POLITICS

ORDANES WANTS 90-DAY VAT SUSPENSION

The death of a motorcycle taxi rider who was lining up for fuel assistance in Quezon City has underscored the urgent need for faster, more dignified forms of economic relief, prompting Senior Citizen Party-list Representative Rodolfo Ordanes to call for a time-bound reduction or suspension of the 12% Value-Added Tax (VAT). “Hindi dapat ganito ang…

JAPAN ENVOY PAYS COURTESY CALL ON MAYOR DUTERTE

Japanese Ambassador Endo Kazuya recently paid a courtesy call to Davao City Mayor Baste Duterte. This meeting marks their second official engagement, following their initial dialogue in January 2025, further solidifying the enduring bond between Japan and Davao City. Kazuya was accompanied by the Consul General of Japan in Davao, Ono Hirotaka, and officers from…

MARK VILLAR WANTS TECH SUPPORT FOR STUDENTS

Senator Mark Villar has filed Senate Bill No. 2048, or the “Boosted Technology Subsidy (BTS) for Students and Learners Act,” a measure aimed at expanding digital access and equipping Filipino students with the tools they need to succeed in a technology-driven learning environment. The proposed measure seeks to provide qualified beneficiaries enrolled in public schools,…

TULFO BATS FOR AN ITEMIZED HOSPITAL BILLING SYSTEM

Filipino patients continue to face hospital bills that are not fully itemized, particularly on professional fees and other charges, making it difficult for families to verify and understand the full cost of medical care. To address the problem, Senator Erwin Tulfo has filed Senate Bill No. 1987, which seeks to require health care providers to…

GOVERNMENT

DA FAST-TRACKS NATIONWIDE ‘BENTENG BIGAS’ ROLLOUT

The Department of Agriculture (DA) is accelerating the nationwide rollout of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s flagship food program, “Benteng Bigas, Meron Na!”, as the government moves to temper the impact on vulnerable households of rising costs driven by the ongoing energy emergency. Marcos has directed the DA to scale up the initiative—which offers rice at…

BOC SEIZES P34M WORTH OF SHABU HIDDEN IN 5 PARCELS

Acting on the marching orders of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to intensify the campaign against illegal drugs, the Bureau of Customs (BOC) – Port of Clark, in coordination with the Clark Inter-Agency Task Force Against Illegal Drugs (CRK-IATFAID), prevented the entry of approximately 4.992 kilograms of Methamphetamine Hydrochloride or “shabu,” with a total estimated value…

ERC ORDERS MERALCO TO REFUND P14.17B TO CUSTOMERS

The Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) has rendered its final decision in ERC Case No. 2025-025 RC, directing the Manila Electric Company (Meralco) to refund the remaining balance of P14.17 billion to its customers.  This directive follows the completion of Meralco’s regulatory “true-up” process for the distribution charges implemented from July 2022 to December 2024. The…

NEPOMUCENO URGES KOREA TO INVEST MORE IN PH

The Bureau of Customs (BOC), led by Commissioner Ariel Nepomuceno, took part in the ADB: BOC-Invited Business Support Seminar hosted by the Korea Trade-Investment Promotion Agency, where the agency underscored its continuing efforts to enhance trade facilitation and strengthen partnerships with the international business community, particularly Korean investors. In his presentation, Nepomuceno highlighted the BOC’s…

BUSINESS & ECONOMY

MONEY CONVERSATIONS COUPLES KEEP POSTPONING

There is a kind of silence that exists in many relationships. Hindi siya away.Hindi rin tampuhan. It’s quieter than that. It’s avoidance. Money is there—affecting decisions, shaping plans, influencing stress—but rarely talked about directly. Couples talk about schedules.Responsibilities.Future plans. But when it comes to finances, the conversation gets postponed. Kapag mas maayos na.Kapag mas stable…

WHEN FINANCIAL CALM FEELS… BORING

There comes a point in a financial journey that no one really prepares you for. Hindi siya dramatic.Walang milestone.Walang breakthrough moment. Things just… quiet down. Bills are mostly covered.Emergencies don’t arrive as often.Decisions feel less urgent. And instead of relief, what shows up is something unexpected: A strange kind of discomfort. Parang walang nangyayari. When…

WHY WE AVOID LOOKING AT OUR OWN NUMBERS

There’s a small moment most people don’t talk about. You’re about to open your banking app.Or check your balance.Or review your expenses for the month. And for a second… you pause. Hindi naman sira ang sistema mo.Wala ka namang ginawang palpak. Pero may konting kaba. “Mamaya na.” So you close it.Or you scroll instead.Or you…

THE MYTH OF THE “GOOD MONTH” AND THE “BAD MONTH”

We talk about money months the way we talk about behavior. “Panalo ang buwan na ’to.”“Sablay ako this month.” A month where we saved feels “good.”A month where expenses were heavier feels “bad.” At first, these are just labels. But over time, they become something else. They become judgments. When a Month Starts to Feel…

