Philippine News

March 7 ------ The shipping disruption from conflict in the Gulf region is only just getting started, according to new data from Clarksons and forecasts from multiple shipping analysts. Between suspended port calls, canceled freight bookings, bottled-up tonnage inside the Gulf, and long route diversions, the conflict will have substantial secondary effects on shipping interests around the world. The most obvious factor is the shutdown of the Strait of Hormuz to all but the m

MANILA, March 7 ------ Consumers will need to brace themselves for a possible massive hike in the prices of petroleum products next week. As of March 5, based on the first three trading days, here is the equivalent peso per liter jump in finished products based on world market adjustments: Diesel-P15.00/L increase Gasoline-P7.00/L increase Kerosene-P28.00L increase But there are more trading days left that can reduce or further bloat the price increases. STAGGERED PRICE HIKES

MANILA, Philippines, March 7 ------ Actress-turned-content-creator Alex Gonzaga gave a tip for aspiring content creators who want to follow in her footsteps. During her recent contract signing with snack brand Captain Calamares as its endorser, Philstar.com asked Alex for one tip on how to be an effective influencer like her. “Just be yourself. Kasi 'yon ang content mo eh, 'yung sarili mo. Kumbaga 'yon ang business mo. So kung gagaya ka sa iba, hindi ka authentic; makikita 'y

BEIJING, China, March 7 ------ China’s new five-year policy blueprint laid out its ambitions to aggressively adopt artificial intelligence throughout the world’s second-biggest economy and dominate emerging technologies such as quantum computing and humanoid robots. The country will “seize the commanding heights of science and technological development” and seek “decisive breakthroughs in key core technologies”, according to the plan released on Thursday, March 5, to coincide

March 6 ------ PLDT had to dig deep to escape a five-set scare against Farm Fresh in a thrilling encounter, 25-17, 23-25, 27-25, 21-25, 15-10, in the 2026 PVL All-Filipino Conference at the Playtime Filoil Centre. The High Speed Hitters climbed to the top of the standings with a 5-1 record, overtaking sister team Cignal, which slipped to second place at 5-2. PLDT quickly set the tone, taking control in the opening set for a comfortable 25-17 win. The Foxies fought back in the

March 6 ------ Shai Gilgeous-Alexander sank a clutch three-pointer to secure a hard-fought 103-100 win for the Oklahoma City Thunder over the New York Knicks. Victory improved the reigning NBA Most Valuable Player's remarkable personal record at Madison Square Garden against the Knicks to 7-0, and a fourth straight team win extended the Thunder's lead on top of the Western Conference. "We got the car back on the road in the fourth quarter, we were able to give ourselves a cha

March 6 ------ The Filipinas now face a must-win situation in the AFC Women’s Asian Cup 2026. The Philippines suffered a heavy 3-0 defeat against South Korea at the Gold Coast Stadium in Australia, falling to 0-2 in the continental tournament, where World Cup qualification is on the line. The result left the Philippines at the bottom of Group A with two losses and a -4 goal differential, with Australia and Iran yet to play. To stay alive, the Filipinas must beat Iran on Sunda

March 6 ------ Pinay tennis star Alex Eala will kick off her 2026 Indian Wells campaign against Dayana Yastremska. Eala, who currently ranks No. 32 in the world, will collide against the Ukrainian in the round of 64 in California on Friday (Saturday, Manila time). The No. 52nd ranked Yastremska arranged a second-round face off against Eala by beating Zhang Shuai, 6-3, 6-2, in the Round of 128. The Filipina headed straight to the second round after receiving a first-round bye

March 6 ------ The delegates of the 2026 Miss Universe Philippines pageant will trade their high-heeled shoes for comfortable sneakers for something unprecedented. The national pageant will hold its first-ever “Sports Fest” in this year’s edition of the annual competition, Miss Universe Philippines (MUPH) Executive Vice President Voltaire Tayag revealed. “This year we’ll do something very exciting, and it will not only get them outside, but also be active as well. We’re going

March 6 ------ Bianca Umali marked her 26th birthday with a reflective message about stepping back from the noise and reconnecting with herself and her faith. On social media, the Sparkle star shared a lengthy post, saying she chose to “turn the volume of the world all the way down,” intentionally disconnecting from outside distractions to focus on her spiritual journey. “I stepped back for a while. Turned the volume of the world all the way down. Let the notifications rest.

