Britain's Prince Andrew, Duke of York attends the Royal Family's Christmas Day service at St. Mary Magdalene's church, as the Royals take residence at the Sandringham estate in eastern England, Britain December 25, 2022. REUTERS/Toby Melville/File Photo

Eala tormentor Osorio downs Vekic to rule Philippine Women’s OpenCamila Osorio (middle) celebrates as she wins the inaugural Philippine Women's Open in Manila. Colombia’s Camila Osorio, who ousted Alex Eala in quarterfinals, has ruled the Philippine Women’s Open after outlasting Donna Vekic, 2-6, 6-3, 7-5 in the final Saturday at the Rizal Memorial Coliseum in Manila. With the set tied at 4-all, Osorio broke Vekic’s serve to take the lead for the first time in the frame, 5-4. The Colombian, thus, won the first-ever Philippine Women’s Open, which is also the first WTA 125 tournament in the country. Before getting Vekic’s scalp in the final, Osorio defeated Sakura Hosogi, Mai Hontama, home bet Eala, and Solana Sierra.

ASEAN voices support for greater regional connectivityVisitors take to the skies and enjoy the waves from parasailing and jet boating off Gilutongan Island in Cordova, Cebu yesterday. A report released during the ASEAN Tourism Forum 2026 in Cebu showed travel and tourism contributing $91.8 billion to the Philippine economy. CEBU CITY, Philippines — The 11 members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) have voiced strong support for greater connectivity, especially in flights between various destinations in the region, according to the Department of Tourism (DOT). “We’re very encouraged because of very strong support for regional connectivity,” Tourism Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco said on the sidelines of the closing ceremony of the ASEAN Tourism Forum 2026 on Friday. In a joint statement read by Frasco after 29th Meeting of ASEAN Tourism Ministers, it was revealed that the region welcomed an estimated 144 million foreign visitors in 2025.

Suspects arrested in slay of policewoman, sonCrime scene investigators use metal detectors in a grassy field along the Pulilan-Baliuag bypass road in Bulacan yesterday to search for the firearm used in the killing of Senior M/Sgt. Inset photo from the NCRPO shows officers arresting a suspect in the killing of the policewoman and her eight-year-old son during an operation the other night. MANILA, Philippines — Police on Friday night arrested three suspects in the killing of Senior M/Sgt. The Mollenidos were in Novaliches, Quezon City that day to sell a car through the agent. The suspects are now under the custody of the Quezon City Police District.

Only 1 tropical cyclone seen this monthThe tropical cyclone may cross the eastern side of the Visayas or Mindanao, or make a U-turn going out of the Philippine area of responsibility, based on the model from the state weather bureau. MANILA, Philippines — A lone tropical cyclone may enter the country this month, according to the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA). The tropical cyclone may cross the eastern side of the Visayas or Mindanao, or make a U-turn going out of the Philippine area of responsibility, based on the model from the state weather bureau. From February to July this year, PAGASA projects four to 11 tropical cyclones may visit the Philippines. Moderate to strong winds and coastal waters may hit Luzon and the Visayas, with light to moderate winds and coastal waters over Mindanao.

Sewers do not attract attention when they work. By November 2025, all 28 wastewater treatment facilities operated by Manila Water were fully compliant with government effluent standards, surpassing regulatory targets. When sewers work, cities breathe easier. But in a country long frustrated by projects that never seem to end, work that is finished, and works, quietly matters. A global safety system built for decisive action can trigger a localized communication crisis that demands an immediate, empathetic response.

EDITORIAL - Ensure enforcementAs part of continuing efforts to stop epal or self-promoting credit-grabbing by politicians at taxpayers’ expense, the Department of the Interior and Local Government has ordered its offices nationwide and local government units to remove the names, images and likenesses of public officials from all state-funded projects. Remulla should include a prohibition on the display of greetings by politicians in public spaces, unless in registered advertising spots. Public spaces nationwide are littered with streamers and billboards of politicians, greeting the public for every imaginable occasion including fiestas and graduations. Politicians’ billboards and streamers bearing Christmas greetings have not yet been taken down, even in Metro Manila. Aside from the DILG circular, Remulla stressed that the prohibition on politicians’ self-promoting materials is in the 2026 General Appropriations Act.

NYC allocates P5 million for HIV awareness campaignNYC chairman Joseph Francisco Ortega said the amount highlights the agency’s active role in national HIV policy discussions and community-based interventions focused on the youth sector. MANILA, Philippines — The National Youth Commission (NYC) has allocated P5 million to boost youth-led initiatives on the human immunodeficiency virus or HIV awareness and stigma reduction campaign. NYC chairman Joseph Francisco Ortega said the amount highlights the agency’s active role in national HIV policy discussions and community-based interventions focused on the youth sector. To further combat HIV-related stigma, Ortega said the NYC is collaborating with an AIDS organization to launch a nationwide anti-stigma campaign. The NYC is an attached agency of the Department of the Interior and Local Government that addresses issues surrounding the Filipino youth.

