Sabalenka extends strong start to season with win over Keys
Sabalenka extends strong start to season with win over KeysAryna Sabalenka of Belarus reacts during her women's singles match against Madison Keys of the US at the Brisbane International tennis tournament in Brisbane, Australia on January 9, 2026. 1 Aryna Sabalenka continued her strong start to the year when she beat Madison Keys in straight sets on Friday to move into the semifinals of the Brisbane International. In a replay of the 2025 Australian Open final won by Keys, Sabalenka took revenge on the American with a 6-3, 6-3 victory. Keys was playing less than 24 hours after her marathon three-hour win over Russia's Diana Shnaider late Thursday. Muchova has won her last three matches against Sabalenka though the last was in 2024 at the China Open.
Source:Philippine Star
January 09, 2026 06:45 UTC
What happens to guarantee letters under zero-balance billing policy?
What happens to guarantee letters under zero-balance billing policy? MANILA, Philippines — For years, a single piece of paper — a guarantee letter from a politician — has been treated as a pass to medical care in public hospitals. Asked whether referral or guarantee letters from politicians would still be accepted under the current rules, Herbosa said they would. However, he stressed that the DOH does not require patients to secure guarantee letters from politicians, especially with zero-balance billing in place at public hospitals. Letters still entertainedHerbosa was less clear on whether a guarantee letter helps patients secure treatment, saying that while the law technically prohibits guarantee letters, “request” letters are still entertained.
Source:Philippine Star
January 09, 2026 06:30 UTC
DOF's Frederick Go takes seat on BSP Monetary Board
DOF's Frederick Go takes seat on BSP Monetary BoardBSP Governor Eli Remolona with Finance Secretary Frederick Go during the latter’s oath-taking as a member of the Monetary Board. MANILA, Philippines — Finance Secretary Frederick Go has joined the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas’ (BSP) Monetary Board. In a statement on Thursday, January 8, the BSP said that BSP Governor and Monetary Board Chairman Eli Remolona Jr. administered the oath of office to Go as the newest member of the Monetary Board. Go was designated by President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. to serve as the Cabinet secretary to the board, succeeding former finance secretary and current Executive Secretary Ralph Recto. The Monetary Board is responsible for formulating and implementing monetary policy and supervising the country’s financial system.
Source:Philippine Star
January 09, 2026 06:28 UTC
Alex sparkles in Auckland run
Alex sparkles in Auckland runMANILA, Philippines — Tennis sensation Alex Eala is on a roll in her opening gig in the new season. The Filipina juggernaut stamped her class on fellow rising star Petra Marcinko of Croatia, 6-0, 6-2, and barged into the quarterfinals of the 2026 ASB Classic singles yesterday at the ASB Tennis Center in Auckland, New Zealand. 53 and tournament fourth seed Eala was unforgiving, wiping out the former world junior No. The Chinese duo scored a 6-4, 1-6, 10-5 win over Isabelle Haverlag of the Netherlands and Maia Lumsden of Great Britain. On Tuesday, Eala endured two hours and 40 minutes of battle before getting past another Croatian in WTA No.
Source:Philippine Star
January 09, 2026 04:54 UTC
Want to study in the US? Fulbright PH now offering scholarship programs for 2027
In a social media post, it detailed that the scholarship opportunity is for Filipinos who are planning to pursue a master’s or doctoral degree or conduct non-degree doctoral dissertation research in the US. Fulbright Philippines is a binational, non-profit organization established by the United States and Philippine governments to foster educational and cultural exchange between the two countries. For Filipino students looking to take further studies abroad, Fulbright Philippines announced that they're now offering scholarship programs in the US for the year 2027 to 2028. See the dates below:Jan. 10, 2026 – 10:00 a.m. (Zoom)Jan. 24, 2026 – 10:00 a.m. (In-Person)Feb. 12, 2026 – 7:00 a.m. (Zoom)March 14, 2026 – 10:00 a.m. (Zoom)April 11, 2026 – 10:00 a.m. (Zoom)You can register by scanning the QR codes they've provided. The online application portal will accept applications for the scholarship program until April 30.
