Philippine News

October 20 ------ The explosion on October 18, aboard an LPG tanker Falcon continues to be under investigation, with the authorities discounting the media speculation of an attack by the Houthis. The Houthis also took the unusual step of quickly issuing a denial, saying that they had not been involved in the incident.   Initial reports coming from the UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) said a company security officer had informed them that the vessel was struck by an “unkno

October 20 ------ Maritime officials in Ecuador have reached an agreement concerning a national information network aimed at connecting ports, vessel operators and environmental authorities to help address the rising issue(s) of biofouling.   The development is reportedly one of a set of ‘vital’ outcomes that stemmed from a recent workshop delivered by the International Maritime Organization (IMO) and held together with the Maritime Technology Cooperation Center Caribbean (MT

October 20 ------ South Korea’s Jeju Port celebrated the opening of a new trade route to China, which also marked the first arrival in 57 years of a containership to Jeju. The semi-autonomous island, which lies to the south of the Korean peninsula, highlights that the new service with China will be an economic boost to the region.   The Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries approved the route in late July and completed the operational plan in October. The plan calls for weekly ser

October 20 ------ A medical transport vessel has gone missing in the Makassar Strait, leaving three people mysteriously unaccounted-for. In an era of ubiquitous AIS, VHF and EPIRB access, the wholesale disappearance of an official vessel - without a distress call - is an uncommon occurrence.   The vessel went missing while transiting between two tiny islands in the center of the Indonesian archipelago. It departed Pulau Tinggalungang - on the western edge of the Flores Sea -

October 20 ------ Pageant veteran Emma Tiglao of the Philippines scored a back-to-back victory for the country after she was crowned Miss Grand International 2025 during a three-hour show that was broadcast live from Thailand on Oct. 18.   After Emma was crowned, the Philippine national anthem was played at the MGI Hall in Bangkok, venue of the beauty pageant. Then the beauty queen from Pampanga took her first walk as Miss Grand International 2025. Emma, 30, was crowned by ou

October 20 ------ While many of the global pageant fans have tuned in to the Miss Grand International pageant in Thailand and witnessed the Philippines post back-to-back wins, another Filipino queen was crowned in neighboring Malaysia. Mutya ng Pilipinas Christine Eds Enero almost gave the Philippines another two-in-a-row win at the Miss Tourism International pageant, but was just a step short of succeeding 2024 winner Liana Barrido.   Enero instead received the Miss Tourism

October 20 ------ "Walong Libong Piso," a film written and directed by Dr. Dante Balboa, aims for recognition in the Guinness Book of World Records due to its unique technical aspects.   In an interview, Dante revealed that the film featuring Paolo Gumabao stands out in remarkably distinct ways, each one contributing to its uniqueness and depth. "It is a movie with one character, one sequence, one concept, one story, one setting, one location, one single shot, one shooting ta

October 20 ------ Michael Sager is taking his hosting skills to the Filipino Music Awards! The Sparkle star is among the hosts of the inaugural edition of the award show to be held on October 21 at the Mall of Asia Arena.   The Filipino Music Awards will feature performances from OPM acts such as Ben&Ben, Maki and Gloc-9, among others.   Michael was among the 20 housemates of "Pinoy Big Brother: Celebrity Collab Edition." Aside from being an actor, Michael also dabbles in hos

MANILA, Philippines, October 20 ------ Tropical Storm Ramil (international name: Fengshen) is expected to leave the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) Monday morning after bringing rains and strong winds to northern and western Luzon, according to the state weather bureau.   In its early morning bulletin, PAGASA said Ramil was last spotted 350 kilometers west of Sinait, Ilocos Sur, packing maximum sustained winds of 65 kilometers per hour (kph) and gusts of up to 80 kph

October 20 ------ The Department of Health (DOH) clarified that there is no new or unusual virus or strain circulating in the country, stressing that the recent uptick in respiratory cases is due to the seasonal flu.   This came as the Quezon Provincial Government ordered the mandatory wearing of face masks in all indoor areas and outdoor spaces where physical distancing cannot be maintained, citing a rise in respiratory illnesses such as cough, colds, and pneumonia. “Local G

