Category: Asia

Asia

Gilas Pilipinas Crushed Again by South Korea, Faces Major Test Ahead of Asian Games Title Defense

SUWON, SOUTH KOREA — Gilas Pilipinas heads into its Asian Games title defense searching for answers after suffering a second straight lopsided defeat to South Korea, falling 69-42 in its final tune-up game at the Suwon KT Sonicboom Arena on Sunday, Sept. 6. The loss completed a difficult two-game stretch for the Philippine national team against the Koreans. Just two days earlier, Gilas absorbed an 81-55 defeat, meaning the Philippines lost both warm-up matches by a combined 53 points. While th

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Asia

SSS LoanLite Coming to Davao: Qualified Members May Access Digital Loans Up to ₱20,000

DAVAO CITY, Philippines — The Social Security System (SSS) is preparing to bring its new digital micro-loan program, SSS LoanLite, closer to members in the Davao Region, offering qualified Filipinos access to short-term loans ranging from ₱1,000 to ₱20,000. But as the government expands the program, SSS officials are also sounding the alarm over a growing danger: fake online lenders and fraudulent loan offers targeting unsuspecting borrowers. The new facility is designed to give eligible SSS m

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Asia

Davao del Norte Posts Highest LPG Prices in Region Despite September Rollback

DAVAO REGION, Philippines — A small September price rollback has offered some relief to households, but consumers in Davao del Norte are still paying the highest average prices for household liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) in the region. Latest monitoring by the Department of Energy (DOE) Mindanao Field Office showed that Davao del Norte recorded an average price of ₱1,379.50 for an 11-kilogram LPG cylinder, the highest among the five provinces in the Davao Region. The figures come despite a ₱0.

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Asia

LTO 7 Warns Vehicle Dealers: Delayed Plate Releases Could Mean Fines Up to P1 Million

CEBU CITY — Motor vehicle dealers in Central Visayas are being put on notice: delaying the release of license plates to vehicle owners could result in fines, suspension or even cancellation of their accreditation. The Land Transportation Office in Central Visayas (LTO 7) issued the warning after receiving numerous reports involving delays in the release of plates for newly registered vehicles. In a memorandum dated Sept. 1, 2026, LTO 7 reminded accredited motor vehicle dealers that license pla

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Asia

Alex Eala Falls Short in US Open Thriller After Pushing Iva Jovic to the Limit

NEW YORK — Alex Eala's 2026 US Open campaign came to a heartbreaking end—but not before the Filipino tennis star delivered another performance that showed just how far she has risen on the Grand Slam stage. Eala was edged by close friend and world No. 14 Iva Jovic, 7-5, 3-6, 7-5, in a dramatic third-round battle at Arthur Ashe Stadium that lasted roughly three hours. The defeat ended Eala's bid to reach the US Open round of 16, but the manner of the loss underscored the progress she has made a

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Asia

Davao City Offers Free Physical Therapy to Stroke Patients, Including Home Visits for Bedridden Survivors

DAVAO CITY — Stroke survivors in Davao City now have access to free community-based physical therapy, including house-to-house rehabilitation support for patients who are bedridden and unable to easily travel to a healthcare facility. The program is being implemented by the Davao City Health Office (CHO) as part of an effort to help stroke survivors regain mobility, improve motor functions and receive continuing support after a stroke. City health personnel also work with families to teach the

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Asia

‘Sheng Siong Ah Ma’ Dies at 91 as Son Recalls Harrowing 2014 Kidnapping and S$2 Million Ransom

SINGAPORE — Ng Lye Poh, the mother of the founders of supermarket chain Sheng Siong and a beloved figure affectionately known as “Sheng Siong Ah Ma,” has died at the age of 91. Ng passed away at home on Sept. 5, 2026, surrounded by her family, according to her obituary. Her death has prompted an outpouring of memories—not only of her role as the matriarch of the family behind one of Singapore's best-known supermarket chains, but also of the extraordinary kidnapping ordeal she survived more than

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Asia

EM Services Manager, Maintenance Firm Director Charged Over Alleged S$50,000 Bribe Linked to Town Council Contract

SINGAPORE — A former senior project manager of estate management firm EM Services and a maintenance company director have been charged in Singapore over an alleged S$50,000 bribe connected to a repairs and redecoration contract involving West Coast Town Council. Ng Yin Hong, 56, and Ng Choon Mong, 61, appeared in court on Sept. 7, 2026, facing separate corruption charges under Singapore's Prevention of Corruption Act. Ng Yin Hong, who was a senior project manager at EM Services when the allege

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Asia

Need a Mid-Week Break? KINEX Offers Food, Beauty Deals and a Chance to Win a S$2,300 Staycation

SINGAPORE — Feeling the mid-week slump? KINEX is giving shoppers another reason to step away from the usual work-and-home routine, with a series of dining, beauty, family and shopping promotions running from Sept. 7 to Nov. 8, 2026. Located less than a 10-minute walk from Paya Lebar MRT Station, the mall is promoting a mix of activities designed to turn an ordinary weekday into a quick family outing or personal reset. The campaign also comes with a bigger incentive: qualifying shoppers can col

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Asia

Kentaro Sakaguchi Marries Non-Celebrity Girlfriend After Relationship Controversy

TOKYO — Japanese actor and model Kentaro Sakaguchi has announced that he is married, surprising fans with news that he quietly tied the knot with a non-celebrity woman he had been dating. Sakaguchi, 35, announced the marriage on his paid fan-club website on Sept. 6, 2026, telling fans that he had married a woman outside the entertainment industry. His management agency, Tristone Entertainment, subsequently confirmed the marriage but did not disclose the identity of his wife or provide details

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