Russian vlogger who threatened to spread HIV tests negative
Russian vlogger who threatened to spread HIV tests negativeThis photo, uploaded on Facebook on Dec. 15, 2025, shows Russian vlogger Nikita Chekhov in Saint Petersburg, Russia. MANILA, Philippines — The Bureau of Immigration confirmed on Friday, January 23, that Nikita Chekhov, the Russian vlogger arrested for threatening to spread HIV, has tested negative for the virus and other related illnesses. “He was likewise tested for other related illnesses, all of which yielded negative results,” Immigration Commissioner Joel Viado said. Russian vlogger nabbed for 'HIV spread' threat: Videos meant to go viral, not to harmDespite the negative test results, Chekhov remains in custody and faces deportation charges for "undesirability" after his viral videos filmed in Taguig caused widespread panic among the public. This is due to his videos filmed at Bonifacio High Street in Taguig, claiming he intended to spread HIV during his stay in the country.
Source:Philippine Star
January 25, 2026 08:45 UTC
'About Us But Not About Us' adaptation brings love, lies, and trauma to the stage
About Us was acclaimed for its performances and uncompromising take on the secrets, half-truths, and outright lies that erode a relationship. According to Lana, part of the impetus to revisit About Us was the surprising relatability the film encountered in its various screenings. “Trauma is something that needs to be discussed; it needs an honest conversation, but when I made the film, I made it for myself! Indeed, despite never actually being seen in the film, Marcus (who’s left Eric’s life when the story opens) plays an integral role in Eric and Lance’s revelatory spiral. "I know people who cling to bad relationships… This play is about how different people see relationships in different ways.
Source:Philippine Star
January 25, 2026 07:52 UTC
Grizzlies' Morant sidelined by elbow sprain
Grizzlies' Morant sidelined by elbow sprainThe Memphis Grizzlies’ Ja Morant dribbles around the Orlando Magic’s point guard Anthony Black during the 2025/2026 NBA season basketball match between the Memphis Grizzlies and Orlando Magic at the O2 Arena in London on January 18, 2026. LOS ANGELES, United States — Memphis Grizzlies star Ja Morant will miss at least three weeks with a sprained left elbow ligament, the NBA team said Saturday (Sunday Manila time). The Grizzlies said in a brief statement that Morant sprained the ulnar collateral ligament in his left elbow in Wednesday's home loss to the Atlanta Hawks. Morant scored 23 points and handed out 12 assists before departing favoring his arm after racing back to block a shot. Morant is averaging 19.5 points and 8.1 assists per game for the Grizzlies.
Source:Philippine Star
January 25, 2026 06:50 UTC
Queer TikTok star, 25, found beaten to death in forest
A queer content creator from Myanmar was found beaten to death in a forest in the Mae Sot district of Thailand. Sources close to Htwe said he disappeared in the middle of the night on Jan. 18 and never came home. Htwe currently has accumulated over one million followers on his TikTok account, where he frequently shared dancing videos and other content about his life. Fans have since flooded the comments section with messages of grief and disbelief at his sudden death. Another wrote, "I'm sorry, I pray that the culprit is caught quickly and that good things will happen to him."
Source:Philippine Star
January 25, 2026 06:28 UTC
Sandigan justice reveals ties with Revilla lawyer
Sandigan justice reveals ties with Revilla lawyerFormer Sen. Bong Revilla surrenders to the Philippine National Police at Camp Crame in Quezon City on Monday evening, Jan. 19, 2026. MANILA, Philippines — Associate Justice Karl Miranda, chairman of the Sandiganbayan Third Division handling the non-bailable malversation case against former senator Ramon “Bong” Revilla Jr., has disclosed his close ties with one of the latter’s lawyers, Ramon Esguerra. “Honorable, former undersecretary of the DOJ (Department of Justice), Ramon Esguerra, counsel for accused Bong Revilla, is a close and respected friend of mine,” Miranda said during the scheduled arraignment of Revilla and his six co-accused on Friday. “We were friends since way back when he was the newest undersecretary of the Department of Justice and I was assistant solicitor general of the Office of the Solicitor General. After undergoing the mandatory seven-day quarantine, Revilla and his co-accused are set to join other inmates in general population at the New Quezon City Jail in Barangay Payatas.
