USCIS checking visitor visa applications for fraud
USCIS checking visitor visa applications for fraudA Filipina mother and her US citizen daughter recently consulted with me after the mother’s adjustment of status was denied because the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) stated she committed fraud when applying for a visitor visa. In this case, several years ago, the Filipina mother applied for a visitor visa at the US embassy. The USCIS concluded that this constituted fraud, as the mother concealed material information from the consul, knowing that if the truth was disclosed, the visitor visa may have been denied. In many cases, people used the services of immigration consultants in filling out their visitor visa applications. Be aware that USCIS may now review your responses on your old visitor visa application.
Source:Philippine Star
February 07, 2026 17:33 UTC
Together in faith during Lent, Ramadan
Together in faith during Lent, RamadanMuslim brothers gather for congregational prayer at the Manila Golden Mosque in Quiapo, Manila on March 1, 2025, ahead of the official start of Ramadan. MANILA, Philippines — The shared observance of Ramadan and the Lenten season invites Filipinos to “slow down, to return to God and to walk together in faith,” the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines said yesterday. It invites us to slow down, to return to God and to walk together in faith. He added that Ramadan and Lent remind everyone that faith must transform the heart and shape one’s actions. This vision of fraternity resonates deeply with both Ramadan and Lent.
Source:Philippine Star
February 07, 2026 16:49 UTC
Tabuena drops to 47th
Tabuena drops to 47thThe Philippines' Miguel Tabuena reacts after winning the International Series Philippines golf tournament at the Sta. Elena Golf Club in Santa Rosa, Laguna province on October 26, 2025. MANILA, Philippines — Philippine ace Miguel Tabuena fired another one-under 71 yesterday to drop 10 spots to joint 47th with one round left in the LIV Golf Riyadh in Saudi Arabia Friday. Tabuena gunned down four birdies in the penultimate round, including one on his final hole, the 11th of the Riyadh Golf Club, to offset a double bogey on No. 3 and bogey on the 17th, en route to a third straight 71 in his LIV Golf League debut under the 4Aces GC banner.
Source:Philippine Star
February 07, 2026 16:43 UTC
CEB’s Mike Szucs: Coffee, comfort and runways
CEB’s Mike Szucs: Coffee, comfort and runwaysIt’s good to know that all this talk about extending runways in far-flung provinces is finally taking off – pun intended. “Let’s not think we’ve got to build a Changi,” Szucs said, referring to Singapore’s world-renowned airport, consistently among the world’s best. It’s really not that complicated, is what Szucs was trying to say – just coffee, comfort and runways, with lights. Bus service in the skyBack at the Aviation Summit, Szucs said that for airlines operating in emerging markets such as CEB, growth is no longer the hard part. It was good listening to Szucs and other aviation leaders in the region.
Source:Philippine Star
February 07, 2026 16:43 UTC
Obiena wins pole vault gold in Asian Indoor Athletics Championships
Obiena wins pole vault gold in Asian Indoor Athletics ChampionshipsPhilippines' athlete Ernest John Obiena competes in the men's pole vault qualification during the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo on September 13, 2025. Obiena ruled the 12th Asian Indoor Athletics Championships Saturday in Tianjin, China. The gold-medal finish came after the Olympic pole vaulter also struck gold in Germany late last month. Aside from Li, Obiena bested China’s Chen Yang (5.40 meters), Thailand’s Amsamang Patsapong (5.20 meters) and Japan’s Ejima Masaki (5.20 meters). Prior to the gold medal in Germany, Obiena copped a bronze in the ISTAF Indoor Dusseldorf.
Source:Philippine Star
February 07, 2026 16:43 UTC
Altas unbeaten in 5 games
Altas unbeaten in 5 gamesSheila Omipon and Cyille Joie Almeniana came through when their team needed it most and finished with 17 and 16 points, respectively, as the Lady Altas nailed their fifth straight win. MANILA, Philippines — University of Perpetual Help survived Emilio Aguinaldo College’s fierce first and third set challenges to hammer out a 28-26, 25-14, 26-24 victory yesterday and remain unscathed in NCAA Season 101 women’s volleyball at the San Andres Gym. Sheila Omipon and Cyille Joie Almeniana came through when their team needed it most and finished with 17 and 16 points, respectively, as the Lady Altas nailed their fifth straight win.
Source:Philippine Star
February 07, 2026 16:43 UTC
Philippines flag held high in Milan
Philippines flag held high in MilanMANILA, Philippines — Philippine bets Francis Ceccarelli and Tallulah Proulx, both in Alpine skiing, were all smiles and waved the flag as the Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics opened on Friday with a glittering ceremony at the San Siro stadium echoed by festivities at Games venues across the snow-capped Italian Alps. Ceccarelli, 22, and Proulx, 17, will see action in both the Giant Slalom and Slalom events from Feb. 14 to 18. Alberto Tomba and Deborah Compagnoni, two Italian skiing Olympic champions of the past, lit an intricate cauldron inspired by Leonardo da Vinci’s knot patterns at Milan’s Arch of Peace. The ceremony in Milan showcased Italy’s rich cultural heritage, with a nod to late fashion giant Giorgio Armani. An otherwise harmonious event was punctuated by loud boos from the crowd when US Vice President JD Vance appeared on the big screen at the San Siro stadium.
