DepEd: Public school direct funding to reach P61.02B

CALASIAO, Pangasinan – A 34-year-old cook from San Fernando City, La Union, died after the motorcycle he was driving collided with a pickup truck along the national highway in Barangay Pagdaraoan early Friday. Initial investigation showed that the victim was traveling northbound while a pickup truck, driven by a 51-year-old fish vendor from Bacnotan town,

MANILA, Philippines — Malacañang on Friday challenged senator-judges who supposedly claimed that President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. was interfering in the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte to substantiate their allegations. At a briefing in Batac City, Ilocos Norte, Palace press officer Claire Castro was asked to give the Marcos administration’s assurance that it was not

MANILA, Philippines — The renewable projects under Batangas First District Representative Leandro Leviste’s solar energy company were privately funded, said Atty. Antonio La Viña, spokesperson of Senator Loren Legarda. La Viña maintained that the failed projects of Leviste under scrutiny did not “constitute plunder or graft” as no government funds were used. “First of all,

SAN ILDEFONSO, Ilocos Sur — The University of Northern Philippines (UNP) in Vigan City said a report claiming a student brought a firearm on campus was untrue, based on an investigation undertaken by the university administration. In a statement on Friday, the university said it conducted a thorough investigation into the reported gun presence and

MANILA, Philippines — At least two House of Representatives lawmakers have called out their former colleague, ex-Cavite Rep. Kiko Barzaga, for his disrespectful statements on the death of Batanes Rep. Ciriaco Gato Jr. In a press briefing on Friday, Manila Rep. Joel Chua said Barzaga is rude for a nepo baby — a term used for politicians

The Catholic Bishops" Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) on Friday expressed support for the “Dapat Isa Lang” People"s Initiative, which seeks to pass an anti-political dynasty law, calling it a peaceful, democratic effort to fulfill a constitutional mandate.

LEGAZPI CITY — The bells of the St. Gregory the Great Albay Cathedral and its chapels will ring for one minute at 4 p.m. every day to remind residents to clean their surroundings and eliminate mosquito breeding sites. Rev. Fr. Lyndon Balubar, parish priest, said the initiative was in response to a request from the

MANILA, Philippines — After the Commission on Audit (COA) flagged documentary deficiencies in its relief operations worth almost P168 million, the office of Vice President Sara Duterte on Friday said no funds were lost in these transactions. The Office of the Vice President (PVP) reported that all funds are now accounted for. The relief operations of this

MANILA, Philippines — Another petition has been filed before the Supreme Court to nullify the Sept. 23, 2026 ruling by the Senate Impeachment Court amending the voting threshold ruling to convict Vice President Sara Duterte. In his 112-page petition, Atty. Ernesto Francisco Jr., requests that a Status Quo Ante Order be issued to halt the

CABANATUAN CITY – Mary Jane Veloso’s mother, better known as “Aling Celia,” had to be convinced by human rights lawyer Edre Olalia that her daughter might finally be free after President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. signed documents granting her absolute pardon on Friday. “Ako man eh hindi ko mapaniwalaan nung tumawag si Atty. Edre dun pa