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

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…

DRESS TO IMPRESS: CHOOSING A SUIT

Suits are timeless clothes. It’s stylish and classy, and can be worn during important events or activities such as for business, formal gatherings, or even casual daily wear if you feel like looking dapper. But good suits aren’t always easy on the wallet. This is why it’s important to choose the right one for you.…

SPORTS & ENTERTAINMENT

FEU STAYS ALIVE, BEATS ATENEO 

Far Eastern University woke up just in time to outlast also-ran Ateneo de Manila University, 22-25, 23-25, 25-12, 25-21, 15-10, and keep its Final Four hopes alive in the UAAP Season 88 Collegiate Women’s Volleyball Tournament on Wednesday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum. The Lady Tamaraws finished the elimination round with an 8-6 record and…

LADY BULLDOGS SECURE SECOND SEED

National University secured the second seed and an outright berth in the UAAP Season 88 Collegiate Women’s Volleyball stepladder semifinals after a stirring reverse sweep over University of Santo Tomas, 19-25, 23-25, 25-18, 25-18, 15-13, on Wednesday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum. The Lady Bulldogs finished the elimination round with a 10-4 record, clinching solo second place…

UST KEEPS FINAL FOUR HOPES ALIVE

University of Santo Tomas secured at least a playoff for the remaining Final Four spot in the UAAP Season 88 Collegiate Women’s Volleyball Tournament after a gritty 23-25, 25-21, 25-22, 25-19 win over also-ran University of the Philippines on Sunday at the SM Mall of Asia Arena. The Golden Tigresses improved to an 8-5 record,…

LA SALLE COMPLETES SWEEP

De La Salle University left it all on the floor—and the reward was an outright Finals berth after completing a 14-game elimination round sweep of the UAAP Season 88 Collegiate Women’s Volleyball Tournament. The Lady Spikers engineered a remarkable fourth-set comeback before showing nerves of steel in the fifth to defeat the National University Lady…

ARTS & CULTURE

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…

Where We Create Together: UPTC Transforms into Katipunan’s Youth Art Hub

Ayala Malls U.P. Town Center (UPTC) continues to champion student communities by providing a space for young creatives to connect, express, and grow. This National Arts Month, U.P.T.C. establishes its role as the Katipunan’s creative hub as it launches “Artist Alley” – a creative space celebrating local talent, collaboration, and youth creativity. Project U.P.T.C. is…

HOBBIES & ADVOCACIES

PRC HOLDS BLOODLETTING DRIVE IN LAS PIÑAS 

The Philippine Red Cross reaffirmed its long-standing partnership with the University of Perpetual Help System DALTA as the university hosts its 50th Founding Anniversary bloodletting activity at the UPHSD Las Piñas Campus. Titled “Bloodletting: Dugo Ko, Buhay Mo – Part 15: Golden Legacies, Golden Lifelines,” the activity forms part of the university’s milestone anniversary celebration.…

PH RED CROSS DISTRIBUTES WHEELCHAIRS 

The Philippine Red Cross (PRC) continues to restore independence and dignity among vulnerable Filipinos through its Mobility for Dignity program, successfully distributing a total of 147 wheelchairs across multiple locations nationwide this April.Launched in 2022, Mobility for Dignity is a flagship humanitarian initiative of the PRC that provides mobility aid to persons with disabilities, senior…

UP Kalilayan’s NEEDS 2026 to aid Dumagat Fisherfolk in Aurora

Quezon City, Philippines — Targeting to support the Dumagat fisherfolk of Brgy. Dibut, San Luis, Aurora, UP Kalilayan – a provincial organization of Aurorahin and Quezonian youth in UP Diliman – presents its 2026 edition of the Neil Eria Educational Discussion Series (NEEDS), entitled “TAIB-HIBAS: A Community Outreach for the Dumagat Fisherfolk of Brgy. Dibut,…

SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY

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,…

⚙️ RISE in Action: How the 17th Southern Tagalog Industrial Engineering Seminar (STIES XVII) Empowered the Next Industrial Engineers ⚙️ 

The 17th Southern Tagalog Industrial Engineering Seminar (STIES XVII), organized by the UPLB Industrial Engineering Students’ Organization (UPLB IESO), successfully brought together students, professors, and professionals from different academic institutions last February 28, 2026. This year’s seminar focused on the expanding role of Industrial Engineers in building stability in the middle of chaos and facilitating…

DOMESTIC ABUSE TOPS VAWC-RELATED 911 CALLS 

Domestic abuse continues daily in Philippine households, alongside wife battery, maltreatment, and rape, while children face online sexual abuse and exploitation, violent discipline, incest, bullying, neglect, psychological abuse, and economic exploitation. Data from the Emergency 911 National Office from January 2025 to February 2026 shows domestic trouble as the most reported case, with 2,533 calls…

NatGES 2026: Exploring New Frontiers in Geodetic Engineering

Written by: Jan Reinald Masilungan  The countdown is on! NatGES 2026 is set to take place on April 10-11 at the UPFI Film Center, bringing together students, professionals, and enthusiasts from across the Philippines for two days of learning, competitions, and networking. Carrying the theme “Beyond Boundaries, Into New Frontiers,” this year’s summit highlights the…