Lava fountaining detected in MayonPhivolcs said the latest activity, recorded at 8:29 p.m. on Tuesday, registered as a harmonic tremor with distinct overtones in the frequency spectra. MANILA, Philippines — Several lava fountaining activities have been recorded at Mayon Volcano in Albay, according to the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology. Phivolcs said the latest activity, recorded at 8:29 p.m. on Tuesday, registered as a harmonic tremor with distinct overtones in the frequency spectra. On Monday, a short-lived lava fountaining and a minor Strombolian activity occurred between 11:17 a.m. and 12:57 p.m., generating incandescent lava flows, pyroclastic density currents or uson and rockfalls. On the same day, a weak lava fountaining episode occurred at 7:42 p.m., producing incandescent fountains and ash plumes that rose 250 meters and drifted southwest, Phivolcs said.

SUV rams 4 vehicles; 6 injuredTricycle driver Santiago Alinsonorin Jr., his passengers Princess Jane Pecot and Isiah Luis Daysor, motorcycle rider Jake Ezeckiel Ching Mendoza, and car owners Virgilio Lumbao and Ofelia Baranda were rushed to a hospital for treatment of injuries. CAMP OLIVAS, Pampanga , Philippines — Six people were injured when a sport utility vehicle (SUV) rammed a tricycle, a motorcycle and two cars in San Jose del Monte, Bulacan on Tuesday night. Investigation showed that a Mitsubishi Montero driven by Cesar Gabriel Galvan was traveling in Barangay Narra when the SUV’s engine malfunctioned. Galvan reportedly lost control of the wheel, causing the SUV to hit the vehicles of the victims. Responding police officers arrested Galvan, who will be charged with reckless imprudence resulting in multiple physical injuries and damage to property.

Philippine booters miss bus to AFC Asian CupNeeding a victory in the final game of the Qualifiers to advance as Group A winner, the Filipinos went all out and drew first blood on a low strike by debuting Fil-German Raphael Obermair on the 19th minute, wresting the head-to-head edge in their dispute for the lone AC ticket at stake in the group. MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine men’s football team came tantalizingly close to qualifying for the 2027 AFC Asian Cup but a 1-1 draw with Tajikistan in Tuesday’s away outing ultimately dashed the dream. The protagonists tried in vain to break the deadlock and the final result proved catastrophic for the Pinoy booters in the final round of the Qualifiers. The Tajiks, quarterfinalists in the 2023 edition, thus joined fellow group winners Lebanon, Singapore, Thailand, Syria and Vietnam to next year’s showpiece set Jan. 7 to Feb. 5 in Saudi Arabia. The Filipinos, meanwhile, will have to wait for the next cycle to return to the Asian tilt after previously making their first and only appearance so far in 2019 under the old “Azkals” banner.

Cardinal David: Holy Week an examination of conscienceMANILA, Philippines — Reiterating that a “moral crisis” is the bigger problem worldwide, Kalookan Bishop Pablo Virgilio Cardinal David yesterday said the Holy Week is a perfect time to have an examination of conscience. “The deepest crisis is not only in the political or economic system, but the moral crisis. That’s why I keep talking about a spiritual and moral crisis,” David said in an interview with “Storycon” on One News. “Every now and then, especially during moments like this during Holy Week, it is good to have an examination of conscience: where is our society headed to?” he said. Because we all know how much flood control money were stolen by politicians who have no conscience,” said the cardinal.

Fires down in March, Cebu City BFP reportsFirefighters work double time to contain a blaze that struck Barangay Tinago in Cebu City recently. CEBU, Philippines — Cebu City saw a notable decline in fire incidents in March compared to last year, which the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) attributed to its intensified Fire Prevention Month campaign. Based on BFP’s latest data, the city recorded a total of 26 fires from March 1 to 31 this year, a significant decrease from 34 fires in 2025 and 39 in 2024 during the same month. Fire authorities reported zero fatalities in Cebu City this year, a further decline from three deaths recorded last year. Bonga kini sa atong sobsob nga fire prevention effort sa BFP (ug) Cebu City Fire Station,” he said.

Helen Ong, a name that symbolizes hope for cancer patients and their families, has long been at the helm of numerous fundraising efforts, most notably for the Philippine Cancer Society (PCS) through the Best Dressed Women of the Philippines (BDWP). Ching Cruz, Che Bernard, Tedrick YauThe newly opened facility, fully funded by the BDWP, strengthens the support extended to cancer patients and their families. The program included a ribbon-cutting ceremony, followed by a blessing and a heartfelt message from the woman of the hour. ;Testimonies and performances also graced the occasion, making it a deeply moving tribute to Ong. More than that, it amplified hope tenfold — something we can all use when facing such a consuming disease.

A university student has lost nearly HK$190,000 after falling victim to a new variant of online job scams that use fluent English and professional recruitment tactics to appear legitimate. Throughout the process, the scammers communicated entirely in fluent English, providing detailed explanations about the company’s background, operations and job duties to build trust. The student was invited to attend a 40-minute “training session” and was then given access to a purported company website and internal account. In a separate incident, a job seeker narrowly avoided a scam after being asked to hand over HK$5,000 to a “client” following a training session for a promoter role. Police recorded 4,095 cases of online job scams in 2025, with the vast majority involving task-based fraud schemes requiring upfront payments.

