A news and information service for Filipino seafarers sponsored by the All Japan Seamen's Union, International Mariners Management Association of Japan and Philippine-Japan Manning Consultative Council, Inc.
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February 17, 2025
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HEADLINES
Lunar New Year activities set in Banawe Chinatown
Is Winwyn Marquez planning another pageant comeback?
FULL NEWSPAPER
INTERNATIONAL NEWS
China's Lunar New Year travel rush is world's biggest annual migration
BEIJING, February 17 ------ Hundreds of millions of people crisscross China during Lunar New Year holidays each year to reunite with families in their hometowns or for sight-seeing in an extended festive period, making it the world's largest annual human migration.
The Lunar New Year travel rush, or "Chunyun" in Chinese, is often seen as a barometer for the country's economic health and a pressure test of its vast transport system.
HOW LONG IS IT?
This year's Lunar New Year travel rush kicked off on Feb. 2 and will run for 40 days.
The official Spring Festival public holidays, as the new year celebrations are known, will run from Feb. 15 to 23.
HOW MANY TRIPS ARE EXPECTED?
Officials expect a record 9.5 billion domestic trips during the 40-day period, up from about 9.02 billion last year. Such annual official tallies have jumped since the transport ministry revamped the category before the Lunar New Year in 2023 to include road trips on major national expressways.
HOW ARE PEOPLE TRAVELLING?
By February 10, China's railways had carried 1.01 billion passengers since the rush began on February 2. Flights in the first week reached 16.32 million by February 8, of a total of 95 million expected during the entire 40-day period.
WHAT ARE THE MOST POPULAR DESTINATIONS?
China's top travel agencies say international travel is on the rise this year, with the holiday extended by a day to a total of nine days. Domestic demand is divided between destinations with a tropical vibe, such as the southern island province of Hainan and the northeastern snow sports mecca of Changbai Mountain.
Internationally, summery destinations, such as Thailand and Australia, are on the rise, with Russia becoming a new entrant in the ranks after it freed Chinese tourists to travel without visas in December 2025. Demand for perennial favorite Japan has dwindled sharply this year amid strained ties.
WHAT IS DIFFERENT THIS YEAR?
The rush gains momentum as China extends the official Spring Festival break by a day. It also widened its visa-free entry policy to more than 45 countries, making visitors from many European nations, along with those from Australia, New Zealand, and more, eligible for stays of up to 30 days.
Source: reuters.com
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US to push AI funding, fisheries tech at APEC
GUANGZHOU, February 17 ------ The Trump administration is promoting artificial intelligence (AI) exports and maritime surveillance technology at Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) meetings in southern China this week, as Washington seeks to counter Beijing’s technological and maritime influence.
Casey Mace, the US senior official to APEC, said the Trump administration had launched a $20-million fund to support the adoption of American AI technologies by partner economies in the region, part of a broader effort to strengthen US leadership in emerging technologies.
The initiatives come ahead of President Donald Trump’s expected visit to China in April and China’s hosting of APEC’s annual leaders’ summit in Shenzhen in November, events likely to spotlight intensifying US-China competition over technology and economic influence across the Asia-Pacific.
China is looking to narrow the technological gap with the US in advancing artificial intelligence-related sectors, though the lack of advanced chipmaking tools is hobbling China’s advances. “China’s AI technology promotes CCP propaganda and censorship, while its vision for AI governance seeks to enable authoritarian repression,” a State Department spokesman told Reuters, referring to the Chinese Communist Party. China says it supports global cooperation on AI governance and has previously rejected Western accusations that its technology exports enable censorship.
The United States is also using APEC to promote American private-sector technologies designed to combat illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing, which Washington says threatens food security and maritime sovereignty in parts of the Pacific.
Ruth Perry, acting principal deputy assistant secretary of state for Oceans and International Environmental and Scientific Affairs, said on Tuesday that China’s 18,000-strong distant-water fleet posed enforcement challenges for smaller coastal states. “Many countries are negatively impacted and China is a perpetrator... the size of the fleet can’t be ignored across the Pacific,” Perry told Reuters, noting reports that suggest an unusual level of state coordination among its actions.
Perry said US companies were developing technologies, including satellite vessel tracking, artificial intelligence-based analytics, acoustic detection systems, and sensor-equipped ocean buoys to help governments monitor fishing activity. Illegal fishing is frequently linked to other transnational crimes, including forced labor, trafficking, and smuggling, Perry said.
Source: manilatimes.net
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MARITIME NEWS
Vanuatu Alerts of False Flag Impostor and Starts Investigation
February 17 ------ The Government of the Republic of Vanuatu, a small island nation in the South Pacific, has become the third regional country in a month to warn of a false flag operation purporting to represent its registry. It is the latest move in the ongoing effort by small nations to stop the illegal representation of their registry, mostly by sanctioned shadow fleet tankers, which the governments recognize are hurting the reputations of their countries.
