This is what history is—a story set in reality, with characters that lived among us
After this start, the book does get lighter. The next chapter, Chapter 16, is entitled “Smoke-Eaters and Firefighters” which highlighted how fire literally restructured places and through this, also reshaped culture. At the end of the day, that is what history is—a story set in reality, with characters that lived among us. Though I am unsure of the author’s intention, Counting Filipinos is relevant to the present day. Counting Filipinos is a thought-provoking read that will certainly deepen one’s appreciation of history.
Source:Philippine Star
January 23, 2026 21:06 UTC
BIR readies sweeping reforms on tax audits
BIR readies sweeping reforms on tax auditsBIR Commissioner Charlito Martin Mendoza said the five-point program, dubbed BIR D.A.R.E.S., is meant to align the bureau’s work with President Marcos’ directive to keep revenue collection focused on nation-building while fixing long-standing weaknesses in tax administration. MANILA, Philippines — The Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) rolled out a sweeping reform agenda that puts audit reform at the center of its priorities, as the agency prepares to relaunch tax audits under tighter rules, stronger safeguards and greater accountability. Mendoza said audit reform is the most urgent pillar, noting that public trust in the tax system is shaped largely by how audits are conducted and how assessments are issued. In response, the BIR created a technical working group committee on assessment integrity and audit reform, which is reviewing audit processes, systems and controls. Beyond audits, Mendoza said the BIR would push the digitalization of tax services and strengthen risk-based enforcement, particularly for high-risk products such as vape, tobacco and fuel, to support compliance and revenue growth.
Source:Philippine Star
January 23, 2026 17:33 UTC
National Juniors netfest unfolds
National Juniors netfest unfoldsFresh from a pair of stirring back-to-back title sweeps, the fast-rising Cebuano has emerged as the player to beat in the Group 2 tournament, sponsored by Mayor Arlene Arcillas and Vice Mayor Arnold Arcillas and sanctioned by Philta and the Universal Tennis Rating (UTR). MANILA, Philippines — Miguel Lagac leads the charge in the new PPS-PEPP season, headlining the Arcillas National Juniors Tennis Championships at the Sta. Rosa Sports Complex and Zaballa 1 courts in Sta. Rosa, Laguna. In the boys’ 16-U category, he faces stiff competition from Rafa Monte de Ramos, Matteo Calingasan, Marcus Sio and Nicholas Andal.
Source:Philippine Star
January 23, 2026 16:45 UTC
Glenn McDonald’s happy return
Glenn McDonald’s happy returnIt had been over 20 years since Glenn McDonald had been back in the Philippines. “And then you get here, and there’s a hoop on a telephone pole, anything,” the Long Beach State alum recalls. After his PBA career, he was named to the Long Beach State Hall of Fame in 1988. Inevitably, Glenn returned to the US, and joined famed Los Angeles Lakers sixth man Michael Cooper on the coaching staff of the LA Sparks. They know about China and every place else.”The Glenn McDonald story is on Basketball Universe PHL on YouTube and Facebook.
Source:Philippine Star
January 23, 2026 16:45 UTC
OFW caught with P43.42 million cocaine at NAIA
OFW caught with P43.42 million cocaine at NAIAAuthorities account for PHP43.4 million worth of suspected cocaine found inside the luggage of a 30-year-old female OFW at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 3 in Pasay City on Thursday night (Jan. 22, 2026). MANILA, Philippines — Authorities arrested a woman at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal 3 in Pasay City on Thursday night for trying to smuggle cocaine worth P43.42 million into the country. When her luggage was opened, security officers found 8.19 kilos of cocaine concealed in a false compartment covered with clothing. Charges for violation of Republic Act 9165, or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act, are being prepared against the suspect. Meanwhile, the PDEG arrested two high-value targets during a sting in Pasig City on Thursday.
Source:Philippine Star
January 23, 2026 16:45 UTC
China, Philippines mount rescue after cargo ship with 21 Filipinos capsizes; 2 dead
Philippine and Chinese coast guards have mounted separate search and rescue operations, with China Coast Guard (CCG) vessels being the first on the scene after being informed by a nearby maritime rescue center. As of 12:30 p.m. Friday, 17 crew members had been rescued, according to numbers in a report shared by the Chinese Embassy in Manila. The embassy later shared a video showing CCG personnel pulling up Filipino sailors onto their ship. The ship had departed from Gutalac in Zamboanga del Sur province and was bound for Yangjiang, China. The Chinese Embassy said the incident occurred "55 nautical miles northwest" of what Beijing calls "Huangyan Dao" — the Chinese name for Scarborough Shoal.
Source:Philippine Star
January 23, 2026 16:41 UTC
'Sinners' DP makes Oscar history as the first Fil-Am nominee for Best Cinematography
Filipino-American Autumn Durald Arkapaw has become the first woman of color to be nominated at the Oscars for Best Cinematography for her work in the film, Sinners. Arkapaw was nominated alongside Adolpho Veloso (Train Dreams), Michael Bauman (One Battle After Another), Dan Laustsen (Frankenstein), and Darius Khondji (Marty Supreme). “I thought how special it would be for in the future someone to look up this nomination, because I’m the fourth woman. Arkapaw majored in art history at Loyola Marymount University and later entered the AFI Conservatory’s cinematography program. It has set a new record in the award-giving body, bagging 16 nominations, including Best Director, Best Picture, and Best Original Screenplay.
