Van der Valk eyes redemption in TCC Invitational
Van der Valk eyes redemption in TCC InvitationalMANILA, Philippines — Driven by unfinished business, Guido van der Valk returns to The Country Club Invitational with redemption firmly on his mind, seeking a third championship when the premier event unwraps on January 27 at the demanding TCC course in Canlubang. “So winning a third TCC Invitational would really be a dream.”That dream came agonizingly close to reality last year. Van der Valk appeared poised to carve his name deeper into the tournament’s storied history, holding a two-stroke lead with just one hole to play. “Last year was tough for me,” van der Valk reflected. Entering the P6-million championship, which also serves as the kickoff event of the 2026 Philippine Golf Tour season, van der Valk arrives with renewed purpose, clarity and belief.
Source:Philippine Star
January 11, 2026 05:36 UTC
Defend the truth, be a political heckler!
Defend the truth, be a political heckler! Meanwhile, in the predictably crazy Duterte universe, the minions of the International Criminal Court (ICC) prisoner Rodrigo Duterte also had plenty to say. They appealed to Trump to free their jailed idol, whom they continue to insist was “kidnapped” by the ICC. Facts reinforced by political heckling strip fake narratives of their power in a mockingly funny manner, expose their peddlers as foolish and, ultimately, provoke reactions that serve the truth. In an era of fake narrative peddlers, be a truth-defending, political heckler!
Source:Philippine Star
January 11, 2026 02:30 UTC
LIVE updates:Mayon Volcano restiveness
LIVE updates:Mayon Volcano restivenessIncandescent pyroclastic density currents (PDC) or “uson” and rockfall are continually shed from the summit lava dome of Mayon Volcano onto the Mi-isi, Bonga and Basud Gullies at around 9:46 p.m. on Friday, Jan. 9, 2026. MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology raised on January 6 the status of Mayon Volcano in Albay to Alert Level 3 after it showed an onset of dome collapse pyroclastic density current. Here are the latest updates on the volcano's activity and related events. (Can't view the updates below? Click here.)
Source:Philippine Star
January 11, 2026 02:19 UTC
Rams survive Panthers scare to advance in NFL playoffs
Rams survive Panthers scare to advance in NFL playoffsCHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA - JANUARY 10: Matthew Stafford #9 of the Los Angeles Rams throws a pass against the Carolina Panthers during the fourth quarter in the NFC Wild Card Playoff game at Bank of America Stadium on January 10, 2026 in Charlotte, North Carolina. LOS ANGELES, United States — Matthew Stafford and the Los Angeles Rams barely avoided a stunning upset in the opening game of the NFL playoffs Saturday (Sunday, Manila time) edging Carolina 34-31 after the Panthers threatened a stunning comeback. He then received a lateral pass from Stafford and rushed five yards for his second touchdown and a 14-0 lead. The Rams regained their composure, with Stafford finding Kyren Williams for a no-look TD pass. With barely four minutes left, the Panthers blocked a fourth-down punt to regain possession at the Rams' 30-yard line.
Source:Philippine Star
January 11, 2026 02:14 UTC
Focus on ‘DBM files,’ not ‘Cabral files’ – Sotto
Focus on ‘DBM files,’ not ‘Cabral files’ – SottoMANILA, Philippines — Senate President Vicente Sotto III on Friday downplayed the significance of the flood control documents left behind by the late Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) undersecretary Maria Catalina Cabral, saying budget records are more crucial in uncovering alleged corruption. “When I look at what they call the Cabral files, I find myself scratching my head. Which among those listed projects actually have SAROs?” Sotto asked in Filipino. What matters is what was actually released, not just the Cabral files,” he added. The DBM files are the most important.
Source:Philippine Star
January 11, 2026 01:54 UTC
DOJ: No recantation by Henry Alcantara
DOJ: No recantation by Henry AlcantaraFormer Bulacan 1st Disrtict engineer Henry Alcantara attends the House Infra Comm's first hearing on anomalous flood control projects on Sept. 2, 2025. MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Justice (DOJ) has denied a rumor circulating on social media that former Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Bulacan First District Engineering Office engineer Henry Alcantara has recanted his testimony about the flood control scam. “For the record, the DOJ has not received or reviewed any affidavit from Henry Alcantara retracting his previous statements,” DOJ spokesman Raphael Niccolo Martinez said in a press statement yesterday. “There has been no official recantation by Alcantara whether written or verbal,” he added. The DOJ had earlier provisionally admitted Alcantara to the Witness Protection Program (WPP) to utilize him as a state witness.