Vanuatu’s Maritime Administrator and the operator of the Vanuatu International Shipping Registry are accusing unknown international operators of establishing an “unauthorized and fraudulent website,” which they report copied the content and branding of the official registry website. They emphasized that the Vanuatu International Shipping Registry does not authorize any third-party or alternative website, and any documents from such a site are invalid and may constitute fraud.
The Maritime Administrator said that after it confirmed the existence of the website, it was able to get the domain registrar and hosting providers to close the site in a matter of hours. They are investigating but so far could only say that “the website had been developed and/or hosted by a foreign service provider.” After the Prime Minister’s Office was informed of the fraud, it issued a directive to open an investigation into the site. It is calling for all individuals and entities involved to be identified and held accountable. At the same time, the Office of the Attorney General has been requested to initiate legal and law enforcement processes.
The Vanuatu Flag Administrator had warned a year ago that it had zero tolerance for fraudulent documents. It says it became aware of the current fraudulent website through members of the maritime community who were researching false-flag vessels. It notes that as of January, it started placing a unique QR code on all its documents to provide verification. All documents without the QR code are now considered no longer valid.
Vanuatu’s actions come just a month after Tonga, another island nation located to the east of Vanuatu, released an official statement denouncing ships purporting to have a Tongan flag. The Prime Minister’s Office wrote, “Any foreign vessel currently transmitting under the Tongan flag is doing so fraudulently and without authorization from the Kingdom of Tonga.”
Tonga, they noted, had closed its international ship registry in 2002. At the time, the government admitted the international registry had been established to raise money but had turned into an embarrassment. Israel had stopped a vessel registered in Tonga and reported that it was smuggling arms to the Palestinians. Other reports tied some of the ships to human trafficking, transporting illegal immigrants into Europe. The government decided the reputational harm was far beyond the monetary benefits and ordered an end to the international registry.
A third Pacific nation, the Cook Islands, at the beginning of January, also highlighted a false flag operation. One of the tankers caught in the U.S. efforts at Venezuela, the Bertha, was falsely identifying as being registered in the Cook Islands. The government highlighted that the vessel had been removed from the registry after just nine months in 2024 but was still identifying the Cook Islands registry.
Tonga and Vanuatu each said they were reaching out and working with the International Maritime Organization. The IMO and several countries have been looking into the problem of false flags and taking better steps to enhance enforcement. The German publication Deutsche Welle, reporting on the ongoing false flag problem, recently wrote that at least 29 ships were reporting registry in either Tonga or the Cook Islands. Of those vessels, 21 are sanctioned tankers.
The Equasis database currently lists 15 tankers as falsely claiming registration in the Cook Islands, not counting the Bertha, which later claimed its flag in Curacao. It lists another 14 tankers claiming registry in Tonga. Equasis does not track false flag reports for Vanuatu, and the government, in its statements, did not identify if any vessels had been identified as having taken advantage of the false operation.
Source: maritime-executive.com
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New Thai Government Asserts Control over Coastal Waters
February 17 ------ The newly-elected Thai government, still led by the previous prime minister Anutin Charnvirakul but now with a strengthened parliamentary majority, is still forming up after its election victory on February 8.
But in the immediate wake of his election victory, former general Anutin Charnvirakul announced enhancement to the defense and border security budget to better defend Thailand’s interests, but also undertook to resolve border issues with Cambodia through diplomatic channels and joint border liaison committees. He also suspended border negotiations in progress and concessions previously made relating to Thai territorial control of waters in the Gulf of Thailand off Khong Yai, in Trat Province. General Anutin’s election victory appears to have prompted a reaction from the Cambodian government.
Both on February 9 and 12, about 25 Cambodian fishing boats intruded about one nautical mile into Thai waters off the island of Koh Kut, at the southern end of the Khong Yai panhandle of Thai territory in Trat Province. On both occasions the Krabi Class patrol boat HTMS Thepha (P525) intercepted the fishing boats, who appear to have been making a collective attempt to assert their right to fish in these Thai waters. The fishing boats heeded warnings issued by HTMS Thepha and were escorted out of Thai waters, according to a statement issued by the Royal Thai First Naval Area Command.
Previous Thai governments have taken a relaxed approach to Cambodian encroachments, both in the waters off Trat Province, but also in border areas of Sa Kaeo, Ubon Ratchathani and Si Sa Ket provinces on the country’s southeastern border, with the focus of attention being the ownership of the Preah Vihear temple complex. After years of lax border enforcement, Cambodia is now claiming squatters’ rights and a de facto territorial accretion.
As part of the Franco-Siam Treaty of 1907, Thailand took control of the Koh Kut and Koh Klang islands and the Khong Yai coastal strip in Trat province to the east of the islands in the Gulf of Thailand, in exchange for surrendering the populous province of Battambong to France. The Hun Sen family had reportedly been seeking to develop Koh Kut as a tourist resort, part of a secretive business arrangement with the Shinawatra family, exposure of which was largely responsible for General Anutin’s sweeping election victory.
