Kim Chiu to hold charity sale featuring her preloved items
Kim Chiu is selling her preloved items starting as low as P50. You have the chance to own some of the actress' personal pieces as she will be holding the Kim Chiu Closet Bazaar for five days. #KimChiuClosetBazaar2026 pic.twitter.com/Z9EXNu4rBc — kim chiu (@prinsesachinita) January 23, 2026The bazaar will be held from Jan. 28 to Feb. 1 at 33 Sct. The prices of the items will range from P50 to P2,000. All proceeds from the sale will be donated to charity.
Source:Philippine Star
January 23, 2026 08:37 UTC
Drink up: What to expect at Philippine Cocktail Week 2026
The bar crawl of the year is arriving soon. For four nights, the Philippine Cocktail Week 2026 will turn four neighborhoods in Metro Manila into a veritable showcase of over 50 of the best bars in Manila and other parts of the world. Each night will focus on one neighborhood, with bars from China, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Japan, Korea, Nepal, Singapore, and Thailand pairing with local ones. If you're a Maya Black credit card holder, you can enjoy 20% cashback on drinks at participating bars. If you'd prefer not to do your nightly crawl on foot, take a Grab and use the code PHCOCKTAILWEEK to get 30% off GrabCar rides to and from participating bars.
Source:Philippine Star
January 23, 2026 07:29 UTC
How much does Venezuela owe China, and why is oil involved?
How much does Venezuela owe China, and why is oil involved? Crude oil drips from a valve at an oil well operated by Venezuela's state oil company PDVSA, in the oil rich Orinoco belt, near Morichal at the state of Monagas.
Source:The Standard
January 23, 2026 07:25 UTC
Russian vlogger nabbed over threat to spread HIV
Russian vlogger nabbed over threat to spread HIVMANILA, Philippines — Four days after the deportation of Russian vlogger Vitaly Zdorovetskiy for harassing Filipinos in Bonifacio Global City in Taguig, another Russian vlogger was arrested on Wednesday for allegedly threatening to spread human immunodeficiency virus or HIV in the Philippines. Chekhov went viral on social media after threatening to spread HIV in the country. The BI said Chekhov uploaded videos filmed in Taguig’s Bonifacio High Street, in which he made claims that he intended to spread HIV during his stay in the country. “Foreign nationals who come to the Philippines to spread alarm, disrespect our people and abuse our hospitality are not welcome and will face deportation,” Viado said. On Jan. 15, Estonian YouTuber Siim Roosipuu was nabbed and declared persona non grata in Dumaguete City for calling Filipinos as monkeys.
Source:Philippine Star
January 23, 2026 05:30 UTC
China summons PH ambassador, demands gov't rein in Tarriela
China summons PH ambassador, demands gov't rein in TarrielaMANILA, Philippines — China summoned the Philippine ambassador to Beijing on Thursday, January 22, to demand Manila "undo the negative impact" of Coast Guard spokesperson Jay Tarriela's recent public call-outs of Beijing's actions in the West Philippine Sea. They also accused the Philippine side of allowing him to make “misleading and baseless remarks” against China. The string of abrasive social media statements from Beijing's embassy began shortly after Ambassador Jing Quan arrived in Manila in early December 2025. Jing, who spent years as deputy chief of mission at the Chinese embassy in Washington, presented his credentials to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on December 11. The talk featured satirical images of Chinese President Xi Jinping alongside the text "Why China remains to be bully?"
Source:Philippine Star
January 23, 2026 03:36 UTC
Commentary | Digital payments hit inflection point after 2025 surge
Digital payments hit inflection point after 2025 surgeFrom AB Capital's The Opening Bell: Three MovesEventIn our view, the jump in InstaPay and PESONet transactions to P24.7tn in 2025, +42% value surge and a +217% volume spike, confirms that digital payments are entering scale territory. ViewWe think this shift reduces cash handling frictions and improves liquidity, supporting consumption and SME activity. We also think that high-frequency payments data may serve as a reliable proxy for near-term demand trends. CatalystThe BSP’s goal of digitalizing 60-70% of retail payments by 2028 depends on fee reductions and tighter anti-fraud controls. It is not to be construed as an offer or solicitation of an offer to sell or buy the securities herein mentioned.
Source:Philippine Star
January 23, 2026 03:13 UTC
All the lucky feels at SM Supermalls
Discover love and luck at the Lucky Feels Bazaar (February 1–28)Step into the heart of the celebration at the Lucky Feels Bazaar, a unified Chinese New Year and Valentine’s Day pop-up bazaar that blends romance and prosperity in one exciting space. Step into festive photo-worthy Lucky Feels installations (February 1-28)Get into the celebration the moment you arrive as SM Supermalls transforms with vibrant Lucky Feels installations. Capture and Snap the Lucky Feels (February 1–28)Don’t miss the Snap the Lucky Feels photo spot, featuring a vibrant money tree adorned with ang paos, beautifully paired with a Valentine’s Day-inspired setup! Visit your most loved SM Mall, experience the Lucky Feels and create maxed out memories worth sharing. Leap into lucky vibes this Year of the Horse—only at SM Supermalls!