Source:Philippine Star
January 11, 2026 01:18 UTC
DepEd’s anti-bully program gets P100 million
DepEd’s anti-bully program gets P100 millionStudents leave the school in Manila on March 3, 2025, where classes are suspended due to extreme heat. MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Education has allocated at least P100 million to fund the program on bullying prevention, values formation and learner support. DepEd Undersecretary Fatima Panontongan issued DepEd Memorandum No. 2 on Jan. 9 on the implementing guidelines of the Kaagapay Program aimed at empowering the school community to address bullying. “The program supports parents, guardians and caregivers of public school learners in strengthening home-based learning and complementing classroom instruction, encouraging positive discipline and promoting safe, nurturing and inclusive learning environments,” Panontongan said.
Source:Philippine Star
January 10, 2026 23:30 UTC
Quiapo Church vows changes in Nazarene celebration
Quiapo Church vows changes in Nazarene celebrationPhoto shows the situation in the vicinity of Quiapo Church in Manila as devotees await the return of the image of the Jesus Nazareno on January 9, 2026. MANILA, Philippines — The leadership of Quiapo Church on Saturday vowed to institute changes in the celebration of the Feast of Jesus Nazareno, after the Traslacion took nearly 31 hours to complete. This is also one of the obstacles to the speed of the Traslacion,” Arellano added. Secillano said it is important for devotees to understand the clear difference between true devotion and fanaticism, especially during the Traslacion in Quiapo. The Quiapo Church said that at least 9.6 million devotees joined the procession.
Source:Philippine Star
January 10, 2026 22:01 UTC
Longest ever Traslacion ends after nearly 31 hours
Longest ever Traslacion ends after nearly 31 hoursThousands of devotees flock along Carlos Palanca Street in Manila to participate in the #Traslacion2026 on January 9, 2026. It exceeded the previous record of 22 hours and 19 minutes in 2017, and 20 hours and 45 minutes last year. Speaking from the balcony of the church immediately after the gates were shut, Quiapo Church rector Fr. The NCRPO initially targeted the Traslacion to run between 10 and 12 hours before settling at 15 hours. Home stretchFor his part, Nazareno 2026 spokesman and Quiapo Church parochial vicar Fr.
Source:Philippine Star
January 10, 2026 22:01 UTC
DA cracks down on unfair food price hikes
DA cracks down on unfair food price hikesVendors sell various vegetables at a market along Commonwealth Avenue in Quezon City on January 6, 2026MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Agriculture has warned retailers that unjustified hikes in basic food prices will not be tolerated, noting that noncompliance may prompt formal complaints and further investigation. “If they are not cooperating and the information they give is false or lacking, that becomes subject to further investigation,” Tiu Laurel said. Tiu Laurel noted that the recent decline in onion and rice prices demonstrates the effect of stricter oversight. Although the DA has limited enforcement powers, Tiu Laurel emphasized close coordination with other agencies to implement rules against profiteering and other prohibited acts under the Price Act. He also renewed his call for stronger DA enforcement powers, noting that proposed legislation in Congress aims to establish a dedicated enforcement arm similar to the Department of Trade and Industry’s Fair Trade Enforcement Bureau.
Source:Philippine Star
January 10, 2026 19:03 UTC
Boat develops engine trouble off Marinduque
Boat develops engine trouble off MarinduqueThe PCG said the boat was carrying 50 passengers and 250 sacks of rice when the incident occurred near the coast of Barangay Bachao Ibaba. MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) assisted a motorized banca that developed engine trouble in the waters off Gasan, Marinduque on Friday. The PCG said the boat was carrying 50 passengers and 250 sacks of rice when the incident occurred near the coast of Barangay Bachao Ibaba. A rescue team towed the boat toward the port of Gasan where the passengers were given medical attention. The PCG said all passengers were in good condition and the cargo remained intact.
Source:Philippine Star
January 10, 2026 19:01 UTC
Beermen, Tropa seek 3-1 cushion
Beermen, Tropa seek 3-1 cushionRanidel de Ocampo is joined by his family, PBA chairman Ricky Vargas, Commissioner Willie Marcial and other PBA officials as his No. But ever defiant, Barangay Ginebra and Meralco would prefer to make it a level affair at 2-2. The Beermen seized control of the best-of-seven contest against the Gin Kings after countering a 90-99 opening loss with back-to-back wins, 93-84 and 91-85. Kaya naman ito, kaya,” said “The Kraken,” who did his part under the boards as Don Trollano presided over the offense and rifled in 33. Like I said in the last game, we have no illusion that it’s going to be easy,” said TNT coach Chot Reyes.
Source:Philippine Star
January 10, 2026 19:00 UTC
Eala bids Auckland goodbye
Eala bids Auckland goodbyeMANILA, Philippines — Almost but not quite. Eala, WTA No. But Xinyu, WTA No. Still, it was a commendable run for Eala who is expected to reach a new career-best in next week’s update of the WTA rankings. Up next for Eala is the Kooyong Classic on Jan. 13 to 15 in Melbourne, and then the Australian Open starting on Jan. 18.
Source:Philippine Star
January 10, 2026 17:31 UTC