Architect, designer Lor Calma, 97MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine architecture and interior design communities are mourning the passing of architect Lor Calma, a quiet pillar whose career became a cornerstone of Philippine interior design. Calma died on Jan. 27 at the age of 97, his firm Lor Calma & Partners announced. “A pioneering Filipino architect and designer, he leaves behind an enduring legacy that helped shape modern Philippine architecture,” the firm said in a statement. The Philippine Institute of Interior Designers (PIID), for its part, also paid tribute, describing Calma as a visionary whose influence helped elevate the profession. “We mourn the passing of architect Lor Calma – a visionary, mentor and one of the quiet pillars who helped shape the soul of Philippine interior design.

Seized flood scam assets near P25 billion – AMLCMANILA, Philippines — The Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC) has secured another freeze order as it intensifies its probe into alleged ghost flood control projects, bringing the total value of frozen assets linked to the controversy to nearly P25 billion. The freeze order also covers the assets of a prominent businessman, along with other individuals and entities allegedly connected to the anomalous projects, according to the AMLC. Investigators said the breadth of assets underscores the complex financial trail surrounding the alleged misuse of funds intended for flood control works. To date, the AMLC said the total value of frozen assets has reached P24.7 billion, covering bank accounts, insurance policies, motor vehicles, air assets, real properties, e-wallet accounts, securities accounts and investment accounts. Remulla also warned against what he described as the indiscriminate inclusion of individuals and entities in freeze order petitions, saying transactions must be thoroughly analyzed.

Senator backs DILG’s anti-epal policySenator Ping Lacson addresses the Senate's ongoing flood control investigation and other matters concerning the upper chamber during the "Kapihan sa Senado" on January 14, 2026. Reacting to DILG Memorandum Circular 2026-006, Lacson said the ubiquity of epal materials – a colloquialism for credit-grabbing by public officials – often signals deeper irregularities in infrastructure spending. While surely, there are no ghost billboards, most likely the ‘epal’ billboards are as overpriced as the projects,” Lacson said in a post on X. The DILG directive, issued on Jan. 29, explicitly prohibits the display of any public official’s “name, image and likeness” on government projects and signboards. However, the senator acknowledged that the fight against the politicization of public funds is far from over.

No Cha-cha talks yet – PalaceMalacañang Palace, the official residence of the president of the Philippines, as seen from the Pasig River. “But, if they (Cha-cha proponents) have already taken steps toward this end, then the President will study it,” she said in Filipino. But the high court maintained that the fourth impeachment complaint transmitted to the Senate had already violated the one-year bar. When the law is clear, there is nothing to interpret, as any first year law student knows,” the Senate President said in a statement. “In fact, the Senate President said he agreed because of the new changes happening.

‘Most government workers unaware of uniform law’MANILA, Philippines — About half of government employees in the Philippines are unaware that they may be technically violating the law because of the uniforms they wear. Under the amended implementing rules and regulations of the Philippine Tropical Fabrics (PTF) Law, all fabrics used for government uniforms must contain at least five percent natural fibers or silk by weight. “Every employee who doesn’t wear a PTF uniform is technically in violation of the law. Leaño said PTFs cost between P280 and P350 per yard, making them affordable for uniform suppliers. PTRI is now intensifying its information campaign to raise awareness among government employees about the uniform requirements mandated by law.

House ready to receive VP impeach raps on February 6A photo uploaded on Dec. 14, 2025, on Facebook shows Vice President Sara Duterte joining her staff from central and satellite offices during the 2025 year-end celebration. MANILA, Philippines — The House of Representatives is ready to receive and act on any impeachment complaint against Vice President Sara Duterte starting Feb. 6, public accounts committee chair Terry Ridon said yesterday. But, we want to make it clear that on Feb. 6, Congress is ready to accept and hear all new complaints against VP Sara Duterte,” Ridon said during the Saturday forum. The SC’s one-year bar rule against filing any impeachment complaint against Duterte lapses on Feb. 6. So, it is still good and very interesting because until now the content of the impeachment complaint has not been resolved yet,” he said.

