# Philippines Today


## Posts

- [How Filipino food is finding its place in global English](https://phltoday.net/how-filipino-food-is-finding-its-place-in-global-english/): April in the Philippines is not only the peak of summer—it is also Filipino Food Month, a nationwide tribute to the country’s culinary heritage that this year carries a distinctly regional flavor. With the 2026 theme “Connected by Taste: The Filipino Food in the Flavors of ASEAN,” the celebration underscores how Filipino cuisine—long shaped by trade, migration, and colonial encounters—is now asserting itself not just on dining tables, but in the language of the world itself. That shift is most visible in the latest update of the Oxford English Dictionary (OED), where Filipino food terms have secured a place alongside […]
- [Asia’s $78-B AI and quantum inflection point draws global tech leaders to Singapore](https://phltoday.net/asias-78-b-ai-and-quantum-inflection-point-draws-global-tech-leaders-to-singapore/): Second edition of GITEX AI ASIA convenes global tech enterprises, governments, influential investors, and startups from over 110 countries at Marina Bay Sands, from April 9 to 10, 2026 Technological tides shaping the next era of artificial intelligence and quantum computing are increasingly gathering force in Asia. Singapore, Malaysia, and Indonesia are home to the world’s largest data center clusters, projected to account for 40% of global data capacity by 2030—forming one of the most formidable backbones for next-generation AI infrastructures anywhere in the world. At the same time, artificial intelligence investment across Asia-Pacific is moving at extraordinary velocity. Regional […]
- [A church meant for Manila found its home in Naga](https://phltoday.net/a-church-meant-for-manila-found-its-home-in-naga/): A vow destined for Manila took root in Naga, where the Church of Nuestra Señora de Peña de Francia—known as the Our Lady of Peñafrancia Parish Church—now stands. What was planned to rise along the Pasig River instead shaped a different city, anchoring a devotion that began in the early 18th century. While much of the Philippines marks Lent through re-enactments of suffering and sacrifice, Naga’s central devotion traces a quieter origin—one grounded in gratitude, healing, and a pledge redirected by circumstance. Long before the large September observances, the story of Inâ began as a personal act of thanksgiving. The […]
- [Philippines, Holy See to mark 75th year of diplomatic ties](https://phltoday.net/philippines-holy-see-to-mark-75th-year-of-diplomatic-ties/): Bilateral relations between the Holy See and the Philippines will reach their 75th anniversary on April 8, a milestone that underscores one of Asia’s longest-standing church-state relationships, shaped by shared history, faith, and social engagement. A commemorative Mass will be held at the Manila Cathedral on the day of the anniversary, the Apostolic Nunciature said, marking nearly seven and a half decades of cooperation between the Vatican and a country home to one of the world’s largest Catholic populations. “The upcoming anniversary highlights renewed cooperation between the Holy See and the Philippine government, especially in promoting human dignity, peace, social […]
- [World Bank rolls out $1 billion program to modernize Philippine agriculture, aid 5 million farmers](https://phltoday.net/world-bank-rolls-out-1-billion-program-to-modernize-philippine-agriculture-aid-5-million-farmers/): The World Bank has approved a $1 billion program aimed at strengthening agricultural productivity, climate resilience, and job creation in the Philippines, with at least five million farmers expected to benefit from the initiative. The funding will support the Philippines Sustainable Agricultural Transformation Project (PSAT), a government-led program designed to modernize farming systems, improve food and nutrition security, and expand economic opportunities across the country’s agrifood sector. The initiative is part of broader efforts to make Philippine agriculture more competitive and better equipped to respond to climate-related risks. “This is a transformative investment in Philippine agriculture,” said Zafer Mustafaoğlu, World […]
- [ClientEarth, NAPOCOR sign pact to boost forest governance, energy transition](https://phltoday.net/clientearth-napocor-sign-pact-to-boost-forest-governance-energy-transition/): Environmental law group ClientEarth and the National Power Corporation (NAPOCOR) signed a memorandum of understanding on March 23 to strengthen environmental governance and support sustainable energy development in watershed reservations across the Philippines. The agreement brings together legal expertise and public sector leadership at a time of heightened global energy uncertainty. During the signing, ClientEarth chief executive Laura Clarke and NAPOCOR president Jericho Jonas Nograles underscored the urgency of coordinated action, citing pressures linked to instability in the Middle East and the need to balance energy security with environmental protection. The three-year memorandum establishes a framework for collaboration that includes […]
- [Digital media fasting: A modern way to observe Lent](https://phltoday.net/digital-media-fasting-a-modern-way-to-observe-lent/): As Maundy Thursday unfolds across the Philippines—when churches fill for the Last Supper Mass and families begin their Visita Iglesia rounds—the call to pause takes on new meaning in an age of constant notifications. This Holy Week, the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) is urging the faithful to observe a different kind of sacrifice: stepping back from the digital noise that now shapes daily life. In a pastoral letter, CBCP president Gilbert Garcera framed “digital media fasting” as a modern extension of a long-standing Lenten discipline. “Excessive media use often leads to distraction, fatigue, loss of focus, weakened […]
- [Tomorrow’s price, paid today: The replacement-cost paradox](https://phltoday.net/tomorrows-price-paid-today-the-replacement-cost-paradox/): Public anger over pump prices is again colliding with the oil industry’s reliance on global pricing norms, with Chevron Philippines president Pongtorn Tangmanuswong defending “replacement cost” as key to keeping fuel flowing. He framed the case with a simple analogy: sell gold bought at $100 when the market is at $150, and demand will surge, inventories will thin, and restocking becomes untenable. “This replacement costing is the standard practice for all commodity products around the world for 100 years,” he told lawmakers, warning that deviating from it risks “imbalance of the supply chain for the whole world,” during the Senate’s […]
- [Why good products can still fail](https://phltoday.net/why-good-products-can-still-fail/): In Southeast Asia’s tech scene, the startup ecosystem is rapidly evolving. Parallel to this growth is companies’ ability to build products at breakneck speed. Today’s tools—artificial intelligence, no-code platforms, and widely available technical talent—mean that teams can move from idea to execution faster than ever before. Speed to market is no longer the primary constraint. But the gap between ease of creation and lack of validation has created a new problem: teams are perfectly executing technical roadmaps for products that have no commercial reason to exist. Everything looks right, but it still doesn’t work. I recently observed a SaaS team […]
- [GITEX AI ASIA 2026 returns to Singapore on April 9-10](https://phltoday.net/gitex-ai-asia-2026-returns-to-singapore-on-april-9-10/): GITEX AI ASIA, Asia’s largest and most global tech, AI, and startup event, will take place on April 9-10, 2026 at Marina Bay Sands in Singapore, bringing together technology leaders, enterprises, startups, investors, and governments to build trust and scale innovation across Asia’s digital economy. Building on the strong momentum of its inaugural edition, GITEX AI ASIA 2026 is expected to welcome 23,000+ tech buyers and decision-makers, 550+ global enterprises and startups, 250+ investors, and participants from 110 countries, positioning Singapore as a central meeting point for global innovation, investment, and enterprise adoption. A multi-industry technology platform GITEX AI ASIA […]
- [Bangladesh still seeking $81-M lost in 2016 cyber heist routed through Manila — envoy](https://phltoday.net/bangladesh-still-seeking-81-m-lost-in-2016-cyber-heist-routed-through-manila-envoy/): A decade after hackers siphoned off US$81 million from Bangladesh’s central bank, Dhaka’s envoy in Manila said the remaining funds laundered through the Philippines could still be recovered, as legal and criminal proceedings continue across multiple jurisdictions. Bangladesh Ambassador to the Philippines Mohammad Sarwar Mahmood struck an upbeat tone on Monday, citing sustained cooperation with Philippine authorities, particularly the Anti-Money Laundering Council, as efforts continue to resolve one of the world’s most notorious cyber heists. “I’m not impatient,” Mahmood said on the sidelines of Bangladesh’s national day reception in Manila. “We really appreciate the required cooperation and assistance.” The February […]
- [MIAS 2026 to proceed with focus on responsible mobility and industry resilience](https://phltoday.net/mias-2026-to-proceed-with-focus-on-responsible-mobility-and-industry-resilience/): In light of current global and local developments, including rising fuel costs and economic uncertainty, the Manila International Auto Show (MIAS) 2026 affirms that the event will proceed as scheduled from April 9 to 12, 2026. As the country navigates a challenging period marked by supply concerns and shifting economic conditions, MIAS recognizes the importance of sensitivity, responsibility, and relevance in how the automotive industry engages with the public. The show has always been more than a celebration of cars—it is a platform that reflects the evolving role of mobility in everyday life. MIAS 2026 will focus on solutions-oriented mobility—highlighting […]