Source:Philippine Star
February 07, 2026 16:43 UTC
Kochhar tames beast at Wack Wack
Kochhar tames beast at Wack WackMANILA, Philippines — Successful in moving out of the danger zone in the second round, Indian Karandeep Kochhar cranked it up further on moving day to surge ahead of the early leaders. And with a flawless seven-under 65 on wet conditions – a hot card that sparked a frantic search to verify whether it’s a new record at Wack Wack’s tough East Course – Kochhar seized pole position in the Philippine Golf Championship presented by the Philippine Sports Commission. “It was the hardest out of the three days because of the rain today,” said Kochhar. Kochhar netted a $10,000 bonus from Wack Wack for the day’s low score. The club’s records were scarce but Internet searches showed the late Cassius Casas scoring a 64 in the 2001 Philippine Open prior to Kochhar’s 65.
Source:Philippine Star
February 07, 2026 16:43 UTC
Senate coups and weak institutions
Senate coups and weak institutionsThis week saw another attempted coup in the Senate. He said that he was hearing complaints from colleagues that the current Senate leadership was “preoccupied with campaigning rather than governing,” a clear predicate for a leadership challenge. Notably, the minority senators were conspicuously absent. This dynamic exposes the true motivations behind recent attempts at Senate leadership changes. Sotto, as Senate President, has begun undoing some of the institutional damage left by his predecessor.
Source:Philippine Star
February 07, 2026 16:43 UTC
Big guns await Alex in Doha
Big guns await Alex in DohaMANILA, Philippines — A bigger mountain awaits Alex Eala in the nearby Doha City after being drawn into a tough bracket featuring Grand Slam champions and Top 10 players for the prestigious WTA 1000 Qatar Open starting today at the Khalifa International Tennis and Squash Complex. After campaigning in both singles and doubles play of the WTA500 Abu Dhabi Open marked by a roaring Filipino crowd backing, Eala was bracketed with world No. 2 and six-time Grand Slam champion Iga Swiatek of Poland, and No. Eala, WTA No. Eala, according to live WTA rankings, has already entered the Top 40 for the first time ever at No.
Source:Philippine Star
February 07, 2026 16:43 UTC
Phl-US diplomatic relations: 80 years after
As we mark the 80th anniversary of Philippines-US diplomatic relations, we are not simply commemorating history. We are recognizing a living alliance that continues to shape our strategic, economic and regional future. Sustained economic cooperation enhances resilience and positions both nations to adapt to rapid change. What makes the Philippines-United States relationship truly special is that it is not only anchored in treaties and institutions: it is anchored in people. Marking 80 years of diplomatic relations is not nostalgia – it is a reaffirmation of deliberate choice.
Source:Philippine Star
February 07, 2026 16:43 UTC
Wanted: An honest and courageous president for 2028
Wanted: An honest and courageous president for 2028The fight for 2028 should begin this year as we continue to battle corruption. I am not stating that if we elect an honest president, that corruption will be immediately eliminated. But I am saying that this will be the first giant step towards eliminating corruption and poverty. A moral and courageous president will bring into government moral and courageous officials which can start changing the behavior of society. The election of 2028 is therefore a crucial and a possible historic turning point in Philippine history.
Source:Philippine Star
February 07, 2026 16:43 UTC
EDITORIAL — Discomfort rooms
EDITORIAL — Discomfort roomsUntil a few years before the COVID pandemic, washrooms with inadequate water and without toilet paper were among the top complaints at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport. In many other public transport facilities across the islands, however, inadequate washrooms remain a problem. Filipinos call washrooms comfort rooms. But across the country, even in several top travel destinations, public toilet facilities are sources of discomfort. Modern public washrooms are available mainly in shopping malls, major fast-food chains and dining areas and certain gas stations.
Source:Philippine Star
February 07, 2026 16:43 UTC
Highrisers win one after 345 days
Highrisers win one after 345 daysErica Jin Deloria of Galeries Tower puts up a solid defense against Jovelyn Gonzaga of Zus Coffee in the Highrisers’ breakthrough win yesterday. MANILA, Philippines — There’s nowhere to go but up for the Galeries Tower Highrisers. “Sobrang happy ako sa team tonight na kumapit talaga kaming lahat.”The win ended a string of 17 straight defeats that started after it shocked Cignal on Feb. 27 last year – a losing spell that lasted 345 days. Interestingly, that stunning result against Cignal catapulted Galeries Tower to its breakthrough quarterfinal appearance. But good things come to those who wait as the Highrisers finally emerged from the ashes after revamping their old roster and acquiring a new coach in Clarence Esteban.
Source:Philippine Star
February 07, 2026 16:43 UTC