The Cambodian government has been seeking to mobilize support for its cause, without much luck so far. Vietnam was approached and asked to mediate, but is not inclined to do so, as it has its own dispute with Cambodia; the Funan Techo canal being built from the Mekong to Kep on the Gulf of Thailand serves Cambodian and Chinese interests, but at the expense of Vietnamese transit traffic. Cambodia is hurting because the continued closure of the border with Thailand is having severe economic consequences and is inhibiting the money-spinning operations of scam call-centers located in Cambodian border areas.
In recent days there have been a number of incidents on the border in Sa Kaeo Province, none of which has so far escalated, but suggesting that border tensions are far from over. Thai authorities last week announced the clearance of 246 recently-laid landmines in Thai territory within Ubon Ratchathani province.
Source: maritime-executive.com
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Kongsberg Maritime Unifies Digital Portfolio, Launches KM Performance
February 17 ------ Kongsberg Maritime has unveiled a consolidated Digital Solutions portfolio and introduced KM Performance, a new solution aimed at improving operational efficiency, reducing emissions and supporting regulatory compliance in marine transportation.
The Norwegian marine technology group presented the harmonized portfolio at a digital launch event in Oslo, outlining a unified approach to maritime digitalization. The move brings together legacy systems including K-IMS, Vessel Insight, K-Fleet and Coach into a single integrated ecosystem under Digital Ocean, the company’s digital office.
The integration is designed to provide fleet operators with improved data transparency, higher data quality and a consistent user experience across onboard, onshore and cloud-based tools, built on a shared data foundation and architecture.
KM Performance is the first solution area launched under the new portfolio. It supports the full voyage cycle, from pre-planning and voyage execution to post-voyage reporting and regulatory compliance. "Our vision for our digital portfolio is simple, focused, and built around creating real value for our customers. Our mission is to support safer, smarter and more sustainable operations at sea. That’s the anchor point for everything we do. We’re here to be a trusted digitalization partner - not just delivering technology, but guiding customers through their digital journey with solutions that actually make a difference, day-to-day," said Alexandra Koefoed, Executive Vice President, Digital and Emerging, Kongsberg Maritime.
KM Performance combines sensor data with validated manual inputs to provide operators with an operational overview to support decision-making. The system includes dynamic trim optimization, weather-informed route planning, hull performance analytics and automated emissions reporting, aimed at lowering fuel consumption and helping operators meet environmental requirements. "Bringing our legacy products into one harmonized digital offering allows us to innovate faster and deliver greater value to our customers. KM Performance is just the beginning and it’s a clear demonstration of how deep integration, trusted data and modern architecture create meaningful operational impact across the entire digital voyage," added Anders Bryhni, Product Line Manager Performance and Fleet Management, Kongsberg Maritime.
The company said it plans to expand the consolidated portfolio through 2026 with additional solution areas for other maritime segments.
Source: marinelink.com
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PHILIPPINE NEWS
Oil price hike of up to P1.20/liter set today
MANILA, Philippines, February 17 ------ Motorists across the country should brace for another round of fuel price increases of as much as P1.20 per liter today.
In an advisory, Seaoil said the per-liter price of gasoline would climb by P1.20, its sixth straight weeks of hikes. Both diesel and kerosene will also climb by 60 centavos a liter, entering their eighth week of increases. Rodela Romero, assistant director at the Department of Energy (DOE), said late last week that geopolitical tensions may lead to a potential supply disruption. “The strongest factor helping oil prices to move in an upward direction is the geopolitical tensions, particularly in Iran,” the DOE official said. “The risk of supply disruption through the Strait of Hormuz and the uncertainty around Iran nuclear talks added a risk premium,” she added.
The Strait of Hormuz is a crucial route for oil supply coming from the Persian Gulf in the Middle East.
Source: inquirer.net
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Lunar New Year activities set in Banawe Chinatown
MANILA, Philippines, February 17 ------ To celebrate the Lunar New Year tomorrow, a series of activities will be held at the Banawe Chinatown District in Quezon City.
The local government is inviting the public to join the festivities to usher in the Year of the Fire Horse. “Chinese New Year is a meaningful time of renewal, hope and shared prosperity not only for the Chinese and Filipino-Chinese community but for all QCitizens,” Mayor Joy Belmonte said. “By celebrating this tradition together, we recognize the contributions of the Filipino-Chinese community to our city’s history, culture and growth, while strengthening the spirit of unity that defines our city,” Belmonte added.
The celebrations started last week, with a food crawl featuring some of the must-visit Chinese and Filipino-Chinese restaurants in Banawe. The main celebration will be held from 8 a.m. to 11 p.m. tomorrow along Banawe street, from Del Monte Avenue to N.S. Amoranto street. Activities include bike ride Banawe loop, cultural workshops, drum and lyre competition as well as a bazaar and night market.
