Philippine News

MANILA, January 2 ------ Filipino singer Marcelito Pomoy has performed for U.S. President Donald Trump. Pomoy sang for Trump, who hosted a New Year’s Eve party at his Mar-a-Lago estate in Palm Beach. On his social media post, Pomoy uploaded photos of him with Trump as well as a snap of them together with First Lady Melania Trump. At the event, Pomoy's performances include the classic "The Prayer." Pomoy rose to fame in his home country of the Philippines after winning the sec

MANILA, Philippines, January 2 ------ After making her acting return in the Philippine adaptation of "It's Okay Not To Be Okay" earlier this year, host-actress Anne Curtis is set for her big-screen comeback in "The Loved One" next month. The movie, directed by Irene Villamor, will be Anne's first film since "The Mall, The Merrier", which was an entry to the 2019 Metro Manila Film Festival. "The Loved One" also reunites Anne with Jericho Rosales, who she starred opposite in th

January 2 ------ Millie Bobby Brown has officially bid farewell to her iconic character Eleven of "Stranger Things." The hit sci-fi series ended after nearly 10 years on New Year's Day (Philippine time) with the release of the Season 5 final episode. On Instagram, Millie shared a black-and-white photo of her with the series creators, the Duffer Brothers. "Over and out," she wrote simply. The phrase, used to end conversations on radio, was said a lot by the characters througho

January 2 ------ K-pop idol group BTS will be making their much-awaited comeback on March 20. Their agency, Big Hit Music, announced that BTS will release a new album on March 20, Korean media reported. This will be their first full-group album release in about three years and nine months, since their anthology album "Proof" in June 2022. To mark the new year of 2026, BTS sent handwritten letters to ARMYs (fans) to express their gratitude for their unwavering support. The let

MANILA, Philippines, January 2 ------ The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) deployed an aircraft to challenge a Chinese research ship that serves as a base for submersible vessels after it was spotted about 19 nautical miles off Cagayan province. The pilot issued multiple radio challenges to the CRV Tan Suo Er Hao, seeking to confirm whether it was conducting marine research without Manila’s consent, which would violate Philippine and international law, but received no response, t

MANILA, January 2 ------ President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. called on Filipinos to embrace discipline, empathy, and shared responsibility as the country welcomed the New Year 2026. In his New Year message, Marcos said the start of another year offers Filipinos the opportunity to reflect on past lessons and look ahead with renewed purpose. “I join Filipinos all over the world as we welcome the New Year 2026,” the President said. “The coming of another year is always a moment fo

January 2 ------ The Land Transportation Office (LTO) will begin enforcing the ban on e-trikes and e-bikes on major thoroughfares in Metro Manila today. The LTO made the announcement on New Year’s Day, or a month after it announced the deferment of the implementation of the prohibition on light electric vehicles (LEVs) in December. In a statement, the agency said e-trikes and e-bikes will not be allowed on key roads such as the Epifanio de los Santos Avenue (EDSA), C-5 Road,

MANILA, January 2 ------ Fewer firecracker-related injuries were seen in the 2026 New Year celebrations, the Department of Health (DOH) said. In a statement, the DOH said 235 cases of firework-related Injuries were recorded from December 21, 2025 till 4 a.m. on January 1, 2026. Another 62 injuries were recorded on New Year's Day itself. The DOH said this is 42 percent lower than the 403 seen in the same period last year. The health department said it hopes the lower count wil

CRANS-MONTANA, Switzerland, January 2 ------ Dozens are presumed dead after a fire ripped through a crowded bar in the luxury Swiss ski resort of Crans-Montana as young revellers rang in the new year with witnesses describing scenes of "panic". Horrified bystanders told of people trying to break through the windows of the bar to escape, as others, covered in burns, poured into the street. Police, firefighters and rescuers rushed to the popular resort, which is set to host the

TAIPEI, January 2 ------ Taiwan President Lai Ching-te said the island is determined to defend its sovereignty and boost its defense in the face of China's increasing expansion, after Beijing fired rockets towards the island as part of military drills. The international community is watching to see whether the Taiwanese people possess the resolve to defend themselves, Lai said in a New Year's speech broadcast live from the presidential office in Taipei. "As president, my stan