CORON, Philippines, March 6 ------ After much anticipation, local band Cup of Joe is set to break yet another record in the Philippine music scene. The band confirmed on their social media accounts that it would be staging “Sandali: The Cup of Joe Fest” on May 23 in Bulacan’s Philippine Sports Stadium. Cup of Joe noted that it would be the first Original Pilipino Music (OPM) act to stage a solo concert at the venue located beside the Philippine Arena. So far, only K-pop boy b

March 6 ------ The Sexbomb Girls were sure to slay on their first Preview Magazine cover! The publication made International Women's Month extra special by featuring Rochelle Pangilinan, Sunshine Garcia, Jopay Paguia, Aifha Medina, Cynthia Yapchiongco, Aira Bermudez, and Mia Pangyarihan on its March 2026 issue. The ladies looked powerful as they held musical instruments on a stage setting. Their cover story is aptly called “Life of a Showgirl,” where they talked about their h

MANILA, March 6 ------ A ranking Philippine Navy (PN) official said the just concluded 15th multilateral maritime cooperative activity (MMCA), held in the West Philippine Sea (WPS) and up to Batanes Group of Islands, trained Filipino naval forces to defend a major international shipping route. "First and foremost, the 15th MMCA was conducted between the Philippines, the United States and the Japanese self-defense forces. This was conducted in the waters west of the country al

MANILA, March 6 ------ More than a thousand Overseas Filipino Workers in the Middle East have said they want to come back to the Philippines following days of escalating tension and unrest in the region, which is also called West Asia. While the Department of Migrant Workers says it has made the necessary preparations, one major challenge remains — airports and airspace in several affected areas remain closed. In a press conference, Overseas Workers Welfare Administration Adm

March 6 ------ Ambassador Franz-Michael Mellbin has reaffirmed Denmark’s support for the Philippines in strengthening its national defense and underscored the need for a broad approach to boosting its security capabilities. Mellbin gave the reassurance during his presentation at the 2026 Security Lounge of the National Defense College of the Philippines (NDCP) held last February 27, 2026 at the NDCP Honor Hall in Camp General Emilio Aguinaldo, Quezon City. According to a soci

MANILA, Philippines, March 6 ------ The National Security Council (NSC) said it has uncovered “a serious national security matter” wherein Filipinos themselves are being used by China to conduct espionage operations in the country. In a statement, the NSC also confirmed the existence of an “Insider Threat Program” involving various national government agencies currently dealing with the matter. “The National Security Council confirms the Rappler investigative report that gove

March 6 ------ Seafarers have the right to refuse to sail on ships passing through the Middle East Gulf, including the Strait of Hormuz, after the threat level for the region was raised to its highest level, the leading labor union and shipping industry groups said. Around 300 ships are anchored on both sides of the Strait while the U.S.-led war against Iran escalates. Since February 28, nine ships have been damaged and at least one seafarer has been killed. As part of negoti

March 6 ------ QatarEnergy has declared force majeure on liquefied natural gas (LNG) shipments after halting production at its main export facilities. Force Majeure is a legal concept that refers to unforeseeable events that prevent someone from fulfilling a contract. The term comes from French, meaning “superior force.” It’s used in contracts to protect parties from liability when extraordinary events occur that are beyond their control. The suspension comes amid rising tens

March 6 ------ More tankers came under attack in Gulf waters as the U.S.–Iran war escalated, and Iranian drones entered Azerbaijan, threatening to spread the crisis to more oil producers in the region. A Bahamas-flagged crude oil tanker was targeted by an Iranian remote-controlled boat laden with explosives while anchored near Iraq's Khor al Zubair port, according to initial assessments. A second tanker at anchor off Kuwait was taking on water and spilling oil after a large e

March 6 ------ China is in talks with Iran to allow crude oil and Qatari liquefied natural gas vessels safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz as the U.S.-Israeli war on Tehran intensifies, three diplomatic sources told Reuters. The war, which entered its sixth day has left the critical shipping passageway all-but shut, with countries around the world cut off from a fifth of global oil and liquefied natural gas supplies. China, which has friendly relations with Iran and rel