The main event in the evening will feature a concert, cultural performances, a lion and dragon dance, mini float parade showcase and Chinese face-changing performances. The festivities will culminate with a grand fireworks display at 8 p.m. “Holding this special celebration in Banawe also means this place is more than a commercial center, but is a vibrant symbol of our multicultural identity,” Belmonte said. “We are showcasing Banawe as a cultural and tourism destination where heritage, creativity and local enterprise thrive side by side, bringing opportunities to small businesses and joy to our visitors,” she added.
Source: philstar.com
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Palay prices rebound after rice import halt
MANILA, February 18 ------ Farmgate prices of palay (unhusked rice) began to rebound after the Philippine government’s four-month import halt, the Department of Agriculture (DA) said. As of Jan. 30, dry palay rose to PHP21.52 per kilogram, while fresh palay increased to PHP18.42/kg.
Data from the Philippine Statistics Authority show the rebound followed a decline from late 2024 to 2025, after strong prices in 2023 and the 2024 dry season harvest. In a statement, DA Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. said government intervention helped counter the effects of “excessive” rice imports in previous years, which drove down palay buying prices. “Excess importation undermines the profitability of rice farming by depressing palay prices at harvest time and discouraging production,” he said.
In 2024, the Philippines recorded about 4.8 million metric tons of rice imports, which was “about 1 million to 1.2 million metric tons more than what the country actually needs,” Tiu Laurel said. The surge in imports led to domestic oversupply and pushed farmgate prices down in 2025. National Food Authority monitoring showed prices fell to as low as PHP13.38/kg during the October peak harvest.
Sporadic reports also cited traders offering PHP8 and even PHP6 per kilo. Tiu Laurel stressed that imports should cover real supply gaps, not exceed demand. “Striking the right balance ensures gains for everyone in the rice value chain -- farmers, traders, millers, and consumers -- while safeguarding national food security,” he said. To balance farmer protection and consumer welfare, the DA will calibrate policies to maintain sufficient buffer stocks and time imports strategically to ease retail inflation.
Earlier, Tiu Laurel announced plans to impose quantitative restrictions to encourage traders to invest in local palay production, pending enactment of the proposed Rice Industry and Consumer Empowerment (RICE) Act. Under the proposal, importers would receive allocations in exchange for procuring local palay or rice. While the local procurement-to-import allocation ratio is still under review, Tiu Laurel assured industry stakeholders of close consultation. The DA plans to roll out at least a version of the proposal in the second half of the year.
Source: pna.gov.ph
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No change in policy; US continues to allow dual citizenship – embassy
MANILA, February 17 ------ The Philippine Embassy in Washington DC said the United States continues to allow dual citizenship, dispelling rumors that holding one could jeopardize an individual’s American citizenship.
In recent months, claims have circulated online that the US will be imposing new restrictions and demand renunciation amid its intensified immigration crackdown. “The United States continues to allow dual citizenship, and there have been no changes to this policy,” the embassy said in a statement. “Don't let misinformation stop you from becoming a dual citizen. Apply at the Philippine Embassy or Consulates in the United States."
The statement came as the embassy welcomed 15 new dual citizens at the chancery on Friday. The 15 lost their Philippine citizenship after naturalization as US citizens. Filipinos who lost their Philippine citizenship by becoming US naturalized citizens may still apply for dual citizenship. Those who were born in the United States to at least one Filipino parent are likewise dual Filipino-American citizens at birth and should report their birth to the Philippine Embassy or Consulate.
Dual citizens who voluntarily renounce their Philippine citizenship, however, are no longer allowed to reacquire it through Philippine Republic Act 9225, making voluntary renunciation of Philippine citizenship an irreversible legal action. A bill to end dual citizenship in the US is pending in the US Senate, but the embassy said it would still go through several stages of lengthy deliberation and “may or may not proceed depending on the decisions of the US Congress.”
In its past clarifications, the Philippine Embassy said previous challenges to dual and multiple citizenship had not materialized. It noted that as early as 1952, the US Supreme Court has stated that dual citizenship is a “status long recognized by law.” “A person may have and exercise rights of nationality in two countries and be subject to the responsibilities of both. The mere fact he asserts the rights of one citizenship does not mean that he renounces the other (Kawakita v US, 343 US 717).”
Source: pna.gov.ph
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Pag-IBIG savings climb to record P160.41 billion in 2025
MANILA, Philippines, February 17 ------ Members of the Home Development Mutual Fund (HDMF), more popularly known as Pag-IBIG, set aside a record P160.41 billion in savings in 2025, as voluntary contributions continued to outpace mandatory payments and underscored growing confidence in the agency’s savings programs.
