Philippine News

February 28 ------ China's militia of military-trained fishing crews spent more time deployed in the South China Sea than ever before last year, according to CSIS' Asia Maritime Transparency Initiative. In a new report based on satellite imaging, AMTI detailed the movements of identifiable maritime militia vessels near 12 reefs, and found that the sustained Chinese presence in sensitive areas of the region numbers in the hundreds of vessels - every day. Nearly half of the ac

February 28 ------ Chinese Navy warships were spotted multiple times this week near patrolling naval assets of the Philippines and the United States in the West Philippine Sea during the 15th Multilateral Maritime Cooperative Activity (MMCA) with Japan. Vessels of the People's Liberation Army (PLA) Navy of China were consistently spotted near Philippine and American Navy ships throughout the four-day MMCA, which was conducted from Monday, February 23, to Thursday, February 26

February 28 ------ Rob Deniel’s love for music started when he and his friends used to join battle-of-the-bands competitions. After the COVID-19 pandemic made him shift into songwriting, it turned out to be the path that would lead him to headline his first solo concert. Deniel is gearing up for his first solo concert, “The Rob Deniel” show, later this evening at the Araneta Coliseum. The show is a culmination of his growing success in the music scene and of his status as one

MANILA, February 28 ------ There are no roles to play this time for Elijah Canlas. The actor-musician steps into his own spotlight with the release of his debut album “South II” marking a deeply personal chapter beyond the characters that made him known on screen. In a social media post, Canlas thanked his collaborators for helping him. "No characters portrayed here. I often consume artists’ music through albums more than playlists. Can’t believe I’m about to drop my very own

February 28 ------ MIKE Phillips has finally been recognized by FIBA as a local and is now eligible to play for Gilas Pilipinas in all tournaments sanctioned by basketball’s world governing body. The Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas made the announcement as it expressed its gratitude to FIBA for ‘its swift action in hearing [their] request and classifying Mike Philips as a player without restrictions.’ The 6-foot-6 Philips, adjudged the Finals MVP when La Salle regained the UA

February 28 ------ The Republic of Marshall Islands (RMI) Maritime Administrator has provided an update regarding the number of enclosed space entry incidents since 2020. Warning vessel managers of the need for continued vigilance regarding enclosed space entry and rescue training, the RMI reports that since 2020, 12 enclosed space entry incidents on RMI-flagged vessels have occurred, resulting in the loss of 16 lives. A recent incident resulted in the loss of three seafarers

MANILA, February 28 ------ President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. is set to meet with South Korean President Lee Jae Myung to enhance bilateral cooperation between the Philippines and South Korea in key areas, including defense, maritime and economic fields, Malacañang announced. Lee will embark on a state visit to the Philippines from March 3 and 4 upon Marcos’ invitation. In a press briefing, Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said Marcos and First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos will

February 28 ------ Anthropic said it would not accede to the Pentagon’s request to eliminate safeguards from its AI systems, despite threats to deem the company a “supply chain risk” and remove it from the Department of Defense’s systems, putting a $200-million contract at risk. The Pentagon’s dispute with Anthropic stems from the AI startup’s refusal to remove safeguards that would prevent its technology from being used to target weapons autonomously and conduct surveillance

February 27 ------ Daily charter rates for VLCC tankers on the Middle East to Asia run have reached their highest level since those which prevailed during the COVID pandemic in 2020. LSEG Data & Analytics, quoted by Reuters estimated the daily rate as $170,000, whilst Bloomberg and tanker owner Frontline reported that rates had risen to $200,000. Tankers International has reported that VLCC DHT Jaguar (IMO 9733947) has been signed up for a rate of $208,000 per day by Saudi sh

February 27 ------ The Indian Directorate General of Shipping (DGS) has issued a strong advisory to all Indian seafarers and shipping companies to avoid Iranian territorial waters. The notice comes shortly after a similar advisory was issued by the US Department of Transportation (DoT). The DGS has advised Indian seafarers and shipping stakeholders “to exercise extreme caution” while transiting the Strait of Hormuz. It has further urged India-linked mariners currently in Iran