- [Calidad Realty marks fifth year with national expansion, launches elite sales team](https://phltoday.net/calidad-realty-marks-fifth-year-with-national-expansion-launches-elite-sales-team/): Calidad Realty Services Inc. marked its fifth anniversary with a strategy to expand its presence nationwide, positioning itself as a rising brokerage in the Philippines while unveiling a high-performance sales unit to drive its next phase of growth. The celebration, themed “Half a Decade of Client-Centered Excellence: A Toast to the Past, Present, and Future of Calidad Realty,” gathered industry partners, clients, and top agents, underscoring the firm’s evolution from a pandemic-era startup in 2020 into a multi-million peso brokerage with a growing footprint. Founded at the height of COVID-19 disruptions, the company has built its reputation on a performance-driven […]
- [Philippine small-format franchises attract overseas SMEs despite scaling challenges](https://phltoday.net/philippine-small-format-franchises-attract-overseas-smes-despite-scaling-challenges/): Small-format franchising is gaining traction in the Philippines as a low-cost, scalable entry point for both domestic entrepreneurs and overseas small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). Kiosks, mini-stores, and compact retail outlets are proving particularly attractive, supported by a franchising sector that contributes an estimated 7.2% to 7.8% of  gross domestic product (GDP) and supports around two million jobs nationwide, according to government data. The model’s relatively low capital requirements and faster payback periods have made it especially appealing in an environment marked by inflationary pressures and cautious consumer spending. Industry figures show the sector grew by 8% to 10% in […]
- [Philippines urged to speed up RCEP integration or risk falling behind](https://phltoday.net/philippines-urged-to-speed-up-rcep-integration-or-risk-falling-behind/): The Philippines needs to move more decisively to integrate into the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) or risk losing competitiveness as trade and supply chains deepen across East Asia, according to East Asia Business Council (EABC) Philippines chair Jay Yuvallos. Speaking at a forum hosted by the Management Association of the Philippines, Yuvallos said the country’s fragmented policy approach and short-term planning could limit its ability to benefit from the world’s largest trading bloc. RCEP, which took effect in 2022, groups 15 Asia-Pacific economies and accounts for about 30% of global output and roughly 2.3 billion people. The agreement is […]
- [#EarthHour2026: BAN Toxics call for environmental justice amidst war and crisis](https://phltoday.net/earthhour2026-ban-toxics-call-for-environmental-justice-amidst-war-and-crisis/): Marking the 20th year of #EarthHour, environmental group BAN Toxics calls on every Filipino to move beyond the symbolic 60-minute switch-off, embrace energy conservation as a daily commitment, and recognize that conserving energy is more than a symbolic global movement—it is an urgent necessity in the face of a deepening energy crisis and environmental harm. World Meteorological Organization’s State of the Global Climate 2025 report confirms that 2015-2025 are the hottest 11 years on record, with 2025 ranking as the second or third hottest year at about 1.43 °C above the 1850-1900 average. The oceans continue to warm and absorb carbon […]
- [Toyota pushes electrified lineup with RAV4 Hybrid, Urban Cruiser EV showcase in Alabang](https://phltoday.net/toyota-pushes-electrified-lineup-with-rav4-hybrid-urban-cruiser-ev-showcase-in-alabang/): Toyota Motor Philippines is stepping up its push into electrified mobility, opening a five-day public showcase at Alabang Town Center where shoppers can examine its latest hybrid and battery-electric models as the event continues through March 29. Staged at the mall’s Town Plaza in Muntinlupa City, the “Go Beyond Zero” display brings together the all-new RAV4 Hybrid Electric Vehicle, the Urban Cruiser Battery Electric Vehicle, and the bZ4X, positioning them as part of a broader strategy to widen consumer access to lower-emission transport. The activation, which began on March 25, blends product viewing with test drives, charging demonstrations, and on-site […]
- [Earth Hour Philippines marks 20th global switch-off with return of in-person celebration in Pasig City](https://phltoday.net/earth-hour-philippines-marks-20th-global-switch-off-with-return-of-in-person-celebration-in-pasig-city/): The World Wide Fund for Nature – Philippines (WWF-PH) will mark a historic milestone on Saturday, March 28, as the global environmental movement celebrate its 20th Earth Hour switch-off, bringing communities together at Arco de Emperador in ArcoVia, Pasig City for the country’s return to a large-scale in-person Earth Hour celebration. With Pasig City being the host city this year, the event will gather environmental conservation advocates, youth groups, and members of the public for an evening of community activities leading up to the symbolic Earth Hour lights switch-off at 8:30 p.m., joining millions of people around the world in […]
- [‘Bagets: The Musical’ takes final bow after sold-out run at Newport Performing Arts Theater](https://phltoday.net/bagets-the-musical-takes-final-bow-after-sold-out-run-at-newport-performing-arts-theater/): The final curtain fell on Bagets: The Musical on Sunday, March 22, closing a sold-out run that turned a 1980s film into one of Manila’s most talked-about stage productions this year. At the Newport Performing Arts Theater, the last two performances—at 3:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m.——marked the end of a run that began in January and drew capacity audiences. Set in Manila, the musical follows five high school friends—Adie, Topee, Arnel, Tonton, and Gilbert—as they navigate friendship, first love, and family pressures at the threshold of adulthood. The stage adaptation expands the narrative to include their “ermats” (mothers), whose parallel […]
- [A centuries-old cigar craft meets modern luxury at Solaire’s Davidoff Uncut debut](https://phltoday.net/a-centuries-old-cigar-craft-meets-modern-luxury-at-solaires-davidoff-uncut-debut/): Long before cigars became fixtures of private lounges and curated menus, they were part of daily life in Central America, where tobacco leaves were rolled and smoked well before the arrival of Europeans. When Spanish explorers encountered the practice in the late 15th century, they carried it across the Atlantic, setting in motion a trade that would eventually anchor itself in Cuba and shape a global industry built on craft, geography, and time. That lineage framed the launch of the Solaire Uncut Robusto Colección on March 12 at BRB in Solaire Resort Entertainment City, where Manila joins eight locations worldwide […]
- [Adidas brings back the Trefoil with 2026 World Cup away kits](https://phltoday.net/adidas-brings-back-the-trefoil-with-2026-world-cup-away-kits/): Adidas has unveiled its away kits for 25 partner nations ahead of the FIFA World Cup 2026, including 13 teams already qualified for the tournament. The collection leans into heritage, pulling from classic World Cup designs with geometric patterns and vertical striping, updated with a cleaner, modern edge. For the first time in 36 years, the Trefoil logo returns to the global stage, placed on the right chest of every jersey. Long associated with Adidas Originals and street culture, its comeback signals a blend of football performance and lifestyle identity. Every national team jersey reflects its country’s identity through subtle […]
- [Philippine cinema steps onto global stage at FILMART 2026](https://phltoday.net/philippine-cinema-steps-onto-global-stage-at-filmart-2026/): The Film Development Council of the Philippines (FDCP) is leading a Philippine delegation to the Hong Kong International Film and TV Market (FILMART) from March 17 to 20, positioning local films and producers for wider international reach. Widely regarded as one of Asia’s leading markets for film, television, and digital entertainment, FILMART has become “a key gateway for advancing Philippine content in the global marketplace,” according to FDCP chairman and CEO Jose Javier Reyes. At the Philippine Pavilion (booth 1D-D11), 12 production companies are presenting their work and seeking distribution and co-production deals. These include ABS-CBN Corporation, Epicmedia Productions Inc., […]
- [Philippines secures $800-M World Bank loan to boost growth, jobs](https://phltoday.net/philippines-secures-800-m-world-bank-loan-to-boost-growth-jobs/): The Philippines secured an $800 million World Bank loan to reinforce fiscal buffers, sharpen its appeal to private investors, and tackle persistent skills gaps, as officials move to sustain growth amid rising global uncertainty and domestic pressures. Approved by the World Bank’s board of executive directors, the Development Policy Loan backs a reform package focused on strengthening revenue generation, improving public spending efficiency, and accelerating structural changes to support investment and job creation, according to the World Bank. Details of the program are outlined in the Philippines Growth and Jobs Development Policy Loan (P507528), which frames the financing as policy-based […]
- [Youth leaders gathered in Manila to advocate for Plastic-Free Solutions in ASEAN](https://phltoday.net/youth-leaders-gathered-in-manila-to-advocate-for-plastic-free-solutions-in-asean/): Youth leaders from across Southeast Asia and Japan gathered in Manila for the ASEAN Youth Environmental Diplomacy Summit (AYEDS) 2026, which aims to highlight the crucial role of young leaders in advancing solutions to plastic pollution and driving environmental action under the theme “Championing Plastic-Free Action in the Philippines.” Held on March 7 at De La Salle – College of Saint Benilde, the summit brought together environmental advocates, youth leaders, and key stakeholders to share ideas, propose initiatives, and collaborate on addressing plastic waste in their communities. Speakers at the event emphasized the role of youth in advancing this advocacy […]
