POLITICS
AUMENTADO: BOOST SECURITY IN BOHOL SCHOOLS
Bohol continues to strengthen security measures to ensure safe learning environments across educational institutions. This was after the Provincial Government of Bohol, under the leadership of Governor Aris Aumentado, directed the Bohol Provincial Police Office (BPPO), led by Provincial Director PCol. Patricio Degay, Jr., to heighten school security following a shooting incident at a high…
HOUSE TO PROTECT KIDS AFTER ZAMBO SCHOOL SHOOTING
House Speaker Faustino “Bojie” Dy III said Congress will look beyond expressions of grief over the tragedy at Ateneo de Zamboanga and undertake an evidence-based examination of what can be done to better protect children from violence in schools. Speaker Dy, a father and grandfather, expressed his condolences to the families of the children who…
20% MOBILE INTERNET DISCOUNT FOR STUDENTS PUSHED
Amid repeated shift in online classes due to severe weather conditions, Senator Erwin Tulfo pushes a 20% discount on mobile prepaid load, mobile postpaid plans, and mobile internet packages for all enrolled Filipino students. Senate Bill No. 2275 known as the “Student Load Discount Act,” aims to alleviate the financial burden on families struggling to…
LACSON: RAISE PNP, BJMP, BFP RETIREMENT AGE TO 57
Two bills filed by Senator Ping Lacson seek to raise the compulsory retirement age for personnel of the Philippine National Police (PNP) as well as the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) and Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) from 56 to 57. In Senate Bills 2395 and 2396, Lacson said the proposed adjustment would…
GOVERNMENT
BOC BOOSTS SECURITY OVER SEIZED, ABANDONED GOODS
The Bureau of Customs (BOC) is strengthening its safeguards over seized, forfeited, and abandoned goods through enhanced monitoring, security, personnel deployment, and inter-agency coordination, following a memorandum signed by BOC Commissioner Ariel Nepomuceno directing concerned offices to further strengthen the security and accountability of goods under customs custody. Pursuant to Nepomuceno’s directive, a series of…
DA SEEKS WAYS TO HELP BENGUET VEGETABLE FARMERS
The Department of Agriculture (DA) is looking for ways to help vegetable farmers minimize losses as persistent rains in Benguet damage crops, disrupt trading, and weaken demand for fresh produce. Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. directed the DA regional office to immediately assess the situation and take the necessary steps to assist vegetable farmers…
RECTO HANDS OVER P265M SARO TO CEBU PROVINCE
In a significant move to enhance local development, Executive Secretary Ralph Recto handed over a Special Allotment Release Order (SARO) totaling P265 million to Cebu Governor Pamela Baricuatro. The allocation, from the Local Government Support Fund (LGSF), targets critical provincial projects in energy, healthcare, and farm-to-market road initiatives, marking a pivotal step in the National…
DA LAUDS FORMATION OF PH UBE FARMERS GROUP
The Department of Agriculture (DA) welcomed the formation of the United Ube PH Association Inc., a national organization that brings together farmers, cooperatives, growers, processors, traders, exporters, researchers, the academe, government agencies, and other industry players to give Philippine ube a stronger voice and a bigger market. The federation grew out of the Ube Industry…
BUSINESS & ECONOMY
THE PRESSURE TO MONETIZE EVERYTHING
There was a time when hobbies were simply hobbies. People sang because they enjoyed singing.Cooked because they loved feeding others.Drew quietly.Played instruments late at night.Wrote poems nobody else would read. Not everything needed to become income. When Enjoyment Starts Feeling “Sayang” But somewhere along the way, many people started feeling guilty whenever something meaningful was…
WHEN MONEY LEARNS TO MOVE WITHOUT YOU
For many Filipinos, rest feels emotionally complicated. Even during vacations, the mind keeps computing. Bills.Responsibilities.Deadlines.The next possible emergency waiting quietly in the background. And for people who spent most of their lives surviving through effort, slowing down can feel dangerous. When Survival Depends on Your Constant Output Because when your entire life has depended on…
THE SMALL COURAGE OF STARTING BEFORE YOU FEEL READY
Many people think courage feels confident. Certain.Prepared.Fearless. But in real life, courage is often much quieter than that. What Courage Usually Looks Like in Real Life Sometimes, courage looks like opening a savings accountwhile still feeling unsure about the future. Sometimes, it looks like investing a small amountwhile your hands still feel nervous. Sometimes, it…
WHY INVESTING FEELS INTIMIDATING
For many Filipinos, the word investing immediately creates distance. It sounds technical.Complicated.Risky. Parang pang ibang tao. People hear words like stocks, mutual funds, REITs, dividends, crypto, portfolios—and quietly decide: “Hindi yata para sa akin ’yan.” And honestly, that reaction makes sense. Why So Many People Feel Left Out of the Conversation Most people were never…
TRAVEL & TOURS
PEACEFUL ESCAPES AND QUIET PLACES TO REFLECT THIS HOLY WEEK
Every Holy Week, there is a quiet pull toward stillness—a desire to step away from the noise of everyday life and enter a space of reflection. This sacred season offers more than tradition; it extends an invitation to pause, breathe deeply, and turn inward. In a world that constantly demands attention and motion, Holy Week…
FAITH ON THE ROAD: A HOLY WEEK PILGRIMAGE
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…
NEW IN TOWN: PASIG RIVER ESPLANADE PHASE 3 NOW OPEN!
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…
UP FOR A FUN RIDE WITHIN THE METRO? HOP IN!