The latest figure was 21 percent higher than a year ago and marked the highest level of members’ savings collections in Pag-IBIG Fund’s history, driven largely by the sustained expansion of voluntary savings, particularly under the Modified Pag-IBIG II or MP2 Savings Program. “Once again, our strong collections reflect the trust and confidence our members place in Pag-IBIG’s savings programs,” Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development Secretary Jose Ramon Aliling, who chairs the Pag-IBIG Fund Board of Trustees, said. “With P27.61 billion more savings collected in 2025 compared to the previous year, Pag-IBIG Fund’s solid financial position enables us to continue offering low-interest rates and to support the financing requirements of the Expanded Pambansang Pabahay para sa Pilipino (4PH) Program of President Marcos,” he said.
Data from the agency showed that mandatory monthly contributions totaled P66.80 billion in 2025. Voluntary savings, which refer to funds saved by members beyond the required contributions, accounted for the larger share of total collections. “Our members are saving more voluntarily, to the point that voluntary savings have already surpassed mandatory contributions,” Pag-IBIG Fund CEO Marilene Acosta said. “Voluntary savings reached P93.60 billion, or 58 percent of our total savings collections. This is very encouraging because it shows that the culture of saving for the future remains strong among Pag-IBIG members.”
Acosta said members’ additional monthly contributions amounted to P10.09 billion, as more members opted to save above the minimum P200 required contribution. She attributed this trend to members’ growing appreciation of saving with Pag-IBIG Fund, supported by the agency’s consistent track record of competitive annual dividend rates. The same confidence continued to lift participation in the MP2 Savings Program, with collections reaching P83.51 billion for the year. MP2 emerged as the primary driver of voluntary savings growth in 2025. “We are very pleased that MP2 Savings continues to encourage more Filipino workers to set aside money for their future,” Acosta said. “Through this program, we have helped our members appreciate the value of disciplined saving by offering a secure and rewarding savings option aligned with their short-term goals,” she added.
Acosta said that some MP2 savers, particularly retirees and pensioners, have come to rely on the program’s annual returns to support daily expenses. The Pag-IBIG Fund, the country’s largest home financing institution, is mandated to provide accessible savings and affordable housing loans to Filipino workers.
Source: philstar.com
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DA: Imports not pulling down local red onion prices
MANILA, Philippines, February 17 ------ Imported stocks are not enough to pull down the prices of domestic red onions, the Department of Agriculture (DA) said.
Onion farmers in Nueva Ecija had raised the alarm that red onion prices had plunged. The DA said that the complaint, sent via Messenger on Friday, warned that “imported onions were piling up in cold storage facilities across Central Luzon and dragging down farm gate prices.”
Agriculture chief Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. directed the Bureau of Plant Industry (BPI) to verify the claim and determine what measures must be imposed “to ensure that farmers’ bottom-line is not affected while consumers have available and affordable supply.” “The numbers show that current stocks from imports are not overwhelming the market, but merely plugging a supply gap,” Tiu Laurel said. “That said, we are taking a closer look at why onion prices are falling at this time of the year, as claimed by farmers.”
Based on the reported figures on Friday, the agency said that about 82 percent of cold storage warehouses showed 4,454.09 metric tons of red onion stocks and 5,271.15 MT of yellow onions, “nearly all of the stocks imported.” “At an average warehouse price of P30.36 per kilo for red onions, inventories are projected to last until February 19 for red onions and March 15 for yellow,” the agency said. “At first glance, the figures suggest an oversupply. In context, however, they tell a different story – one that anticipates the seasonal uptick in local harvests expected to peak between March and April,” it added.
The National Plant Quarantine Services Division said that about 8,000 MT of red onions are “covered by sanitary and phytosanitary import clearances valid until Feb. 15 and must arrive before local harvest peaks.” “Assumptions made by BPI show that even if all remaining shipments arrive within the month, imported red onion stocks would likely last only until March 6, just as harvest starts to peak. However, old stocks held by private cold storages must also be accounted for, if any,” the agency added.
Source: philstar.com
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Marcos: Poor now have easier access to electricity subsidies
MANILA, February 17 ------ President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. announced that low-income and marginalized families can now have easier access to electricity subsidies.
The President also announced that the application process for the Net-Metering Program, which allows households to install solar panels and sell excess power to the grid faster, has been simplified. "This administration will continue to work hard and hand in hand with the private sector in crafting processes and policies that make electricity accessible, affordable, and reliable," Marcos said during the "Collective Response to Presidential Commitments in the Energy Sector" held at the Meralco Theater in Ortigas, Pasig City.
The country’s chief executive said the Lifeline Rate Subsidy Program (LRSP) for low-income and marginalized households that have difficulty paying their electricity bills at full cost has been underutilized for a long time due to complicated requirements. As of November 2025, only around 334,000 consumers registered under the LRSP, which is only about 11% of the around three million beneficiaries of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps). "Ngayong buwan, ipatutupad natin, kasama ng distribution utilities o DU, ang automatic registration ng lahat ng benepisyaryo ng 4Ps sa ilalim ng LRSP," Marcos said.