Source:Philippine Star
January 23, 2026 16:36 UTC
JuanHand partners with PNP to protect borrowers
JuanHand partners with PNP to protect borrowersMANILA, Philippines — The Philippine National Police Anti-Cybercrime Group (PNP-ACG) and JuanHand, the country’s leading fintech cash lending firm, have forged a partnership to protect Filipinos from scammers. Initiatives such as information sharing, training programs and public workshops on the evolving nature of cyber threats as well as public awareness on responsible and safe borrowing can educate them on how to avoid traps set up by predatory lenders. The goal is to equip Filipinos with the knowledge and tools to identify and report suspicious activities effectively. “Our partnership with PNP-ACG reinforces JuanHand’s commitment to protect Filipinos in the digital lending space,” said Francisco Roberto D.C Mauricio, president and CEO of JuanHand. “Through education and collaboration, we aim to help consumers avoid scams and borrow safely from legitimate platforms.”
Source:Philippine Star
January 23, 2026 16:33 UTC
PSEi tumbles as investors lock in gains
PSEi tumbles as investors lock in gainsThe benchmark Philippine Stock Exchange index shed 1.02 percent or 65.34 points to cap off the week at 6,333.26. MANILA, Philippines — The local stock market fell back to negative territory as investors took profits following the previous day’s sharp increase. The benchmark Philippine Stock Exchange index shed 1.02 percent or 65.34 points to cap off the week at 6,333.26. “The PSEi ended lower, testing the 6,300 support level, reflecting cautious market positioning,” Luis Limlingan of Regina Capital said. Market breadth was negative as decliners squashed decliners, 119 to 86, while 59 issues did not change hands.
Source:Philippine Star
January 23, 2026 16:33 UTC
BYD sales zoom over 400 percent in 2025
BYD sales zoom over 400 percent in 2025In a statement, BYD Cars Philippines, a subsidiary of ACMobility, said its retail sales reached 26,122 units last year, well above the 4,780 units sold in 2024. MANILA, Philippines — BYD Cars Philippines finished strong in 2025 as sales surged by 446 percent year-on-year. In a statement, BYD Cars Philippines, a subsidiary of ACMobility, said its retail sales reached 26,122 units last year, well above the 4,780 units sold in 2024. The Seagull leads BYD’s 4,608 battery electric vehicle sales as the top-selling vehicle. BYD Cars Philippines managing director Bob Palanca said 2025 marked a significant milestone in the advancement of new energy vehicles in the country.
Source:Philippine Star
January 23, 2026 16:33 UTC
Complacent
He accuses the agency of failing in its basic mandate of protecting the public from dubious pharmaceutical and health products. He took the FDA to task for allowing continued sale of unregistered health products and criticizes the agency for issuing unenforceable health advisories. Our public health infrastructure is a disaster area. The original Malampaya field (Service Contract 38) had a 2,700 billion cubic feet (Bcf) of deposits. This is less than four percent of what the original Malampaya field held.
Source:Philippine Star
January 23, 2026 16:33 UTC
Two views on doing business under BBM
Two views on doing business under BBMThere are two views on how to do business under President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s Bagong Pilipinas administration. The vice chair of SM Investments Corp. and chair of BDO Unibank, TSC views business from a sprawling perspective. Tan III views business from the focused lens of aviation. AT BBR, TSC said:On greater market access through free trade agreements• We support free trade agreements because government and business share the same goal: progress. Business matching helps accelerate investments, and investments translate into jobs.
Source:Philippine Star
January 23, 2026 16:33 UTC
Duterte tells birthday boy Bato: Be strong as a rock
Duterte tells birthday boy Bato: Be strong as a rockMANILA, Philippines — Detained former president Rodrigo Duterte greeted Sen. Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa on his 64th birthday, as he told him to be “strong like a rock,” according to Vice President Sara Duterte. “Earlier, I spoke to president Duterte and I told him that it’s Sen. Bato dela Rosa’s birthday. I told him if he has a birthday message for Sen. Bato dela Rosa. He said, ‘Happy birthday, Sen. Bato. Be strong like a rock.’ That’s his wish,” the Vice President said in The Hague, Netherlands.
Source:Philippine Star
January 23, 2026 16:33 UTC
Government taps white hat hackers for cybersecurity protection
Government taps white hat hackers for cybersecurity protectionWhite hat hackers are cybersecurity professionals who use their hacking skills ethically to identify and report security vulnerabilities. White hat hackers are cybersecurity professionals who use their hacking skills ethically to identify and report security vulnerabilities. Unlike malicious hackers, white hats help organizations strengthen their defenses by exposing weaknesses before they can be exploited. The DICT divided the SHPBBP into two: the private program, which is limited to a select group of experts; and the public program, which is an open invitation to cybersecurity researchers. The SHPBBP covers all agencies under the government, including state-owned firms, as well as private companies belonging to the Public-Private Cybersecurity Partnership Program.
Source:Philippine Star
January 23, 2026 16:33 UTC
Ejercito frowns on possible Marcos-Duterte impeachment trials
He lamented the economic repercussions of having two impeachment trials this year against Marcos and Duterte, who used to be allies until their political falling out. Ejercito said despite his reservations, he still believed in the constitutional duty of the Senate to “proceed to trial forthwith” in case both impeachment complaints are transmitted by the House. But I’m just airing out my frustration of the implications that this would bring if the impeachment process proceeds for them both,” Ejercito said. Not blocking impeachmentHouse majority leader and Ilocos Norte Rep. Sandro Marcos said yesterday that he is not blocking any impeachment complaint against his father the President. “I cannot stop any impeachment complaint from being referred to the floor or to any committee or the committee on justice,” Marcos said.
Source:Philippine Star
January 23, 2026 16:33 UTC