Source:Philippine Star
January 25, 2026 04:27 UTC
Chinese embassy: Trolls in suits
Chinese embassy: Trolls in suitsRecently, the Chinese embassy in Manila, now under a new ambassador, has taken to spewing statements left and right against Philippine public officials. The Chinese embassy acts like a troll in a suit masquerading as a diplomatic mission. In its defense, the Chinese embassy claims it is merely responding to statements made by Philippine public officials against the government and leaders it represents. Our message to the Chinese embassy is clear: it cannot ask for our respect while its government continuously disrespects and violates our territorial integrity. Act like a real embassy, not trolls in suits.
Source:Philippine Star
January 25, 2026 04:02 UTC
The emoji survival guide: Skulls, prayer hands, and accidental flirting
); a fingerprint emoji for mystery, drama and “don’t ask me” energy; plus a root vegetable for people who want to send the message “I’m grounded” (but make it agricultural). There is the emoji confusion Hall of Fame: the “prayer hands” , that many of us use for prayer, gratitude, apology, but many believe it to be a high five. Imagine sending your condolences with prayer hands, and the receiver thinks it’s a high five? I know this possible misinterpretation, but will I stop using the prayer hands? Same with the skull, which now means “I’m dying of laughter”, and the crying face, which somehow became comedy instead of tragedy.
Source:Philippine Star
January 25, 2026 03:56 UTC
Team Liquid exits M7 to end 'Golden Road' bid
Team Liquid exits M7 to end 'Golden Road' bidThe elimination snaps Team Liquid's win streak in 2025, having won both Mobile Legends Professional League Philippine seasons as well as the Mid-Season Cup. JAKARTA, Indonesia — Team Liquid's "Golden Road" campaign has reached a dead end as the team fell to home bet Alter Ego, 2-3, in the lower bracket semifinals of the M7 World Championship here. In the final game of the series, Team Liquid's draft relied heavily on an early game domination that seemed to be on track. Masaya din ako na sila ang team ko, wala akong pinagsisisihan,” said Team Liquid's coach Rodel "Ar Sy" Cruz. Sobrang proud ako sa kanila na kahit talo, tinagap nila yun,” said Team Liquid's PH Esports head Mitch Liwanag.
Source:Philippine Star
January 25, 2026 03:41 UTC
Pope Leo appoints parish priest as new Kalibo bishop
Pope Leo appoints parish priest as new Kalibo bishopMANILA, Philippines — Pope Leo XIV has named a parish priest as the new bishop of the Diocese of Kalibo. In a press release issued by the Holy See Press Office on Sunday, January 25 (Manila time), it said that the pope appointed Cyril Buhayan Villareal, 51, as the bishop of Kalibo. Villareal will succeed Bishop Jose Corazon Tala-oc, who retired in June 2025. He later attended the University of Santo Tomas in Manila, where he earned his licentiate in theology, and was ordained a priest for the Archdiocese of Capiz on March 25, 2001. Before his appointment, he was the parish priest of Saint Thomas of Villanova in Dao under the Diocese of Capiz.
Source:Philippine Star
January 25, 2026 03:33 UTC
Claudine Barretto claims her personal assistant kidnapped her children
Claudine Barretto has alleged that her personal assistant kidnapped her three children, Sabina, Quia, and Noah. "Marisol, ibalik mo ang mga anak ko dito. Kanina ka pa dapat sa Katipunan. While Barretto didn't specify their identity, she appeared to give a hint at who it was, "Nanay ako ng mga anak mo. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Claudine Barretto (@claubarretto)Sabina, Quia, and Noah are the adopted children of Barretto.