Source:Philippine Star
January 09, 2026 04:27 UTC
Around 210,000 devotees join Traslacion early
Around 210,000 devotees join Traslacion earlyHundreds and thousands of devotees flock to Manila to join in the celebration of the Feast of the Black Nazarene on January 9, 2026. MANILA, Philippines — The crowd estimate for Traslacion 2026 reached around 210,000 people on the morning of Friday, January 9. (According to reports and drone-based crowd estimates, the number of devotees participating in the Traslacion has reached 210,000). The Traslacion has historically drawn millions of devotees. In 2025, the total number of devotees who participated in the Feast of the Black Nazarene reached 8.1 million, one of the highest figures recorded since the pandemic.
Source:Philippine Star
January 09, 2026 03:45 UTC
Dollar reserves hit $110.9 billion in December
Dollar reserves hit $110.9 billion in DecemberBased on preliminary data from the central bank, the latest forex buffer remained higher by 4.3 percent than the $106.26 billion in December 2024, marking its third straight year of increase. After hitting $110.12 billion in 2020, the buffer declined to $108.79 billion in 2021 and $96.15 billion in 2022, before picking up to $103.75 in 2023 and to $106.26 billion in 2024. On a monthly basis, dollar reserves slipped by 0.3 percent from the $111.25 billion in November 2025. Ricafort said the relatively high level of reserves is important amid bouts of volatility in the local foreign exchange market. The BSP expects the country’s dollar reserves to hit $106 billion this year.
Source:Philippine Star
January 09, 2026 03:32 UTC
SM Supermalls expands nationwide pickleball network with 61 courts
SM Supermalls has broadened its presence in Philippine pickleball with a rapid build-out of courts and programming designed to reach citywide audiences. By the end of 2025 the company operated 61 pickleball courts across 25 SM properties, the largest single-corporate footprint reported in the country. That scale is changing where and how people access courts, coaching, and organized play. The SM Pickleball Super Series is one anchor event for players looking to move from recreational play into competitive formats. Verify schedules and booking procedures with your nearest SM Active Hub to find coached sessions, socials and court availability in your city.
Source:Philippine Star
January 08, 2026 22:44 UTC
WATCH: K-zombie film 'Colony' by 'Train to Busan' maker releases teaser
If you were hooked on the heart-pounding action of Train to Busan, director Yeon Sang Ho is back to haunt your dreams with his latest zombie film, Colony. The story follows a biotechnology researcher (Jun Ji Hyun) who attends a conference and later gets trapped inside a building after a mysterious, mutating virus breaks out. Together with a group of survivors, including a security guard (Ji Chang Wook), they must fight their way through a sudden zombie apocalypse. In the movie, Ji Hyun and Chang Wook are joined by actors Koo Kyo Hwan, Shin Hyun Been, Kim Shin Rok, and Go Soo. Meanwhile, the 2016 hit Train to Busan, followed a group of passengers fighting to survive a zombie apocalypse aboard a high-speed train.
Source:Philippine Star
January 08, 2026 21:00 UTC
US, China can balance roles in Venezuela, US energy chief says
US, China can balance roles in Venezuela, US energy chief saysU.S. Department of Energy Secretary Chris Wright and U.S. President Donald Trump look on during an event at the White House, in Washington, D.C., U.S., October 6, 2025.
