Philippines

Bukidnon Schools on High Alert After Online Attack Threats—But a New Warning Raises Fresh Fears

VALENCIA CITY, Bukidnon, Philippines — Schools across Valencia City and nearby parts of Bukidnon have tightened security and adjusted learning arrangements after alarming online posts threatened possible violence against students and teachers—sparking widespread concern among parents and forcing authorities to act swiftly. The threats, which spread on social media, allegedly mentioned several educational institutions in Valencia City, including Valencia National High School, San Agustin Institu

August 24, 2026

Entertainment

Shuvee Etrata Finally Made It to the New York She Once Saw From Afar—But an Even Bigger Dream Is Waiting Back Home

MANILA, Philippines — For Shuvee Etrata, New York City was once the kind of place she could only admire from a distance. Now, the Kapuso actress and former Pinoy Big Brother housemate is walking its streets herself—and her latest photos are turning that long-held dream into a very public milestone. Etrata shared snapshots from her New York trip on Instagram, posing around some of the city’s most recognizable urban scenery, including Grand Central Terminal, a subway station and streets filled wi

August 23, 2026

Entertainment

Beauty Gonzalez Can’t Stop Looking at Daughter Olivia’s First Official Photoshoot—But This Isn’t Her First Time in Front of a Professional Camera

MANILA, Philippines — Beauty Gonzalez has spent years commanding cameras herself, but this time, the Kapuso actress happily stepped into the role of proudest fan as her only daughter, Olivia Ines Crisologo, unveiled photos from what Beauty described as the youngster’s first official photoshoot. The images immediately caught attention for Olivia’s simple but striking look: a white tank top, windswept hair and a clean, understated portrait style that put the focus squarely on her face. Beauty’s

August 23, 2026

Philippines

26 OFWs and 4 Dependents Are Finally Home From Dubai — Here’s What Philippine Authorities Are Doing Next

MANILA, Philippines — Thirty Filipinos from Dubai, including 26 overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) and four dependents, have safely returned to the Philippines as the government continues efforts to assist distressed Filipinos overseas. The group arrived at Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal 3 aboard Emirates Flight EK334, according to the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA). OWWA and Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) personnel were at the airport to assist the retur

August 23, 2026

Philippines

Ilocos Norte Is Spending ₱58.5 Million on Nearly 2,500 Young Scholars—But the Bigger Payoff Could Take Years to See

LAOAG CITY, Philippines — Ilocos Norte is making a multimillion-peso bet on its young people, putting ₱58.5 million behind scholarship programs benefiting nearly 2,500 young Ilocanos as the province attempts to build its next generation of doctors, lawyers, agricultural specialists, artists, athletes and community leaders. Governor Cecilia Araneta-Marcos highlighted the program during her recent State of the Province Address, describing education and youth development as part of a broader strat

August 23, 2026

Lifestyle

PH Social Media Ban for Kids Is Getting Closer — But the Rules Could Be Much Stricter Than Expected

MANILA, Philippines — A sweeping new push to restrict children's access to social media and online gaming is gaining momentum in Congress, with lawmakers considering a total ban for children aged 13 and below and tighter regulation for teenagers aged 14 to 17. The proposal comes amid renewed national concern over children's exposure to harmful online content following a deadly school shooting in Zamboanga City, where authorities said the student involved had livestreamed the attack. But despit

August 23, 2026

Philippines

From Forests to Mangroves, Ilocos Norte Is Building Nature’s Shield—Here’s What Happens When the Next Climate Shock Hits

LAOAG CITY, Ilocos Norte — Ilocos Norte is taking a different approach to climate resilience: instead of treating floods, droughts, erosion and coastal hazards as separate problems, the province is linking its forests, watersheds, rivers and coastal ecosystems into one interconnected defense system. The strategy is being incorporated into the province’s proposed Local Climate Change Action Plan (LCCAP) for 2027–2032, which aims to integrate climate adaptation and mitigation into development pla

August 23, 2026

Philippines

Free Government Services Reach Piñan Residents—Here’s What Families Could Get From the Kuyog Ta! Caravan

PIÑAN, Zamboanga del Norte — Residents of Piñan no longer had to travel far to access a range of government services as the provincial government brought its Kuyog Ta! Medical and Serbisyo Caravan to Barangay Poblacion North. The initiative, conducted with the support of GC Services on Wheels, brought multiple government agencies together to provide free assistance covering healthcare, civil registration, identification, agriculture, veterinary services, social welfare and other community needs

August 23, 2026

Philippines

No Regular Classes at Ateneo de Zamboanga Through Aug. 28 — The Bigger Questions Are Just Beginning

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines — Ateneo de Zamboanga University (AdZU) has extended the suspension of regular academic classes following the fatal shooting at its Junior High School campus on August 18, as the university continues to support affected students and personnel while authorities investigate the tragedy. Under the latest academic arrangements announced by the university, regular classes for grade school and junior high school students will remain suspended from August 24 to 28, 2026. Hi

August 23, 2026

Business

The Philippines Is Buying More Thai Rice—But the Real Reason Bangkok Is Chasing Manila’s Orders Goes Far Beyond Prices

MANILA/BANGKOK — The Philippines is becoming an increasingly important market for Thai rice as concerns over food security, El Niño and tightening regional supplies push Manila to keep its import channels open — even as Vietnam remains its dominant supplier. Thailand has been actively courting Philippine buyers in 2026 as Bangkok tries to revive rice exports after a difficult first half marked by intense price competition from India and other producers. Thai rice exports reached 3.28 million m

August 23, 2026