Philippine News

January 9 ------ After all the heart battles Carla Abellana endured, love owes her a better fate. So, Cupid did his job and made Carla cross paths again with her high school beau, Reginald Santos. Their love story is one for the books (pun intended). They make the cliché “Love is lovelier the second time around” turn into an understatement. The couple’s trending all-white slab cake symbolizes the kind of relationship that they have: less fluff, more substance. Carla and Regin

LEGAZPI CITY, Albay, January 9 ------ Several barangays surrounding Mayon Volcano have experienced ashfall, according to the Albay Public Safety and Emergency Management Office (APSEMO). APSEMO chief Roderick Mendoza said ashfall was first reported in the town of Malilipot, followed by light ashfall early Thursday morning in Ligao City, Legazpi City, Santo Domingo, and other nearby areas around the volcano. Helen Salvadora Ramirez, a resident of Purok 1, Barangay Lidong in Sa

KYIV, January 9 ------ Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said he wanted a new meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump as their officials revisited the two most problematic issues in talks aimed at ending Russia's war in Ukraine. Kyiv is under U.S. pressure to secure peace, but wants security guarantees from allies and is pushing back on Russian demands to cede its eastern Donetsk region and give up control of the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant. Speaking to reporters o

January 9 ------ ONE of the biggest remaining names in PVL free agency is now off the board, as Ara Galang has landed with the Strong Group Athletics (SGA) stable. With the acquisition of the veteran opposite hitter, SGA has now made 10 player signings this offseason, capped by one of the most decorated and consistent attackers in both the collegiate and professional ranks. Galang also becomes the 10th former Chery Tiggo player to secure a new league home in less than a month

MANILA, January 9 ------ President Ferdinand Marcos Jr announced a one-time waiver on the interest of unpaid premiums and contributions to the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth), saying that some 300,000 employers are expected to benefit from the indemnity. The amnesty will cover employers and self-employed Filipinos who have missed paying their contributions to the state health insurer anytime between 2013 and 2024, Marcos Jr. said in a video message upload

KYIV, Ukraine, January 9 ------ President Volodymyr Zelensky replaced the head of Ukraine’s security service, continuing a top-level reshuffle ahead of a trip to Paris, where he hoped to finalize agreements with allies on how to ensure that Russia doesn’t repeat its invasion if a peace agreement is signed. Zelensky is trying to revamp his administration as the grinding war of attrition with Russia marks its fourth anniversary next month. He is keen to keep up the momentum of

January 9 ------ It appears that Liza Soberano has reconciled with her former talent manager Ogie Diaz as they marked their first communication after three years since they ended their professional relationship. The communication came after Diaz sent a public birthday greeting to Soberano, who turned 28 years old last Jan. 4. The talent manager said in the latest episode of his Showbiz Update vlog that he received a response from the actress. “Ang nakakatuwa, sumagot si Liza.

January 9 ------ A court in Hong Kong sentenced the master of a Chinese-registered oil tanker to 14 months in jail after he pleaded guilty to one count of endangering the safety of others at sea. The judge said the captain’s actions were “obviously too slow,” and it resulted in a collision with the fishing boat off Hong Kong that killed one person, while six others were rescued from the sea. The oil tanker was transiting into Hong Kong waters around 0400 on November 17, 2024.

January 8 ------ The massive port complex in China’s central region is reporting a new record, claiming to be the first port worldwide to have handled a record 1.4 billion tons of cargo ranging from containers to dry bulk. Officials highlight that the port is expected to have maintained its position for the 17th consecutive year as the busiest overall port complex in terms of annual cargo throughput. The Ningbo-Zhoushan port, they highlight, has grown rapidly, moving up four

January 8 ------ Finnish Customs released the cargo aboard the vessel Fitburg that it had been holding during an investigation into possible violations of European Union sanctions, but they have also officially seized the vessel as the investigation into the cable damage continues. The customs authority reports that while the cargo is considered to be subject to the EU sanctions, they are releasing it under a technicality after consulting with the EU and the Finnish Deputy Pr

January 8 ------ Singapore-based shipping company Ocean Network Express (ONE) and Japan’s MTI Ltd. have established a joint venture (JV) company in Vietnam with the aim of promoting digital transformation of operations and business models in the shipping industry by using artificial intelligence (AI) technology. Established in December 2025, QUAVEO Company Limited is located in Ho Chi Minh City, has a capital of $1.6 million, and is being led by CEO Ichiro Igari, Managing Exe