- [Gold, dollar rising together: A strange market signal—and what it means for Philippines](https://phltoday.net/gold-dollar-rising-together-a-strange-market-signal-and-what-it-means-for-philippines/): The relationship between gold and the U.S. dollar is supposed to be simple. When one rises, the other falls. A stronger dollar usually pushes gold lower; a weaker dollar tends to lift it. The logic is mechanical. Gold is priced globally in dollars, so a rising greenback makes bullion more expensive for foreign buyers. Investors also treat the two as competing safe havens: confidence in the economic system pushes capital into dollars and yield-bearing assets, while fear drives money into gold, which offers no yield but promises permanence. That is why the current moment is unsettling. Gold and the U.S. […]
- [Philippine bakery-cafe Mary Grace opens first international outlet in Singapore](https://phltoday.net/philippine-bakery-cafe-mary-grace-opens-first-international-outlet-in-singapore/): Beloved Filipino bakery-café Mary Grace has made its overseas debut in Singapore, bringing its famed ensaymadas, nostalgic cakes, and home-style Filipino dishes to Tras Street. The long-awaited opening on Friday, March 13, marked the brand’s first expansion outside the Philippines, where it operates more than 140 outlets and enjoys near-cult status among diners. For many Singapore-based Filipinos, the name already carries a sense of familiarity. The café’s signature pastries—particularly its soft ensaymadas and cheese rolls—have developed a loyal following through word of mouth and travelers returning from Manila with boxes in tow. Now, those bakes are available fresh from the […]
- [Leandro Leviste buys historic German house where Jose Rizal completed ‘Noli Me Tangere’](https://phltoday.net/leandro-leviste-buys-historic-german-house-where-jose-rizal-completed-noli-me-tangere/): A house in a quiet German village where José Rizal once lived while studying ophthalmology has been purchased by Batangas 1st District Rep. Leandro Leviste, who plans to preserve the property and convert it into a museum dedicated to the Philippine national hero. The property stands in Wilhelmsfeld, a small town near Heidelberg in southwestern Germany. Rizal stayed there in 1886 while pursuing advanced training at the University of Heidelberg. During that period, he completed the final chapters of his novel Noli Me Tangere, which exposed abuses under Spanish colonial rule and later became one of the most influential works […]
- [Sea turtle conservation project in Batangas reaches eighth year](https://phltoday.net/sea-turtle-conservation-project-in-batangas-reaches-eighth-year/): Along the shoreline of Seafront Residences in San Juan, Batangas, volunteers gather as dozens of newly hatched Olive Ridley sea turtles emerge from the sand and begin their slow crawl toward the water. The release is part of an ongoing conservation effort that has taken place along the beach for eight years, where residents, scientists, and local volunteers work together to protect nesting sea turtles. Aboitiz Land recently marked the eighth year of its Pawikan Conservation Project at Seafront Residences, a coastal community where natural turtle nesting activity along the beach prompted a partnership between scientists, residents, and volunteers to […]
- [Young Filipino aces eye Asian stage as Pickle Fest returns to Cebu](https://phltoday.net/young-filipino-aces-eye-asian-stage-as-pickle-fest-returns-to-cebu/): Cebu returns to the national pickleball spotlight as rising Filipino talents chase a pathway to the Asian stage in Pickle Fest 2026. The five-day festival, which began on March 11 at Net and Paddle Cebu City, is headlined by the PCL Rising Stars U19 Sectional Tournament. Fresh from a successful staging in Davao City, the latest leg is organized by Sunrise Events Inc. and backed by Kosmas Athletic Ventures Corporation (KAVC), along with Milo, Summit Natural Drinking Water, and Pocari Sweat. The Cebu stop carries historical weight for the sport in the Philippines: pickleball was first introduced locally through a […]
- [Discovering Camiguin: An island forged by fire and sea](https://phltoday.net/discovering-camiguin-an-island-forged-by-fire-and-sea/): Between the restless waters of the Bohol Sea and a ring of brooding volcanoes lies a small island that feels almost mythic. Camiguin rises from the horizon in layers of jungle, coconut groves, and dark volcanic ridges—an island shaped as much by fire as by the sea. Locals call it the “Island Born of Fire,” a place where mountains, waterfalls, and coral gardens exist within a landscape molded by ancient eruptions. In early 2026, the world took wider notice when The New York Times included Camiguin in its annual list of the “52 Places to Go,” the only Philippine destination […]
- [Meet the ‘Ipis Lord’: The Filipino scientist defending cockroaches](https://phltoday.net/meet-the-ipis-lord-the-filipino-scientist-defending-cockroaches/): Inside a quiet laboratory at the University of the Philippines – Los Baños (UPLB), entomologist Cristian Lucanas studies an insect most people would rather crush than examine. The 31-year-old researcher has built an unusual reputation around the creature, earning the nickname “Ipis Lord”, after the Filipino word for cockroach. Lucanas is the Philippines’ only scientist known to specialize in cockroach taxonomy and has discovered 15 species so far. His fascination with the insect is unusual in a country where cockroaches are more often associated with filth than science. “I also hated cockroaches when I was a child,” he told AFP […]
- [Florida businessman Lee Lipton confirmed as next U.S. ambassador to the Philippines](https://phltoday.net/florida-businessman-lee-lipton-confirmed-as-next-u-s-ambassador-to-the-philippines/): Washington has approved a new envoy to Manila as the United States seeks to reinforce ties with one of its oldest allies in Asia. The Senate confirmed Florida businessman Lee Lipton as the next U.S. ambassador to the Philippines, replacing career diplomat MaryKay Carlson. Lipton, a longtime ally of U.S. President Donald Trump, brings decades of private-sector experience to the diplomatic post. He was nominated in October 2025 to replace Carlson, whose three-year posting began in July 2022 and concluded last year, and was confirmed by the Senate this month. The U.S. State Department earlier indicated the appointment would take […]
- [DENR official urges youth to lead push for plastic-free Philippines at ASEAN environmental summit](https://phltoday.net/denr-official-urges-youth-to-lead-push-for-plastic-free-philippines-at-asean-environmental-summit/): Plastic pollution threatens the Philippines’ coastal communities, ecosystems, and climate resilience, making action urgent across sectors, a Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) official said on Saturday. Addressing young leaders in Manila, she urged the region’s youth to help drive solutions and strengthen the country’s push for a plastic-free future. Maria Cristina Francisco, chief of the environmental education and information division of the DENR’s Environmental Management Bureau, delivered keynote remarks at the 2026 ASEAN Youth Environmental Diplomacy Summit at De La Salle – College of Saint Benilde. “Our theme, ‘Championing Plastic Free Action in the Philippines,’ is not just […]
- [Adidas introduces a new era of lightweight running performance](https://phltoday.net/adidas-introduces-a-new-era-of-lightweight-running-performance/): Global sportswear brand Adidas has unveiled the Hyperboost Edge, a lightweight running shoe positioned to signal the next chapter of road running. Fusing performance engineering with modern design, the model brings together three new technologies—the Hyperboost PRO midsole, PRIMEWEAVE upper, and LIGHTTRAXION outsole—working in sync to balance comfort, responsiveness, and speed with every stride. The introduction was announced on Thursday, March 5. Positioned as Adidas’ first lightweight entry in the supertrainer category without a plate or rigid reinforcement, the Hyperboost Edge takes a different approach to propulsion. By removing stiffening elements entirely, the shoe allows its midsole foam to move […]
- [San Miguel opens museum at historic Polo Brewery to mark 135 years of brewing history](https://phltoday.net/san-miguel-opens-museum-at-historic-polo-brewery-to-mark-135-years-of-brewing-history/): San Miguel Corporation (SMC) has opened a museum inside its oldest operating brewery in Valenzuela City, showcasing artifacts from more than 135 years of brewing history dating back to the company’s founding in Manila in 1890. Housed in the original Polo Brewery building, the museum displays early brewing equipment, vintage labels and advertisements, workers’ tools, and historical documents tracing San Miguel’s evolution from a Manila brewery into one of the Philippines’ largest conglomerates. Among the centerpiece displays are pieces once essential to the brewing process: a mash filter used to separate liquid wort from grain before fermentation, a washing machine […]
- [Hong Kong seeks closer economic, cultural ties with Philippines](https://phltoday.net/hong-kong-seeks-closer-economic-cultural-ties-with-philippines/): Hong Kong is seeking closer economic and cultural engagement with the Philippines as both economies navigate a rapidly changing global landscape. At a Chinese New Year gathering in Taguig City, a Hong Kong official highlighted expanding trade, tourism, and education links that continue to bind the two economies. Speaking at the Chinese New Year dinner co-hosted by the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office (HKETO) in Singapore and the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) at the Grand Hyatt Manila on February 27, HKETO Singapore director Elsa Hung underscored the Philippines’ growing role in Hong Kong’s regional outlook. “As we […]
- [Marcial Kasilag and the birth of civil engineering in the Philippines](https://phltoday.net/marcial-kasilag-and-the-birth-of-civil-engineering-in-the-philippines/): On March 4, engineers around the world mark World Engineering Day for Sustainable Development, an international observance led by UNESCO that recognizes the role of engineering in shaping modern societies—from transportation networks and water systems to resilient infrastructure and sustainable cities. While the day highlights global achievements in engineering, the Philippines traces the roots of its own profession to a single name recorded at the very top of the national registry: Engr. Marcial Kasilag, the country’s first officially registered civil engineer. Born in 1881 in Rosario, Batangas, Kasilag grew up during a period of political and institutional transition in the […]
