Philippines

Thousands of Filipinos Are Getting National IDs and GCash Accounts in One Stop — But the Bigger Change Comes After Verification

More Filipinos are getting the chance to secure a National ID and enter the country’s rapidly expanding digital financial system without having to travel far from home, as the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) and GCash deepen their push into barangays and underserved communities. Through PSA co-location activities and GCash Barangay Outposts, more than 2,000 Filipinos in over 25 barangays nationwide have so far been assisted in obtaining National IDs and opening verified GCash accounts, ac

August 28, 2026

Philippines

QC Motorists, Beware: Major Road Repairs Begin Tonight—Here Are the Routes That Could See Heavy Traffic

MANILA, Philippines — Motorists traveling through Quezon City this weekend are being urged to plan ahead as the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) begins a series of road repairs and reblocking works on several major thoroughfares starting Friday night, August 28. The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) warned that the construction activities could cause traffic congestion in affected areas and advised drivers to consider alternative routes. According to the MMDA, most

August 28, 2026

Philippines

85 Cases, 6 Deaths: The Hidden Danger Rising in Ilocos Floodwaters

SAN ILDEFONSO, Ilocos Sur, Philippines — Floodwaters may disappear when the rains stop, but health officials are warning that another danger could remain behind. The Ilocos Region has recorded 85 cases of leptospirosis and six deaths from January 1 to August 8, as persistent rains and flooding continue to expose communities to potentially contaminated water, according to regional health surveillance data. The Department of Health (DOH) has urged residents to avoid unnecessary contact with floo

August 28, 2026

Entertainment

Claudine Barretto Calls Mon Tulfo’s Son “Bro” 14 Years After Their Infamous NAIA Brawl — But One Big Question Remains

MANILA, Philippines — More than 14 years after one of Philippine showbiz’s most explosive airport controversies, Claudine Barretto has unexpectedly brought the Tulfo name back into the conversation—this time with affection rather than confrontation. The actress exchanged warm messages with Ramon “Bon” Tulfo III, son of veteran broadcaster Ramon “Mon” Tulfo, publicly describing their friendship as deep and referring to Bon as her “bro” and “kapatid.” But there is one important question the soci

August 28, 2026

Business

Philippine Airfares Are Going Up Again in September — But the Biggest Increase Could Hit International Travelers Hardest

MANILA, Philippines — Travelers booking flights in the Philippines face another increase in ticket costs in early September after the Civil Aeronautics Board (CAB) raised the allowable fuel surcharge by one level, reflecting renewed pressure from expensive jet fuel and volatile global energy markets. CAB’s official advisory dated August 27 sets the passenger and cargo fuel surcharge at Level 13 from September 1 to 15, 2026, up from Level 12 during the second half of August. The regulator has be

August 28, 2026

Philippines

Zambales Floods Shut Down Part of National Highway—And More Heavy Rain Is Still Coming

CABANGAN, Zambales, Philippines — Rising floodwaters cut off a section of the National Highway in Cabangan, Zambales, on Friday, August 28, forcing authorities to declare the affected road impassable to all vehicles as the province braces for more days of heavy rain. The Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (MDRRMO) said the affected stretch in Barangay Mabanglit was initially closed to light vehicles at around 9:30 a.m. But as floodwaters continued to rise, authorities decla

August 28, 2026

Business

Ayala Is Building an AI Tax Assistant for the BIR — But It Won’t Be Making the Final Decisions

MANILA, Philippines — The Bureau of Internal Revenue is bringing artificial intelligence deeper into Philippine tax administration, teaming up with Ayala Corporation to develop an AI-powered assistant designed to help revenue officers navigate the country's increasingly complex body of tax rules faster and more consistently. The system, called “Terry the Tax AI Assistant,” is being developed to help BIR personnel retrieve, cross-reference and analyze tax regulations, revenue rulings, issuances

August 28, 2026

Philippines

Alex Eala Lost the Match—But What Happened Next With Her Dad Stole the US Open Spotlight

NEW YORK — Alex Eala may have fallen short against close friend Iva Jovic in their US Open exhibition match, but the final score quickly became secondary after the two rising tennis stars delivered one of the most heartwarming moments of Fan Week. Eala and Jovic surprised fans at Arthur Ashe Stadium when they invited their fathers onto the court for a playful doubles exchange during the Stars of the Open exhibition, turning a matchup between two of women's tennis' brightest young stars into an

August 28, 2026

Philippines

Two Young Siblings Die in Oriental Mindoro House Fire—What Rescuers Found Beside Them Broke Hearts

NAUJAN, Oriental Mindoro — A devastating house fire in Naujan, Oriental Mindoro claimed the lives of two young siblings and injured their grandmother late Thursday night, leaving a family and an entire community in mourning. The victims, aged 7 and 11, were killed after a fire engulfed their home in Barangay Barcenaga at around 10:30 p.m. on August 27, according to initial information from authorities. Their grandmother survived the blaze after jumping from a window to escape, while four of th

August 28, 2026

Philippines

Transparent Bags in Schools? More Cebu Mayors Back the Move After Recent Campus Violence

CEBU CITY, Philippines — Transparent school bags could soon become a more common sight in Cebu classrooms as local leaders consider tougher security measures following recent incidents of violence involving students across the Philippines. Several Cebu local governments are now backing or studying the use of see-through bags to make school entry inspections easier, but officials are also stressing that transparent bags alone cannot solve the deeper problem of campus violence. In Cebu City, May

August 28, 2026