January 8 ------ In addition to the boarding and seizure of the fugitive tanker Bella 1, U.S. forces captured the stateless, sanctioned tanker Sophia (aka Varada Blessing, IMO 9289477) in the Atlantic. The Sophia was in laden condition with about 1.8 million barrels of heavy Venezuelan crude aboard, according to TankerTrackers.com. The consultancy said that she is one of 15 tankers that got under way and attempted to penetrate the U.S. "blockade" of Venezuelan oil exports in

MANILA, January 8 ------ After not playing in the first game, Jeron Teng rose to the occasion and helped San Miguel knot the series at 1-1 against Ginebra in the PBA Season 50 Philippine Cup Semifinals. Teng, as well as nine-time PBA MVP June Mar Fajardo, towed the Beermen past Ginebra in Game 2, 93-84 at the Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City. Fajardo first anchored Beermen's comeback in the third quarter, as their side outscored Tim Cone's wards in that frame, 31-21, with the

MANILA, January 8 ------ Capital1 bared its newest acquisitions as the young franchise eyes a breakthrough in the 2026 Premier Volleyball League (PVL) season. The Solar Spikers amassed the services of eight new players—they first shared the signings of Shaya Adorador, Jasmine Nabor, Rachel Jorvina, and Ezra Madrigal on Tuesday night, and they completed the announcement earlier today, with Pauline Gaston, Cherry Nunag, Ysa Jimenez, and France Ronquillo joining the squad owned

January 8 ------ LeBron James and Luka Doncic combined for 60 points as the Los Angeles Lakers went on a late scoring spree to defeat the New Orleans Pelicans, 111-103. The Lakers extended their winning streak to three games after James and Doncic both scored 30 points apiece in the Big Easy to keep up the pressure on Western Conference leaders Oklahoma City and San Antonio. The Pelicans, who are bottom of the West with an 8-30 record, had threatened to spring an upset after

January 8 ------ KAI Sotto has been ruled out of the 2026 Japan B.League All-Star Game in Nagasaki. The league said the Koshigaya Alphas' 7-foot-3 center won't be joining the Asia All-Stars team in the midseason game against a Rising Stars selection. Sotto has been out of action since January due to an ACL injury that also kept him from suiting up with Gilas Pilipinas last year. He hoped to make it in time for the All-Star event, but the announcement is taken as a sign that t

January 8 ------ Celebrities Nico Antonio and Luke Jickain were among those who officially became lawyers after passing the 2025 Bar Exam. A total of 5,594 examinees passed the exam, with the results released. On his Instagram Stories, Antonio shared a post from Quantum Films featuring an art card congratulating him on passing the Bar Exam. The post also included a screenshot of the list of Bar exam passers, showing the actor's real name "Jerico Alonso Antonio." Quantum Films

January 8 ------ Gwyneth "Gwyn" Dorado brought Filipino pride to the international music scene after winning second place in the South Korean television singing competition Sing Again 4. Gwyn, who stood out as the only foreign finalist, competed against three Korean singers including Lee O-wook, Kim Jae-min, and Slowly during the final episode aired on JTBC. In the finale, Gwyn delivered two performances, including “Light Up”. Her performances earned strong praise from the ju

January 8 ------ Catriona Gray remains beautiful inside and out as she turns a year older. On Instagram, the ever-iconic Miss Universe 2018 shared glamorous portraits to mark her 32nd birthday. She wore a sheer black dress that hugged her figure, featuring a thigh-high slit. “Hey, 32,” the Filipino-Australian beauty queen wrote. In a separate post, Catriona shared how she celebrated her birthday by hosting a fundraiser for Smile Train Philippines, a non-profit, non-government

January 8 ------ Beauty Gonzalez is now a certified yoga teacher! In her GMA Integrated News Interview with Nelson Canlas which aired on “24 Oras,” the Kapuso actress shared that she went on a solo trip to Rishikesh, India and pursued yoga studies. “I went to India, in Rishikesh, alone for a month. It was, oh my God, parang I was healed. I do my laundry, I was vegetarian for a month, I do yoga three times a day, they teach us meditation. I enjoyed it and I was healed and I'm