Philippine firms place 36 on TIME–Statista Asia-Pacific best companies list; BPI ranks 10th
Founded in 1851, BPI is one of the Philippines’ oldest and largest banks and is a publicly listed company within the Ayala group, with Ayala Corporation as its largest shareholder….
Luck, renewal, and intention: Traditions shaping Chinese New Year 2026
Scenes of Lunar New Year celebration: illuminated red lanterns and a temple façade at night, traditional red ang pao envelopes, a festive family meal with dumplings and seafood, freshly steamed…
Sharon Cuneta quips about Marcos’ 2022 VP choice at Manila gala
Photos from @Liza Marcos instagram account The singer’s lighthearted onstage remark about the President’s 2022 running mate draws a measured response from Malacañang, which describes it as a personal view…
Southern California Edison warns of outages linked to metallic balloons on Valentine’s Day
PHOTO CREDIT: LAWRENCE TSUEI Utility reports more than 500 balloon-related outages last year affecting over 800,000 customers; statewide conductive-balloon ban set for 2031. LOS ANGELES — On Valentine’s Day, Southern…
When Health Insurance Costs More Than the Mortgage
By Renuka Rayasam When Noah Hulsman, who owns a skate shop in Louisville, Kentucky, learned he no longer qualified for federal subsidies to help him pay for his “gold” Affordable…
Metro Manila subway: Marcos cites 29-minute Valenzuela–BGC travel time as BGC stations break ground
Photo from @pcogovph TAGUIG CITY, Philippines — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Feb. 13, 2026 led the groundbreaking for two stations of the Metro Manila Subway Project (MMSP) in the Bonifacio…
Jo Koy honored with TCL Chinese Theatre handprint ceremony in Hollywood
Jo Koy cements his legacy in Hollywood with a handprint and footprint ceremony at the TCL Chinese Theatre, marking a milestone for Filipino American talent. HOLLYWOOD, Los Angeles — It was…
TRIBUTE to JDV
By CAROLINE Coronel “Alin” De Venecia Good evening everyone! My name is Alin De Venecia – Medalla. I’m the second of four children of Tito & Malou De Venecia. I…
Valentine’s Day for Filipinos: faith, family and the language of affection
Valentine’s Day, observed each year on Feb. 14, is widely associated with St. Valentine, a third-century Christian martyr. Historical sources confirm that at least one cleric named Valentine was executed…
Tokyo Central Brings Authentic Japanese Experience to Bay Street Emeryville, the City’s Vibrant Urban Village
Grand opening of the store’s 15th U.S. location celebrates culture, cuisine, and community EMERYVILLE, California – Marukai Corporation (doing business as Tokyo Central) recently opened its 15th U.S. store, including…
Philtranco to cease operations after more than a century in Philippine transport
Philtranco Service Enterprises Inc., the Philippines’ oldest bus company, will cease operations on March 30, 2026, citing sustained financial losses. One of the country’s oldest land transport companies, Philtranco Service…
American Democracy: Death by a Thousand Cuts
Last week, during an interview on a podcast with Dan Bongino, Trump called for Republican officials to “take over voting procedures in 15 states.” He added, “We should take over…
Black Eyed Peas resurface ‘Bebot’ as 2005 track trends again
The 2005 track “Bebot” by the Black Eyed Peas – apl.de.ap (left), will.i.am (center), and Taboo (right) – is experiencing a renewed surge in popularity on TikTok, introducing the Tagalog-language song to…
Supreme Court of the Philippines recognizes co-ownership claims of same-sex live-in partners under Family Code
The Supreme Court of the Philippines along Padre Faura Street in Manila. In a February 2025 decision, the High Court held that same-sex partners who live together may be recognized…
Economic slowdown highlights need to strengthen Philippine manufacturing
Undated photo shows workers in an apparel manufacturing plant located at the Mactan Export Processing Zone in Cebu province. (Photo courtesy of MEPZ Workers Alliance) MANILA — The Philippine economy slowed…
Philippines and Vatican City are the only sovereign states without general civil divorce laws
From left: The Manila Cathedral in Intramuros, representing the country’s Catholic heritage and its influence on marriage policy; the Supreme Court of the Philippines, the constitutional authority that interprets the Family Code; and St….
