MANILA, Philippines — Win or lose in the Miami Open Round of 16, Alex Eala is projected to drop in the Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) rankings upon its weekly update Tuesday, March 24. 45 (1255) according to live rankings following the expiration of the 390 ranking points she gained from last year’s Final Four run in the same event. From the 390 lost points, Eala regained 120 of these after three wins and could jack it up to 215 with a win against World No. She then hacked out a 6-7 (6-8), 6-3, 6-3 Round-of-64 win against No. 50 Magda Linette of Poland, 6-3, 7-6 (7-2), to reach the Last 16.

Marcos approves trimester system for schools without pilot testingA teacher instructs students as classes open for the new school year at an elementary school in Manila on June 16, 2025. The calendar change is a first for DepEd, which had long implemented the four-quarter system. "While the proposal has not undergone pilot testing, consultations have been conducted with various educational institutions prior to its presentation," the PCO said in its statement. The Alliance of Concerned Teachers criticized the calendar change and questioned whether teachers were adequately consulted prior to the decision. He also told the department to align the three-term setup with the existing semestral system in senior high school.

Marcos meets 343 Filipinos returning home from Middle EastMANILA, Philippines — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. welcomed 343 overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) who returned home as evacuees from the Middle East on Monday, March 23, as the government repatriation efforts. The group arrived at Villamor Air Base in Pasay City aboard the fourth government-chartered flight, which departed from Saudi Arabia. "We have 343 from the fourth chartered flight from Saudi Arabia... 234 of whom are from Qatar, Kuwait and Bahrain," Cacdac said in Filipino. More flights expectedCacdac said the government is preparing additional evacuation flights, including fifth and sixth chartered flights from the United Arab Emirates, which hosts a large Filipino population. Returning OFWs will receive government support, including temporary accommodation, transportation assistance, financial aid and arrangements for their travel to home provinces.

According to Viloria, recent seasons saw MPL Philippines surpass internal expectations after years of rebuilding and foundation-setting. Championship ringsSeason 17 also marks a historic milestone for the league with the introduction of MPL Philippines’ first-ever championship rings, following a landmark partnership with international jewelry brand Fairrie. “Introducing champion rings to MPL Philippines shows how much the league has evolved over the years. Also in the top spot is AP Bren with the return of veteran player Kiel "Kielvj" Cruzem seeing success as the Hive overcame Smart Omega and TNC Pro Team. Though Aurora Gaming PH lost its opening match against The Cavalry, the team managed to bounce back with a 2-0 sweep over TNC Pro Team.

Double-digit price hikes coming up for diesel, kerosene — DOE chiefAn attendant counts money after filling up a motorcycle with gasoline at a petrol station in Manila on March 15, 2022. MANILA, Philippines — Oil firms are set to implement another round of price hikes this week, with diesel and kerosene expected to post double-digit increases. In an interview on dzMM on Monday, March 23, Energy Secretary Sharon Garin said diesel prices may increase by P11.88 per liter, while kerosene may rise by P13.66 per liter. Last week, gasoline prices rose by P12.90 to P16.60 per liter, while diesel prices increased by P20.40 to P23.90 per liter. The bottleneck has nearly halted all petroleum shipments, sending oil prices soaring.

Wolves rally past Celtics; Nuggets sink BlazersBones Hyland of the Minnesota Timberwolves celebrates after making a 3-point basket as Baylor Scheierman of the Boston Celtics runs by during the second half of their NBA game at the TD Garden on March 22, 2026 in Boston, Massachusetts. LOS ANGELES, United States — The Minnesota Timberwolves shrugged off the injury absence of Anthony Edwards to complete a come-from-behind 102-92 road victory over the Boston Celtics on Sunday (Monday Manila time). Minnesota improved to 44-28 and remain in sixth place in the Western Conference. In the Western Conference, Nikola Jokic's 35th triple-double of the season powered the Denver Nuggets to a 128-112 win over the Portland Trail Blazers. Jokic tallied 22 points, 14 rebounds and 14 assists while Jamal Murray also scored 22 points, including four 3-pointers.

Subsidizing fuel pricesOrdinary people in many parts of the world are starting to feel the impact of the US-Israel war with Iran. We are also the most impacted in ASEAN because market deregulation means our pump prices immediately reflect world market prices. It acted as a financial buffer to shield retail consumers from volatile global oil prices and currency fluctuations. Conversely, when international oil prices fell or the exchange rate improved, oil companies were required to pay the cost reductions into the OPSF rather than lowering retail prices immediately. Some of our ASEAN neighbors are subsidizing pump prices of gasoline, diesel and LPG.