The President also said the new lifeline consumption threshold would make applying the discount more equitable, wherein beneficiaries of 4Ps with monthly electricity consumption of 50 kilowatt-hours (kWh) or less will get a 100% discount. Low-income families who are not covered by 4Ps but fall under the poverty threshold and have minimal electricity consumption may register with LRSP. "Now, after sitting down with the Department of Energy and the ERC (Energy Regulatory Commission), we have found a way to make it easier for our people to participate in the Net-Metering Program," Marcos said.
To expedite the application process, the DOE, Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG,) and Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) have signed a Joint Memorandum Circular so local government units would use standardized application forms and comply with a mandated turnaround time.
The ERC also directed distribution utilities to complete the interconnection process within 20 working days from the acceptance of the letter of interest, the President said.
Source: gmanetwork.com
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MMDA: No number coding on Chinese New Year
MANILA, Philippines, February 17 ------ The number coding scheme is suspended on Tuesday, Feb. 17, the Chinese New Year, the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) announced.
[In an advisory issued, MMDA said, “The implementation of the expanded number coding scheme is suspended on Tuesday, February 17, 2026, a special non-working holiday, in celebration of the Chinese New Year.” This means that even cars with plate numbers ending in “3” and “4” will be allowed on major roads on Tuesday.
Number coding is automatically suspended during official and special non-working holidays,” it added.
Source: inquirer.net
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ENTERTAINMENT NEWS
‘Secrets of Hotel 88’ brings romance and intrigue as PBB winners reunite
February 17 ------ There is already built-in curiosity around “The Secrets of Hotel 88,” but what may ultimately pull viewers into this latest collaboration between GMA Network and ABS-CBN is something more familiar — the relationships audiences began investing in long before this series was conceived.
The upcoming series reunites the breakout personalities of “Pinoy Big Brother: Celebrity Collab Edition 1,” led by big winners Mika Salamanca and Brent Manalo alongside AZ Martinez, Ralph de Leon, River Joseph, Klarisse de Guzman, Esnyr Ranollo, Xyriel Manabat, Josh Ford, Kira Balinger, Dustin Yu, Bianca de Vera, and Will Ashley.
The show premieres March 2 on GMA Prime, with early streaming exclusively on ABS-CBN’s iWant starting February 23. It is clearly a rollout that reflects strong network confidence in a cast whose appeal was shaped largely by viewer connection.
At the heart of the story are the Fernandez brothers — Gio (Brent), Martin (Ralph), and Francis (Will) — who are unexpectedly reunited following the mysterious death of the father they never knew. Their lives collide when they inherit Hotel 88, a once-grand property haunted by unresolved conflicts and long-buried secrets.
Their claim, however, is quickly challenged by the influential Almazan family, led by Luna (Mika), Leon (River), Jade (Bianca), and Justin (Josh), who claim their own stake in the historic hotel. What follows is a tense battle of loyalty, power, and truth, where shifting alliances and hidden revelations threaten to destroy both families.
Despite its title, the series is not a horror. Star Creatives business unit head Des de Guzman described it instead as a genre-bending story that mixes family drama, romance, suspense thriller, and even some action.
Explaining that the project was built around the cast itself, she added, “The cast came first when we were conceptualizing this — we were really told to create a series for the PBB winners, which is why we were very careful in crafting the characters for each one of them. “We even considered how they connected to the audience while they were still in the PBB House. “We just really want to give the audience a summer to remember with this series and give them a good ride.”
Meanwhile, director Henry Quitain emphasized that every character carries secrets, some deeply personal and others tied to major plot turns. The series, he said, moves across romance, family drama, and intense confrontations rather than sitting comfortably in a single genre. That approach matters because viewers who followed these personalities on reality television are already familiar with their dynamics. Placing them in a scripted environment raises the stakes, allowing those relationships to unfold in more complex and unpredictable ways.
Industry veterans Dominic Ochoa, Gardo Versoza, and Ina Raymundo join the cast, lending dramatic weight to a story that leans as heavily on relationships as it does on intrigue.
Source: manilatimes.net
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Jhoanna asserts BINI's right to keep personal lives private
MANILA, Philippines, February 17 ------ BINI leader Jhoanna believes that her girl group deserves the right to keep certain parts of their personal lives private. This is to protect not only themselves but also their families and loved ones who are not in showbiz.
According to Jhoanna, “mutual respect” between artists and their supporters is very important in today’s world, especially when it comes to “relationships and personal affairs.” “’ Yung pagiging curious nila, normal naman ‘yun. Siyempre, supporters namin sila. Ever since, may nakasama kami simula pa lang. Pagiging curious, it is okay,” BINI leader Jhoanna told ABS-CBN News. “Pero feeling ko natutunan namin last year na, some things are meant to be private and protected.”