WHO: No vaccine, treatment for NipahMANILA, Philippines — The World Health Organization said there is no available vaccine or licensed treatment for the Nipah virus disease and encouraged governments to strengthen infection prevention measures amid reported outbreaks in India and Bangladesh. Human-to-human transmission of Nipah virus can occur through close and prolonged contact with infected individuals and documented health care-associated transmission. The WHO noted that Nipah infection in humans causes a range of clinical presentations, from asymptomatic infection (sub-clinical) to acute respiratory infection and fatal encephalitis. The BOQ is also actively disseminating important information and education materials concerning Nipah virus in all points of entry. “Since the issue of the Nipah virus surfaced, we have not monitored or intercepted any (Nipah virus case) even among those arriving on a direct flight from India,” BOQ officer-in-charge Roberto Salvador Jr. said in a radio interview.

Chinese ships spotted in Panatag during Philippines humanitarian missionMANILA, Philippines — Patrol ships of the China Coast Guard (CCG) were seen at the vicinity of Panatag (Scarborough) Shoal during the latest humanitarian mission for Filipino fishermen venturing in the area, the Philippine Coast Guard reported. According to PCG spokesman on West Philippine Sea issues Commodore Jay Tarriela, spotted in the area were CCG vessels with bow numbers 3105, 3106, and 2307. PCG patrol ships BRP Gabriela Silang, BRP Cape San Agustin and BRP Cabra helped in carrying out the Kadiwa para sa Bagong Bayaning Mangingisda (KBBM) by delivering fuel subsidies, freshwater, ice and food packs, Tarriela said. The supplies would encourage Filipino fishermen, who have been in the area since Jan. 26, “to sustain their extended fishing activities,” Tarriela said. “Despite the continued presence of these CCG vessels, Filipino fishermen have steadfastly continued to fish in these waters, exercising their rightful access to fish,” he noted.

The Space Launch System (SLS) rocket and the Orion spacecraft, integrated for the Artemis II mission, are seen at Launch Pad 39B at the Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Florida, on January 30, 2026 ahead of the first crewed mission to the Moon in more than 50 years. (Photo by Miguel J. Rodriguez Carrillo / AFP)

Britain's Prime Minister Keir Starmer (C), British actor-producer Rosamund Pike (L) and National Theatre London co-CEO Kate Varah (R) arrive to meet with Chinese performing arts students at the Design Innovation Institute Shanghai, in Shanghai on January 31, 2026. (Photo by Kin Cheung / POOL / AFP)

2026: Year of Chess in EducationThe International Chess Federation (FIDE) and the International School Chess Federation (ISCF) have officially declared 2026 as the Year of Chess in Education. This landmark initiative by FIDE president Arkady Dvorkovich underscores his vision to prioritize education as a vital part of chess’ future. Government agencies and private companies employ skilled chess players, and funding from wealthy sponsors is also accessible. In the Philippines, chess players encounter significant financial difficulties. The question is: can the PSC, DepEd, CHED and higher education institutions ever work together to support these aspiring chess players?

Avanti Mehta, 32, India's youngest water sommelier, talks about different brands of packaged water at "Sip and Sense", a water tasting event in Hyderabad, India, January 9, 2026. REUTERS/Rishika Sadam

History beckons for Djokovic and Alcaraz in Australian Open finalSpain's Carlos Alcaraz celebrates after winning against Germany's Yannick Hanfmann during their men's singles match on Day 4 of the Australian Open tennis tournament in Melbourne on January 21, 2026. MELBOURNE, Australia — History is on the line in the Australian Open men's final on Sunday with tennis gladiators Novak Djokovic and Carlos Alcaraz each vowing no surrender. Should he do so, he will also become the oldest man to lift the Norman Brookes Challenge Cup at the Australian Open. "The finals of a Grand Slam, you know there's a lot at stake, but it's no different from any other big match that I play." Alcaraz won their most recent clash, at the US Open last year, but Djokovic came out on top at the Australian Open in 2025 with a gutsy four-set quarter-final victory.

SMC shows how to thrive in an economic slowdownIn 2025, the economy had its worst year under the six-year presidency of Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. The Philippines’ largest and most diversified conglomerate, San Miguel Corporation, however, had one of its best years. The economy grew 3.0 percent in the fourth quarter of 2025, bringing full-year 2025 growth to just 4.4 percent, slower than the 5.7 percent annual gain in 2024. The three percent October to December 2025 growth is the lowest quarterly rate for Marcos Jr. since he assumed office on June 30, 2022. Amid the turmoil and trust erosion of last year, one company managed to keep its head above the turbulent waters – 136-year-old San Miguel under chairman and CEO Ramon S. Ang.

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