Philippines

Pre-Need Firms Now Hold ₱183 Billion—But Why Did Their Profits Suddenly Crash 53%?

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine pre-need industry is growing bigger on paper, but its earnings are telling a very different story. Total assets of pre-need companies climbed to ₱183.301 billion in the first half of 2026, up 8.87% from a year earlier. Yet despite stronger sales, higher premium collections and a growing customer base, the industry's combined net income plunged 52.89% to ₱2.506 billion from ₱5.321 billion in the same period last year. The culprit: weaker investment income am

August 31, 2026

Business

Globe Spends ₱26.3 Billion on 5G and Digital Infrastructure—But What Comes Next for Filipino Internet Users?

MANILA, Philippines — Globe Telecom is accelerating its push to strengthen the Philippines' digital backbone, investing ₱26.3 billion in capital expenditures during the first half of 2026, with the overwhelming majority of the spending directed toward data, 5G and other digital infrastructure. The investment, which was 39% higher than the amount spent during the same period last year, underscores the intensifying race among telecommunications companies to meet Filipinos' growing appetite for fa

August 31, 2026

Entertainment

Ivana Alawi Breaks Her Silence After Viral Flood Relief Video Sparks Backlash—Here’s What Really Happened

MANILA, Philippines — Actress and content creator Ivana Alawi has broken her silence after a video showing her distributing relief goods while wading through floodwaters sparked mixed reactions online. The viral footage showed Ivana and her team handing out relief packs to residents lined up near a truck in a flooded area. While many praised her for personally reaching out to families affected by the flooding, others questioned why the relief operation was being conducted in a waterlogged locat

August 31, 2026

Philippines

They Walked Into the Flood When Others Needed Saving—Why Filipinos Are Being Hailed as Today’s Heroes

MANILA, Philippines — They may not wear capes or have monuments built in their honor. But as floodwaters rose and communities faced danger in recent weeks, countless Filipinos stepped forward—rescuing strangers, transporting the sick, delivering aid and refusing to leave others behind. This National Heroes’ Day, lawmakers paid tribute not only to the heroes immortalized in Philippine history, but also to the ordinary Filipinos who continue to show extraordinary courage when disaster strikes. S

August 31, 2026

Philippines

Marcos Tells Filipinos: Don’t Just Remember Our Heroes—Become the Citizens the Philippines Needs

MANILA, Philippines — On National Heroes’ Day, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. called on Filipinos to do more than remember the sacrifices of the country's heroes, urging them instead to embody their courage, serve others, and help build the nation future generations will inherit with pride. In his National Heroes’ Day message on Monday, August 31, 2026, Marcos said Filipinos have a continuing responsibility to carry forward the country that generations before them fought and sacrificed to build

August 31, 2026