Category: Lifestyle

Lifestyle

Two Aeta Scholars Get a New Shot at College as Ilagan Opens Doors to a Brighter Future

ILAGAN CITY, ISABELA — For Jessica Cabaldo and Rosemarie Maximino, going to college is no longer a distant dream. The two young Aeta women from Ilagan City are among the pioneer scholars given an opportunity to pursue higher education at the newly established City of Ilagan College (CIC) through the scholarship program of the city government. Their story is about more than simply getting a college education. For Cabaldo and Maximino, the scholarship represents a chance to overcome one of the

August 17, 2026

Lifestyle

THIS ILOCOS SUR TOWN TURNED TRASH INTO RAFTS, BENCHES AND LIVELIHOODS—AND THE REAL SECRET ISN’T TECHNOLOGY

ALILEM, ILOCOS SUR — What if the plastic bottle thrown away today could become a bridge to livelihood tomorrow? In the mountain town of Alilem, Ilocos Sur, residents are proving that waste management does not always require expensive technology. Through community participation, functioning barangay Material Recovery Facilities (MRFs), skills training and local incentives, discarded plastic bottles and old fabrics are being transformed into useful products, community facilities and even an alter

August 17, 2026

Lifestyle

Bohol’s Youth Home Is Giving Children in Conflict With the Law a Second Chance—But What Happens Behind Its Doors?

CORTES, BOHOL — For children who find themselves on the wrong side of the law, a mistake can easily become a label that follows them for life. But in Bohol, the provincial government is taking a different approach. The Bohol Youth Home (BYH) in Cortes was established as a residential care and rehabilitation facility for children in conflict with the law (CICL)—offering structured intervention, education, psychosocial support and family reintegration instead of placing children in ordinary dete

August 17, 2026

Lifestyle

Pangasinan on Blue Alert as Rivers Breach Critical Levels—Then 34 Barangays Were Hit by Flooding

PANGASINAN, Philippines — Pangasinan has intensified its disaster response as persistent rains trigger flooding, rising river levels and road disruptions across several parts of the province, prompting authorities to mobilize rescue equipment and preposition response teams. The Pangasinan Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO) raised the province's alert status from White to Blue at 8 p.m. on August 16, as rainfall and rising waterways increased the risk of further fl

August 17, 2026

Lifestyle

Aeta Scholars Get a Shot at College in Ilagan—But Their Biggest Dream Goes Beyond Graduation

CITY OF ILAGAN, Isabela — For Jessica Cabaldo and Rosemarie Maximino, college was once a dream that could easily have remained out of reach. Today, the two young Aeta scholars are stepping into classrooms at the newly established City of Ilagan College (CIC), carrying not only their personal ambitions but also the hopes of their families and community. Through the scholarship program of the City Government of Ilagan, Cabaldo and Maximino have been given an opportunity to pursue higher educatio

August 17, 2026

Lifestyle

23 PATAY, 5 MILYON APEKTADO: Habagat at Bagyong Luis, Maymay Nag-iwan ng Malawakang Pinsala—Pero Ito ang Mas Nakababahalang Kasunod

MANILA, Philippines — Umabot na sa 23 ang nasawi sa pinagsamang epekto ng Southwest Monsoon o Habagat at mga nagdaang tropical cyclone na Luis at Maymay, ayon sa pinakahuling datos ng Office of Civil Defense (OCD). Sa pinakahuling situational report ng OCD na iniulat noong Agosto 17, 5,084,667 katao o 1,450,747 pamilya na ang naapektuhan ng magkakasunod na pag-ulan, pagbaha at pagguho ng lupa sa iba't ibang bahagi ng bansa. Pinakamalaki ang bilang ng nasawi sa Benguet, kung saan 15 katao ang n

August 17, 2026

Lifestyle

27 Patay sa Hagupit ng Habagat—Pero Dalawa Pa ang Nawawala; Higit 5 Milyon Apektado

MANILA, Philippines — Umakyat na sa 27 ang bilang ng mga nasawi kaugnay ng epekto ng southwest monsoon o Habagat, ayon sa Philippine National Police (PNP) nitong Lunes, Agosto 17. Sa datos na iniulat ng PNP, 26 sa mga nasawi ay sibilyan habang isa ay police personnel. Mayroon ding dalawang katao na patuloy na nawawala at 18 ang nasugatan, batay sa sitwasyon hanggang alas-6 ng umaga noong Agosto 17. Ayon kay PNP spokesperson Police Colonel Allen Rae Co, patuloy ang operasyon ng mga police unit

August 17, 2026

Lifestyle

Bagulin Coffee Farmers Are Finally Reaching Bigger Markets—But the Best Part of Their Story Is Just Brewing

BAGULIN, LA UNION — For years, coffee farmers in the upland communities of Bagulin had to contend with a familiar problem: producing good beans was only half the battle. Getting those beans processed, packaged, valued properly, and into bigger markets was another challenge altogether. That is now beginning to change. Bagulin’s coffee growers are steadily moving beyond simply harvesting coffee cherries and selling raw beans. With government-backed training, improved post-harvest facilities, pro

August 17, 2026

Lifestyle

He Raised 8 Children While Climbing Coconut Trees—Then His Sacrifices Finally Paid Off

For years, Lido Talapi-an knew only one way to keep his family moving forward: work harder, endure more and never give up on his children’s education. In Barangay Agmanic, Santa Fe, Romblon, the father of eight works as a farmer, coconut climber and magtutuba—a coconut sap gatherer. His daily income has had to stretch across food, household expenses and the schooling needs of his large family. There were days when what he earned was barely enough. Yet amid the financial struggles, Lido held o

August 17, 2026

Lifestyle

Camiguin Tightens Waste Rules as Tourism Surges—But What Happens If the Island’s Seas Can’t Keep Up?

CAMIGUIN, Philippines — As more visitors discover Camiguin’s beaches, marine attractions and natural wonders, one municipality is tightening its fight against the waste problem that could threaten the very environment driving its tourism economy. The municipal government of Mahinog, Camiguin is strengthening waste segregation, recycling and recovery measures across its 13 barangays and commercial establishments, with officials warning that poorly managed garbage can pollute waterways, clog drai

August 17, 2026