- [South Korean president reunites with Filipino factory worker he helped 34 years ago](https://phltoday.net/south-korean-president-reunites-with-filipino-factory-worker-he-helped-34-years-ago/): More than three decades before he would become president of South Korea, Lee Jae-myung was a young human rights lawyer representing some of the most vulnerable workers in the country’s industrial zones—many of them migrants from across Asia seeking opportunity far from home. One of those cases, dating back to 1992, resurfaced during Lee’s recent state visit to the Philippines. While in Manila, Lee reunited with Ariel Gallak, a Filipino worker whose life intersected with his decades earlier after a devastating accident inside a Korean factory. Gallak had been working long hours when the incident cost him an arm—an injury […]
- [WORLDBEX 2026 opens March 12 with focus on sustainable development](https://phltoday.net/worldbex-2026-opens-march-12-with-focus-on-sustainable-development/): The Philippine World Building and Construction Exposition (WORLDBEX) returns in 2026, bringing together industry leaders, innovators, and stakeholders in the country’s building and construction sector. The annual exposition will highlight advancements in design, technology, and sustainability while creating new opportunities for collaboration across the industry. Now in its 29th year, WORLDBEX continues to champion the integration of innovation and sustainability in shaping resilient and future-ready built environments. This year’s theme, “Building Opportunities: Sustaining Lives,” underscores the industry’s role in supporting responsible development and improving quality of life through thoughtful design and construction. Organized by Worldbex Services International, the event will […]
- [Quezon City boosts fight against online child sexual exploitation](https://phltoday.net/quezon-city-boosts-fight-against-online-child-sexual-exploitation/): The Quezon City Government has taken stronger steps to protect its children from online sexual abuse or exploitation, equipping its frontline responders with enhanced skills to tackle these crimes. City officials emphasized that Quezon City already has robust systems in place for anyone who needs to report a suspected case. Residents may call Hotline 122, where trained responders are ready to assist with child-protection concerns. Through training sessions conducted by the city government in partnership with International Justice Mission (IJM), the city’s law enforcers, social workers, health workers, and other first responders learned how to properly and more effectively handle online […]
- [Philippines, South Korea deepen business ties at Manila forum](https://phltoday.net/philippines-south-korea-deepen-business-ties-at-manila-forum/): President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Wednesday urged South Korean investors to expand their footprint in the Philippines, highlighting sweeping economic reforms and new investment incentives as Manila seeks to deepen trade ties with Seoul and position itself as a regional hub for strategic industries. Speaking at the Philippines–Korea Business Forum in Pasay City attended by South Korean President Lee Jae-myung and top business leaders, Marcos said the Philippines is strengthening policies designed to improve investor confidence and ensure that economic growth benefits a wider segment of society. “In a rapidly changing world, resilience is built not in isolation, but in […]
- [A contemporary sanctuary opens in Bohol](https://phltoday.net/a-contemporary-sanctuary-opens-in-bohol/): Dawn breaks over Panglao in bands of jade and silver, the tide slipping back from the sand as fishing boats idle on the horizon. On this luminous stretch of Bohol’s coastline, a new resort rises, inviting travelers to settle into the island’s unhurried rhythm. With the debut of Lime Resort Bohol, the Radisson Hotel Group marks the arrival of its first Radisson Individuals Premier property in Southeast Asia. The 85-villa beachfront retreat blends contemporary design with authentic Filipino hospitality, pairing clean architectural lines with warm, island-inspired tones that echo sand, coral, and driftwood. Steps from the shoreline, mornings unfold with […]
- [A distant war, a regional reckoning for Southeast Asia](https://phltoday.net/a-distant-war-a-regional-reckoning-for-southeast-asia/): The shock waves from a new war in the Middle East are rippling far beyond the Gulf, unsettling fuel markets, financial forecasts, and the security calculations of governments thousands of miles away. In Southeast Asia, leaders are taking steps to shield both their economies and their citizens, underscoring how swiftly distant battles can become domestic crises. For the Philippines, which has hundreds of thousands of citizens living and working across the Middle East, the risks are both immediate and far-reaching. On February 28, Israel and the United States launched what they called “Operation Roaring Lion,” striking targets in Iran after […]
- [Environmental advocates seek probe after fatal Rizal trash slide](https://phltoday.net/environmental-advocates-seek-probe-after-fatal-rizal-trash-slide/): A mountain of garbage gave way at the Rizal Provincial Sanitary Landfill in Rodriguez, Rizal on February 20, sending an estimated 420,000 cubic meters of waste cascading down a slope in Barangay San Isidro. According to reports, at least one person was killed and two others were missing. Three units of heavy equipment were buried beneath the debris. In the days that followed, environmental advocates called for an independent investigation into what caused the collapse and whether the facility had complied with environmental and safety standards. The disaster, they said, exposed deeper failures in how the country manages its waste. […]
- [Pag-IBIG Fund reports ₱1.23 trillion in assets after near-50% income surge](https://phltoday.net/pag-ibig-fund-reports-%e2%82%b11-23-trillion-in-assets-after-near-50-income-surge/): The government-run Pag-IBIG Fund said its investment income rose nearly 50% in 2025, strengthening its balance sheet and supporting record dividend payouts and expanded affordable housing loans. The state housing lender reported investment earnings of ₱9.43 billion for the year, helping lift total assets to ₱1.23 trillion as of December 31, 2025. Its gross investment portfolio grew 41% to ₱190.13 billion, up ₱55.27 billion from year-end 2024. The bulk of the funds were invested in government securities, while the remainder was placed in time deposits, corporate bonds, and preferred shares. Officials said the instruments are subject to rigorous review and […]
- [Pre-need profit jumps 54% to ₱7.96-B as plans sold top 895,000](https://phltoday.net/pre-need-profit-jumps-54-to-%e2%82%b17-96-b-as-plans-sold-top-895000/): Stronger sales of life and memorial plans pushed the Philippine pre-need industry’s earnings to multi-year highs in 2025, reflecting firmer regulation and renewed public trust. Data from the Insurance Commission showed net income jumped 54.4% to ₱7.96 billion in 2025 from ₱5.15 billion a year earlier, fueled by a 28% rise in plans sold to over 895,000 from nearly 700,000. Total premium income increased 5.73% to ₱23.94 billion, supported by sustained demand for life and memorial products that continued to account for the bulk of new business. Insurance Commission chief Reynaldo Regalado attributed the gains to stricter oversight that helped […]
- [Philippines targets salt self-sufficiency after years of import dependence](https://phltoday.net/philippines-targets-salt-self-sufficiency-after-years-of-import-dependence/): The Philippines has opened its first dedicated salt research center in Pangasinan, marking a significant step in a long-running effort to curb the country’s heavy reliance on imported salt and revive a once-thriving local industry. The Department of Science and Technology (DOST), through its Philippine Council for Industry, Energy and Emerging Technology Research and Development, formally inaugurated the Accelerating Salt Research and Innovation (ASIN) Center on February 17 at Pangasinan State University’s Binmaley campus. Backed by ₱43 million in funding under the Niche Centers in the Regions for Research and Development program, the facility is designed to modernize salt production […]
- [Linda Walker: The girl who let the numbers speak](https://phltoday.net/linda-walker-the-girl-who-let-the-numbers-speak/): In many Filipino households, the most decisive comeback is not an argument but a report card—the kind that makes titas fall silent at the dinner table. Linda Walker’s now-viral 719 exam score feels exactly like that: a number so high it doubles as vindication. She is fictional, yet she has been treated online like a real overachiever who ruined the grading curve. Linda Walker is the heroine of the Chinese micro-drama The Heiress Who Won With Brains, a compact, bingeable series circulating on YouTube in stitched “full movie” uploads that typically run between 80 and 120 minutes. In the story, […]
- [Global demand lifts Philippine ube exports to $3.06-M in 2025](https://phltoday.net/global-demand-lifts-philippine-ube-exports-to-3-06-m-in-2025/): The Philippines’ search for high-value agricultural exports may have found an unlikely frontrunner in a vivid purple yam long associated with local desserts. Surging global demand for natural colorants and authentic Asian flavors pushed ube exports to $3.06 million in 2025, marking its rise from pantry staple to premium ingredient abroad. The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) said strong orders from the Middle East, the United States, the United Kingdom, and Italy buoyed shipments of ube and ube-based products last year, underscoring how the once homegrown delicacy is gaining ground as a competitive, value-added export. Industry data show steady […]
