Category: Asia

Entertainment

Manny Pacquiao Named Global Ambassador for 2026 JCI World Congress as Clark Prepares to Welcome the World

CLARK, PAMPANGA — Philippine boxing icon Manny Pacquiao is taking on a new international role as Global Ambassador for the 2026 JCI World Congress, adding star power to a major global youth leadership gathering that will bring delegates from around the world to Clark this November. Junior Chamber International (JCI) Philippines announced Pacquiao’s appointment as the congress prepares to take place in Clark from November 11 to 15, 2026. The event is expected to place the Philippines at the cent

August 25, 2026

Singapore

When Danger Strikes in Singapore, Would You Step In — or Walk Away? The Split-Second Choice That Could Change Everything

SINGAPORE — When something goes seriously wrong in a crowded public place, most people have only seconds to decide what to do. Do you run? Call for help? Try to protect someone? Or wait for trained responders to arrive? A recent CNA report has put that uncomfortable question in the spotlight, examining why some ordinary Singaporeans have stepped forward during dangerous situations — sometimes helping strangers in distress and, in more extreme cases, confronting attackers. The report also raise

August 25, 2026

Philippines

REMULLA WANTS LOOSE GUNS TO MEAN 20 YEARS IN JAIL—BUT HIS BIGGEST PUSH IS TO TAKE BAIL OFF THE TABLE

MANILA, Philippines — Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin “Boying” Remulla is urging Congress to substantially toughen the penalties for people caught possessing loose or illegally held firearms, including making the offense non-bailable and imposing a prison term of up to 20 years. The proposal, reported by the Manila Bulletin on August 25, comes as authorities continue to confront the proliferation of unregistered and illegally possessed firearms, which can be used in violent crimes and other off

August 25, 2026

Philippines

Typhoon Obet Leaves PAR — But the Weather Threat to the Philippines Is Not Over Yet

MANILA, Philippines — Typhoon Obet has officially left the Philippine Area of Responsibility, but its departure does not mean the country is done with dangerous weather. PAGASA confirmed that Obet, internationally known as Saudel, exited PAR at around 9:30 p.m. on Monday, August 24, after briefly passing through the country's monitoring zone. At the time, the powerful cyclone remained far east-northeast of Extreme Northern Luzon and was still packing typhoon-force winds. But the bigger concern

August 25, 2026

Business

NICHOLAS TAN TAKES AUPEN’S “PURPOSE” BEYOND FASHION—BUT WHAT IT BECOMES IN MANILA IS SOMETHING ELSE ENTIRELY

What began as a handbag is now becoming something much bigger. Singaporean designer and AUPEN founder Nicholas Tan is taking his signature “Purpose” silhouette out of the fashion world and into contemporary art, marking a major new chapter with his first solo exhibition in Manila. Presented by 125 Projects, the exhibition transforms the familiar sculptural shape associated with AUPEN’s Purpose bag into a series of artworks and objects—challenging visitors to look at a fashion accessory not sim

August 25, 2026

Philippines

PNP, DepEd Rework School Safety Drill as Experts Raise Concerns Over Student Welfare

The Philippine National Police (PNP) is coordinating with the Department of Education (DepEd) to refine the procedures for the country’s nationwide school safety drill after concerns were raised that highly realistic active-shooter simulations could cause unnecessary fear or psychological distress among students and teachers. PNP chief Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. said local police units are working with school division heads and regional directors to determine what adjustments are needed be

August 25, 2026

Business

QUEZON CITY TAPS WOMEN TO LEAD NEW URBAN FARMING PUSH AT QCU — BUT THE BIGGER GOAL GOES BEYOND GROWING VEGETABLES

QUEZON CITY, Philippines — Quezon City is taking another step toward strengthening urban food production, this time putting women at the forefront of a new farming initiative at Quezon City University (QCU). The city government has partnered with Agrigaia Tech Co. to establish an urban-farming demonstration site at QCU, with women expected to take leadership roles in the project. The partnership was formalized through a memorandum of agreement signed Monday, with Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte

August 25, 2026

Philippines

Hunger Rate Falls to 20.3% in June—But One Region Is Still Facing a Bigger Food Crisis

MANILA, Philippines — The share of Filipino families experiencing involuntary hunger fell to 20.3% in June 2026, offering some relief after a sharp increase recorded earlier in the year. But behind the nationwide improvement is a worrying regional trend: hunger increased in Mindanao, according to the latest Social Weather Stations (SWS) survey. The Second Quarter 2026 Social Weather Survey found that 20.3% of Filipino families experienced involuntary hunger at least once during the three months

August 25, 2026

Business

Sytin-Led LMG Brings in Dean Lao Jr. as Director—But the Real Story Is Its ₱130-Million Investment Plan

MANILA, Philippines — Sytin-controlled LMG Corp. is bringing in a prominent name from the Philippine business community as it moves forward with a planned ₱130-million investment program. LMG has tapped Dean Lao Jr., managing director of Chemrez Technologies and a member of the Lao business family, to join its board as a director. The appointment comes as the publicly listed company advances plans aimed at strengthening and expanding its business under the Sytin group. The move puts Lao Jr.—wh

August 25, 2026

Business

Cathay Life’s Joe Lin Leaves RCBC Board After 7 Years—But His Next Move May Be the Bigger Story

MANILA, Philippines — A major change is unfolding in the leadership ties between Taiwan’s Cathay Life Insurance and Rizal Commercial Banking Corp. (RCBC), with Cathay Life executive Shih-Chiao “Joe” Lin reportedly stepping down from the Philippine bank’s board after roughly seven years. Bilyonaryo reported on August 25 that Lin has resigned as an RCBC director following a lengthy stint on the board and is being reassigned to a new post within the Cathay group. The development marks a notable s

August 25, 2026