Forty-four public swimming pool complexes across Hong Kong reopened on Wednesday as the city entered the summer swimming season, with some facilities set to close temporarily for maintenance works. Mui Wo Swimming Pool will operate from 8.30am to 6pm in two sessions, with an additional evening session from 7pm to 10pm on Fridays. The department noted that certain public swimming pools, including those at Victoria Park and Sham Shui Po Park, will be closed on selected dates in 2026 to facilitate maintenance works. The heated pools will remain open until April 15, while the non-heated facilities will open to the public starting April 16. During the swimming season, lifeguard services will be available daily from 9am to 6pm.

Philippines-Korea Business Forum delegateIn our current review on the stability and security of our energy supply, I point once more, as I have done before, to nuclear energy as a potential key component for a sustainable, long-term energy future for the Philippines. The partnership centers on Meralco’s Nuclear Energy Strategic Transition (NEST) program, which aims to incorporate nuclear power into the country’s energy mix. “Nuclear energy is a way to diversify our portfolio and reinforce energy security while offering a degree of insulation from fuel market fluctuations,” he said. With electricity rates among the highest in Southeast Asia, nuclear energy offers a reliable and cost-effective solution to the country’s energy challenges. President Marcos has made nuclear energy a stated national priority.

MANILA, Philippines — San Miguel-backed Bank of Commerce (BankCom) sustained its growth momentum in 2025, posting a record net income of P3.54 billion, driven by higher core revenues and stronger trading and foreign exchange gains. The lender’s bottom line was supported by continued expansion in its core businesses, particularly interest income from loans and investments, alongside gains from market-related activities. Gross revenues rose by 17 percent to P12.61 billion from P10.76 billion in 2024, while net interest income climbed by 18 percent to P10.78 billion. Net interest margin expanded to 4.35 percent, the strongest level since 2009, reflecting faster growth in income from earning assets than interest-bearing liabilities. Asset quality remained sound, with gross non-performing loans at 1.33 percent and net NPL ratio at 0.62 percent.

Psalm 72 LeadersMay he be like rain falling on a mown field, like showers watering the earth. Psalm 72:6In July 2022, Britain’s prime minister was forced to step down after what many felt were lapses in integrity (the newly appointed prime minister stepped down just months later!). When other ministers resigned too, the prime minister realized he had to leave. Believers in Jesus are called to pray for their political leaders (1 Timothy 2:1-2), and Psalm 72 is a good guide for doing so, being both a ruler’s job description and a prayer to help them achieve it. Let’s seek “Psalm 72 leaders” for our nations and help them to embody the qualities found in this psalm by praying it for them.

PAL profit flies high at $160 milyonBased on its financial report, PAL’s parent PAL Holdings Inc. hiked its profit by six percent last year, as revenue went up by three percent to $3.22 billion. PAL’s passenger business took off with $2.73 billion in earnings, as the carrier flew 16.3 million travelers, up by four percent. MANILA, Philippines — Flag carrier Philippine Airlines (PAL) sustained its profitability in 2025, booking a net income of $160.4 million to bump up its capital for a financially challenging 2026. Based on its financial report, PAL’s parent PAL Holdings Inc. hiked its profit by six percent last year, as revenue went up by three percent to $3.22 billion. PAL is leaning on its fleet expansion to support long-term growth and drive up profit margins.

ALI starts P10 billion share buybackIn a stock exchange filing, ALI said its executive committee approved a share buyback program of up to P10 billion that started yesterday, April 1. MANILA, Philippines — Property giant Ayala Land Inc. (ALI) is undertaking a P10-billion share buyback program in an effort to beef up its share price. In a stock exchange filing, ALI said its executive committee approved a share buyback program of up to P10 billion that started yesterday, April 1. The company said the program would be implemented through open market purchases executed via trading facilities of the Philippine Stock Exchange (PSE). For 2026, ALI is allocating P70 billion to P80 billion in capital expenditures.

Philippines secures 66 million kilos of LPG from 3 countriesArnel Ty, founder of the LPG Marketing Association Inc. and president of Regasco, said deliveries will be made between May 15 and June 1 – a development relayed by the Department of Energy on Tuesday. MANILA, Philippines — The Philippines is set to receive 66 million kilos of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) from the United States, Canada and Mexico, an industry representative said, providing a lifeline for industries and consumers highly dependent on it for at least a month. “DOE will store it in four LPG companies that have large storage facilities,” Ty said in a message to The STAR. The shipment, estimated to cost around P2 billion to P2.5 billion, is equivalent to around six million 11-kilo LPG tanks. As of March 27, the Philippines had LPG stocks sufficient for 34 days, latest DOE data showed.

VP lawyers ‘not consulted’ on SC impeach petitionMANILA, Philippines — Lawyers of Vice President Sara Duterte were not consulted by those who asked the Supreme Court (SC) to stop the impeachment proceedings against her at the House committee on justice. In fact, the Vice President, I think in an interview the other day or yesterday, also mentioned that she wasn’t consulted,” Poa maintained. Meanwhile, Poa gave assurance that he will attend the hearing of the House justice panel on April 14 after a subpoena was issued against him. “They (justice panel) followed the process. Meanwhile, justice panel vice chair and Bukidnon 2nd district Rep. Jonathan Keith Flores said they might complete the probable cause stage of the impeachment proceedings as early as April.