- [Cebu business group expands Japan links through East Asia council](https://phltoday.net/cebu-business-group-expands-japan-links-through-east-asia-council/): The Cebu Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCCI) deepened its push into East Asian markets after senior officers met with counterparts from Japan’s largest business groups to expand cross-border cooperation and investment flows. CCCI president Jay Yuvallos and vice president for international affairs Pedro Delantar held talks on Tuesday with Yuki Kawamuto and Kenjie Horie, senior manager of the international division at the Japan Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the Tokyo Chamber of Commerce and Industry. Discussions centered on Cebu’s participation in the East Asia Business Council through the East Asia Connect Program, a platform aimed at accelerating business […]
- [Mazda makes history with Makabayan Cup sweep](https://phltoday.net/mazda-makes-history-with-makabayan-cup-sweep/): Mazda didn’t just win the 2025 Petron Makabayan Cup season—it owned it. In a breakthrough campaign years in the making, the #55 Team MSCC Mazda Miata became the first brand to sweep all three legs of the Makabayan Cup, conquering the Kagitingan, Kalayaan, and Bonifacio endurance races in a single season. The achievement rewrites the history books of Philippine endurance racing and cements the MX-5’s reputation as one of the most balanced race platforms on the grid. Considered the country’s most punishing endurance series, the Makabayan Cup is a true test of mechanical resilience and driver consistency. Its three rounds—the […]
- [Chiva-Som Hua Hin embraces traditional Thai medicine for its next chapter](https://phltoday.net/chiva-som-hua-hin-embraces-traditional-thai-medicine-for-its-next-chapter/): Marking its next chapter with quiet confidence, Chiva-Som Hua Hin places traditional Thai medicine (TTM) at the center of its philosophy for 2026—a considered return to the cultural wisdom that has long defined its identity. For more than 2,500 years, traditional Thai medicine has offered a holistic framework grounded in harmony between body, mind, and environment. At Chiva-Som, this tradition has been integral since the resort’s founding in 1995, shaping an approach that integrates physical vitality, emotional balance, and mental clarity. Therapeutic bodywork, herbal remedies, and restorative movement practices are delivered by experienced certified practitioners, preserving indigenous knowledge within a […]
- [The quiet hesitations that saved EDSA](https://phltoday.net/the-quiet-hesitations-that-saved-edsa/): Each February, the story of the EDSA People Power Revolution returns in images that feel almost liturgical: civilians kneeling before tanks, rosaries raised toward rifle barrels, soldiers accepting flowers from strangers. It is remembered, rightly, as a triumph of civic courage over authoritarian power. A people stood their ground, and a regime fell. But courage alone does not explain why four days of open confrontation in February 1986 did not descend into urban bloodshed. One crucial factor absent from many accounts is hesitation. On February 22, 1986, Defense Minister Juan Ponce Enrile and Armed Forces Vice Chief of Staff Fidel […]
- [ICC opens Duterte pretrial hearing, stresses he is presumed innocent](https://phltoday.net/icc-opens-duterte-pretrial-hearing-stresses-he-is-presumed-innocent/): The International Criminal Court’s (ICC) first public hearing on former Philippine president Rodrigo Duterte opened on Monday, February 23, with a pointed reminder: this is not a trial—and the court has not found him guilty of anything. From the bench in The Hague, Presiding Judge Iulia Antoanella Motoc underscored that Duterte enters the proceedings cloaked in the presumption of innocence, as prosecutors seek to convince judges there are substantial grounds to move the case forward. Motoc, presiding over Pre-Trial Chamber I at the ICC, emphasized that the hearing’s purpose is procedural—not punitive. The session, she said, is meant to assess […]
- [SEC tightens compliance rules for one-person corporations](https://phltoday.net/sec-tightens-compliance-rules-for-one-person-corporations/): The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) tightened oversight of one-person corporations, raising audit thresholds, and formalizing a tiered penalty system for late and non-filing of financial statements in a bid to standardize enforcement under the Revised Corporation Code. In Memorandum Circular No. 10, series of 2026, issued on February 16, the SEC laid out updated reportorial requirements, and a structured scale of fines covering financial statement submissions, appointment of officers, and bond postings. The rules take effect immediately upon publication in a newspaper of general circulation. The move seeks to bring uniformity to monitoring of one-person corporations or OPCs—a corporate […]
- [NAMRIA defends accuracy of maps, nautical charts in West Philippine Sea](https://phltoday.net/namria-defends-accuracy-of-maps-nautical-charts-in-west-philippine-sea/): The National Mapping and Resource Information Authority (NAMRIA) clarified the role of official Philippine maps and nautical charts in depicting and safeguarding the country’s maritime jurisdiction in the West Philippine Sea, amid ongoing public discussion on the issue and growing public interest in how maritime boundaries are represented in official documents. Since 2012, the Philippines has formally adopted the name “West Philippine Sea” in government publications. In line with this policy, NAMRIA consistently places the label across its official administrative, topographic, and thematic maps, as well as nautical charts used for navigation. The agency said these materials serve practical and […]
- [Historic church in Angeles City gains minor basilica status from Pope Leo XIV](https://phltoday.net/historic-church-in-angeles-city-gains-minor-basilica-status-from-pope-leo-xiv/): Holy Rosary Parish Church—known to locals as Pisamban Maragul (Big Church)—has been named a minor basilica, a rare honor that binds a provincial parish to Rome. The elevation, granted by Pope Leo XIV through a January 21, 2026 decree from the Dicastery for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments, makes Holy Rosary the first minor basilica in the Archdiocese of San Fernando. The decree was received at the Apostolic Nunciature in Manila by parish priest Fr. Manuel Sta. Maria and fellow clergy, marking the culmination of a petition submitted last year by Archbishop Florentino Lavarias. The archbishop cited […]
- [₱500-M allocated for disaster-ready upgrade of Naga coliseum](https://phltoday.net/%e2%82%b1500-m-allocated-for-disaster-ready-upgrade-of-naga-coliseum/): President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and former vice president Leni Robredo—rivals in the 2022 presidential race—found common ground on Saturday, February 21, in Naga City, where the administration turned over ₱500 million to modernize a landmark named for Robredo’s late husband and inspected key flood control projects across the Bicol River Basin. Marcos said his visit was focused on public service, not politics, as he personally checked waterways and drainage systems in the city. Accompanied by Robredo, now Naga City mayor, and DPWH Secretary Vince Dizon, the president assessed the condition of flood mitigation infrastructure amid recurring storms in the region. […]
- [FINA reimagines folklore for a new era of P-pop](https://phltoday.net/fina-reimagines-folklore-for-a-new-era-of-p-pop/): A new kind of heroine has entered the P-pop universe—one draped in myth, heritage, and modern Filipina fire. FINA arrive not simply as a girl group, but as a reclamation of folklore reframed for the stage. Launched by CreaZion Studios and Universal Records Philippines, the five-member act made their first public appearance on February 18 at Noctos Music Bar in Diliman, Quezon City, in a spectacle that felt closer to a fashion reveal than a standard media call. Swathed in vivid, textured ensembles inspired by Philippine mythology, the members embodied their chosen archetypes—the aswang, lobo, sirena, engkanta, and diwata—with theatrical […]
- [GCash sends fans to Jakarta as Aurora Gaming PH claims M7 title](https://phltoday.net/gcash-sends-fans-to-jakarta-as-aurora-gaming-ph-claims-m7-title/): January 2026 delivered a title defense for the ages—and Filipino fans were right in the middle of it. The M7 World Championship turned Jakarta into the center of the esports world from January 23 to 25, drawing the planet’s best Mobile Legends: Bang Bang (MLBB) squads to one roaring stage. Thanks to the GCash and Visa promo, select winners didn’t just watch history unfold—they lived it, with exclusive access, curated experiences, and premium hospitality that brought them closer to the pros and the pulse of global competition. Then came the finish. Aurora Gaming PH rose to the moment, capturing the […]
- [The running mate will define Sara Duterte’s 2028 path](https://phltoday.net/the-running-mate-will-define-sara-dutertes-2028-path/): With Vice President Sara Duterte declaring her intention to seek the presidency in 2028, attention now turns to a more consequential decision: who she chooses as her running mate—and what that choice reveals about the coalition she intends to build. That choice will be more than symbolic. In Philippine politics, the vice-presidential slot often functions as a bridge—to regions, to party machinery, to specific voter blocs. It can consolidate loyalty or expand reach. It can steady markets or electrify rallies. Above all, it signals whether a candidate intends to fortify a core base or broaden into the pragmatic middle that […]
- [Lunar New Year 2026 ushers in rare ‘double-fire’ Year of the Horse](https://phltoday.net/lunar-new-year-2026-ushers-in-rare-double-fire-year-of-the-horse/): Two flames rise on February 17, 2026—one from the sky, as the first new moon ushers in a new lunar year, and one from memory, as a 60-year celestial cycle returns to a moment many still speak of in hushed tones. For the first time in six decades, the Year of the Fire Horse gallops back into history, carrying with it both ancient myth and the embers of upheaval past. Lunar New Year, widely considered the most important event in China and among Chinese communities worldwide, opens the 15-day Spring Festival. But 2026 marks no ordinary turn of the zodiac […]
