NGCP welcomes Terra Solar project, but...Terra Solar has a total capacity of 2,500 megawatts, supported by a 1,125-MW battery energy storage system capable of sustaining output for around four hours. MANILA, Philippines — NGCP welcomes Terra Solar Power Project as a significant addition to the country’s growing renewable energy capacity, supporting national efforts toward a cleaner energy mix. “Renewable energy initiatives such as the Terra Solar Power Project are welcome. The Terra Solar Power Project will be supplying 850MW to Manila Electric Co. through a Power Supply Agreement, mainly during the daytime, while the remaining 1,650MW will be injected into the grid via the Wholesale Electricity Spot Market. As a variable renewable energy source, Terra Solar operates on a must-dispatch basis under Republic Act 9513.

PTA charts courses of action for 2026The PTA, a successful national sports association that produced 14 medals in last year’s SEA Games in Thailand – including two golds – anticipates more than 1,000 certified instructors to converge at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium. MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine Taekwondo Association (PTA) will be holding its annual National Instructors General Assembly on Sunday to chart a course for the continued growth of the sport with focus on forming formidable national team for a number of important international events this year. The PTA, a successful national sports association that produced 14 medals in last year’s SEA Games in Thailand – including two golds – anticipates more than 1,000 certified instructors to converge at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium. Apart from the affiliated PTA national instructors, also expected to attend are the Regional Management Committee (RMC) chairmen and top guns of the Philippine National Police (PNP) and the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP). Registration starts at 9 a.m. followed by a practical review of new Poomsae rules and Referee Hand Signal.

Jobless rate declines to 4.4% in November2.25 million Pinoys remain unemployed, says PSAMANILA, Philippines — Unemployment in the country declined in November 2025 compared to the previous month, while underemployment also eased, according to the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA). This translates to 2.25 million jobless Filipinos in November 2025, down from 2.54 million in October 2025. The country’s employment rate rose to 95.6 percent in November 2025 from 95 percent in October 2025, but dipped from 96.8 percent in November 2024. An estimated 49.26 million Filipinos were employed in November 2025, up from 48.62 million a month ago, but lower than the 49.54 million in November 2024. Strengthening workforce competitiveness is one of the key elements to attract investments that generate quality jobs,” DEPDev Secretary Arsenio Balisacan said.

For her final performance on Jan. 6, Dorado performed Light Up, a new song produced by GroovyRoom. Filipino pride soared on the global stage as singer‑songwriter Gwyn Dorado earned a second‑place finish in the grand finale of Korean talent competition show Sing Again. Related Article Filipina singer Gwyn Dorado earns 'All Again' pass from Korean judges at ‘Sing Again 4’In an Instagram post, Dorado reflected on her journey competing on Sing Again. Hosted by Lee Seung-gi, the fourth season of Sing Again began with a sizeable number of 81 amateur singers. The show’s previous champions include Lee Seung-yoon from Season 1, Kim Ki-tae from Season 2, and Hong Isaac from Season 3.

After nearly a decade, Stranger Things concluded on Jan. 1 (Philippine time), closing a story that had grown alongside its audience. As fans continue to talk about the series online, a certain "Conformity Gate" theory has made the rounds. The theory concludes that Episode 8 is merely a fabricated reality, a dream, or an illusion that would eventually break down in a hypothetical Episode 9. However, this may just be in reference to a line his character Mr. Whatsit, Vecna's alter ego, says in Stranger Things Season 5 Episode 5. As of writing, neither Netflix nor series creators Matt and Ross Duffer have addressed the rumors of a ninth episode.

FULL LIST: 2025 Bar exams passersMANILA, Philippines — Supreme Court Associate Justice and 2025 Bar Chair Amy Lazaro-Javier announced on Wednesday, January 7, the results of the 2025 Bar Examinations. A total of 5,594 examinees successfully passed the Bar, higher than the 3,962 passers in 2024. In 2025, 13,193 candidates registered for the exams, but only 11,437 took the tests on September 7, 10 and 14. The list of successful examinees can be viewed in the Supreme Court courtyard on Padre Faura Street, Manila, and through the Court’s YouTube channel and social media platforms. Here is the full list of successful Bar examinees.

