POLITICS
HOUSE VOWS TO DISCLOSE BUDGET DISTRICT ALLOCATIONS
House leaders representing the five major political parties backed public disclosure of district allocations in the proposed 2027 national budget. House Committee on Appropriations Senior Vice Chairperson and Bataan 2nd District Representative Abet Garcia said at the briefing that the House had opened its budget process to public scrutiny through livestreamed hearings, a public budget…
‘PANDESOL’ LAUNCHED FOR LAGUNA LEARNERS, TEACHERS
The Provincial Government’s “Pandesol” program, an initiative led by Laguna Governor Sol Aragones, began its school‑to‑school roll‑out across the province. The first batch of schools visited included San Pedro Central Elementary School in San Pedro City; Malinta Elementary School and Bambang Elementary School in Los Baños; Dayap Elementary School in Calauan; and Siniloan Elementary School…
TULFO: PROTECT WORKERS FROM AI DISPLACEMENTS
Amid news of massive layoffs due to Artificial Intelligence (AI) taking over operations of companies, Senate Social Justice, Welfare, and Rural Development Chairman Senator Erwin Tulfo has filed Senate Bill No. 2563 providing safeguards for employees displaced by AI automation. “As companies adopt AI, employees whose jobs become redundant risk losing not only their employment…
MARK VILLAR BATS FOR STRONGER WORKER PROTECTION
Senator Mark Villar called for a comprehensive employment strategy anchored on skills development, industry-responsive training, and stronger worker protection to address unemployment and underemployment. According to the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA), the number of employed Filipinos reached 49.21 million in July 2026. However, unemployment remained at 3.14 million, equivalent to 6.0 percent, while 6.33 million…
GOVERNMENT
RECTO LAUDS LIMA ECOZONE EXPANSION IN BATANGAS
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has approved the expansion of Lima Technology Center-Special Economic Zone in Batangas, opening additional land for businesses that can bring more jobs, investments and income opportunities to the province. Executive Secretary Ralph Recto lauded the President’s approval as part of the administration’s economic expansion efforts to position the Philippines as a…
DA OPENS RICE PROCESSING FACILITY IN NUEVA ECIJA
The Department of Agriculture (DA) turned over a ₱65.6-million rice processing facility to a farmers’ cooperative in Nueva Ecija, providing local rice growers access to modern milling and drying equipment aimed at reducing postharvest losses, improving grain quality, and increasing the value of their harvests. Agriculture Undersecretary for Rice Industry Development Engr. Christopher Morales and…
DEPED: LAPTOPS CAN BE BRICKED IF SOLD OR PAWNED
Education Secretary Sonny Angara said the Department of Education (DepEd) has put strict safeguards in place to ensure that over 231,000 newly procured teacher laptops are distributed fairly and protected against illegal transfers or misuse. Speaking at a Malacañang press qbriefing on Tuesday, Angara highlighted the massive scope of the computerization rollout, which runs from…
DA COMPLETES P30M KALINGA WATER IMPOUNDING PROJECT
The Department of Agriculture (DA) completed a P30-million small water impounding project in Tabuk City, Kalinga, expected to provide more reliable irrigation to 35 farmers cultivating 85 hectares and help cushion agricultural production against another spell of drought. The Bulo-Magasusu Small Water Impounding Project in Barangay Bulo is part of the government’s broader effort to…
BUSINESS & ECONOMY
WHEN GROWTH NO LONGER FEELS DANGEROUS
For a long time, many Filipinos measured strength by how much they could endure. You learned how to stretch a budget until payday. How to solve problems without asking for help. How to keep functioning even when tired, worried, or overwhelmed. You learned how to survive. And because survival demanded so much attention, something else…
NET25’S BUSINESS NEWS PUTS OCTOBER’S 7.8 PERCENT INFLATION IN HOUSEHOLD TERMS
Media and news purveyor NET25 has closely monitored a week in which the cost of living led the news, as the Philippine Statistics Authority reported October inflation at 7.8 percent and the NET25.com portal followed the figure to the fare, the market stall and the payslip. For the Filipino household, an inflation figure is the…
