jan Maraan, of “Better Homes and Other Fictions,” on September 17 (10 a.m. to 11 a.m.) and pop icon Lourd de Veyra with his bestsellers, “Insectissimo” (poetry) and “Super Panalo Sounds!” (novel) from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Elizabeth Lolarga will sign copies of her “Catholic and Emancipated” at 2 p.m. on September 18 with poet Emman Velasco (“Dalawang Pulgada at Tubig”).

National Bible Quiz finals today

After a series of elimination rounds and semifinals held in different areas nationwide, the 2nd National Bible Quiz show will determine its national champion at 1 p.m. Thursday, September 15, during the 32rd Manila International Book Fair at the SMX Mall of Asia. The finalists include high school students from Angeles University Foundation in Angeles City; Sisters of Mary Girlstown in Silang, Cavite, and Cebu; the Colegio del Sagrado Corazon de Jesus; and University of the Immaculate Concepcion in Davao City. The winning team will take home P50,000 in cash while the school/parish will receive a special prize.