Jhoanna pointed out: “Hindi lang ito dahil gusto namin itago. Gusto naming i-protect. ‘Yun din sana maintindihan nila. “Siguro ‘di lang Blooms, pati casuals. Human din kami. Paano nila i-treat ang sarili nila, ganoon din kami. Normal din po kami,” she added.
Members of the girl group have faced issues in the past. Jhoanna herself was recently the subject of rumors after social media users speculated that she and rapper Skusta Clee were an item. Some claimed that the two were spotted in Vietnam after similar photos of the places they allegedly visited were posted on social media.
Source: philstar.com
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Is Winwyn Marquez planning another pageant comeback?
MANILA, Philippines, February 17 ------ Before pageantry beckoned her, Winwyn Marquez had already shown her mettle in essaying roles both on the small and big screens. Establishing a name in the entertainment and pageant industries is a natural path for her to tread on, given Winwyn’s family background in these fields. She’s the first Pinay beauty to have won the Reina Hispanoamericana 2017 title, competing against equally confident, stunning, and smart Latinas.
In the last edition of Miss Universe Philippines (MUPH), Winwyn made another attempt and campaign to represent the country in the international tilt of pulchritude and personality, but she finished first runner-up.
Given her caliber as a beauty queen and Philippine bet, pageant fans still wish to see Winwyn compete in an international beauty contest like the first-ever Miss Grand International (MGI) All Stars. She is known for her commanding and confident stage presence as well as her wit and intelligence during the question-and-answer segment. “I cannot join because I have a show,” said she when The STAR asked her about it in a brief chat after the presscon for the GMA Prime action-drama, “Never Say Die,” in which she’s a part of. “Kailangan matapos muna everything, but definitely, ano lang ako audience.”
“Thank you so much,” Winwyn expressed appreciation to those who see her capacity to win the Miss Universe Philippines title in the future and represent the country again. “Sabi ko nga, ‘Never say die.’ We’ll never know what’s gonna happen tomorrow. We’ll never know, but now, because the opportunity that presented itself was the show, which I cannot say no to it. It’s very different, di ba? pero when the time comes, hindi natin alam.” “I’m just grateful that some people gusto pa rin akong sumali. So, thank you,” added she.
With her pageant track record, Winwyn is also the right person to give pieces of advice to this year’s Miss Universe Philippines hopefuls. “Conserve your energy, kasi matagal, three months or so ang gagawin nila,” said she. “Ang dami nilang kailangang paghandaan, and at the same time, it sounds cliché, but they really have to enjoy kasi if gusto lang nilang manalo, wala. Ma-pre-pressure talaga sila.” Although fans may not see her strutting the stage of a beauty pageant, they can watch her on the screen as Liza in “Never Say Die,” also starring David Licauco and Jillian Ward in the lead roles.
According to information available on the GMA Entertainment website, her character is among the most wanted international criminals and an officer of a drug empire run by Tomas, essayed by Richard Yap. The latter character is known as a millionaire philanthropist and brother-in-law of the investigative journalist Andrew (David). Jillian takes on the character Joey, the daughter of a cop who is in search of the truth.
“To be honest, nag-struggle ako sa set for the first few (tapings),” said she. “Nag-struggle talaga ako. It was hard for me. Parang konti na lang, iiyak na talaga ako since I have to unlearn pageantry.” “They cannot see (or should not see) a beauty queen in my character. They cannot see I’m a happy person. They cannot see Winwyn at all, eh, di ba transition ko yung MUPH? It was a struggle, but I like that I’m stepping out of my comfort zone,” she added.
During the media call, Winwyn got to share her thoughts on the scene that made her realize why the “Never Say Die” story needed to be told. Her answer was this: “I think not specifically a scene but the show itself. Nakita naman natin sa trailer that justice should prevail, and for me, kailangan ipaglaban natin talaga dapat kung ano yung totoo, but at the same time, you cannot just speak and speak and speak without educating (yourself) with what is truly happening.”
“So, I believe when they (the audience) watch our serye, yung mata nila ma-o-open na, ‘Ah, ganito pala, pero kailangan ko pa ring matuto kung ano ang nangyayari sa paligid natin’… it’s also very timely because kailangan nating ipaglaban kung ano ang totoo,” concluded she. “And this is such a courageous show that I’m very proud to be part of.”
Source: philstar.com
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SPORTS NEWS
Young USA Stars beat Stripes in NBA All-Star tourney final
LOS ANGELES, United States, February 17 ------ Anthony Edwards and Tyrese Maxey sparked the USA Stars over USA Stripes, 47-21, in final of the 75th NBA All-Star Game tournament.
Maxey scored nine points while Edwards and Chet Holmgren added eight each as young Stars talent overwhelmed the veteran-laden USA Stripes in the championship game at the Intuit Dome, home of the Los Angeles Clippers. "We chose to compete today and we came out on top," said Edwards, the Minnesota Timberwolves guard who won the NBA All-Star Game Most Valuable Player award.
