Philippine News

MANILA, Philippines, November 17 ------ Despite intermittent rains, attendees continued to stream into the Quirino Grandstand grounds and surrounding areas as the three-day Iglesia ni Cristo (INC) rally started yesterday in Manila. On its first day, the crowd, calling for transparency and accountability in government, swelled to an estimated 650,000 as of 6 p.m., according to the Manila Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office. During the opening program, Bienvenido Sant

MANILA, Philippines, November 17 ------ The Philippines, the United States and Japan conducted another round of maritime drills in the West Philippine Sea, demonstrating a growing regional unity and cooperation, the Armed Forces of the Philippines said. The AFP said the exercises featured a series of coordinated maritime and aerial operations, including rendezvous time, communication check, maritime domain awareness contact reporting, resupply at sea approach, anti-submarine

MANILA, Philippines, November 17 ------ The City of Manila declared the suspension of classes today through until Tuesday, November 18, due to three-day gatherings of religious group Iglesia Ni Cristo. In a video released by the Manila Public Information Office (PIO) on Sunday, November 16, Manila Mayor Isko Moreno Domagoso announced that in-person classes are suspended at all levels for public and private schools. Domagoso also said he ordered the shift to alternative delive

MANILA, Philippines, November 17 ------ Former Ako Bicol Rep. Zaldy Co claimed that former House Speaker Martin Romualdez threatened to kill him if he “talked” about his involvement in the flood control scam or even returned to the country. Co made the allegation in the third part of his video statement, saying Romualdez threatened him as early as March 2025 during a supposed meeting. “As early as March 2025, the speaker hinted to me in our meeting that he will shoot me if I

November 17 ------ Last week’s Manila Dialogue demonstrated that the Philippines is far from cowed or isolated in the face of China’s continued bullying in the South China Sea. But it also highlighted the limitations of transparency as a stand-alone strategy against Beijing’s maritime encroachment. The dialogue’s focus on international law has broader relevance for Australia. This annual meeting about the South China Sea is a fairly new addition to the regional conference sce

November 17 ------ The Suez Canal Authority (SCA) is optimistic that transits are gradually returning to normal after the canal witnessed the passage of three mega ships operated by CMA CGM in a span of one week. Just a day after the UN Security Council overwhelmingly voted to renew sanctions against the Yemeni Houthis’ who have been waging attacks on commercial vessels forcing them to avoid the Red Sea, SCA now believes the situation is easing and mega ships are making trans

November 17 ------ Animal advocacy groups have been raising the alarm over the situation aboard livestock carrier Spiridon II, which was stranded off the Turkish coast for weeks due to irregularities in paperwork. 58 cows have already died, with another 140 pregnant cows suffering miscarriages. Shortly after publication of a report on the situation by Sky News, the vessel weighed anchor and got under way. Spiridon II was stranded in the Turkish waters for 24 days, and the aut

November 17 ------ A two-stroke ammonia engine manufactured by German marine engine producer Everllence (formerly known as MAN Energy Solutions) is all but ready to hit the maritime industry market. As disclosed, Everllence’s dual-fuel ME-LGIA (-liquid gas injection ammonia) engine, which was unveiled for the first time at a recent maritime conference, is now prepared for newbuilding orders. As noted, the inaugural unit of the ME-LGIA engine is set to be handed over in the fi

MANILA, November 17 ------ Noon-time concert show ASAP united Kapamilya artists and viewers for a cause, as they mounted a special benefit concert and telethon to help families devastated by the recent earthquake and the onslaught of Typhoons Tino and Uwan. Originally scheduled to air its Vancouver episode, the production quickly shifted gears following the widespread destruction brought by the calamities, pulling together an all-star lineup in just hours. Concert King Martin

November 17 ------ GMA Public Affairs’ The Atom Araullo Specials: POGOLAND has been named Best Documentary under Domestic Affairs at the 2025 Association for International Broadcasting or AIB Awards held in London last November 14. This marks another global victory for the program, following its Gold Medal win at the 2025 New York Festivals TV & Film Awards earlier this year. The multi-awarded documentary, hosted by Atom Araullo, investigated the underworld of Philippine Offs

