Features
On Love and Lent
February 4, 2024, 4:31 pm
DARAGA, Albay – In case you haven't checked your February 2024 calendar yet, Ash Wednesday falls on Valentine's Day. With two seemingly contrasting holidays sharing the same date—as the start of the liturgical 40-day season of Lent requires fasting and abstinence while the most romantic day… Read More
OFW promotes rich PH history via museum on wheels
January 30, 2024, 12:52 pm
MANILA – A proud overseas Filipino has been making waves in the Middle East through his unique way of promoting Philippine history, culture and arts. Brian “Ibrahim” Asinas Mendoza, through his personal project and initiative, the Pinoy Museum on Wheels (PMOW), has been traveling across the… Read More
Why Cagsawa festival should be on everyone's bucket list
January 26, 2024, 1:22 pm
LEGAZPI CITY – Culture, nature and adventure converge as Daraga town in Albay gears up for its annual Cagsawa Festival this February. As it pays homage to the 300th year of the rebuilding of the iconic Cagsawa Church (formerly Cagsaua), this year's month-long festival promises to be bigger and… Read More
A look at PH-UN's strong partnership
January 24, 2024, 8:34 pm
MANILA – As the Philippines continues to grapple with the complexities of the 21st century, the United Nations (UN) has steadfastly remained its most trusted ally. Here's a look at some of the milestones that have defined and shaped this solid partnership, highlighting the country's engagement… Read More
Meet Irene Khan, freedom of expression's staunch advocate
January 24, 2024, 8:22 pm
MANILA – Irene Khan, the United Nations Special Rapporteur (UNSR) on freedom of expression and opinion, is a woman of many "firsts." In July 2020, this Bangladeshi lawyer and human rights advocate made history when she became the first woman ever to hold the position of Special Rapporteur since… Read More
PH winning the insurgency campaign
January 24, 2024, 4:05 pm
MANILA – The year 2023 was a banner year for the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) in its ongoing campaign against the New People's Army (NPA) insurgents and their allies as there are only 11 "weakened guerilla fronts" and "a little over 1,500" fighters remaining nationwide. AFP chief Gen.… Read More
State of human rights in PH improves under PBBM admin
January 22, 2024, 2:11 pm
MANILA – As President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. looks forward to a “Bagong Pilipinas” (New Philippines) through the collective effort and cooperation of Filipinos, he continues to advocate for peace, unity, and reconciliation in pursuit of the nation’s progress and development. The… Read More
Government pushes for single-digit poverty rate by 2028
January 19, 2024, 2:03 pm
MANILA – The administration of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. is doubling efforts to attain its single-digit poverty rate target by 2028. In his first State of the Nation Address in 2022, President Marcos vowed to bring down poverty to as low as 9 percent by the end of his term. Latest data… Read More
Congress marks milestone in legislating gender equality bills in 2023
January 18, 2024, 3:01 pm Updated on January 18, 2024, 3:05 pm
MANILA – The Philippines continues to lead as the most gender-equal country in Asia with a 79.1 percent gender parity based on the 2023 Global Gender Gap Index Report by the World Economic Forum. Last year, the Philippines also improved three notches to 16th place among 146 countries in gender… Read More
Abra Itnegs celebrate life, preserve culture
January 18, 2024, 2:23 pm
SAN JUAN, Abra – The lay-og, a traditional practice by the “Itnegs” (also called Tingguians) celebrating the life of a deceased loved one, is not just about remembering a family member but also keeping a tradition that has been passed on through generations. The Itnegs live in at least 20 of… Read More
PH takes strides toward transparency
January 18, 2024, 9:53 am
MANILA – In a move to bolster transparency and accountability in government, over a dozen bills have been filed in the 19th Congress to create an enabling law on access to information. The Freedom of Information (FOI) bill aims to provide citizens with unimpeded access to official government… Read More
Training from gov’t agencies boosts Ilocos bakeshop biz
January 9, 2024, 8:44 pm
LAOAG CITY – Alladin and Mylene Galano, a couple who worked as overseas Filipino workers in Qatar, braved the challenges of the pandemic when they decided to return for good to Ilocos Norte in 2019 to follow their passion for baking. With skills training provided by several government agencies… Read More
Former NPA rebels commit to help gov’t anti-insurgency efforts
January 2, 2024, 8:19 pm
BAGUIO CITY – Five years ago, former New People’s Army rebel "Ka Iyong" was always fearful that each sunrise would be his last -- until he grabbed the opportunity to surrender and provide a brighter future for his family. Ka Iyong, 35, retained his underground nickname even now that he has… Read More
Never too late to dream: How IP school in CamNorte combats illiteracy
December 31, 2023, 1:23 pm
LEGAZPI CITY – Melody Portugal patiently stood in line to get her Christmas gifts -- a bag of groceries and an envelope of school supplies. "These will be of great help to me," she said in the vernacular, proudly showing her Grade 2 notebooks and pad papers, which would be her ally in her… Read More
A better NAIA starting 2024
December 29, 2023, 7:22 pm
MANILA – As 2023 comes to an end, all eyes are on the upcoming privatization of the country's main gateway -- the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) -- which can be considered its biggest change this year. NAIA's operator, the Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA) assures that… Read More
Bicol's 'pasalubong' list
December 29, 2023, 5:39 pm
DARAGA, Albay – Returning home from your Bicol trip but still don't know what "pasalubong" to take with you to capture the unique flavors and culture of the region? Fret not! We have made the list and checked it twice to find out what's novel and nice. Sorsogon's pili skincare essentials If you… Read More
VP Sara makes OVP closer to Filipinos
December 27, 2023, 1:09 pm
MANILA – Vice President Sara Z. Duterte said her office has implemented various programs and projects in various parts of the country this year to bring the Office of the Vice President (OVP) closer to more Filipinos. These programs include the Medical Assistance Program, Burial Assistance… Read More
DepEd presents reforms for MATATAG basic education
December 27, 2023, 12:19 pm
MANILA – The Department of Education (DepEd) is determined to provide every Filipino learner, even in far-flung areas, the quality of basic education they deserve. Despite the challenges, the agency was able to implement reforms within the agency and to the entire basic education sector this… Read More
‘Dallot’ Queen: Preserving Ilokano oral traditions
December 22, 2023, 6:56 pm Updated on December 29, 2023, 3:42 pm
LAOAG CITY – "Dallot," a native chant delivered during special occasions by the Ilokano community in the olden times, remains alive to this day, thanks to natives who have kept the tradition. Adelita Romualdo Bagcal, 77, has clung on to it like a lullaby since she was a child. In recognition of… Read More
Being hooked anew in Baguio’s crocheted products
December 20, 2023, 8:58 pm
BAGUIO CITY – High school learners in this city in the 80s and 90s used to be seen with either knitting needles or crochet hooks with rolls of colorful threads packed in their school bags, with thread-based products as among the popular souvenir items here then. Melanie Aquino or Lanie, a Baguio… Read More