Source:The Standard
January 08, 2026 20:34 UTC
Electrocuted Chinese sailor dies
Electrocuted Chinese sailor diesZAMBOANGA CITY , Philippines — Police authorities confirmed that the injured Chinese ship crew member who was electrocuted while aboard their dry bulk carrier has died hours after undergoing treatment in a local hospital here. The other crew managed to quickly cut off the electric power connecting the dispenser, according to the police. Marcos gave the order after maritime security analyst Ray Powell, director of SeaLight, alleged that Kang Ling 539 was operating under six different flags including the Philippines, China, Sierra Leone, S?o Tomé and Principe, and Panama. Based on documents, the vessel “was previously a Chinese vessel and was converted into a Philippine-flagged vessel. It has all the pertinent documents of a Philippine-flagged vessel,” Encina said.
Source:Philippine Star
January 08, 2026 19:01 UTC
Early childhood education gets 2026 budget boost – EDCOM 2
Early childhood education gets 2026 budget boost – EDCOM 2EDCOM 2 said at least P57.8 billion was allocated to the Local Government Support Fund, which includes funds to cover the conversion of day care centers to child development center standards by fourth and fifth class municipalities. MANILA, Philippines — The Second Congressional Commission on Education (EDCOM 2) lauded the significant budgetary support for early childhood education under the 2026 General Appropriations Act (GAA). The 2026 budget also includes significant investments in upskilling of incumbent child development workers through a P226.9 million scholarship program under the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority. EDCOM 2 added that the government has also increased the Department of Social Welfare and Development’s Supplemental Feeding Program and the Department of Education’s School-Based Feeding Program. An additional 1.18 million learners in Grades 2 to 6 who are classified as wasted or severely wasted will also receive meals for the same duration.
Source:Philippine Star
January 08, 2026 18:33 UTC
Marcos Jr. inaugurates P2.3 billion Cagayan bridge
Marcos Jr. inaugurates P2.3 billion Cagayan bridgeMANILA, Philippines — President Marcos yesterday inaugurated the P2.3-billion Camalaniugan Bridge in Alcala, Cagayan, which cuts travel time between the towns of Aparri and Ballesteros from one hour to 20 minutes. The 2.16-kilometer, two-lane bridge will serve as an alternative route to the Magapit Suspension Bridge, previously the only bridge that crosses the Cagayan River. Last year, Marcos inspected the bridge project, which is expected to serve approximately 6,000 commuters. Marcos said the bridge would boost trade, agriculture, logistics and tourism in Cagayan Valley, with residents feeling the economic effects sooner. “This will serve as a model for other bridge projects that we will be seeing around the country,” Marcos said.
Source:Philippine Star
January 08, 2026 17:31 UTC
Philippines resumes importing rice; tariff still at 15%
Philippines resumes importing rice; tariff still at 15%However, the tariff rate to be applied on imported rice will remain at 15 percent as the government has yet to formalize the implementation of a higher tariff rate of 20 percent. MANILA, Philippines — The Philippines officially returned to the international rice market on Jan. 1 after lifting its four-month import ban on the commodity that began last September. However, the tariff rate to be applied on imported rice will remain at 15 percent as the government has yet to formalize the implementation of a higher tariff rate of 20 percent. This means that rice imports are expected to arrive by the end of February, according to agriculture officials. The DA is still managing the entry of rice imports in the market in its bid to protect local farmers’ prices.
Source:Philippine Star
January 08, 2026 17:30 UTC
SEC clears LUECO’s direct public offering
SEC clears LUECO’s direct public offeringAccording to the commission, LUECO is the second issuer to successfully register under the streamlined guidelines on Securing and Expanding Capital for PowerGen Operators and Wholesale Electricity and Retail Services (SEC POWERS). MANILA, Philippines — The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has approved the P251-million direct public offering of power firm La Union Electric Co. Inc. (LUECO). LUECO will offer to the public up to 352,950 common shares priced at P772 apiece. Based on the latest timetable submitted to the SEC, the direct public offering will run from Jan. 12 to 16, with the shares to be issued not later than Feb. 6. LUECO’s franchise area covers the city of San Fernando and municipalities of Bauang and San Juan in La Union.
Source:Philippine Star
January 08, 2026 17:25 UTC