Category: Philippines

Entertainment

Ryssi Avila Went Live to Chase Her Dreams—What Happened Next Changed Her Life as a Mom and Performer

MANILA, Philippines — For singer and content creator Ryssi Avila, going live online became more than just another way to connect with fans—it opened a new chapter in her journey as a performer, a breadwinner, and a mother. Known to many Filipinos as the runner-up of “Idol Philippines” Season 2, Ryssi has continued to build her career beyond the traditional stage. Through livestreaming, she found a platform where music, authenticity, and real-time interaction with supporters could come together—

August 29, 2026

Philippines

₱735.56B in the 2027 Budget Flagged as High-Risk — But the Bigger Test Begins When Congress Starts Changing It

MANILA, Philippines — Nearly ₱736 billion in President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s proposed ₱7.2-trillion national budget for 2027 has been placed under heightened scrutiny by a coalition of civil society organizations, which says the allocations could be vulnerable to political intervention, congressional insertions and patronage as the country moves closer to the 2028 elections. But the headline number needs an important qualification: the ₱735.56 billion has not been officially declared anomalous

August 29, 2026

Entertainment

Shuvee Etrata, Sofia Pablo and More Stars Bring Love Stories to TV—But What Tales Will They Tell?

MANILA, Philippines — Some of the Philippines' most talked-about young stars are set to bring stories of romance, heartbreak and hope to a whole new audience. Shuvee Etrata, Ashley Sarmiento, Sofia Pablo, Anthony Constantino, Rave Victoria, and Iñigo Jose are among the celebrities announced as upcoming guest stars on the television adaptation of “Barangay Love Stories,” GMA News reported on Friday, August 29. GMA Public Affairs announced the lineup through social media, confirming that the sta

August 29, 2026

Entertainment

Roblox, Meta Agree to Tougher Child-Safety Rules in PH — But the Biggest Test Starts When the New Controls Go Live

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine government has secured new child-safety commitments from two of the world’s biggest digital platforms, with Roblox and Meta agreeing to tighten protections for young Filipino users amid growing concern over online grooming, abusive content, deepfakes and violent material. But the more important question now is whether those promises can be translated into safeguards that actually work. Philippine officials met executives of Meta and Roblox in Singapore on A

August 29, 2026

Business

Philippine Airfares Expected to Rise in First Half of September as Fuel Surcharge Returns to Level 13

MANILA, Philippines — Travelers planning to fly in the first half of September may need to prepare for higher airfare costs after the Civil Aeronautics Board (CAB) raised the allowable passenger fuel surcharge to Level 13. The higher surcharge will apply for the period September 1 to 15, 2026, replacing the Level 12 surcharge implemented from August 16 to 31, according to the aviation regulator. For domestic flights, airlines may impose a passenger fuel surcharge ranging from ₱423 to ₱1,237, d

August 29, 2026

Philippines

Abra de Ilog Declares Calamity After ₱69-M Habagat Damage — But a ₱232-M Flood Project Raises an Even Bigger Question

ABRA DE ILOG, OCCIDENTAL MINDORO — The northernmost municipality of Occidental Mindoro is facing a massive recovery effort after days of intense southwest monsoon rains left more than ₱69 million in estimated damage, affected tens of thousands of residents and disrupted roads, farms, homes and water systems. The Philippine Information Agency reported that the Abra de Ilog local government declared a state of calamity on August 24, allowing local officials to mobilize emergency resources and tap

August 29, 2026

Entertainment

October Will Be a Pageant Battlefield in Asia—And the Philippines Has Everything to Play For

MANILA, Philippines — October is shaping up to be one of the most exciting months on the international pageant calendar, with Asia once again taking center stage as beauty queens from around the world prepare to compete for some of the industry's most coveted crowns. From India to Japan and beyond, the region is expected to become a global hub for pageantry, bringing together national representatives, reigning queens and millions of passionate fans following every preliminary event, runway appe

August 29, 2026

Entertainment

Gilas Erases 18-Point Deficit, Stuns Jordan 82-81 in OT as Kai Sotto Delivers Game-Saving Block

MANILA, Philippines — Gilas Pilipinas pulled off one of its most dramatic victories of the 2027 FIBA Basketball World Cup Asian Qualifiers, storming back from an 18-point deficit to escape Jordan, 82-81, in overtime on Friday night, August 28, at the SM Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City. The victory was more than another dramatic finish for the national team. It snapped a four-game qualifying losing streak, lifted the Philippines to a 3-4 record in Group E, and kept its increasingly difficult ro

August 29, 2026

Philippines

165 Measles Cases Hit Occidental Mindoro in 2025 — Now Health Officials Are Turning to Tribal Chiefs for What Could Be the Hardest Part

SAN JOSE, Occidental Mindoro — Health authorities in Occidental Mindoro are turning to some of the most trusted voices in Indigenous communities—their tribal chieftains—as the province intensifies efforts to close dangerous vaccination gaps following a measles surge that hit Sablayan particularly hard in 2025. The Provincial Health Office said Indigenous leaders are playing a crucial role in persuading families to have their children immunized against measles and rubella, particularly in commun

August 29, 2026

Philippines

Lacson Flags 4 Taguig Reclamation Titles as Allegedly Fraudulent — But the Bigger 85-Hectare Question Is Still Unanswered

MANILA, Philippines — The controversy surrounding reclamation and flood-control projects along the Taguig side of Laguna Lake has taken another turn after Sen. Panfilo “Ping” Lacson disclosed that four parcels of reclaimed land covering nearly 38.83 hectares are tied to land titles he alleges were fraudulently issued. The disclosure raises a potentially bigger question than the infrastructure projects themselves: How did portions of reclaimed lake area obtain land titles, and who ultimately has

August 29, 2026