Korea hails ‘miracle’ ChoiSeoul — South Korea celebrated snowboarding sensation Choi Gaon as a “miracle girl” and history-maker on Friday after soaring to the country’s first Olympic gold in the sport. The 17-year-old recovered from a horror crash to dethrone the United States’ two-time defending champion Chloe Kim in the halfpipe on Thursday in Italy. Choi is the first athlete from South Korea to win an Olympic gold medal in snow sports.
Facebook vows action vs online child abuse, scamsInformation and Communications Technology Secretary Henry Aguda said Meta, which owns Facebook, will implement stricter measures to thwart threats on the internet to ensure the digital space of every Filipino is safe. MANILA, Philippines — The government and Facebook have agreed to take the necessary steps to address misinformation and other harmful content on the social media platform. Information and Communications Technology Secretary Henry Aguda said Meta, which owns Facebook, will implement stricter measures to thwart threats on the internet to ensure the digital space of every Filipino is safe. During their meeting, Aguda said that Meta public policy head for Indonesia and the Philippines Berni Moestafa and Meta Philippines public policy head Gio Tingson agreed on three landmark agreements against online harm. Among these is strengthening actions against online sexual abuse and abuse and exploitation of children.
Kanlaon emits ash for 17 minutesA 17-minute time-lapse captures the ash emission of Kanlaon Volcano on Negros Island, which generated plumes rising 300 meters above the crater before drifting southwest at around 12:50 AM on February 13, 2026. MANILA, Philippines — State volcanologists yesterday recorded a 17-minute ash emission at Kanlaon Volcano on Negros Island. A time-lapse footage posted by the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) showed the ash event occurred at 12:50 a.m. at the summit crater. Aside from the emission, Phivolcs said 14 volcanic earthquakes were also detected around Kanlaon as well as a sulfur dioxide flux of 294 tons per day. Kanlaon, located at the boundary of Negros Occidental and Negros Oriental, has been under Alert Level 2 since July 2025.
6,045 voters register for BARMM pollsMANILA, Philippines — Up to 6,045 voters have filed applications in the first four days of the voter registration for the first parliamentary elections in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM). Data from the Commission on Elections showed that 3,030 men and 3,015 women registered from Feb. 9 to 12. Among BARMM provinces, Maguindanao del Norte recorded the highest number of registrants with 1,656 followed by Maguindanao del Sur with 1,239 and Lanao del Sur with 1,053. On Tuesday alone, Comelec’s registration centers processed 1,740 applications, with 882 female and 858 male registrants. Maguindanao del Norte reported the highest single-day registrant turnout with 465.
Metro Manila subway project moving quickly – President MarcosPresident Marcos is joined by acting Transportation Secretary Giovanni Lopez and Japanese Ambassador Endo Kazuya during a sake barrel-breaking ceremony and groundbreaking of the Metro Manila Subway Project’s Kalayaan and Bonifacio Global City stations at Uptown BGC in Taguig City yesterday. The President also led the inspection of ongoing work on the subway project’s Shaw Boulevard station (inset). MANILA, Philippines — The construction of the 33.1-kilometer Metro Manila subway project (MMSP) is moving quickly, President Marcos said yesterday, underscoring the administration’s sustained investments in rail and other transportation infrastructure. President Marcos leads the inspection of the Shaw Boulevard Station of the Metro Manila Subway Project with Department of Transportation officials yesterday. Under Contract Package 104, the Shaw Boulevard Station segment is being implemented by the Tokyu-Tobishima-Megawide Joint Venture, with a contract cost of P18.27 billion.
Castro hits VP Sara, warns vs 2028 Manchurian puppetMANILA, Philippines — Presidential Communications Undersecretary Claire Castro yesterday hit back at Vice President Sara Duterte, saying it is possible that the Philippines would no longer be a country by 2028 if Filipinos elect a Manchurian candidate. Asked for her Valentine’s Day message to the Vice President, Castro said, “Spread love, not fake news, not immorality. Unfazed by surveyMalacañang was unfazed by the latest Social Weather Stations (SWS) survey, showing more Filipinos were satisfied with the performance of the Vice President than the President. Cuneta, who was with her husband Sen. Francis Pangilinan, joked that she has only one vice president. “I’ve only one vice president, there – my date tonight.
500 more drug war ‘victims’ to join ICC caseA relative of a victim of an extra-judicial killing attends a memorial mass ahead of All Soul's Day to remember loved ones slain in the government's war on drugs, at the Commission on Human Rights in Manila on Oct. 29, 2021. MANILA, Philippines — Pre-trial judges of the International Criminal Court (ICC) have authorized another 500 victims to participate in the ongoing crimes against humanity proceedings against former president Rodrigo Duterte. These were on top of the initial 39 victims that were authorized by the chamber to participate in the proceedings. Victims allowed by the ICC to participate will be able to present their views during the proceedings. VP prays for fair ICC trialVice President Sara Duterte yesterday said that she is praying for a fair trial for her father, ahead of his confirmation of charges hearing.
