Local universities and colleges (LUCs) must move beyond expanding academic programs and campuses to become stronger drivers of economic opportunity and community development, House Committee on Higher and Technical Education Chair Jude Acidre stressed. Speaking at the 2026 National Conference of the Association of Local Colleges and Universities (ALCU) at Century Park Hotel in Manila,…

Senate President Win Gatchalian reiterated his commitment to secure funding for the Academic Recovery and Accessible Learning (ARAL) Program to sustain gains in student literacy. “Ito naman ang ating commitment sa DepEd dahil kung maganda ‘yung programa, kailangang mapondohan para ma-sustain iyong gains,” Gatchalian said during the Senate Committee on Finance’s briefing on the proposed…

Senate Minority Leader Alan Peter Cayetano is urging more government agencies to do their part in easing compliance requirements for small entrepreneurs and helping them grow their businesses following the Bureau of Internal Revenue’s (BIR) suspension of the mandatory online display of its Registration Seal Badge. “A business does not have to be big to…

Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) Chairperson and CEO Atty. Francis Saturnino Juan called for clear rules and stronger regulatory cooperation to build confidence in cross-border electricity trade. Speaking at the 4th ASEAN Energy Regulatory Forum in Singapore, Juan stressed the need for clear rules on network access, charges, and responsibilities during supply interruptions to protect consumers,…

Less than a month before President Marcos Jr. will gavel its opening, preparations for the ASEAN Summit are “time on target,” agencies reported to Executive Secretary Ralph Recto in a command conference. “With 20 heads of state in attendance, this is a meeting with a million moving parts, from convoys to conferences, from agenda to…

Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. threw his support behind hog raisers’ calls for higher pork import tariffs, saying the Department of Agriculture (DA) would do what it can to ease mounting losses among local producers squeezed by cheaper imports and falling farmgate prices. “I’m on the side of Filipino hog raisers. We will do…

Many people quietly believe they are not doing enough. Not successful enough. Not influential enough. Not wealthy enough to truly make a difference. Especially now, when the world constantly highlights big achievements, huge platforms, and highly visible impact, ordinary goodness can start feeling small. Almost insignificant. A small donation feels inadequate beside viral fundraising campaigns.…

Many Filipinos care deeply. We notice who is struggling. We contribute during emergencies. We adjust for family. We help friends quietly. We worry about people we love even when they never ask us to. Compassion comes naturally to many of us. But sometimes, caring becomes exhausting in ways people struggle to admit honestly. Not because…

Many people think legacy is something left behind at the end of a life. An inheritance. A property title. A business. Savings passed to the next generation. Something tangible. Something measurable. Something people can point to and say: “Ito ang mga iniwan niya.” And while those things matter, some of the deepest legacies people leave…

Filipinos hold the Holy Week close to their hearts. It’s not just an observance but a way of professing one’s faith and devotion. One particular tradition that is truly cherished is Visita Iglesia, or the visiting of seven churches to pray and reflect. Each Holy Thursday, families and friends travel across cities, with some even…

Looking for a fresh spot to explore this weekend? Good news—Phase 3 of the Pasig River Esplanade is officially open! Now you can stroll along the 600-meter West Showcase Area, linking the newly improved Plaza Mexico, Maestranza Esplanade, and the beautifully restored Fort Santiago Riverwalk (a scenic 305 meters of pure charm). Plus, it’s all…

Metro Manila is chaotic and can sometimes become stressful to explore—thanks to the heavy traffic, unpredictable weather, and the occasional detour.  But for those who can brave these challenges, or perhaps, are already immune to them, the metro can offer an experience that will make any trip worthwhile.  Brimming with culture, and food, and a…

Crowded, noisy, and sometimes utterly chaotic. While most of the people living in the city are already used to these things, there will always be a time when one would simply wish for a free and green space. Perhaps this is why many Filipinos enjoy doing errands or activities in wide and clear spaces, not…

When you hear the word “Vinta”, we automatically picture the colorful sails of Mindanao traditional boats. The distinct craftsmanship and movement of every boat serve as an homage to regional culture. At the heart of Quezon City, adjacent to one of the country’s food districts, Tomas Morato, a new restaurant carries the very essence of…

This is your sign to answer the call and treat yourself to that long-awaited food crawl along one of the most beloved food districts in the metro. There’s no better time to visit the bustling street than this Saturday as the Maginhawa Food Community takes over the iconic Maginhawa Street in Quezon City on May…