KYIV, January 2 ------ Russia and Ukraine accused each other of targeting civilians over the New Year, with Moscow reporting a deadly strike on a hotel in territory it occupies in southern Ukraine while Kyiv said there had been another broad attack on its power supplies. The reports coincide with intensive talks aimed at bringing an end to the nearly four-year-old war, overseen by US President Donald Trump. Both countries have said the other is doing all it can to influence h

January 2 ------ President Volodymyr Zelensky said that Russia was using ordinary apartment blocks on the territory of its ally Belarus to attack Ukrainian targets and circumvent Kyiv's defenses. The Kremlin used Belarusian territory to launch its February 2022 invasion of Ukraine and Belarus remains a steadfast ally, though longstanding President Alexander Lukashenko has vowed to commit no troops to the conflict. "We note that the Russians are trying to bypass our defensive

January 1 ------ BINI reflected on the success they have achieved so far, as well as how they are navigating their growing fame. In an interview with Toronto's MUCH, the Nation's Girl Group was asked whether they have already adjusted to the attention and success that come with their rising career. "I think we always try every day to make it seem normal with everything happening. But honestly we are just very grateful and blessed that we have many, many blessings and projects

January 1 ------ THE leadership of the Social Security System (SSS) announced that it has set various programs up for implementation in 2026 primarily aimed at benefiting its millions of members nationwide. “We look forward to 2026 where we continue implementing existing programs while developing new ones and strengthening member servicing as well as expanding footprint of SSS nationwide and abroad,” SSS President and CEO Robert Joseph Montes de Claro said. By September next

JAPAN, January 1 ------ Japan plans to more than double funding for its security equipment aid to like-minded countries in fiscal year 2026, in view of China's increasingly assertive actions in the East and South China Seas. The government will allocate about 18.1 billion yen in its initial budget proposal for the next fiscal year from April to be adopted at a cabinet meeting. The outlay for the official security assistance program for 10 countries is 2.2 times that for the p

January 1 ------ Marine salvage is arguably the most unique subsector of the maritime industry. It's a sector with a modus operandi that seems to be based on a series of enigmas. First and probably most obvious is that salvors operate in conditions and circumstances that often defy the conventional norms of good marine practices. Second is the fact that the financial structure is different from almost any other. Salvors face an inconsistent revenue stream yet require a steady

January 1 ------ Riding the wave of another landmark year, Filipino athletes anchored by world-class standouts such as Alex Eala and Carlos Yulo -- look poised to carry that momentum forward to keep the Philippines firmly in the international spotlight. Eala, who has been turning heads in the Women’s Tennis Association (WTA), seeks another impressive season, particularly in the Grand Slams where she hopes to eclipse her historic first-round win at the US Open. Currently ranke

MANILA, Philippines, January 1 ------ Kapamilya actors Gerald Anderson and Richard Gutierrez will team up for an ABS-CBN action series this 2026. ABS-CBN entertainment reporter MJ Felipe shared on his X account a photo of Gerald and Richard. It's confirmed and official!" MJ captioned the post. "Gerald Anderson and Richard Gutierrez will team up for an action-packed ABS-CBN series slated for 2026. The project will be under FM Reyes and will grind after the holiday break," he a

January 1 ------ The NBA and FIBA said they will start the process of engaging with teams and owners about joining their planned new league in Europe next month. As has been expected, the league will offer both permanent spots and “a merit-based pathway” to qualifying on an annual basis through FIBA's Basketball Champions League or an end-of-season tournament, the sides said. Every team in a FIBA-affiliated European league would have the chance to qualify. “The format of the

MANILA, Philippines, January 1 ------ There will be no fresh national budget in the first few days of 2026 as President Marcos is expected to sign the proposed P6.793-trillion outlay for next year in the first week of January, possibly on Jan. 5. The Marcos administration had wanted the appropriations bill signed into law by year-end to avoid reenacting the 2025 budget, a situation seen to hamper the implementation of vital projects and stall economic growth. However, an amen