Word war rages between Chinese embassy, lawmakersMANILA, Philippines — There appears to be no ceasefire in sight between lawmakers and the Chinese embassy, with both trading barbs before the weekend over the recent Senate resolution condemning Chinese diplomats for making hostile remarks against Philippine officials. But when the Chinese embassy responds like any normal embassy would, some senators can’t get over that,” the statement posted on the embassy’s official Facebook page read. “Some senators are still urging ‘recall of the aggressive and sensitive Chinese Ambassador.’ Who do they think they are? De Lima also reminded the Chinese embassy spokesperson that diplomatic immunity from suit as guest of the Philippine government has limits. “The PRC is the only party to the South China Sea dispute not respecting the provisions of the DOC, and of the UNCLOS (United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea),” he said.
Geopolitical tensions drive fuel prices higherA gas station attendant fills up cars at a station in Paco, Manila on January 12, 2026. MANILA, Philippines — Motorists should brace for yet another domestic pump price hike next week amid heightened tensions abroad. Kerosene prices may go up by around P0.25 per liter, with further increases likely once oil firms’ operating costs and other premiums are factored in. “The strongest factor helping oil prices to move in an upward direction is the geopolitical tensions, particularly in Iran,” said Rodela Romero, assistant director at the Department of Energy. She noted that the threat of supply disruptions through the Strait of Hormuz, a key global trade route, and lingering uncertainty over Iran’s nuclear talks have pushed a risk premium into prices.
Swiatek, Rybakina dumped out of Qatar OpenGreece's Maria Sakkari (right) is congratulated by Poland's Iga Swiatek after winning their women’s singles quarter-final match at the Qatar Open tennis tournament in Doha on February 12, 2026. 2 Iga Swiatek and Australian Open champion Elena Rybakina both crashed out of the Qatar Open on Thursday after losing their quarterfinal matches to Maria Sakkari and Victoria Mboko, respectively. Sakkari began to fight back in the last game, but Swiatek saved a break point to seal the set. Sakkari continued her upswing by breaking in the second game of the second set. She dropped her serve twice again in the second set, which Rybakina won 6-4.
What is the two-state solution to the Israel-Palestinian conflict? Palestinians put out a fire at the site of an Israeli strike on an area designated for displaced people, in Rafah, in the southern Gaza Strip, May 27, 2024. REUTERS/Mohammed Salem/File Photo
Lady Spikers begin UAAP ‘revenge tour’Games Saturday(Mall of Asia Arena)9 a.m. — UP vs UE (men)11 a.m. — UP vs UE (women)1 P.M. — FEU vs DLSU (men)3 P.M. — FEU vs DLSU (women)MANILA, Philippines — There will be no love on the Taraflex as La Salle kickstarts its redemption tour against the formidable Far Eastern University to open the much-awaited UAAP Season 88 women’s volleyball tournament Saturday at the Mall of Asia Arena. Before the Lady Spikers-Lady Tamaraws duel, rejigged squads UP and UE take centercourt at 11 a.m. to parade new coaches Fabio Menta of Italy and Jumbo Dimaculangan, respectively. And the Lady Spikers can count on Angel Canino’s lead for that revenge tour especially now as the heavy favorite to win the Season MVP once again after the graduation of her fierce rival Bella Belen of NU. That starts with the steady wards of FEU coach Tina Salak, who finished third last season. Meanwhile, FEU will also be out for a strong start to its redemption tour against La Salle at 1 p.m. in the men’s side after nearly toppling the NU dynasty last season.
Marcos inaugurates newly rehabilitated dam in ZamboangaMANILA, Philippines — More than 3,100 farmers are expected to benefit from the newly rehabilitated Mahayag Dam, which was inaugurated by President Marcos yesterday in Zamboanga del Sur. Located in Mahayag town, the dam regulates the flow of water in the Salug River and supplies irrigation to nearby rice fields. It serves as a key diversion structure within the Salug River Irrigation System, the largest in Zamboanga peninsula. Marcos said the reconstruction of the dam does not only offer a continuous water supply, but also hope and a better future. The pumps are intended to enhance the local irrigation system, using clean and affordable alternative energy.
Photo by OLIVER BUNIC / AFP Serbian archaeologist Vladimir Stevanovic, known on social media as "Serbia's Iceman", meditating on thick snow at the Besna Kobila mountain in Serbia's far south, near the city of Vranje, on January 30, 2026.
‘Drama pero walang gawa’: Palace calls VP Sara an ‘emotional vulture’Vice President Sara Duterte attends the House Committee on Appropriations' deliberation on the Office of the Vice President's (OVP's) proposed 2026 budget on Tuesday, Sept. 16, 2025. MANILA, Philippines — Palace Press Officer Claire Castro did not mince her words against Vice President Sara Duterte, calling her an “emotional vulture” who was pretending to be concerned about the country’s problems, but is not doing anything to actually help solve anything. Castro called the vice president ‘blind’ to the Marcos administration’s efforts, saying she likely ignored it on purpose. Drama pero walang gawa,” Castro said in a press briefing on Friday. The Palace official also said that it was shameful for Duterte to keep spewing disinformation about her and the administration.