Power distributors given more time to file AWATThe regulator granted DUs until March 22 to file their applications, extending the original 60-day deadline to 120 days from the effectivity of ERC Resolution 23, Series of 2025, which was issued last November. MANILA, Philippines — The Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) is giving distribution utilities (DUs) 60 more days to complete and file their actual weighted average tariff (AWAT) applications. For instance, if residential customers pay higher rates but use less power than industrial customers, AWAT balances these differences to show the true overall average price. Likewise, the ERC adjusted the timelines for the filing of rate reset applications for the second, third and fourth entry groups in the first regulatory period. The rate reset process sets the rules and parameters for the investment, operations and pricing mechanisms of DUs to determine how much should be charged to consumers.

PRC distributes aid in 15 provincesThe nationwide activity formed part of the PRC’s P301.8-million humanitarian assistance program for 23,242 families affected by the Cebu and Davao Oriental earthquakes in October 2025 as well as by Typhoon Tino and Super Typhoon Uwan in November 2025. MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine Red Cross (PRC) on Friday conducted simultaneous relief distributions in 15 provinces, providing food packs and essential household items to 4,078 families affected by earthquakes and successive typhoons. Richard Gordon, PRC chairman and chief executive officer, said the assistance drive aims to help families begin recovery and rebuilding. PRC secretary general Gwen Pang said the simultaneous distribution ensured a coordinated and timely support across affected regions. The distribution also covered the provinces of Cagayan, Isabela, Palawan, Catanduanes, Negros Occidental, Negros Oriental, Surigao del Norte, Davao Oriental and Cebu.

BSP to roll out cross-bank auto-debit this yearBy enabling cross-bank auto debits, the central bank expects to reduce friction for consumers and improve collection efficiency for billers. MANILA, Philippines — The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) is preparing to roll out an interoperable auto-debit facility for bill payments this year, building on a pilot conducted in 2025 and expanding the system beyond same-bank arrangements. He noted that while some billers already offer auto-debit functions, the new facility is designed to work across different banks. Under the current setup, auto-debit arrangements usually require the customer’s deposit account and the biller’s bank to be the same. Beyond domestic payments, Tangonan also pointed to cross-border initiatives that will be rolled out this year as the Philippines holds the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) chairmanship.

Not a project but a lifestylePersonal branding is not a project. One in particular stood out: “Building your personal brand isn’t a project. However, quitting prematurely is the most common mistake in personal branding. Ultimately, your personal brand is not defined by your profile photo or tagline. Your personal brand is not a side project; it is reflected in your daily actions and choices.

FDA, CICC warn public vs fake vaccines, miracle drugs“These (fake vaccines) are being distributed through unauthorized channels, including social media, online marketing platforms and unlicensed sources. MANILA, Philippines — The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has warned the public and healthcare professionals against unregistered and counterfeit dengue vaccines being sold in the market. “These (fake vaccines) are being distributed through unauthorized channels, including social media, online marketing platforms and unlicensed sources. Renato Paraiso, CICC executive director, said scammers are using artificial intelligence and have sponsored social media advertisements to give fraudulent products an image of legitimacy. To stay safe, Paraiso urged the public to purchase health products from legitimate and licensed sellers.

OVP: Free rides served 3 million passengersAccording to the OVP, the Libreng Sakay program assisted 1,036,927 passengers across various routes in Luzon, Visayas,and Mindanao, including Metro Manila, Naic (Cavite), Cebu, Bacolod, Tacloban and Davao last year. MANILA, Philippines — The Office of the Vice President on Friday said the free rides being offered by the OVP served over three million passengers nationwide since it was launched on Aug. 3, 2022. According to the OVP, the Libreng Sakay program assisted 1,036,927 passengers across various routes in Luzon, Visayas,and Mindanao, including Metro Manila, Naic (Cavite), Cebu, Bacolod, Tacloban and Davao last year. The free ride program operates nine buses in high-demand areas across the country, the OVP added. “As the program surpasses the three-million-passengers mark, the OVP reaffirms its commitment to people-centered initiatives that deliver timely and practical assistance, which reflect a responsive and compassionate approach to public service,” it added.

Cruise tourism among ASEAN’s most important marketsTourism ministers from the regional bloc “highlighted the growing potential of cruise tourism as an important market segment,” read the joint media statement from the 29th Meeting of ASEAN Tourism Ministers read by Tourism Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco on Jan. 30. MANILA, Philippines — The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) has recognized the potential of cruise tourism in attracting more foreign travelers to the region’s tourist destinations. Tourism ministers from the regional bloc “highlighted the growing potential of cruise tourism as an important market segment,” read the joint media statement from the 29th Meeting of ASEAN Tourism Ministers read by Tourism Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco on Jan. 30. The Department of Tourism (DOT) and the BI launched the cruise visa waiver program in 2024 aimed to simplify visa processes for tourists onboard cruise ships that dock in the country. Aside from cruise tourism, ASEAN tourism ministers also “recognized the continued development of new and innovative tourism products, including nature-based, cultural, gastronomy, wellness, adventure and creative tourism experiences,” their joint statement said.