Extending the terms of barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) officials to five years could save the government about P30 billion in election costs while giving Congress time to review proposed reforms to the SK system, Deputy Speaker Janette Garin said. Garin said the House has adopted the Senate-approved measure setting five-year terms for barangay and…

Senator Chiz Escudero thanked his colleagues for approving on third and final reading Senate Bill No. 2387, which fixes the term of office of barangay officials and members of the Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) to five years. With its approval, the Barangay and SK Elections (BSKE) originally set for November 2026 will be moved to November 2028, and thereafter…

Senator Bong Go urged the Department of Health to prioritize completing and operationalizing existing Super Health Centers before pursuing more facilities, stressing that government-funded health infrastructure must actually serve patients instead of being left idle. During the Senate budget hearing, Go reiterated a position he and Senate President Win Gatchalian had pushed during previous budget…

Ahead of the Maharlika Pilipinas Pickleball Tour (MPPT) Invitational 2026, the Gensan Punchers took their oath before the Games and Amusements Board (GAB) during an Orientation and Oath-Taking Ceremony held at the GAB Central Office in Makati City. GAB Chairman Atty. Francisco Rivera and ProSports Division Officer-in-Charge (OIC) Dr. Oliver Evangelista warmly welcomed the team…

Executive Secretary Ralph Recto said the government will fast-track investments, strengthen skills training, and help businesses expand and hire more Filipinos as July labor figures indicated mixed results. The July 2026 Labor Force Survey (LFS) showed that 49.2 million Filipinos were employed, approximately 3.2 million more than a year earlier. Private establishments added 582,000 wage…

Education Secretary Sonny Angara visited Banga National High School in South Cotabato on Saturday following a fatal shooting to lead response efforts and extend support to affected victims’ families and personnel. Secretary Angara conferred with school personnel, parents, local officials, and police to coordinate emergency response, deploy critical psychosocial services, and address safety vulnerabilities. He…

Many Filipinos are naturally generous. We give food even when portions are small. We help family before helping ourselves. We contribute quietly during emergencies. We adjust.We sacrifice.We show up. And often, we do these things without being asked twice. There is beauty in that kind of generosity. But there is also a quieter reality many…

A year after marking its 15th anniversary and unveiling a refreshed corporate identity, Meralco PowerGen Corporation (MGEN) continues to move forward with a clear vision: to lead the Philippines’ transition to a secure, affordable, and sustainable energy future, guided by its mission of Powering a Better Tomorrow. That same purpose extends beyond the energy projects…

Many people are exhausted not only because life is difficult— but because they feel late. Late financially.Late professionally.Late compared to friends, classmates, siblings, coworkers, or people online. And somewhere along the way, growth stopped feeling personal. It became competitive. The Timelines People Never Chose People began measuring their lives against timelines they never consciously agreed…

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…

National University gifted head coach Jeff Napa a winning birthday celebration, stomping the University of the East, 76-56, in the UAAP Season 89 Collegiate Men’s Basketball Tournament on Saturday at the SMART Araneta Coliseum. The Bulldogs notched their first win of the season to level their record at 1-1, tying the idle University of Santo…

University of the Philippines delivered another second-half storm to stifle Ateneo de Manila University, 94-75, in the UAAP Season 89 Collegiate Men’s Basketball Tournament on Saturday at the SMART Araneta Coliseum. Just like in their 92-85 win over the UST Growling Tigers on opening day, where they turned the game around in the third quarter,…

Ateneo de Manila University powered through an emotional UAAP Season 89 Collegiate Men’s Basketball Tournament debut, thumping the University of the East, 101-74, on Wednesday at the SM Mall of Asia Arena. The Blue Eagles’ participation this season was up in the air until the league announced on August 7 that former head coach Tab…

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…

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 (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…

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)…