MANILA, November 17 ------ The Nation’s Girl Group BINI bagged multiple honors at the 38th Awit Awards powered by Vibe at the Meralco Theater in Pasig City. BINI was voted the People’s Voice Favorite Group Artist, while their album “Talaarawan” won People’s Voice Fa, Suvorite Album of the Year. The group’s hit “Salamin, Salamin” took home the Best Dance/Electronic Recording, while their fanbase, the Blooms, earned the Vibe Stan Award. Other Kapamilya artists recognized at the

November 17 ------ At 78 years old, director and star-maker Johnny Manahan — better known in the industry as Mr. M — shows no signs of slowing down. In fact, he has embarked on a new chapter in his storied career, signing a contract with MQuest Ventures and MQuest Artists Agency (MQAA) as part of a shared vision to develop and champion world-class Filipino talent. The contract signing, held on Nov. 6 at the TV5 Media Center, brought together a powerhouse group led by Manny V.

BELEM, Brazil, November 17 ------ Tens of thousands of people thronged the streets of the Amazonian city hosting COP30 talks, dancing to thumping speakers in the first large-scale protest at a UN climate summit in years. As the first week of climate negotiations limped to a close with nations deadlocked, Indigenous people and activists sang, chanted, and rolled a giant beach ball of Earth through Belem under a searing sun. Others held a mock funeral procession for fossil fuel

TOKYO, November 17 ------ The Japanese public is divided on whether Japan should exercise its right to collective self-defense if China attacks Taiwan, a Kyodo news agency poll found. The survey found 48.8% in favor and 44.2% against, while 60.4% backed Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi's plan to beef up the country's defense spending. The opinion poll comes at a time when a diplomatic spat between Tokyo and Beijing has intensified following Takaichi's remarks related to

November 17 ------ Ukraine is working to resume the exchange of prisoners with Russia, hoping for the release of 1,200 Ukrainians, President Volodymyr Zelensky and his Security Council chief said. "We are counting on the resumption of exchanges," Zelensky said in a video posted on the Telegram messaging app on Sunday (Nov 16). "Many meetings, negotiations, and calls are now devoted to this." His security chief, Rustem Umerov, said that he had held consultations in Türkiye and

ATHENS/KYIV, November 17 ------ Ukraine has secured imports of U.S liquefied natural gas (LNG) from Greece to cover its winter needs from December through to March next year, Greek and Ukrainian officials said on Sunday during a visit to Athens by President Volodymyr Zelensky. Ukraine will import gas via a pipeline that runs across the Balkan peninsula to secure critical supplies after Russian attacks on energy infrastructure and gas production facilities. Greek gas company D

November 17 ------ ROBERT Bolick bailed NLEX out with crucial plays in a 92-83 win over Titan Ultra - its second straight win in the PBA 50th Season Philippine Cup at the University of Santo Tomas Quadricentennial Pavilion. Bolick scored 36 points including a three with 1:21 left to break an 83-83 deadlock. He also had 10 assists including a forward pass that led to Dominick Fajardo's fastbreak lay-up with 43.7 seconds left to increase the gap to five. Those plays proved enou

November 17 ------ JUAN Gomez de Liano will be joining Gilas Pilipinas practice when it starts its build-up for the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2027 Asian Qualifiers. Just two days after impressing in a Converge win over Barangay Ginebra, Gomez de Liano, Gilas coach Tim Cone confirmed, will take part in practice and will be up for consideration for the two games between Guam in Window 1 of the Asian Qualifiers. Gomez de Liano's surprise call-up comes in light of news rhat Kevin

LOS ANGELES, November 17 ------ Luka Doncic scored 41 points and grabbed nine rebounds to lead the Los Angeles Lakers to a 119-95 victory over the Milwaukee Bucks as the NBA champion Oklahoma City Thunder kept rolling. Austin Reaves added 25 points and eight assists and Deandre Ayton chipped in 20 points and 10 rebounds for the Lakers, who wrapped up a five-game road trip and headed home hoping to see superstar LeBron James make his season debut soon. Star forward Giannis Ant

November 17 ------ PETRO Gazz completed the eight-team playoff cast in one go with a 25-27, 25-13, 25-10, 25-13 victory over Capital1 in the 2025 PVL Reinforced Conference at the Ynares Center II in Montalban, Rizal. The win snapped the 3-3 deadlock between the two teams entering the match and allowed the Angels to force a three-way tie for fifth place with Akari and Cignal. It also ended a concerning two-game skid that saw them get swept by ZUS Coffee and routed by Farm Fres