MANILA, Philippines, October 20 ------ As the nationwide voter registration for the 2026 barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections (BSKE) begins today, the Commission on Elections (Comelec) has initiated a special program for Filipinos in Metro Manila who are unable to return to provinces.   Voters can register until tomorrow at the Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila, Rizal Park’s Mabini Hall and Parañaque Integrated Terminal Exchange. “The Special Register Anywhere Program i

October 20 ------ FORMER president Rodrigo Duterte will remain under the custody of the International Criminal Court (ICC) even if medical experts declare him unfit to stand trial, according to the lawyer for the victims of Duterte’s war on drugs.   Kristina Conti said that under ICC rules, a finding of unfitness would only result in an adjournment — not a dismissal — of the case. “He will remain in the custody of the ICC and the case will be reviewed every 120 days,” she sai

SYDNEY, October 20 ------ Asian share markets pushed higher on Monday amid optimism on earnings as reporting season gets into full swing, while a reading on U.S. inflation is expected to be no more than a speed bump on the way to further rate cuts.   Data on the Chinese economy are forecast to show growth slowed to 4.8 per cent in the third quarter, while retail sales and industrial output should underline the need for stimulus as policymakers convene to discuss the latest Fi

JERUSALEM/CAIRO, October 20 ------ The Israeli military said that a ceasefire in Gaza had resumed after an attack that killed two of its soldiers and prompted a wave of airstrikes that killed 26 people, in the most serious test yet of this month's US-brokered truce.   Aid into the enclave was set to resume on Monday following US pressure, an Israeli security source said, shortly after Israel announced a halt in supplies in response to what it said was a "blatant" violation by

WASHINGTON, October 20 ------ President Donald Trump called on Kyiv and Moscow to “stop where they are” and end their brutal war following a lengthy White House meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.   Trump's frustration with the conflict has surfaced repeatedly in the nine months since he returned to office, but with his latest comments he edged back in the direction of pressing Ukraine to give up on retaking land it has lost to Russia. “Enough blood has been

October 20 ------ Russian forces attacked a coal mine in southeastern Ukraine and an unidentified energy site in the north near the Russian border, the operators of the sites said, adding to a series of recent assaults on Ukraine's energy network.   Private Ukrainian energy firm DTEK said Russian forces launched an attack on a colliery in Dnipropetrovsk region. The company said 192 miners were safely brought to the surface, with no injuries.   The company said it was the four

October 19 ------ Compelling actor Baron Geisler returns to the spotlight in “The Deli­very Rider,” a Netflix-bound action-drama he describes as a “love letter” to individuals under the autism spectrum and their families. Directed by Lester Pimentel Ong and produced by Studio Three Sixty, the film blends high-octane action with emotionally groun­ded storytelling inspired by real experiences of inclusion, resilience, and love. Geisler plays Santo, a deliveryman with functional

October 19 ------ THE FILIPINAS will play a friendly against Uzbekistan on October 29 as part of the collaboration between the Philippine Football Federation and GoTyme Bank. The friendly, dubbed as the ‘GoTyme Bank Match Up,’ will be held at the Rizal Memorial Stadium and serves as tune-up for the Nationals' participation in the 2026 AFC Women’s Asian Cup in Australia. Uzbekistan, ranked No. 52 in the world, will also be in action in the Asian Cup. “This international friend

MANILA, October 19 ------ The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) has so far filed 47 diplomatic protests against China in 2025, and a total of 245 diplomatic protests since 2022, over the superpower's aggression in the West Philippine Sea (WPS). During the hearing of the proposed 2026 budget of the department, Secretary Ma. Theresa Lazaro said they filed the latest protest. "The latest diplomatic protest is what just happened recently in Bajo de Masinloc," Lazaro said. A Chi

October 19 ------ Shipowners are starting to reveal some of the steps that are being taken to avoid the port fees instituted by the U.S. and China this week, targeting ships built, owned, or operated by companies in the respective countries. The steps come as the industry also flagged the uncertainties in the programs and continues to seek guidance from the respective authorities on how elements, especially ownership, will be interpreted. There had been reports that some of t