- [Can thoughtful matching outpace the algorithm? A new Philippine dating app thinks so](https://phltoday.net/can-thoughtful-matching-outpace-the-algorithm-a-new-philippine-dating-app-thinks-so/): In a digital dating world engineered for speed, swipes, and split-second judgments, a Philippine start-up is making a contrarian pitch: slow down. FilipinaMeet, launched on February 14, promotes purposeful connections over impulse-driven interactions. Founded by Filipina lawyer Samantha Acuña Cefali and her husband Stephen Acuña Cefali, an AI software company owner, the platform was shaped by lived experience. The couple met on a dating app while based in the United States before relocating to the Philippines—a journey that now informs their push for a more deliberate, culturally grounded approach to digital matchmaking. “Modern dating platforms were not built with the Filipino […]
- [Biz Hub at LIMA Estate emerges as the new center of Batangas](https://phltoday.net/biz-hub-at-lima-estate-emerges-as-the-new-center-of-batangas/): Manufacturing once defined the economic identity of Batangas. Now, a master-planned business district rising within LIMA Estate is reshaping the province into a regional center for commerce, education, and lifestyle in Southern Luzon. Biz Hub at LIMA Estate has emerged as a fast-growing central business district designed to extend economic activity beyond Metro Manila. Located within the 800-hectare LIMA Estate, the district grew from an industrial base that now hosts nearly 200 locators employing about 75,000 Filipinos. As factory operations expanded over the years, so did the demand for offices, housing, retail, and institutions to support a growing workforce—transforming what […]
- [Giants arrive: Towering imports set the tone for PBA Commissioner’s Cup](https://phltoday.net/giants-arrive-towering-imports-set-the-tone-for-pba-commissioners-cup/): Size isn’t just an advantage in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup—it’s the currency. With no height limit on imports, teams are going all-in on length, wingspan, and rim protection ahead of the March 11 tipoff. The result: a conference shaping up as a showcase of seven-footers and near-seven-foot bruisers ready to tilt the floor. Terrafirma made perhaps the boldest splash, securing 7-footer Mubasha Ali, a 28-year-old native of Helsinki, Finland, who is due to arrive in the country this week. Magnolia countered by locking in 6-foot-9 Terrell Brown-Soares less than a month before opening night, signaling urgency in a conference that […]
- [Primary care reform key to growth in East Asia and Pacific — World Bank](https://phltoday.net/primary-care-reform-key-to-growth-in-east-asia-and-pacific-world-bank/): Countries across East Asia and the Pacific face rising pressure from chronic, noncommunicable diseases that threaten to strain health systems and slow income growth, according to a new World Bank report. The report, A Healthy Future: Primary Health Care and the Chronic Disease Epidemic in EAP, says urgent reforms to primary health care systems could help the region manage the growing burden of chronic disease while supporting long-term economic growth. The economic benefits are significant. The report estimates that every $1 invested in strong primary health care can generate up to $16 in economic returns through improved health outcomes, higher […]
- [Binondo: The enduring story of the world’s oldest Chinatown](https://phltoday.net/binondo-the-enduring-story-of-the-worlds-oldest-chinatown/): In many global capitals, a Chinatown signals migration and the stubborn endurance of culture far from its ancestral shore. In Binondo, those currents have been flowing since 1594, making it widely regarded as the world’s oldest existing Chinatown. Across the Pasig River from Intramuros, the Spanish colonial government carved out a settlement for Chinese converts to Christianity—an experiment in commerce and control that would outlive empires. More than four centuries on, Binondo remains a working district where incense drifts past bank façades and gold shops, and where history is neither restored nor staged, but lived. Today, as dragon dances thread […]
- [A better way to celebrate Valentine’s Day — toxin-free](https://phltoday.net/a-better-way-to-celebrate-valentines-day-toxin-free/): A consumer watchdog group is warning the public against buying certain Valentine’s Day novelty items after finding high levels of lead and other hazardous substances in products sold in several cities in Metro Manila. BAN Toxics said some inexpensive gift items marketed for Valentine’s Day tested positive for lead, a known neurotoxin, as well as traces of antimony, arsenic, and chromium. In a recent market survey, the group bought and documented samples of colorful plastic flowers with button cell batteries, lighted mini flower bouquets, heart-shaped items, and gift sets paired with chocolates and ceramic mugs. The products, priced from ₱50 […]
- [Binondo revitalization project enters second phase](https://phltoday.net/binondo-revitalization-project-enters-second-phase/): Manila’s historic Binondo district takes center stage on Friday, February 13, as the government and business leaders roll out Phase II of a ₱200-million rehabilitation project aimed at recasting the world’s oldest Chinatown as a modern heritage destination. The new phase expands a district-wide lighting program designed to highlight centuries-old churches, bridges, and gateways, reinforcing Binondo’s enduring role as a hub of trade, faith, and Filipino-Chinese culture while positioning it as a focal point for tourism and urban renewal. Established in 1594, Binondo has long stood at the crossroads of commerce and culture. Its narrow streets and stone churches have […]
- [Two voices, one stage: Christian and Mark Bautista reunite for a landmark concert](https://phltoday.net/two-voices-one-stage-christian-and-mark-bautista-reunite-for-a-landmark-concert/): Two of OPM’s most recognizable voices share one stage on March 6, bringing a familiar surname—and a renewed sound—into sharp focus. Bautista X Bautista pairs legacy with momentum in a concert that looks both backward and forward. Set for March 6, 2026 at 8:00 p.m. at the New Frontier Theater, the show brings together Christian Bautista and longtime collaborator Mark Bautista for an evening built on shared history and evolving artistry. The concert highlights Christian’s growth over the years, moving from the ballads that defined his early career to recent collaborations and new material that reflect a more contemporary sound. […]
- [Global Care Medical Center secures LeapFrog, Navegar backing to expand regional healthcare access](https://phltoday.net/global-care-medical-center-secures-leapfrog-navegar-backing-to-expand-regional-healthcare-access/): As demand for healthcare surges beyond the capital, a regional hospital group is positioning itself to bridge long-standing gaps in access across the Philippines. Global Care Medical Center is raising growth capital from impact investor LeapFrog Investments and Manila-based private equity firm Navegar to expand its footprint in underserved provinces. Founded in 2016, Global Care Medical Center, or GCMC, has built a network of five hospitals outside Metro Manila, including four general hospitals and one dedicated cancer center. The group operates more than 300 licensed beds supported by over 760 doctors, focusing on secondary and tertiary care in fast-growing cities […]
- [Day 4: PNP Special Action Force competes in UAE SWAT Challenge, finishes 15th overall](https://phltoday.net/day-4-pnp-special-action-force-competes-in-uae-swat-challenge-finishes-15th-overall/): Team Philippines tested its mettle against the world’s best tactical units at the 2026 UAE SWAT Challenge, as the Philippine National Police – Special Action Force (PNP-SAF) finished 15th overall on Day 4 of the competition in a field that drew elite squads from nearly 50 countries. Representing the Philippines, the PNP-SAF Seaborne Unit amassed 342 points after completing four core events in the competition: the Tactical Challenge, Assault Challenge, Officer Rescue, and High Tower. The Obstacle Course will be held on the final day. The Philippine contingent competed against 109 teams from 48 nations. Held February 7 to 11 […]
- [Philippine bond trading hits record, boosting push for global index entry](https://phltoday.net/philippine-bond-trading-hits-record-boosting-push-for-global-index-entry/): Trading in Philippine government bonds hit an all-time high in 2025, underscoring a sharp turnaround in market liquidity that has strengthened the country’s case for entry into a major global bond index. The surge signals growing investor confidence after years of post-pandemic thin trading. Annual turnover in government securities climbed to ₱12.68 trillion by end-2025, according to the Bureau of the Treasury, rebounding from a low of ₱2.98 trillion in 2022 as secondary market activity intensified. The Treasury attributed the gains to regular issuance of bills and bonds, consolidation of similar securities, and a push to build clear benchmark tenors—steps […]
- [Chef Bruce Lim joins Sunny Farms to support professional kitchens](https://phltoday.net/chef-bruce-lim-joins-sunny-farms-to-support-professional-kitchens/): Sunny Farms has named Chef Bruce Lim as its first Culinary Authority Partner, formalizing the collaboration during a contract signing at Seda Hotel in Cebu. The partnership is positioned as a working relationship rather than a traditional celebrity endorsement, with a focus on practical support for professional kitchens. Under the agreement, Chef Bruce will work directly with Sunny Farms customers to demonstrate product use, develop dishes, refine menus, and address operational challenges faced by food service operators. The goal is to create solutions that are applicable in real-world kitchen environments. Chef Bruce is widely known in the Philippine culinary scene […]
- [Strengthening safer digital habits in 2026](https://phltoday.net/strengthening-safer-digital-habits-in-2026/): This year, GCash is celebrating the proactive fight against scams. Adjusting to anything new can be challenging. Building safer digital habits, in particular, takes some time, and that’s okay. GCash, the Philippines’ leading finance super app, promotes the idea with the long game in mind, helping Filipinos become more protected online one step at a time. While GCash continues to strengthen its security systems, awareness and caution remain essential to protecting everyday transactions. That is why the brand strives to keep every user informed, empowered, and protected. Last year, GCash was on top of its game in preventing fraud, blocking […]
