Category: Asia

Business

SARA DUTERTE IMPEACHMENT TRIAL SET FOR A MAJOR SHIFT—BUT COULD THIS FINALLY SPEED UP THE SENATE’S VERDICT?

MANILA, Philippines — The impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte is heading for a major scheduling change as the Senate moves to free up more time for the proceedings, with Duterte’s defense team saying it is ready to comply with whatever timetable the impeachment court ultimately adopts. Atty. Michael Poa, lead spokesperson and defense counsel for Duterte, said Saturday that the defense would follow the Senate impeachment court’s directives. “The Defense will comply with whatever sc

August 22, 2026

Business

Makro Is Coming Back in a Big Way—These 4 Ayala Estates Are About to Get New Stores

Makro Philippines is accelerating its return to the Philippine retail market, securing four strategic Ayala Land locations that could significantly expand its footprint across Metro Manila and Southern Luzon. After nearly two decades away from the Philippine market, Makro is positioning itself for a major comeback—and its latest move puts the wholesale retailer in four key Ayala Land developments. Ayala Land Inc. has signed land lease agreements with Makro Philippines covering Cloverleaf in Qu

August 22, 2026

Philippines

Kanlaon Volcano Keeps Spewing Ash as Alert Level 2 Remains; Authorities Warn of Possible Ashfall

NEGROS ISLAND, Philippines — Kanlaon Volcano continues to show signs of unrest, with the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS) reporting another voluminous ash emission Saturday, August 22, prompting authorities to warn communities in the Negros Island Region about possible ashfall. The latest ash emission occurred at around 11:23 a.m., according to PHIVOLCS. The ash plume rose approximately 150 meters above the summit crater before being carried toward the southeast by

August 22, 2026

Philippines

“Smoking Gun” or Not? Gina Acosta’s Testimony Raises New Questions Over Sara Duterte’s P125-M Confidential Funds

MANILA, Philippines — A former Office of the Vice President (OVP) special disbursing officer has delivered testimony that House prosecutors believe could become one of the most significant pieces of evidence in Vice President Sara Duterte’s impeachment trial. Bicol Saro party-list Rep. Terry Ridon, a member of the House prosecution team, described Gina Acosta’s testimony as a “smoking gun” after she told the Senate impeachment court that Duterte instructed her to turn over P125 million in confi

August 22, 2026

Entertainment

Buboy Villar and Angillyn Gorens Went From Public Conflict to Forgiveness—But What Finally Made Them Speak Again Came Out of Nowhere

MANILA, Philippines — After years of separation, complicated co-parenting and a highly publicized dispute, actor-comedian Buboy Villar says he and former partner Angillyn Gorens have finally reached a place of forgiveness — but their reconciliation is about healing and their children, not rekindling their romance. Villar opened up about the development during an appearance on GMA’s “Fast Talk with Boy Abunda,” recounting how communication between him and Gorens eventually resumed after a diffic

August 22, 2026

Philippines

Magnitude 5.3 Earthquake Jolts Off Davao Oriental—What PHIVOLCS Says Residents Should Expect Next

A magnitude 5.3 earthquake struck offshore of Davao Oriental on Saturday afternoon, August 22, 2026, according to state seismologists, sending another reminder of the active seismic conditions in eastern Mindanao. The earthquake was recorded at 3:14 p.m., with its epicenter located east of Tarragona, Davao Oriental, based on information reported by PHIVOLCS and carried by GMA News and other Philippine news outlets. The tremor comes as Davao Oriental and neighboring areas continue to experience

August 22, 2026

Entertainment

BTS Jungkook Nearly Lost $6 Million in a Sophisticated Hacking Scheme—Then Investigators Revealed Who Was Behind It

A South Korean court has sentenced a Chinese national to 20 years in prison for leading a sophisticated hacking and identity-theft operation that targeted wealthy South Koreans—including BTS member Jungkook—in a scheme linked to more than 38 billion won (about US$27.2 million) in stolen assets. The Seoul Central District Court handed down the sentence on August 20, finding the man, identified by the surname Chun/Jeon in different reports, guilty of fraud and violations of South Korea's informat

August 22, 2026

Entertainment

James Maddison Lost Nearly a Year to an ACL Injury—But Five Children and Two Sets of Twins Gave Him the Distraction He Never Expected

Tottenham Hotspur star James Maddison spent almost an entire season fighting his way back from a serious knee injury. But while football temporarily disappeared from his daily life, an extraordinary situation at home gave the England midfielder something else to focus on: raising five young children, including two sets of twins. For professional footballers, a long-term injury can turn a packed schedule of matches, training sessions and travel into months of rehabilitation and uncertainty. Jam

August 22, 2026

Entertainment

Jelai Andres Stayed Silent for Years—But One Resurfaced Story Finally Made Her Tell Her Side

Jelai Andres has finally spoken out after an old controversy connected to her former marriage resurfaced online—making clear that although she chose silence for years, she does not want that silence mistaken for agreement with other versions of what happened. The actress, vlogger and social media personality issued a lengthy statement on August 22, 2026, weeks after celebrating the annulment of her marriage to rapper Jon Gutierrez, popularly known as King Badger. For Jelai, the legal ending of

August 22, 2026

Entertainment

Angelu de Leon Thought Bell’s Palsy Could Change Her Career Forever—But What Happened While Her Face Was Recovering Changed How She Saw Herself

For an actress whose face had been recognizable to Filipino audiences since the height of T.G.I.S., suddenly losing control of part of it was more than a frightening health scare. For Angelu de Leon, it became a deeply personal battle that eventually pushed her into depression—and forced her to confront a question far bigger than show business: What happens when something you have long considered part of your livelihood suddenly changes? The actress and Pasig City councilor recently revisited

August 22, 2026