Philippines

Panay-Guimaras-Negros Bridge Hits ₱331.59 Billion — But the Biggest Cost Threat May Still Be Ahead

ILOILO CITY, Philippines — The Philippines’ ambitious plan to permanently connect Panay, Guimaras and Negros by road has reached a crucial milestone — but the race to build the massive bridge network may now be as much about controlling its cost as completing the engineering. The estimated price of the Panay-Guimaras-Negros (PGN) Island Bridges Project has climbed to ₱331.59 billion, and regional economic officials are warning that additional delays could push expenses even higher as inflation,

September 3, 2026

Business

40th Negros Trade Fair Brings 178 Brands to Metro Manila as ‘Bútlak’ Celebrates Four Decades of Negrense Resilience

MANILA, Philippines — Four decades after it began as a small gathering of local producers during one of Negros’ most difficult economic periods, the Negros Trade Fair is returning to Metro Manila for its biggest milestone yet. The 40th edition, themed “Bútlak,” will run from September 22 to 27, 2026, at the SMX Convention Center in SM Aura, Taguig, bringing together 178 brands representing food, fashion, furniture, crafts, art, home products, tourism, and other creative industries from the Negr

September 3, 2026

Philippines

OCTA Survey Delivers a Warning to the Senate as House Ratings Move the Other Way—Here’s What Changed

MANILA, Philippines — Public sentiment toward the country’s two chambers of Congress moved in opposite directions in the second quarter of 2026, with the Senate suffering declines in both trust and satisfaction while the House of Representatives posted modest gains, according to the latest OCTA Research Tugon ng Masa survey. OCTA Research reported that trust in the Senate dropped from 44% in the first quarter to 41% in the second quarter, while the proportion of Filipinos who expressed distrust

September 3, 2026

Philippines

Cayetano-Lacson Taguig War Escalates Over ₱3.7-B Projects—But the Bigger Question Is Still Unanswered

MANILA, Philippines — The political battle between Senators Alan Peter Cayetano and Panfilo “Ping” Lacson has intensified as the two lawmakers trade accusations over questioned infrastructure and reclamation projects in Taguig City, with billions of pesos in government spending now under scrutiny. Cayetano, the Senate Minority Leader and a longtime political figure in Taguig, accused Lacson of conducting what he described as a “demolition job,” “trial by publicity,” and “witch hunt” against him

September 3, 2026

Entertainment

‘Heathers the Musical’ Is Coming to Manila — And a Filipina Star Is Leading the Cast

MANILA — Get Ready for Westerberg High Manila theater fans are getting a major new production in 2027 as the internationally acclaimed “Heathers the Musical” officially heads to the Philippines for the first time. The stage musical will run from January 21 to February 7, 2027, at The Theatre at Solaire in Parañaque City, presented by GMG Productions in association with Bill Kenwright Ltd. and Paul Taylor-Mills. But one detail is already generating plenty of excitement among Filipino theater f

September 3, 2026

Business

RLC’s 4-Tower MIRA Condo Rises in Quezon City—But the 2031 Target Is What Homebuyers Need to Know

QUEZON CITY, Philippines — A major residential development is steadily taking shape in one of Quezon City’s most strategically connected areas, as Robinsons Land Corp.’s residential arm, RLC Residences, pushes ahead with construction of its four-tower MIRA condominium project in Barangay San Roque. Located along Mirasol Street near Cubao, MIRA is being positioned as a family-oriented residential community designed around accessibility, flexible living spaces and amenities for different stages o

September 3, 2026

Philippines

DepEd Launches Nationwide School Safety Drill in Bulacan—What Students Were Told to Do When the Alarm Sounds

SAN RAFAEL, BULACAN — The Department of Education (DepEd) is putting school emergency preparedness to the test as schools nationwide participate in a simultaneous safety drill today, September 3, with the national kickoff taking place at Carlos F. Gonzales High School in San Rafael, Bulacan. The nationwide exercise comes amid renewed concerns over school safety following recent fatal shooting incidents involving students. Authorities say the objective is not to frighten learners but to build th

September 3, 2026

Business

Ayala Land’s AREIT Makes a Major Leadership Move—And This Deal Veteran Is Now at the Center of Its ₱179-Billion Expansion

MANILA, Philippines — Ayala Land-backed AREIT Inc. is strengthening its leadership team as the country’s largest listed property trust moves toward another major expansion, appointing veteran capital-markets executive Eduardo Javier P. Carballo as its new chief operating officer. Carballo, 53, brings more than 25 years of experience in debt capital markets, treasury strategy and large-scale financing across Asia-Pacific, the United States, Europe and emerging markets. According to AREIT's Phili

September 3, 2026

Business

Singapore Is Auctioning Luxury Homes Linked to the S$3 Billion Money-Laundering Case — One Penthouse Alone Is Guided at S$25.3 Million

SINGAPORE — Luxury homes in some of Singapore’s most sought-after neighbourhoods, along with a Grade A office unit at Suntec Tower One, are heading to auction as authorities begin the next major phase of liquidating assets forfeited in the country’s S$3 billion money-laundering case. A total of 14 more luxury condominium units and one office unit have been listed for auction this month, according to checks by CNA on Thursday, September 3. The properties include units at South Beach Residences,

September 3, 2026

Business

Robina Gokongwei-Pe Backed UP When Almost Nobody Believed—Then the Fighting Maroons Changed Everything

For years, the University of the Philippines Fighting Maroons were better known for heartbreaking losses than championship celebrations. But when business leader and UP alumna Robina Gokongwei-Pe first threw her support behind the men's basketball program in 2010, she saw something that went beyond the scoreboard. She saw potential. And she decided to stay—even when the wins were almost impossible to find. Gokongwei-Pe's story of standing behind the Fighting Maroons has resurfaced through In

September 3, 2026