Source:Philippine Star
January 23, 2026 02:44 UTC
6 Philippines schools enter THE subject rankings’
6 Philippines schools enter THE subject rankings’Undated photo shows the Oblation statue in the University of the Philippines campus in Diliman, Quezon City. MANILA, Philippines — Six universities in the Philippines have joined the Times Higher Education World University Rankings by Subject 2026, where at least 11 subject areas were ranked. In arts and humanities, UP, Ateneo and DLSU ranked 601-800. In business and economics, UP ranked 801-1000 and DLSU joined the 1001+ bracket. In social sciences, Ateneo, DLSU, Mapua and UP ranked 801-1000, while UST joined the 1001+ bracket.
Source:Philippine Star
January 23, 2026 02:18 UTC
Atong in Cambodia or Thailand? DILG checking
Atong in Cambodia or Thailand? DILG checkingMANILA, Philippines — The government is verifying information that Charlie “Atong” Ang has fled to Cambodia or Thailand, Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla said yesterday. “Raw information, according to Patidongan our star witness, he has access to Cambodia,” Remulla told reporters in a phone interview. Remulla said there were reports that Ang had online sabong or cockfighting operations in Cambodia, suggesting that he may have already established a network in the area, including parts of Thailand. “Of course, he earned P1 billion a day, it’s very easy to acquire firearms anywhere, even loose firearms,” he said.
Source:Philippine Star
January 22, 2026 22:05 UTC
Metro Manila domestic workers to get P800 pay hike
Metro Manila domestic workers to get P800 pay hikeThe Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Board (RTWPB) has approved an increase of P800 in the monthly wage of kasambahays. MANILA, Philippines — Domestic workers in the National Capital Region will receive an increase in their monthly salary in February. The Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Board (RTWPB) has approved an increase of P800 in the monthly wage of kasambahays. From P7,000, household workers in Metro Manila will receive P7,800 per month starting Feb. 7. The last minimum wage hike for Metro Manila domestic workers took effect on Jan. 4, 2025.
Source:Philippine Star
January 22, 2026 21:56 UTC
Four young creatives redefining the rules of the creative industry
Truth be told, in the creative industry, connections have long been considered the pillar of success and the unwritten rule for entry. But the story is now changing, and these young creatives are proof. It’s both a witness and an agent of transformation.”Despite this calling, Ron admits the industry is very exclusive. “What I’m doing will always be a love letter to that dreamy-eyed kid, catwalking in his draped blanket gown. To new creatives, Em advised: "The industry is not oversaturated.
Source:Philippine Star
January 22, 2026 21:04 UTC
JV slapped with ethics rap over 'neglect' of Chiz’s case
MANILA, Philippines — A lawyer has filed an ethics complaint against Sen. JV Ejercito, accusing him of failing to act on a pending ethics case against former Senate President Chiz Escudero more than three months after it was filed. Aceron also noted that within days from the filing of the ethics complaint, the Senate had already conducted hearings. The House of Representatives also processed an ethics complaint against Cavite Rep. Kiko Barzaga, which led to his 60-day suspension. "Rest assured that the Ethics Committee will convene and hear pending cases once it is fully constituted and when session resumes. The said cases will be heard in order of filing," Ejercito said.
Source:Philippine Star
January 22, 2026 20:25 UTC
Trump launches Board of Peace that some fear rivals UN
U.S. President Donald Trump sits with Argentina's President Javier Milei, Armenia's Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, Hungary's Prime Minister Viktor Orban and others during a charter announcement for Trump's Board of Peace initiative aimed at resolving global conflicts, alongside the 56th annual World Economic Forum (WEF), in Davos, Switzerland, January 22, 2026.
Source:The Standard
January 22, 2026 20:11 UTC
‘Philippines unlikely to meet RE targets by 2030’
‘Philippines unlikely to meet RE targets by 2030’Vince Heo, director for Asia-Pacific Power and Renewables Research at S&P Global, said the share of renewables in the Philippines’ power mix could reach just 27 percent by 2030. MANILA, Philippines — The Philippines may fall short of its clean energy targets as persistent grid bottlenecks and permitting challenges continue to slow progress, according to S&P Global. Vince Heo, director for Asia-Pacific Power and Renewables Research at S&P Global, said the share of renewables in the Philippines’ power mix could reach just 27 percent by 2030. As such, the National Grid Corp. of the Philippines is pushing for a “holistic solution” to address challenges across the country’s power supply chain. Beyond grid challenges, the S&P Global official also highlighted the need to further simplify the permitting process in the Philippines.
Source:Philippine Star
January 22, 2026 19:08 UTC
Supermax prison awaits convicted flood culprits
Congress has allocated P6 billion for such a facility, according to Catapang, which will be distributed in three tranches: P1.5 billion in 2026, P2 billion in 2027 and P2.5 billion in 2028. Flood control suspects are charged with graft and malversation, both serious offenses, with the attached penalty for the latter being imprisonment for up to 40 years. In a recent television interview, Catapang said the BuCor is expecting 8,000 prisoners linked to the flood control scandal. Catapang also said that jails managed by the BJMP and the BuCor’s reception and diagnostic center will be unified within the prison facility. He said there is a plan to place the BJMP under the DOJ, which will then be able to monitor the status of persons undergoing trial.
Source:Philippine Star
January 22, 2026 16:55 UTC