Philippines

AUGUST 25 ALERT: DepEd to Lead Nationwide School Safety Drill—What Students and Teachers Need to Know

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Education (DepEd) will lead a nationwide school safety drill on August 25 as the government moves to strengthen preparedness and security in schools following recent incidents of violence, including a shooting inside a school in Zamboanga. The nationwide exercise was confirmed during a Malacañang press briefing on August 19, with Palace Press Officer and PCO Undersecretary Claire Castro saying the drill is intended to help schools become more prepared for

August 20, 2026

Philippines

Karen Bordador Looks Back 10 Years After Her Arrest: ‘That Season Didn’t Define Me’—What Happened Behind Bars Changed Everything

MANILA, Philippines — Ten years after the arrest that dramatically changed the course of her life, Karen Bordador is looking back at her nearly five years in detention not as the chapter that defined her, but as an experience that reshaped her perspective, faith and sense of purpose. Bordador marked the 10th anniversary of her August 13, 2016 arrest with a deeply personal reflection about the years she spent behind bars and the lessons she said emerged from one of the most difficult periods of

August 19, 2026

Philippines

Remulla Raises Roblox Link to Zamboanga School Shooting—But What Investigators Find on the Student’s Gadgets Could Change Everything

Interior and Local Government Secretary Jonvic Remulla has raised a possible link between Roblox and the radicalization of the student accused of carrying out the deadly shooting at Ateneo de Zamboanga University, but authorities stressed that the connection has not yet been established with certainty. Speaking at a press briefing in Camp Crame on Wednesday, August 19, Remulla said investigators still need to conduct a forensic examination of the student's electronic devices to determine what o

August 19, 2026

Philippines

DSWD Sounds the Alarm for Disaster Readiness—Here’s How Filipinos Can Help Pack Relief Before the Next Emergency

MANILA, Philippines — As heavy rains and weather disturbances continue to test disaster-response systems across the country, the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) is calling on Filipinos to volunteer at its Luzon Disaster Resource Center (LDRC) in Pasay City and help prepare emergency food supplies for families who may be affected by calamities. The volunteer drive, organized through the DSWD’s National Resource and Logistics Management Bureau (NRLMB), runs from August 18 to 2

August 19, 2026

Philippines

₱1,500 Fine for ‘Tsismis’? This South Cotabato Barangay Just Took Gossip to a Whole New Level

What happens when ordinary neighborhood “tsismis” crosses the line and starts causing real conflict? One barangay in South Cotabato has decided to draw that line—with an ordinance that could make proven malicious gossip cost residents money and, in some cases, require them to publicly apologize online. Barangay Landan in Polomolok, South Cotabato has implemented Barangay Ordinance No. 8, Series of 2026, a measure aimed at curbing malicious rumors, false stories and unfounded claims that offici

August 19, 2026

Philippines

“Please DO NOT BE RUDE”: Mang Inasal’s Viral Sign Sparks Heated Debate Among Filipinos—But What Happened Behind the Counter?

A simple reminder posted at a Mang Inasal branch has sparked a much bigger conversation online: How should customers treat the people serving them? The advisory, photographed at an unidentified Mang Inasal branch, urged diners to respect restaurant employees, emphasizing that some workers are teenagers and may be experiencing their first job. “Please respect our employees!” the sign said, followed by a reminder that some of the workers are young and could be someone’s child. It ended with a bl

August 19, 2026

Philippines

Mark Cardona’s “Aqua Training” Joke Sparks Outrage Over Ateneo Tragedy—But What Happened Next?

Former PBA player Mark “MacMac” Cardona has drawn widespread criticism after making an “aqua training” joke while filming himself in floodwaters in Quezon City—a remark that came amid continued public attention surrounding the deaths of two Ateneo student-athletes in a June drowning tragedy. Cardona posted a video on Monday, August 17, showing himself wading through floodwaters along Gregorio Araneta Avenue during heavy rains brought by the southwest monsoon, or habagat. In the post, he tagged

August 19, 2026

Entertainment

BINI Faced Jet Lag, Heat and an Onstage Stumble at Summer Sonic—But What Happened Next Shocked Fans

BINI’s Summer Sonic 2026 run may have looked effortless onstage, but the Nation’s Girl Group revealed that getting through the prestigious Japanese festival came with jet lag, language hurdles, punishing heat—and even an onstage stumble. For BINI, performing at Japan’s Summer Sonic 2026 was more than another international booking. It was another major milestone in the group’s rapidly expanding global journey. After conquering major international stages earlier this year, the eight-member P-pop

August 19, 2026

Philippines

₱10-M Road Project Breaks Ground in Zamboanga Sibugay—But Farmers Are Waiting for What Comes Next

IMELDA, Zamboanga Sibugay — A nearly ₱10-million government-funded road project is poised to reshape how farmers in Barangay Gandiangan bring their products to markets, as the municipality moves forward with the construction of a new farm-to-market road. Funded through the FY 2026 Local Government Support Fund–Support to Barangay Development Program (LGSF-SBDP), the project carries a total allocation of ₱9.989 million and will cover an 810-meter road in Barangay Gandiangan. The project officia

August 19, 2026

Philippines

‘Time to Leave?’ More Filipinos Are Looking Abroad as Floods, High Prices Test Life in the Philippines

For a growing number of Filipinos, the question of whether to build a future at home or seek opportunities overseas is becoming harder to ignore. Recent flooding, rising household expenses, concerns over public services and limited opportunities have reignited a long-running conversation online: Is it time for more Filipinos to consider moving abroad? The debate intensified on social media after several Filipinos shared posts encouraging younger people to pursue careers overseas, while others

August 19, 2026