U.S. lawmakers question Waymo about remote support staff based in the Philippines
A Waymo vehicle serving riders in San Francisco – Source: Waymo Senators examined oversight, cybersecurity, and federal regulation as autonomous vehicles expand across U.S. cities. WASHINGTON, D.C. — The role of human…
Jason Myers sets Super Bowl scoring record
Seattle Seahawks kicker Jason Myers celebrates amid falling confetti after the Seahawks’ 29–13 victory in Super Bowl LX (left). In the championship game, Myers converted five field goals, a Super Bowl record,…
Salmonella in Moringa
“The FDA said that 14 people in the U.S. have now been hospitalized in the Salmonella outbreak tied to recalled moringa leaf powder; in total, 65 “illnesses across 28 states have been reported.” Moringa…
WORLDBEX 2026 Builds More Opportunities through Groundbreaking Highlights and Activities
Building More Opportunities and Highlights with WORLDBEX 2026 Manila, Philippines – The Philippine World Building and Construction Exposition (WORLDBEX) 2026 is set to return, once again bringing together innovation, sustainability,…
Former House Speaker Jose de Venecia Jr., defining figure of post-1986 Philippine Congress, dies at 89
From coalition builder to elder statesman, Jose de Venecia Jr. left a lasting imprint on the Philippine House of Representatives. MANILA — Former House Speaker Jose de Venecia Jr., a…
PNP cautions public on AI-assisted love scams as deepfakes blur online identities
People interact through smartphones during a video call, reflecting how online relationships can appear personal and authentic, even as authorities warn that scammers now use artificial intelligence and deepfake technology…
H Mart’s BK Franchise to Accelerate U.S. Expansion with Premium F&B Brands
LYNDHURST, NJ — BK Franchise, the franchise-specialized subsidiary of H Mart, the largest Asian supermarket chain in the U.S., is officially launching a nationwide expansion of its premier F&B brands:…
Black History Month and what it explains about America
Civil rights demonstrators march during the 1960s, carrying signs calling for equal rights, integrated schools, and fair housing. The movement contributed to legal and institutional changes that continue to shape…
Jason Myers and the work that sustains a long NFL career
Seattle Seahawks kicker Jason Myers, a San Diego native of Filipino descent, has built a long NFL career on consistency while maintaining ties to Southern California through youth instruction. – Photo…
SBA tightens loan eligibility rules, barring green card holders and foreign ownership
The headquarters of the U.S. Small Business Administration in Washington, D.C. The agency recently announced revised eligibility rules that will require SBA-backed loan applicants to be fully owned by U.S….
House Republicans propose federal voting changes as midterm cycle approaches
Rep. Bryan Steil (R-Wis.), chair of the House Administration Committee, is the lead sponsor of House Republican legislation proposing new federal standards for voting in congressional and presidential elections. – Photo credit : U.S….
Younger Democrats mount primary challenges against veteran incumbents
Illustration depicting the donkey and elephant, long-standing symbols commonly associated with the Democratic and Republican parties in U.S. politics. WASHINGTON — A number of younger Democratic candidates are launching primary…
Illinois, California join WHO outbreak network after U.S. withdrawal
Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker (left) and California Gov. Gavin Newsom are shown in official portraits. Both states have moved to join the World Health Organization–coordinated Global Outbreak Alert and Response Network following the United…
Philippines fisheries face sustained decline, losing about 45 million kilos of fish annually
Small-scale fishers haul a communal net along a Philippine shoreline. A recent fisheries assessment documents a sustained decline in national capture fishery production over the past decade, underscoring mounting pressure…