The Stars began the final with a 12-1 run, powered by seven points from Maxey, as the Stripes missed their first 10 shots. The Stars later added a 15-0 run for a 33-9 advantage and the Stripes could not muster a rally. Donovan Mitchell had six points and NBA all-time scoring leader LeBron James, an All-Star for a record 22nd time, added five for the Stripes in the final.
Instead of the usual two-team event, NBA stars played a tournament of four 12-minute games between two US sides and a World group of global talent. Concerns about lackluster effort in past All-Star contests were eased in the new format, which produced hustle, defensive effort plus competitive spark and a high-energy hunger to win. "I know a lot of people have been concerned about the All-Star Game, not seeing as much effort. Today we saw it," said former US President Barack Obama, who was seated at courtside. "Whenever you get an international team against an American team, they want to compete — and you've got some young guys I think want to prove something out here."
The World needed to beat USA Stripes in the round-robin finale to advance, but Kawhi Leonard scored 31 points, including the deciding 3-pointer with 3.5 seconds remaining, for a 48-45 Stripes triumph. "I made my first one, kept on from there and they just kept falling," said Leonard, who hit 6-of-7 3-point shots. Frenchman Victor Wembanyama led the World with 19 points.
In the round-robin opener, Edwards scored 13 points and Scottie Barnes sank the winning 3-pointer in overtime as the USA Stars beat the World 37-35. Wembanyama had 14 points, six rebounds and three blocks in an intense contest. "I ain't going to lie, Wemby set the tone," Edwards said. "He came out hard and we had to follow that. We had to pick it up and we did that."
A tying Edwards 3-pointer forced overtime at 32-32. With the first team to score five points winning, Edwards hit a basket, Wembanyama answered with a 3-pointer and Barnes made the game-winner. "Once it got a little tight, the competition picked up, guys wanted to win," World's Norman Powell said. "We were going to compete every single possession."
Game 2 saw more drama when De'Aaron Fox sank a 3-pointer at the buzzer to give USA Stripes a 42-40 triumph over USA Stars. An Edwards 3-pointer gave the Stars a 40-39 edge until Fox answered from the left wing. "You live for these moments," James said. "That's a big time play for us older heads... We know how to keep our heads and execute." Jaylen Brown scored 11 points and James added eight to lead the Stripes while Edwards and Cade Cunningham led the Stars with 11 points each.
Source: philstar.com
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Ravena, Yokohama complete sweep as Kai, Dwight settle for splits
February 18 ------ THE Yokohama B-Corsairs completed a weekend sweep of Nagoya Fighting Eagles with an 87–78 victory in the Japan B.League. Kiefer Ravena stood out with 14 points, four rebounds, and four assists for the B-Corsairs as he outclassed Nagoya's Francis Lopez, who was limited to just two points and three rebounds.
The Gunma Crane Thunders, on the other hand, suffered back-to-back losses at the hands of Nagasaki Velca. After falling 97–80 in their first encounter, Gunma nearly found a way to beat Nagasaki in the rematch. But Velca pulled away from a 72-all to claim a five-point win.
Gilas Pilipinas big man AJ Edu finished with seven points, eight rebounds, three assists, and one steal in 13 minutes of play for the Crane Thunders. After a solid outing the night before, Kai Sotto and Koshigaya settled for a split against the Sun Rockers Shibuya with a 62–69 loss.
The 7-foot-3 Sotto claimed another double-double with his 10 points and 13 rebounds, to go with two assists. Meanwhile, Dwight Ramos and Levanga Hokkaido split their two match-ups against Toyama Grouses over the weekend. Ramos paced Hokkaido to a 101–98 escape with 10 points, six rebounds, and six assists. However, the last-place Toyama bounced back to beat Levanga, 115–93.
The 6-foot-4 guard registered nine points, four rebounds, and one assist in the loss, as Hokkaido fell to 27–12.
Source: spin.ph
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Malixi joint 3rd in New Zealand
February 17 ------ Filipina ace Rianne Malixi closed out with a three-over 75 to finish tied for third in the Women’s Amateur Asia-Pacific topped by Korean Yang Yunseo at the Royal Wellington Golf Club in New Zealand.
The 18-year-old Malixi wound up with a six-under 282 aggregate, 10 shots behind Yang, who had a final round 69. It was Malixi’s third top five finish in the prestigious championship, which is now on its eighth edition. “We got like bad weather … finally showed its teeth, so it was really struggling today (yesterday). I hit a lot of good low shots, couple of bad ones. Putting was also a struggle. I couldn’t get any of my putts to drop,” said the 2024 US Women’s Amateur champion. “I was like far back heading into the last round, and there is always like a chance, but I didn’t really capitalize today,” added Malixi, who fought hard to salvage a Top Three finish.
Source: philstar.com
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