Author: WWC NEWSDESK

Philippines

45,000 Schools, Less Than 1,000 Counselors: Who Will Listen When Filipino Students Need Help?

MANILA, Philippines — More than 45,000 schools. Fewer than 1,000 registered guidance counselors in the Department of Education system. The numbers are exposing a critical gap in the Philippines' ability to provide students with accessible guidance, mental health support and early intervention—at a time when concerns over bullying, violence and emotional distress among young people have placed school safety under renewed national scrutiny. A senior Department of Education (DepEd) official said

August 23, 2026

Business

SINGAPORE’S FOOD HERITAGE IS CHANGING — This Couple’s “People’s Ladle” Is Asking a Bigger Question: Who Gets to Call It Their Own?

SINGAPORE — What if preserving Singapore’s food heritage is not simply about keeping old recipes alive, but making sure people can still see themselves in the stories behind those dishes? That is the idea driving Sendok Rakyat, a community food platform founded by married couple Anugerah Murni Sabta and Aqid Aiman Azmi, who are turning cooking workshops, food walks and shared meals into opportunities to explore Singapore’s identity, culture and sense of belonging. The name Sendok Rakyat transl

August 23, 2026

Philippines

₱1.9 Trillion Spent, Yet Filipinos Still Flood: Senate Moves to Scrutinize ₱107-Billion DPWH Budget

MANILA, Philippines — After years of devastating floods and nearly ₱1.939 trillion poured into flood control projects from 2011 to 2025, the Philippine government is once again preparing to spend billions to protect communities from rising waters. But this time, senators say they want answers first. Sen. Panfilo Lacson has vowed to closely scrutinize the ₱107.4-billion flood control allocation proposed for the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) under the government's ₱7.2-trillion

August 23, 2026

Philippines

Habagat to Continue Pounding Western Luzon—But PAGASA Is Watching What’s Coming Next

MANILA, Philippines — Residents across western and central parts of Luzon should brace for continued rain as the Southwest Monsoon, or Habagat, remains the dominant weather system affecting the country, according to the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA). PAGASA's latest forecast issued on August 23 said the Southwest Monsoon is affecting Luzon, with Metro Manila, the Ilocos Region, Cordillera Administrative Region, Central Luzon, Rizal, Cavite

August 23, 2026

Philippines

No More 6 A.M. Classes? Legazpi School Gets New Classrooms—Here’s What Changes for Students

LEGAZPI CITY, Albay — For students who have grown accustomed to unusually early or late school hours because of a lack of classrooms, a major change is now on the horizon. Rawis Integrated School in Legazpi City has received a newly completed two-story building containing eight classrooms, a project expected to allow the school to abandon its current shifting arrangement and return to a more regular class schedule. The new facility was inaugurated on August 20, 2026, according to the Philippin

August 23, 2026

Philippines

17 Filipino Seafarers Survive Deadly Strait of Hormuz Attack and Finally Reach Home—But One Filipino Crewman Never Made It Back

Forty-six overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) from Kuwait and 17 Filipino seafarers who survived the deadly M/V Minoan Dignity incident in the Strait of Hormuz have safely returned to the Philippines, authorities said. The two groups arrived in Manila on separate flights on Friday night, August 21, marking another major repatriation effort as Philippine authorities continue assisting Filipinos affected by security risks in the Middle East. The 46 OFWs from Kuwait arrived at Ninoy Aquino Internati

August 23, 2026

Philippines

POWER INTERRUPTION ALERT: These Metro Manila Areas and 4 Provinces Could Go Dark This Week — Check If Your Area Is on the List

MANILA, Philippines — Residents and businesses in selected areas of Metro Manila, Bulacan, Cavite, Quezon and Rizal are being advised to prepare for temporary power interruptions this week as the Manila Electric Co. (Meralco) carries out scheduled maintenance and upgrading works. The utility announced the interruptions as part of its regular maintenance program aimed at keeping distribution facilities safe, reliable and capable of meeting electricity demand. The scheduled outages are localized

August 23, 2026

Business

From Manila to Kuala Lumpur: How a Businesswoman Helped Lead Authorities to Chanda Atienza

What began as a business dispute has now become part of a much bigger story surrounding the controversial Dermacare investment scheme. Businesswoman Freda Luz Singson said she was determined to help locate Chanda Atienza, the founder and owner of Dermacare Skin and Beauty Clinic, after claiming she was personally affected by transactions involving the business. According to an exclusive report by PEP.ph, Singson traveled to Kuala Lumpur with beauty queen and social media personality Lars Pache

August 23, 2026

Entertainment

BTS Jungkook Was Among the Targets of a ₱1.5-Billion Cybercrime Ring—Now Its Alleged Leader Faces 20 Years Behind Bars

The alleged leader of an international hacking ring that targeted wealthy South Koreans—including BTS member Jungkook—has been sentenced to 20 years in prison after a Seoul court found him guilty of fraud and violations of South Korea’s Information Network Act. The Seoul Central District Court handed down the sentence on August 20 to the Chinese national, identified by his surname Jeon, over a cybercrime operation that investigators said targeted high-net-worth individuals and used stolen perso

August 23, 2026

Philippines

Marcoleta, Defensor Could Face Perjury-Related Complaint After Guteza Recantation, Lacson Says

MANILA, Philippines — Detained Sen. Rodante Marcoleta and former lawmaker Michael “Mike” Defensor could face a complaint for subornation of perjury following former Marine Orly Guteza’s reversal of testimony in the Senate’s investigation into alleged flood-control corruption, Sen. Panfilo “Ping” Lacson said. Lacson raised the possibility of criminal complaints after Guteza withdrew his earlier allegations and accused Marcoleta and Defensor of pressuring him to make claims about alleged cash del

August 23, 2026