THE WEALTH OF ENOUGH
There comes a point in many people’s lives when the question quietly changes. Not: “How do I earn more?” But: “How much is enough for me to finally live well?” For many Filipinos, life begins with survival. You work to help family. To pay debt. To stabilize the household. To make sure there is food…
THE ENDLESS HUNGER FOR “MORE”
Many people no longer know how to recognize enough. A salary increase arrives— and within weeks, it feels normal. A long-awaited goal is achieved— and the mind immediately moves to the next target. A problem gets solved— yet the relief never seems to last. For many Filipinos, life quietly becomes a cycle of: “Kapag nakuha…
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
THE PINOY COMMUTER IS TOP PRIORITY IN NET25’S NATIONAL NEWS COVERAGE AS NOVEMBER 2026 OPENS
Media powerhouse NET25 has closely monitored the opening days of the week with the Filipino commuter in mind. The NET25.com portal carried news of a record fine imposed on a motorcycle-taxi app, the long weekend’s passenger counts at various transport terminals and piers nationwide, a business group’s stand on the EDSA Busway as well as…
TWO OF NET25’S MOST RESPECTED COLUMNISTS COVER THE PESO AND THE SONGBIRD IN THE SAME WEEK
Multi-media giant NET25 has shown the range of its opinion page on a single posting day, October 27, 2026, with NET25 President Caesar R. Vallejos writing in Taglish on the peso’s record low and veteran television producer Wilma Galvante writing in English on Regine Velasquez’s farewell to her signature songs. For the Filipino household, the…
ATENEO LEANS ON BAHAY, ALAS HEROICS TO HALT NU
Jared Bahay and Kieffer Alas took over in the clutch, propelling Ateneo de Manila University to a 69-65 victory over first-round victim National University in the UAAP Season 89 Collegiate Men’s Basketball Tournament on Wednesday at the SMART Araneta Coliseum. Bahay, who had missed his last eight shots, came alive with back-to-back triples to turn…
FEU SNAPS THREE-GAME LOSING STREAK
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,…
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
PRC AIDS 40 RETURNING PINOYS FROM SABAH, MALAYSIA
The Philippine Red Cross (PRC) swiftly mobilized at Jolo Port to provide humanitarian assistance to 40 returning Filipinos repatriated from Sabah, Malaysia. Working hand-in-hand with partner stakeholders, including the Ministry of Social Services and Development (MSSD) – Sulu, PRC dedicated personnel ensured that every returning kababayan received vital medical, welfare, and psychosocial support right upon…
PH RED CROSS HONORS LATE QUIRINO GOV. DAX CUA
The Philippine Red Cross held a necrological service in loving memory of Quirino Governor Dakila Carlo “Dax” Cua, honoring his life, public service, and years of support for the humanitarian organization. Cua served as a member of the PRC Board of Governors for 18 years since 2008. During his tenure, the governor stood with the…
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…
SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
NET25’S BUSINESS NEWS PUTS OCTOBER’S 7.8 PERCENT INFLATION IN HOUSEHOLD TERMS
Media and news purveyor NET25 has closely monitored a week in which the cost of living led the news, as the Philippine Statistics Authority reported October inflation at 7.8 percent and the NET25.com portal followed the figure to the fare, the market stall and the payslip. For the Filipino household, an inflation figure is the…
BFP-NCR READY FOR EL NIÑO WITH NEXIS COMMAND
Super El Niño is here. It crept in this October and will reach its peak progression in December, after which the country will experience a long dry spell, extreme heat and rainfall deficiency. From January to March, the crisis will worsen significantly, with roughly 79 provinces projected to experience full drought. Critical water shortages and…
NGA 911 EMERGENCY RESPONSE SYSTEM GETS INT’L AWARD
California-based public safety technology company NGA 911 LLC has been awarded the prestigious Community Impact and Service Award by the International Asian American Business Expo (IAABE) in California for bringing world-class emergency response system to the Philippines. Next Generation Advanced 911 (NGA 911) is a global leader in emergency communications technology that develops systems to…
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…