- [MMPC expands technical training program to help bridge skills gap](https://phltoday.net/mmpc-expands-technical-training-program-to-help-bridge-skills-gap/): The Commission on Higher Education (CHED) has renewed its call for universities to embed on-the-job training (OJT) into academic programs, citing the need to better prepare graduates for employment and narrow the gap between education and industry needs. CHED chairperson Shirley Agrupis emphasized that structured workplace exposure is critical in ensuring that students acquire not only technical knowledge but also practical skills aligned with labor market demands. Sharing this vision, Mitsubishi Motors Philippines Corporation (MMPC) has strengthened its commitment to workforce development by formalizing partnerships with key state universities and its dealer network for a technical training program aimed at […]
- [Philippines fields two alpine skiers at Milano Cortina Winter Olympics](https://phltoday.net/philippines-fields-two-alpine-skiers-at-milano-cortina-winter-olympics/): The Philippines returned to the Winter Olympics stage as the Milano Cortina Games officially opened in northern Italy, with the national flag once again part of competition far removed from the country’s tropical climate. As events run from February 6 to 22, the Philippines is represented by two alpine skiers in Milano Cortina, extending its recent run of Winter Games appearances. Despite having no natural snow, limited access to ice facilities, and a sporting culture centered on warm-weather disciplines, the country continues to qualify athletes through international standards that require long-term overseas training and competition. This year’s participation also carries […]
- [A $2.12-B crypto plunge shows how fragile Bitcoin’s rally had become](https://phltoday.net/a-2-12-b-crypto-plunge-shows-how-fragile-bitcoins-rally-had-become/): Bitcoin’s brutal slide on Thursday, February 5—which wiped out an estimated $2.12 billion in leveraged crypto positions and marked its steepest one-day decline since the FTX collapse in November 2022—underscored how tightly digital assets are now bound to broader market stress. More than 442,000 traders were liquidated as Bitcoin fell over 10% in a single session, according to data cited by BitPinas. Long positions absorbed the bulk of the damage, accounting for roughly $1.84 billion, or 87% of total liquidations, while about $272 million in short bets were wiped out. The largest single forced order—a BTC/USDT position worth just over […]
- [February named California Unclaimed Property Month](https://phltoday.net/february-named-california-unclaimed-property-month/): California State Controller Malia Cohen, together with Assemblymember Avelino Valencia, announced on Thursday, February 5, the adoption of Assembly House Resolution No. 79  (HR 79) declaring February 2026 as Unclaimed Property Month in California, an effort to raise awareness about the state’s vast unclaimed property holdings and to help residents and businesses recover money and items that belong to them. The resolution encourages Californians to explore whether they have unclaimed property and to use tools provided by the California State Controller’s Office (CSCO) to submit claims. California’s Unclaimed Property Program, run by the CSCO, holds more than $15 billion in […]
- [Filipino runners set to take over Taipei at 2026 EVA Air Marathon](https://phltoday.net/filipino-runners-set-to-take-over-taipei-at-2026-eva-air-marathon/): The road to Taipei is officially open, and for Filipino runners, the 2026 EVA Air Marathon is shaping up as more than a destination race—it’s a statement. Set for October 25 in Taiwan’s capital, the event is gearing up to welcome a larger, deeper Philippine contingent ready to turn the city’s streets into a global stage. Launched earlier this month, the marathon renews its push to broaden Filipino participation through TravelCare, the Philippine-based full-service travel agency championing a delegation that blends elite competitors with everyday runners eager to race abroad. The appeal is simple: a world-class marathon experience wrapped into […]
- [How a Filipino nurse found purpose beyond the bedside](https://phltoday.net/how-a-filipino-nurse-found-purpose-beyond-the-bedside/): He crossed borders to earn a living but found his calling in fixing the systems that decide who gets cared for—and how well. For Job Marconi Mascardo, an overseas Filipino nurse, migration was never an escape; it was preparation for service at a scale far beyond the bedside. Mascardo grew up in Dipolog City in a household shaped by absence and endurance, the quiet architecture of many overseas Filipino worker (OFW) families. His father, Eugene, worked abroad as a home health caregiver, while his mother, Myrlen, raised four children on remittances and resolve. In such homes, ambition is collective and […]
- [Philippines repurposes Osaka pavilion for ASEAN tourism push](https://phltoday.net/philippines-repurposes-osaka-pavilion-for-asean-tourism-push/): What began as a national showcase at a world exposition in Japan is being recast as a working asset for tourism trade in Southeast Asia, as the Philippines extends the afterlife of its Expo pavilion into a regional marketplace. At the ASEAN Travel Exchange (TRAVEX) 2026, design, craft, and sustainability are repositioned not as spectacle, but as business infrastructure. True to its stated commitment to a life beyond Expo 2025 Osaka, the Philippine Pavilion has resurfaced at the ASEAN tourism trade fair, carrying with it both physical materials and the narrative capital built on the global stage. Organized by the […]
- [Legacy Filipino chocolate brand Serg’s targets 2026 comeback](https://phltoday.net/legacy-filipino-chocolate-brand-sergs-targets-2026-comeback/): After years of delays caused by the pandemic, extreme weather, and operational setbacks, Filipino chocolate brand Serg’s has set 2026 as its new target for returning to the market, opting for a cautious, small-scale relaunch more than two decades after it ceased operations. In a Facebook post on Monday, the company said it would restart production this year, beginning with its signature chocolate bars and operating from its original Cordillera Street site in Quezon City. The announcement marks the clearest timeline yet for a revival that was first signaled publicly before the COVID-19 pandemic. “But 2026 will be our restart […]
- [Grab, Move It expand on-trip protection through enhanced Cocolife partnership](https://phltoday.net/grab-move-it-expand-on-trip-protection-through-enhanced-cocolife-partnership/): Grab Philippines and motorcycle taxi platform Move It have expanded their emergency insurance support through a deeper partnership with Cocolife, widening hospital access and financial protection for both rider-partners and passengers using their on-demand mobility services. The strengthened collaboration aims to make on-trip protection more accessible and responsive, particularly during medical emergencies when time and hospital availability are critical. Through the expanded arrangement, rider-partners and passengers now have 24/7 access to more than 700 Cocolife-accredited hospitals nationwide for emergencies that occur during an active Grab or Move It trip. The enhanced hospital assistance reinforces the platforms’ broader protection ecosystem by […]
- [Diet choices seen as pathway to better metabolic health in the Philippines](https://phltoday.net/diet-choices-seen-as-pathway-to-better-metabolic-health-in-the-philippines/): What Filipinos eat each day is increasingly being viewed not just as tradition or convenience, but as a practical lever for improving long-term health. As metabolic illnesses rise across the Philippines, health experts are placing renewed emphasis on diet as one of the most accessible ways to slow a growing public health challenge. That focus has turned attention to familiar foods, including sardines, long a staple of Filipino meals. Advocates argue that everyday choices, rather than specialized treatments, may offer the clearest path to reducing metabolic risks tied to diabetes, heart disease, and related conditions. In an interview, Jim Lafferty, […]
- [Paraguay opens its doors to Filipino travelers—no visa required](https://phltoday.net/paraguay-opens-its-doors-to-filipino-travelers-no-visa-required/): From the red-earth plains of South America’s heartland to river cities shaped by centuries of trade, Paraguay has long been a place travelers stumble upon rather than seek out. That may soon change, as Filipinos can now enter the country visa-free for short stays, removing one of the last barriers to discovering one of the continent’s most overlooked destinations. Under a presidential decree issued in late December 2025, Paraguay lifted visa requirements for Philippine passport holders visiting for up to 30 days. The policy follows the principle of reciprocity, reflecting the fact that Paraguayans have long enjoyed visa-free access to […]
- [Sardines gain spotlight in global health campaign](https://phltoday.net/sardines-gain-spotlight-in-global-health-campaign/): The world’s metabolic health crisis has found an unlikely champion: the sardine. At a Manila press conference, health experts and industry leaders introduced the 2026 “Year of the Sardine,” reframing a pantry staple as a frontline response to one of the most urgent public health challenges of our time. The initiative was led by the Medical Wellness Association (MWA) and supported by Mega Prime Foods Inc., marking the association’s first formal collaboration with a commercial food company. At the center of the campaign is Mega Sardines, which earned MWA “superfood” certification after a six- to seven-month evaluation focused on nutrition, […]