Entertainment journalist and television host MJ Marfori has teamed up with entrepreneurs Marga Arenas Vargas, JR Marfori and Mikee Arenas to launch Gutta Glow, a Filipino functional beverage brand that aims to make wellness more accessible and easier to incorporate into everyday routines.  The four founders officially introduced the brand on Sept. 16 at The Rockwell Club in Makati City, bringing together their backgrounds in media, entertainment, marketing and business for a venture they had been developing for more than a year.  For Marfori, the business marks a new chapter beyond her work in journalism and television.  “I’m used to telling other people’s stories, but this time, the four of us are building our own. Gutta Glow is about taking care of yourself without making wellness feel like a chore. We wanted it to be something you can actually enjoy while navigating work, family, travel and everyday life,” Marfori said during the launch.  The idea took shape during the pandemic when the founders began discussing longevity, healthier routines and the need for products that could easily fit into everyday life.  JR Marfori said he and Vargas had worked together during the lockdowns and began thinking about how they could maintain a healthier and more balanced lifestyle.  The group eventually decided to develop its own product, embarking on a research and development process that lasted more than a year.  The founders said they divided the work according to their individual backgrounds. Vargas and MJ Marfori handle the brand and content side, while JR Marfori and Arenas focus on the business, marketing and numbers.  For JR Marfori, working with family was also an important part of the venture.  “We all have our roles and responsibilities. At the end of the day, I like to do business with family because I know we share the same set of values,” he said.  Gutta Glow’s initial product lineup includes Honey Lemon Iced Tea, French Vanilla Coffee and Spanish Latte. Depending on the variant, the products contain functional ingredients such as inulin, green tea extract, green coffee extract, L-carnitine, garcinia cambogia, berberine extract, Immuse LP20, hydrolyzed collagen, reduced L-glutathione, skim milk, whey protein and stevia extracts.  The founders said they wanted the products to retain familiar flavors while incorporating functional ingredients.  “We wanted something that’s easy on the pocket, palatable and portable,” JR Marfori said.  Taste was a major consideration during the development process, particularly for the coffee and iced tea variants.  The founders also emphasized convenience, saying the products can be prepared at home, brought to work or taken while traveling. They are sugar-free and contain 30 calories per sachet, while some variants contain ingredients such as whey protein and prebiotics, probiotics and postbiotics.  “The benefits really set it apart. That’s why our battle cry is, ‘Drink smart and glow hard.’ You don’t have to compromise your health. It’s really easy, it’s so convenient and it’s so delicious,” Vargas said.  The founders said the products are FDA-approved and Halal-certified and that the brand has received recognition from Superbrands Philippines.  “This is just the beginning. We’re also trying out new products that fit the values and the mission of Gutta Glow,” they said.  The brand is available through its online channels, including Shopee, TikTok Shop, Instagram and Facebook.

The “love local” movement that started over a decade ago continues to gain ground with Filipinos proud to wear their heart on their sleeve. Whether it’s a modern barong Tagalog, a beautifully made terno or simply a patch with a distinctly local design, there are now dozens of options for Filipinos to choose from. From Oct. 9 to 11, Likhang Habi marks its 16th anniversary with a weekend-long market fair. The theme this year is “Worth Every Thread” and is the organizers’ short reply to the million-peso question: Why is it so expensive? At the press launch for the upcoming event, they talked about how much time and effort went into the weaving, dyeing and stitching of the different products. While traditional artists — painters, sculptors — are known by name, few weavers and craftspeople are recognized and compensated for their creations. This is why there is a move to include the names of the weavers for the pieces that will be sold at the fair. “For many years, we’ve been asked, ‘Why are weaves so expensive?’ I’m tired of that question,” Habi council president Mia Villa­nueva said. “When you understand what goes into making something by hand, using indigenous fibers and traditional skills, you begin to see why it is worth every thread.” As in previous years, the fair brings together weavers, weaving communities, artisans, designers and textile entrepreneurs who have taken one of the world’s oldest crafts and infused it with innovation to create pieces that are relevant, timeless and unmistakably Filipino. One of them is Jeanafer Fernandez of Piña Seda Primera in Aklan who recalled watching as her mother wove the pineapple fibers into fabric, and experienced firsthand how the industry sustained families and provided work for local communities. Fernandez’s participation in her first Likhang Habi Market Fair in 2017 proved to be a turning point. “It was where I gained experience and learned to talk to people, especially customers who appreciated the products. I was able to showcase these products while helping artisans, weavers and embroiderers.” Today, Piña Seda Primera is known for its formal wear made from premium piña and enhanced with embroidery. Habi’s work with weaving communities extends beyond the annual market fair and into the grassroots. In Catanduanes, the organization has undertaken the Panganiban Weaving Center project as part of its commitment to supporting local weaving initiatives and bringing opportunities to communities beyond the country’s major textile centers. This year’s Kwentong Kultura (Habi lectures) will include discussions on the issues and opportunities facing weaving communities. By bringing these stories to a wider audience including students, practitioners and entrepreneurs, the talks hope to ensure that weaving traditions remain understood, valued, and carried forward. The 16th Likhang Habi Market Fair will be held on Oct. 9 to 11 at Space, 5/F One Ayala, Makati.