Stranded sperm whale in Sultan Kudarat dies despite rescue bidA multi-sector environment-protection group is now watching over the rescued sperm whale to be guided back to the deep sea soon. COTABATO CITY (Updated 11:52 a.m.) — A sperm whale found disoriented near the shoreline of a beachfront village in Kalamansig, Sultan Kudarat has died hours after rescuers attempted to return it to deeper waters, local officials said Monday, March 23. The whale measured about 54 feet long and weighed at least 10 tons, with a midsection circumference of more than 30 feet, according to local officials. The Kalamansig local government said the carcass would be disposed of at sea. Residents draw flakSome residents in Poral drew criticism from environmental advocates and local officials after videos showed people approaching and riding the whale while it was stranded.

Trump’s quagmireIt wasn’t just my imagination: traffic has become lighter, even along EDSA. And we cling to hopes, which don’t seem too bizarre, considering that much depends on the extremely volatile Donald Trump. Already, we’re seeing the premise being laid for US departure from Trump’s quagmire. While the US-Israel attack can be condemned on several aspects, Iran’s blockade of the Strait of Hormuz is evil. Whichever state lays mines in the strait, endangering lives, freedom of navigation and global oil supply, must face the stiffest sanctions.

Trump gives Iran 48-hour ultimatum to reopen HormuzUS President Donald Trump speaks to journalists before boarding Marine One as he departs from the South Lawn of the White House in Washington, DC, on March 20, 2026 for his Mar-a-Lago residence, where he will spend the weekend. JERUSALEM — US President Donald Trump on Saturday gave Iran 48 hours to reopen the Strait of Hormuz to shipping or face the destruction of its energy infrastructure, as Tehran launched its most destructive attack yet on Israel. Netanyahu vowed to continue striking Iran after what he called a "very difficult evening" and hours later, the Israeli military said its forces launched a wave of strikes on Tehran. The United Arab Emirates said Saturday it faced aerial attacks after Iran warned it against allowing strikes from its territory on disputed islands near the Strait of Hormuz. Iran has choked off the vital waterway, which carries a fifth of global crude oil trade in peacetime.

Prolonged disruption scenario? In this potential adverse scenario, Philippine equities are projected to trend lower toward a bear case target of 5,500. A prolonged conflict, it was pointed out, raises the risks of reduced working hours or delayed wages, higher living costs in host countries, and possible repatriation or job displacement. Should these disruptions persist, the risk profile escalates to Scenario 3 — “Prolonged disruption; logistics issue to full-scale supply shock, where Brent oil prices could spike to $100 to $150/bbl. Scenario 3 outlines a prolonged disruption — from logistics issues to full-scale supply shock.

PUVs get toll discountCommuters ride passenger jeepneys along Kamias Road in Quezon City as they head to their respective destination on March 11, 2026. The new expressways with discounted toll rates include the Manila-Cavite Toll Expressway (CAVITEX), R1 Expressway Extension, Muntinlupa Cavite Expressway, and Subic Clark Tarlac Expressway (SCTEX). Toll rebate programsThe Metro Pacific Tollways Corp. (MPTC), with its joint-venture partners, will be extending the KaBiyahe Rebate Program at SCTEX and CAVITEX. Class 3 vehicles must be valid Easytrip subscribers in good standing with sufficient load; not enrolled in any other toll rebate or discount programs on MPTC expressways, such as the Toll Exemption for agricultural trucks. “We are grateful to the toll operators because these discounts are a great help for our PUV drivers.

Roblox, other games under police watchMANILA, Philippines — Online games, including Roblox, are being monitored by the Philippine National Police (PNP) amid child exploitation concerns. Authorities earlier flagged Roblox following reports of predators taking advantage of the game’s features to groom or exploit minors. “We will not allow our children to be exposed and exploited in this kind of online environment,” PNP chief Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. said. The CICC reportedly gave Roblox until the end of the month to explain its safeguards to protect young users. Other online games and social applications are also under surveillance, the PNP said.

The consolation is their performance was an indication that they’ll go far in pursuit of medals at the Nagoya Asian Games this year. Obiena, 30, cleared 5.50m and 5.70m with no difficulty but couldn’t crack 5.85m in three attempts. 37 of 51 while Corrales Nelson, 27, placed No. Chinese-Taipei’s Yanjun Liao was the only Asian who finished ahead of Laurance and Corrales Nelson at No 34, clocking 7.34. Obiena flew in from his training base in Italy while Cabang Tolentino checked in from Spain, Laurance from Australia and Corrales Nelson from the US.

Watching my daughters build their own businessesI was sitting down for an interview with Jeron Travel and Tours CEO and suking Go Negosyo events host Chal Lontoc-Del Rosario last week when she sprung upon me some bombshell news: my daughters Monica, Margarita and Isabella were to be on the show with her the following week. If you’re interested in watching the interview, it’s on the YouTube channel of Bilyonaryo News Channel’s “The Daily Dish” show, specifically the March 16, 2026 episode. In fact, it goes back to my grandfather Badong and my father Joecon working together to build RFM. Even though they are always welcome (and encouraged) to join the family businesses, I always tell them to learn by starting their own enterprises. I am glad my daughters are learning to find their own space in the entrepreneurial world at this stage in their lives.