- [A gas discovery that delays, not solves, the Philippines’ energy problem](https://phltoday.net/a-gas-discovery-that-delays-not-solves-the-philippines-energy-problem/): A decade after the last major find, a new offshore gas discovery east of Malampaya has revived a long-running question in Philippine energy policy: how much time can domestic gas realistically buy before imports become unavoidable? President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. announced this week that the Malampaya East-1 (MAE-1) well, drilled roughly five kilometers east of the original Malampaya complex off Palawan, holds an estimated 98 billion cubic feet (bcf) of gas in place. Initial testing showed flow rates of about 60 million cubic feet per day, alongside condensate—a higher-value hydrocarbon that improves project economics. “Katumbas nito ang halos 14 na […]
- [China envoy highlights dialogue, cooperation amid maritime disputes in media address](https://phltoday.net/china-envoy-highlights-dialogue-cooperation-amid-maritime-disputes-in-media-address/): China’s new ambassador to the Philippines delivered his clearest message yet to Manila’s media corps: the country “does not need to choose sides” between Beijing and Washington, even as unresolved disputes in the South China Sea continue to test bilateral ties. Speaking just over a month into his posting, Jing Quan framed China–Philippines relations as a matter of strategic restraint rather than rivalry, warning that rising tensions risk overwhelming a relationship he said should remain anchored in dialogue and long-term interest. Jing acknowledged that maritime disputes between China and the Philippines have become more pronounced in recent years, alongside incidents […]
- [Medical Wellness Association hails Mega’s support for 2026 ‘Year of the Sardine’](https://phltoday.net/medical-wellness-association-hails-megas-support-for-2026-year-of-the-sardine/): The Medical Wellness Association (MWA), whose mission is to improve consumer wellness worldwide, has officially declared 2026 as “The Year of the Sardine,” a global initiative aimed at educating and inspiring consumers to choose real, nutritionally dense foods. Sardines, the group said, stand out as one of the most optimal and affordable options available. The declaration comes as the wellness community seeks new ways to address declining health indicators worldwide. With growing concern over metabolic health, the MWA said the campaign is designed to provide consumers with clear, actionable guidance rooted in emerging research. “Given the consistent worsening of wellness […]
- [The Louis Vuitton Monogram at 130 years—and why it still matters to Filipino consumers](https://phltoday.net/the-louis-vuitton-monogram-at-130-years-and-why-it-still-matters-to-filipino-consumers/): For many Filipino consumers, buying a Louis Vuitton bag has rarely been about subtlety. The appeal lies in recognition—the reassurance of a pattern that announces itself clearly, carries global legitimacy, and, for many first-generation luxury buyers, confirms arrival. In a market where luxury consumption favors visibility over understatement, the Monogram has long functioned as both aspiration and proof. That cultural instinct explains why the Monogram’s 130th year feels less like a distant Parisian anniversary than a familiar milestone, one that resonates on the shop floors of Makati and well beyond. Designed in 1896 by Georges Vuitton as a safeguard against […]
- [Why the Philippines is among Michelin’s most exciting food destinations for 2026](https://phltoday.net/why-the-philippines-is-among-michelins-most-exciting-food-destinations-for-2026/): There is a moment in the Philippines when a meal stops being about what’s on the plate and becomes a quiet lesson in place. It might happen over a sizzling platter of sisig, a bowl of sinigang sharpened with calamansi, or lechon carved with ritual care—food that does not announce itself, yet lingers long after the table is cleared. That instinctive intimacy is now being noticed well beyond the archipelago. The MICHELIN Guide has named the Philippines one of the world’s most exciting food destinations for 2026, placing it among 16 global locations where travel increasingly begins—and often ends—at the […]
- [Duterte seeks interim ICC release, citing deteriorating medical condition](https://phltoday.net/duterte-seeks-interim-icc-release-citing-deteriorating-medical-condition/): Former president Rodrigo Duterte is seeking interim release from International Criminal Court (ICC) detention, with his lawyers arguing that a sharp physical and cognitive decline now undercuts any risk he could interfere with proceedings, threaten witnesses, or commit further crimes. His counsel, Nicholas Kaufman, submitted a joint medical report prepared by defense-hired experts to ICC Pre-Trial Chamber I as an annex to a 12-page filing dated January 9, citing what he described as materially changed circumstances since earlier assessments of Duterte’s fitness to stand trial. “The new medical evidence is proffered in order to assist the Pre-Trial Chamber in assessing […]
- [Can ASEAN stay neutral under Philippine chairship?](https://phltoday.net/can-asean-stay-neutral-under-philippine-chairship/): As the Philippines prepares to take the helm of ASEAN, the question facing Southeast Asia is not whether the bloc matters—last year proved it still does—but whether it can hold its line on neutrality at a moment when great power rivalry is pressing harder than ever. For Manila, the challenge is sharper: how to lead a consensus-driven organization while pursuing one of the region’s most assertive positions in the South China Sea. The timing is unforgiving. ASEAN enters the Philippine chairship having raised its global profile under Malaysia, capped by the admission of Timor-Leste and a widened network of partnerships […]
- [The Philippines in a shifting world order](https://phltoday.net/the-philippines-in-a-shifting-world-order/): The world is entering a moment of uncertainty not because power is disappearing, but because restraint is becoming uneven. Rules still exist, yet their force increasingly depends on who invokes them and under what circumstances. For countries that rely on law rather than leverage, this shift is no longer theoretical. It is shaping how foreign policy is practiced, tested, and defended. Recent global events have sharpened this reality. The United States’ military operation in Venezuela, which resulted in the capture of President Nicolás Maduro, triggered intense debate not only over legality but over precedent. Washington framed the action as an […]
- [What’s in a name: PAGASA releases 2026 tropical cyclone list](https://phltoday.net/whats-in-a-name-pagasa-releases-2026-tropical-cyclone-list/): Ahead of the next typhoon season, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) on Thursday, January 1, released the 2026 roster of tropical cyclone names. The announcement forms part of the country’s annual preparations for storms that regularly affect the western North Pacific. The names will be assigned to tropical cyclones that enter or develop within the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR), the zone where PAGASA issues storm warnings and advisories. While weather systems also carry international names assigned by the Japan Meteorological Agency, PAGASA uses local names to make advisories easier to follow, particularly when multiple storms […]
- [How Octopus’ next leap matters to Filipinos in Hong Kong](https://phltoday.net/how-octopus-next-leap-matters-to-filipinos-in-hong-kong/): A future where commuters no longer tap cards at train gates is edging closer to reality—and for Filipinos in Hong Kong, that shift could quietly reshape daily life. As the driving force behind the Octopus card steps into retirement, his parting vision of a “tap-free” commute reframes a familiar system through the lived experience of one of the city’s largest migrant communities. Launched in 1997, the Octopus card began as a contactless stored-value tool for public transport. Over time, it grew into a near-universal payment system, extending into small-value retail transactions and everyday services—parking, government tolled tunnels, access control in […]
- [Why Pop Mart’s arrival in Manila felt inevitable](https://phltoday.net/why-pop-marts-arrival-in-manila-felt-inevitable/): Designer toys rarely announce cultural shifts—but the crowds usually do. In Metro Manila, long lines, emptied shelves, and meticulously filmed unboxings have quietly turned Pop Mart from a visiting novelty into a familiar name. Over the past year, the brand’s pop-up stores across the capital functioned less as temporary retail and more as litmus tests. Each appearance drew repeat buyers, resellers, first-time collectors, and the merely curious—suggesting that Filipino interest in designer collectibles had moved beyond trend status. For Pop Mart, the message was unmistakable: demand here was not episodic, but sustained. Founded in Beijing in 2010 by entrepreneur Wang […]
- [PSEi’s 5 best and worst  performers of 2025](https://phltoday.net/pseis-5-best-and-worst-performers-of-2025/): The Philippine Stock Exchange index (PSEi) ended 2025 with little to show for the year, closing near where it began as investors navigated sticky inflation, cautious consumers, and uneven earnings growth. The benchmark failed to sustain rallies that briefly lifted it earlier in the year, leaving performance broadly flat to lower compared with end-2024 and reinforcing a market defined by selectivity rather than breadth. That stagnation masked sharp divergences beneath the surface. While infrastructure, utilities, and a handful of conglomerates delivered outsized gains, several high-profile growth and consumer names suffered steep declines. International Container Terminal Services Inc. (ICTSI) emerged as […]
- [Rizal beyond literature: The national hero as geodetic engineer](https://phltoday.net/rizal-beyond-literature-the-national-hero-as-geodetic-engineer/): December 30 marks the martyrdom of José Rizal, a date often remembered through wreath-laying and recitations of his novels. Yet beyond the pen and the martyrdom lies another Rizal—one who measured land, drafted elevations, and imagined education with the precision of numbers and lines. Long before he became the nation’s moral compass, Rizal trained his eye and mind as a geodetic engineer, mastering the discipline of measurement at a time when land meant power, livelihood, and justice. This lesser-known facet of his life reveals not a contradiction to his humanism, but its structural foundation: Rizal understood that ideas needed form, […]

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