A weak peso and the hidden cost borne by overseas Filipinos
A Philippine 20-peso coin is seen among other denominations. As the peso falls to historic lows, the impact is felt far beyond currency markets, pushing up daily costs at home…
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My encounter with U.S. Ambassador MaryKay Loss Carlson
I have previously written, on occasion, about MaryKay Loss Carlson in this column. My most recent encounter with the outgoing United States ambassador to the Philippines came earlier this month, during an…
Marcos downplays health rumors following brief hospitalization
President addresses health concerns. President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. delivers a recorded message on Jan. 22, 2026, reassuring the public after a brief health episode and saying doctors found no life-threatening condition. He said…
Manhunt continues for Atong Ang as authorities assess reports he may have fled the Philippines
Wanted poster of businessman Charlie “Atong” Ang, issued by the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG). (Photo courtesy of CIDG) Businessman remains at large as courts issue non-bailable arrest warrants MANILA — Philippine authorities…
Revilla detained at city jail after surrender in Bulacan flood control case
Former senator Ramon “Bong” Revilla Jr. arrives at the Sandiganbayan in Quezon City on Tuesday, Jan. 20, 2026, for the issuance of his commitment order and booking procedures, accompanied by…
Sen. JV Ejercito faces ethics complaint over alleged inaction
Joseph Victor Ejercito, chair of the Senate Committee on Ethics and Privileges, faces an ethics complaint alleging inaction on a pending case against Francis Escudero. MANILA — An ethics complaint has been filed against Joseph…
Palace backs possible dialogue with Zaldy Co, defers matter to Ombudsman
Photo from Zaldy Co’s Instagram account MANILA — Malacañang on Thursday, January 22, said it is open to any step that could help clarify the case involving fugitive former lawmaker Zaldy…
Hontiveros flags withheld Discaya ledger in Senate investigation
Left: Senator Risa Hontiveros speaks during a Senate hearing. Right: Contractor Pacifico “Curlee” Discaya II Hontiveros has raised concerns over withheld flood-control financial records from Discaya as the Senate investigation into…
The Trust and Faith that Attract
Friends, As we enter this new year, I have been reflecting deeply on the virtue of trust. I believe it is something we all need these days—to trust in God’s…
Walking into the storm
When the storm arrives, the difference is not strength but direction. The cows turn away and run, stretching the struggle longer.The bison turn into the wind and walk through, shortening the…
Lea Salonga shares update on son’s transition and confirms separation from husband
International theater icon Lea Salonga with her son, Nic Chien, in celebration of Nic’s 19th birthday. The image accompanied a message reflecting on motherhood, pride, and her son’s journey into adulthood. –…
MIAS 2026: Powering Mobility for the Future of the Automotive Industry
Manila, Philippines – The drive towards mobility starts now! Following the successful celebration of its 20th anniversary, Worldbex Services International (WSI), the organizer of the Manila International Auto Show (MIAS),…
Impeachment complaint filed against President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.
Photo Credit : Presidential Communications Office (PCO) The Philippine House of Representatives has received an impeachment complaint against President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., as allies stress due process and question the…
New Diet Guidelines
The new United States Dietary Guidelines, anticipated worldwide, were announced by HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., on January 7, 2026. Basically, it emphasized consumption of “real food,” more protein, healthy fats,…
PAL’s 85th Year Signals Global Turn with New Flagship
Photos courtesy of Malacañang Pasay City, Philippines / January 18, 2026 — As it marks 85 years of flight, Philippine Airlines (PAL) signaled a global turn with the unveiling of…
What will you be looking forward to in 2026? (Part 1)
As the new year begins, I asked nine respondents from different walks of life to share their personal hopes, expectations, and anticipations for 2026. Their reflections span governance, journalism, culture,…
Trump rolls out ‘The Great Healthcare Plan,’ proposing a reworking of ACA-era subsidy design
Photo from The White House “The Great Healthcare Plan stops sending big insurance companies billions in extra taxpayer-funded subsidy payments and instead send that money directly to eligible Americans to…
Kaiser Permanente To Pay $556 Million in Record Medicare Advantage Fraud Settlement
By Fred Schulte Photo Credit : Kaiser Permanente In the largest Medicare Advantage fraud settlement to date, Kaiser Permanente has agreed to pay $556 million to settle Justice Department allegations that it billed the…
Back to Ordinary Time: A Reminder of Our Extraordinary Calling
Hey friends! As we step into Ordinary Time in our liturgical calendar, let’s take a moment to reflect on what this season truly means. It’s not “ordinary” in the sense…
California Community Colleges Chancellor’s Office and AltaSea at the Port of Los Angeles Partner to Advance California Climate Goals and the State’s ‘Blue Economy’
Pictured from left to right: Avin Sharma, Port of LA; Carla Grandy, senior advisor to the chancellor; Chancellor Sonya Christian; Terry Tamminen, CEO of AltaSea; President Hildegarde B. Aguinaldo, Board…
Garth Garcia to headline concert with Lani Misalucha, Cecile Azarcon
“Star In A Million” finalist Garth Garcia, who is currently based in America, has announced his birthday concert Garth Garcia Sings The Classics with Asia’s Nightingale Lani Misalucha and Philippines’…
Celebrate the rebirth of Likhang Filipino
The Likhang Filipino Exhibition Halls opens its doors on January 15, ready to welcome guests and dignitaries attending the series of meetings leading to the ASEAN Summit that the Philippines…
WORLDBEX 2026: Shaping Vision into Value
Manila, Philippines. The Philippine World Building and Construction Expo (WORLDBEX) is set to make its highly anticipated return in 2026, once again positioning itself as the premier event for the…
The Pitt wins major honors; its realism proves the more consequential achievement
Kristin Villanueva, portraying ER nurse Princess Dela Cruz, assists during a critical emergency alongside Noah Wyle as Dr. Michael “Robby” Robinavitch in a scene from The Pitt. – Photo credit: IMDB / HBO…
Philippines enters final stretch for maiden WTA hosting
The newly refurbished hard courts at the Rizal Memorial Tennis Center in Manila, where the Philippines will host the Philippine Women’s Open 2026, the country’s first Women’s Tennis Association–sanctioned tournament, from January 26…
Here Lies Love comes to Los Angeles: a musical that asks how power feels before it is judged
LOS ANGELES — Here Lies Love, the disco-pop musical by David Byrne and Fatboy Slim, is scheduled to run at Center Theatre Group’s Mark Taper Forum from February 11 through March 22,…
Manhunt launched for Atong Ang after Laguna court orders arrest in missing ‘sabungeros’ case
Court found probable cause in kidnapping with homicide complaints. Atong Ang, through counsel, denied involvement in the disappearance of dozens of sabungeros and said his defense will challenge the arrest…
Coffee and longevity
New studies revealed the potential health benefits of coffee, more specifically, on its positive effects on lowering the risk for chronic disease and on longevity. One study “suggests that consuming…
The New Year myth : Change, repetition, and the self we carry forward
We love the idea of New Year, New Life because it flatters us. It suggests that time itself will do the hard work, that crossing an invisible line on the calendar somehow…
For overseas landowners, farm clustering offers a practical path to making Philippine farmland productive
Farmworkers harvest leafy vegetables in a Philippine upland farming community, illustrating smallholder agriculture that clustering and consolidation programs aim to organize for scale, efficiency, and improved market access. – Photo courtesy…