An oilfield worker walks next to drilling rigs at an oil well operated by Venezuela's state oil company PDVSA, in the oil rich Orinoco belt, near Morichal at the state of Monagas April 16, 2015. Picture taken on April 16, 2015. REUTERS/Carlos Garcia Rawlins

Customs collection for 2025 hits P934.4 billionMANILA, Philippines — The Bureau of Customs (BOC) on Wednesday, January 7, said that it collected P934.4 billion from January to December 2025. This surpassed the BOC’s previous collection in 2024 by 1.9% or P17.726 billion. Despite the BOC reaching a record high in revenue collections, it still fell short of its P958.714 billion target for 2025. The BOC said it faced several challenges in 2025, including lower import volumes, suspension of rice importation and global commodity price fluctuations. The BOC said that there were a total of 1,024 enforcement operations, which led to the seizure of P61.707 billion worth of smuggled or prohibited goods.

Below is a list of scholarship opportunities you shouldn’t miss in 2026. SM College ScholarshipSM College Scholarship caters to students who will study priority courses in science, technology, engineering, and accountancy. CHED Merit ScholarshipThe CHED Merit Scholarship Program is a competitive scholarship opportunity being offered by the Commission on Higher Education. To apply, check first whether your school is part of the scholarship program. Then, complete all the steps outlined in the university’s scholarship application form, which will be available only when the application process is open.

The Supreme Court on Wednesday, Jan. 7, announced that 5,594 out of 11,420 passed the 2025 Bar examinations, resulting in a 48.98% passing rate. Placing third is Alaiza Adviento of UST with a grade of 91.91%. Jeowy Ompad of University of San Jose-Recoletos and Enrico Paguia of Ateneo de Manila University: 91.25%7. Ronald Vincent Gonzales of UE: 89.91%A total of 137 out of 143 schools emerged with successful Bar exam takers. The oath-taking and roll-signing of new lawyers will take place at the Philippine Arena on Feb. 6.

Trump announces plan to sell Venezuelan oil as US signals it is in talks with CaracasCrude oil drips from a valve at an oil well operated by Venezuela's state oil company PDVSA, in the oil rich Orinoco belt, near Morichal at the state of Monagas.

AFP to increase West Philippine Sea operationsMore than 50 Chinese vessels swarm the vicinity of Iroquois Reef and Sabina Shoal in the West Philippine Sea, July 7. MANILA, Philippines — The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) yesterday assured the public that while it expects China to continue its illegal presence and activities in the region, the military will increase and sustain its operations to secure and defend the West Philippine Sea. “Likewise, the AFP, more than ever, we are up to the challenge. “Number two, our defense diplomacy has been very strong. “For each activity conducted as a result of this defense diplomacy, there are corresponding actions conducted by the Chinese Communist Party in the WPS.

EDITORIAL - Start in your own backyardIt’s heartening to hear a member of the Supreme Court stressing the importance of fighting corruption. Addressing an anti-corruption forum recently, SC Senior Associate Justice Marvic Leonen said the judiciary is moving to fight corruption. We contradict the role that we should all play as agents of social justice,” Leonen said. The SC, which supervises the judiciary, can start in its own backyard by easing the restrictions it imposed on the release of the statements of assets, liabilities and net worth of justices and judges. Former SC justice Samuel Martires expanded this SALN restriction to other government branches when he became ombudsman.

National Statistician Dennis Mapa said in a press conference yesterday that headline inflation – the rate of increase in consumer prices – averaged 1.7 percent last year, lower than the 3.2 percent average inflation in 2024. He said last year’s average inflation was the lowest since 2016 when inflation averaged 1.3 percent. Last year’s average inflation was also below the government’s two to four percent target band. The December 2025 inflation print was also within the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas’ 1.2 to two percent forecast for the month. Vegetables registered faster inflation of 11.6 percent in December 2025 from four percent in the previous month.

LIVE updates: 2025 Bar exam resultsThe facade of the Supreme Court of the Philippines on Padre Faura Street, Ermita, Manila, taken on Dec. 13, 2024. MANILA, Philippines — The Supreme Court is set to release the results of the 2025 Bar Examinations on Wednesday, January 6. The results of the 2025 Bar examinations will be displayed on the Supreme Court’s LED screen in its courtyard on Padre Faura Street, Ermita, Manila. The release of Bar passers will also be livestreamed at the Supreme Court YouTube channel and its social media pages. Here are the latest updates on the highly anticipated release of the 2025 Bar exam results.