Source:Philippine Star
January 25, 2026 03:00 UTC
Djokovic says 'great champion' Wawrinka's legacy will live on
Djokovic says 'great champion' Wawrinka's legacy will live onSwitzerland’s Stan Wawrinka gestures to the crowd after losing to USA's Taylor Fritz in their men's singles match on Day 7 of the Australian Open tennis tournament in Melbourne on January 24, 2026. MELBOURNE, Australia — Novak Djokovic says the retiring Stan Wawrinka's legacy will live on in tennis, hailing the Swiss veteran as a "great champion" who inspired him. The 40-year-old Wawrinka bid a final farewell to the Australian Open on Saturday in a battling third-round loss to Taylor Fritz. "He's a great champion on and off the court," added the 38-year-old. "I think it's been a great farewell Australian Open for him with the crowd support and everything that has happened on the court," said Djokovic.
Source:Philippine Star
January 25, 2026 02:28 UTC
Federal immigration agents kill another US citizen in Minneapolis, sparking protests
US immigration agents shot and killed a US citizen in Minneapolis on Saturday, officials said, sparking fierce protests and condemnations from local leaders in the second such incident this month. State officials were already at odds with president Donald Trump's administration over the shooting of another US citizen by federal immigration agents. They have refused to allow local officials to participate in their investigation of the incident. Minneapolis officials, in a statement, said National Guard members would support local police at the scene of the shooting at the request of local officials to the governor. Vice President JD Vance, who visited the city on Thursday, accused local leaders of refusing to provide local police support to immigration agents.
Source:Philippine Star
January 25, 2026 02:00 UTC
Cop in Marikina road rage incident sacked
Cop in Marikina road rage incident sackedMembers of the Manila Police District (MPD) prepare for deployment at their headquarters in Ermita, Manila on January 3, 2025. MANILA, Philippines — A police officer seen in a video confronting a fire truck driver for blowing the truck’s horn in Marikina was sacked from his post on Friday. Tecson said the incident appears to be a misunderstanding, noting that it was unclear if the fire truck driver intended to proceed or stop. “The truck followed closely and suddenly sounded its horn loudly, which startled the police officer,” Tecson said, adding that the officer and the fire truck owner have settled the incident amicably. Although the officers had said that they were serving a warrant of arrest at the time of the incident, De Sesto insisted on their relief.
Source:Philippine Star
January 25, 2026 01:31 UTC
5 bodies found off Davao
Philipps Soria, chief of the Coast Guard District Southeastern Mindanao, said a fishing company operator informed the CGDSEM that four bodies were first found at past 8 a.m. Believed to be passengers, crewmembers of missing recreational boatMANILA, Philippines — Five bodies believed to be passengers and crewmembers of a missing recreational boat were found floating in the waters off Davao region yesterday morning, according to the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG). Earlier, the PCG advised all vessels and fishing boats sailing along the Davao Gulf – particularly along the coasts of Don Marcelino, Malita and Sta. It was expected to arrive in General Generoso town in Davao Oriental on Jan. 19. “A Navy vessel was sailing near the area where the bodies were found,” he said.
Source:Philippine Star
January 24, 2026 23:30 UTC
Supreme Court declares GMA talents as regular employees after 11-year battle
Supreme Court declares GMA talents as regular employees after 11-year battleThis file handout photo shows GMA Network Center, one of the buildings at the broadcast giant's Quezon City complex. MANILA, Philippines — The Supreme Court has affirmed a landmark ruling that recognizes nearly 100 talents of GMA Network as regular employees, ending an 11-year legal battle and granting relief to those illegally terminated. The network argued that higher talent fees and lack of day-to-day supervision meant there was no employer-employee relationship but the Supreme Court dismissed it. The NLRC first declared the workers regular employees in 2015. That ruling was upheld by the Court of Appeals in 2019, prompting GMA to bring the case before the Supreme Court.
Source:Philippine Star
January 24, 2026 23:08 UTC