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…
FOOD, HEALTH & FITNESS
MANMAN SAI-GON’S LANTERN IN THE CITY’S BUSTLE
Looking for the best Vietnamese Egg Coffee in the Metro? ManMan, we might know where. Viet Nam’s culture has been embedded in the Philippines for decades, as the country became a refuge for many Vietnamese people during the Viet Nam War. From sharing knowledge of crop production to passing down culinary traditions, the two nations…
DRIVE UP YOUR FITNESS GOALS WHILE BEING ONE WITH NATURE
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…
A DRIVE BACK HOME: DISCOVER VINTA MODERN CARINDERIA
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…
GET READY! MAGINHAWA SUMMER FEST 2025 THIS SATURDAY
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…
FASHION & BEAUTY
TRP 52 Ovation takes center stage - UP MSS
Tao Rin Pala (TRP) returns in its 52nd year with the theme Ovation to bring together the University of the Philippines College of Medicine (UPCM) and Philippine General Hospital (PGH) community. Organized by the UP Medical Students’ Society (UP MSS), TRP brings medical students, UPCM faculty, and PGH employees together beyond the walls of the…
MISS BINGOPLUS LUCKY BATS FOR ENVIRONMENTAL ED
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…
FILA, STARBUCKS PARTNER FOR A LIMITED-EDITION LINE
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…
Mr. and Ms. JPIA continues legacy
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…
SPORTS & ENTERTAINMENT
NET25'S "LINGAP STORIES" PUTS THE "HUMAN" IN HUMAN INTEREST TALES
“Lingap Stories” is media powerhouse NET25’s compilation of touching human interest accounts of ordinary Filipinos trying to eke out a living despite challenging circumstances. The show lays out people’s challenges, daily realities and chances for hope and redemption. At the end of each episode, host Weng dela Fuente provides crucial intervention through donations and livelihood…
NET25 MAKES MORNING NEWS EASY WITH RADIO, TV AND ONLINE ACCESS
Emerging alternative media giant NET25 serves up daily news via its wide tri-media network, using tried and tested television and radio as well as harnessing the power and reach of the Internet to disseminate the latest local and international bulletins. NET25’s core news and information programs start early with Siyento por Siyento, airing at 5am…
NET25'S WEEKEND SHOWS FOR CHILDREN AND TEENS FOCUS ON ART, LEARNING
News and information network NET25 makes weekend viewing and content consumption more interesting for children and teens by offering a lineup of shows focusing on young learners and educating them on language and art. Saturday and Sunday mornings from 9-11am are filled with consecutive episodes of Word Hub, Homework and Art Academy, all geared towards…
NET25'S "OPEN FOR BUSINESS" BAGS MEDIA AWARD
“Open for Business”, a short format video show focusing on Philippine and international business news, was chosen as one of the awardees in the recent Philippine Television and Cinema Icons 2026 ceremony last August 1, 2026 in Quezon City. NET25 President and Executive Producer Caesar R. Vallejos accepted the award in behalf of the emerging…
ARTS & CULTURE
UST Communication Students Tackle Fast Fashion with Upcycling Reality Show, 'Make and Mend!'
MANILA, PHILIPPINES — Entertainment meets environmental activism in Make and Mend!, a lifestyle reality show produced by Junior Communication students from the University of Santo Tomas (UST). Operating under the student-led M&M Studios, the series serves as the cohort’s second major television project for their CA3288: TV Production course, under the guidance of Asst. Prof.…
Defiance is back for Season 3. It’s Calling on Student Dancers to Defy the Odds
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…
UP Aguman Sets the Stage for Sining 2026
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…
Dulaang UP’s Tickets for Upcoming Production Now Live
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…
HOBBIES & ADVOCACIES
PH RED CROSS ON ALERT FOR HABAGAT EMERGENCY AID
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,…
UP ALCHEMES welcomes new chemical engineering students through Fresh Day and annual Blockhandling program
The University of the Philippines Academic League of Chemical Engineering Students, Inc. (UP ALCHEMES) has officially launched its annual Blockhandling program to welcome the latest batch of freshies, shiftees, and transferees (FSTs) into the UP Diliman Chemical Engineering community. The cornerstone of the transition initiative is the upcoming “Fresh Day,” scheduled on August 8, 2026…
PRC BREAKS GROUND ON PAMPANGA CHAPTER BUILDING
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…
KUSINA NG PAG-ASA ACTIVATED ACROSS LUZON, VISAYAS, AND MINDANAO
Kusina ng Pag-asa (KNP), spearheaded by Angat Buhay, supported by ASA Philippines Foundation, and implemented by the Maginhawa Food Community (MFC), continues to strengthen its nationwide network of disaster-ready community kitchens through a series of activation trainings across Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao. The initiative began in General Santos City, where local partner kitchens played a…
SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
UNIFIED 911 EMERGENCY RESPONSE PASSES HABAGAT TEST
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…
BLEEDING BADLY OR HAVING A STROKE? CALL 911
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…
BFP GETS BOOST FROM 911 EMERGENCY RESPONSE NETWORK
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)…
PH UNIFIED 911 SYSTEM NEARS COMPLETION
The Philippines’ Unified 911 Emergency Response System is rapidly approaching full deployment, with cutting-edge communication technologies now in the hands of frontline responders—positioning the country to potentially operate one of the most advanced emergency response systems in Asia. Currently at nearly 60 percent completion, the initiative enables seamless, real-time communication among emergency responders across jurisdictions,…