Fil-Canadian Jasmine Paguio finished as runner-up in the recently concluded Miss Philippines Earth beauty-with-a-cause pageant, but for the BingoPlus community of players, game developers, employees, partner brands, institutions, and beneficiaries, she is their queen. The 23-year-old actress and model who grew up in Canada but returned to the Philippines to seek an acting and pageantry…

Two classic and iconic brands are partnering to give back to their customers who have remained loyal despite the challenges of the pandemic in the past two years. For a limited run, FILA and Starbucks will give free fashionable and functional items inspired by their iconic hues and logos. The results represent FILA’s red, blue…

To continue the legacy of Mr. and Ms. JPIA, PUP JPIA Manila announced its search of the event for this year on their Facebook page on November 16, 2021. The event is open to all bonafide students of Polytechnic University of the Philippines – Sta. Mesa branch, which is also a PUP Junior Philippine Institute…

Far Eastern University learned its lesson from the first round, holding off Adamson University, 73-66, to snap its three-game losing streak in the UAAP Season 89 Collegiate Men’s Basketball Tournament at the SMART Araneta Coliseum on Wednesday. The Tamaraws opened the season with a 56-53 defeat to the Soaring Falcons after squandering a nine-point lead,…

Media and news purveyor NET25 has closely monitored a week in which the national budget was taken apart line by line, by the Supreme Court, the Senate and the Office of the Ombudsman, with one of the network’s own columnists asking the question every taxpayer asks – where does our money go? For the ordinary…

Media powerhouse NET25 has closely monitored a week in which its business desk looked outward, from a meeting of APEC finance ministers to a walkout at the IMF, and from rising oil prices to curfews in various French cities. For the Filipino household, none of these is really that far away. Oil price increases reach…

Written by: Isabelle Louise AlanoArtist Connection – Exude Dancers If you’re part of Manila’s student dance community, chances are you’ve heard the name Defiance—and this March, it’s coming back bigger, better, and bolder than ever. Defiance Season 3 returns on March 15, 2026 at the FEU Tech Gymnasium, bringing together student dancers who are ready…

The UP Aguman sets the stage ready for Kapampangan culture, creativity, and contemporary expression as it brings back one of its most highly anticipated annual events, Sining 2026. UP Aguman’s Sining is an arts and talents competition held in Pampanga. This year, it carries the theme “Dásé: Pámanábal ning Makabayangnang Ténákan king Kalalangang Kapampángan,” offering…

Written by: Dulaang Unibersidad ng Pilipinas (with contributions by Lora Kate Batomalaque) Dulaang UP closes their 48th Theatre Season, “Paano umuwi nang may pagpapasya?”, with Ang Kaliitan ng Kasalukuyan, written and directed by Don Carlos Palanca Memorial Awards for Literature multi-awarded playwright and our Artistic Director, Arlo Deguzman. Written by a former Overseas Filipino Worker…

As heavy rainfall induced by the Southwest Monsoon (Habagat) causes flooding and localized landslides across several provinces, the Philippine Red Cross (PRC) remained on high alert and on the ground, delivering immediate rescue and welfare support. “Our Red Cross chapters and emergency rescue units are actively responding on the ground—rescuing stranded residents and even pets,…

The Philippine Red Cross (PRC) marked a significant milestone with the signing of the Deed of Donation and groundbreaking ceremony for the future Pampanga-Angeles City Chapter Building, made possible through the generosity of the Lazatin family, who donated a 300-square-meter parcel of land at Eastgate Commercial Center in San Jose, City of San Fernando. The…

Citizens lauded unified 911 and its superior communication tools as the recent dire weather conditions threatened lives and property during Habagat’s most challenging phase during the weekend and the start of the week. Emergency response calls received by the National Command Center requested for help about rising flood waters that were about to engulf their…

Traffic and vehicular accidents are the most common reasons why emergency calls are placed to the country’s national hotline, 911. Requests for police assistance or reports about crimes and violent incidents make up the next most numerous calls. Medical emergencies come next, followed by fire incidents. Of these, medical emergencies are the highest priority for…

When emergencies and disasters happen, every citizen with a cellphone is now part of the nationwide 911 emergency response network. This is what Fire Superintendent Anthony Royo Arroyo, spokesperson and Chief, Public Information Service of the Bureau of Fire Protection, said regarding the unified 911 system that now accommodates cellular technology. The Next Generation Advanced (NGA)…