CAVITE, Philippines, February 27 ------ MOL Magsaysay Maritime Academy (MMMA), led by its president Dr. Michael Morales, welcomed International Maritime Organization (IMO) Secretary-General Arsenio Dominguez. The visit underscored the Philippines’ key role in shaping the future of global maritime education. The delegation included Philippine Ambassador to the United Kingdom Teodoro Locsin Jr., Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA) Administrator Sonia Malaluan, and MARINA Stand

February 27 ------ Ghana's armed forces intervened to save 71 fishermen from an attack by unknown assailants off the country's coast, officials confirmed. The news was first reported by Vanguard Tech and confirmed by the AP. On Wednesday night, armed pirates robbed at least four fishing vessels at a location in the Gulf of Guinea, just off the coast of Senya Bereku. The assailants successfully stole the outboard motors off the fishing boats and departed the scene. The fisherm

February 27 ------ Gilas Pilipinas Men fought valiantly, but their late surge fell short as the New Zealand Tall Blacks held on for a 69–66 victory in their first win of the FIBA World Cup 2027 Asian Qualifiers at the SM Mall of Asia Arena. Trailing by 11 entering the fourth quarter, Gilas refused to go down without a fight. Dwight Ramos electrified the arena with a long triple to cut the lead to 66–64 with 47 seconds remaining and added another score with 8.1 seconds left. R

February 27 ------ CHOCO Mucho finally snapped its skid the hard way. The Flying Titans mounted a gritty 26-24, 20-25, 22-25, 25-13, 15-12 comeback over Galeries Tower in the 2026 PVL All-Filipino Conference at the Playtime Filoil Centre. Rallying from a 5-8 deficit in the deciding set, Choco Mucho clawed back momentum to end a three-game slide in what also marked the return of prized acquisition Eya Laure, who missed the team’s last two games due to a minor leg injury. The m

February 27 ------ The San Antonio Spurs edged the Toronto Raptors, 110-107 pushing their NBA winning streak to 10 games and closing in on Western Conference leaders Oklahoma City Thunder, who fell to the Detroit Pistons. Devin Vassell scored 21 points and De'Aaron Fox added 20 for the Spurs, who overcame a lackluster offensive night from superstar Victor Wembanyama to push their win streak to double digits for the first time since the 2015-16 season. The French big man conne

MANILA, Philippines, February 27 ------ Filipino International Master Mark Jay Bacojo knows going to Russia — one of the superpowers in chess — and trying to win there is a tall order. But the 19-year-old Far Eastern University standout conquered his inner fear and is delivering a campaign for the ages after seizing not just a share of the lead with a round to go, but also a Grandmaster norm in the ultra-tough Russian Chess Crown Standard A in Moscow. Bacojo conquered Russian

February 27 ------ While SB19’s Pablo and Ben&Ben’s Paolo Benjamin continue to inspire their fans and attract casual listeners with the music they create for their respective groups, they hope that their contributions to the industry will empower fellow creatives. “As a Filipino creator, I want Filipino creatives to be more respected, protected, and to be paid properly… When you get shunned by people you think would help you sa industry — kaya nabuo ang Radkidz,” Pablo said i

February 27 ------ Chemistry is the easiest thing to talk about and the hardest thing to fake. You can rehearse lines, block scenes, polish a look, or even time a pause. But when two actors truly click, the camera doesn’t “capture” it — it simply bears witness. In a story about forgetting, this choice is significant: the body retains memories even as the mind begins to fade. That is the energy director Jerry Lopez Sineneng keeps returning to when talking about Carlo Aquino an

February 27 ------ Actress Rita Daniela may have left GMA Network, but said she would always be grateful for the 21 years she spent as a Kapuso. She further elevated her career by signing a management contract with Viva Artists Agency (VAA). “I want to explore new opportunities. We all know that Viva has many platforms. They produce concerts, musicals, and series like Viva One. I want to try them all," said Rita when asked about her decision to leave the Kapuso Network after

February 27 ------ From Bahay ni Kuya to Bahay ni Mika! Mika Salamanca took to Instagram to share a major feat: She is now officially a homeowner and is in fact in the process of furnishing her new place. In the photos, the “PBB: Collab 1.0” Big Winner shared snaps of herself choosing from various flooring designs. “Caution: new homeowner at work,” she said in the caption. The comment section was filled with congratulatory messages, including those from her fellow former hous