Philippines investigates Thomas Markle, father of Meghan, after child sexual abuse images claims

MANILA, Philippines — Electric vehicle owners can now charge at six tollway service facilities (TSFs) along the North Luzon Expressway, with two more set to open by December, NLEX Corp. said in a statement on Friday. The six stations offer 20 charging points in total, with power ratings from 22 kW to 240 kW. Northbound motorists

BUGUEY, Cagayan – Thousands of spectators feasted on mangrove crabs stuffed in roasted pigs on Friday during this year’s Crab, Mangrove and Nipa Festival in this Cagayan town. The event is an annual environmental and cultural celebration held in Buguey, which is a neighboring community of the Cagayan Economic Zone Authority (CEZA). The popular McBuchon,

MANILA, Philippines — More than 80 individuals were apprehended in Makati City for alleged involvement in an “abusive” lending app operation, the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) said on Friday. In an interview, NBI Director Melvin Matibag said operators of the online lending app use text-blasting devices to send bulk messages to borrowers. He noted

LUCENA CITY — A five-year-old boy, who was reported to have been abducted in Calamba City in Laguna, was safely reunited with his family after he was found in the Rizal town of Tanay on Thursday. Calamba City police said a concerned citizen found the child crying outside San Ildefonso Church in Barangay Aldea and

PAGADIAN CITY, Zamboanga del Sur — Police operatives arrested a high-value drug suspect, seizing from him around P367,200 worth of suspected meth or shabu during a joint buy-bust operation in Barangay Miputak, Dipolog City on Tuesday evening, October 20. Police Lt. Col. Shellamie Chang, information chief of the Police Regional Office (PRO) 9, said

MASINLOC, Zambales — Protecting a 7,558-hectare marine and coastal landscape requires more than enforcing environmental laws.  It also means working with communities, creating livelihood opportunities, and building partnerships to sustain conservation efforts. For Donaver Guevarra, community environment and natural resources officer (CENRO) of Masinloc, Zambales, these efforts have been central to protecting the Masinloc and

Filipino craftsmanship and creativity was on full display at the launch on Thursday of Kultura Atelier at SM Makati. The one-stop shop of the country’s largest department store chain is known for its wide range of Philippine-made products ranging from comestibles to clothes.  It is also a favorite shopping destination of returning Filipinos who want to take a piece of home back to their country of work. Many tourists also make a beeline to Kultura for souvenirs of their time in the tropics.  With the opening of Kultura Atelier, shoppers now have more options when an event calls for elevated Filipiniana. At the mini fashion show to mark the launch last week, the designers who were tapped to join Kultura’s roster presented pieces from their collection now available in store.  Daryl Maat showed updates to his playful redesign of the short-sleeved barong. Instead of traditional scrollwork or geometric designs, Maat’s features kid-style line drawings stitched in colored embroidery thread. Former professional model Alvin Degamo of Wear Your Culture was wearing one of his own pieces that afternoon, a denim jacket with fabric insets featuring embroidery inspired by the Manobos of Mindanao. He said his pieces are limited because it takes time for the weavers to finish a panel and send it to him.  Degamo then sends the panel to Lumban, Laguna to be embroidered by sewers he has long worked with. “I want to give the pieces from Wear Your Culture something more. Rather than use a woven panel as is, I have it embroidered or hand painted so the finished product stands out from others like it,” Degamo said.  Veteran Cebu-based designer Phillip Rodriguez has also thrown his hat into the retail shopping ring with Isla by Filippo. His elegant pieces shown that afternoon included a red terno ensemble with fabric that featured a solihya-like pattern.  Rodriguez also presented two black barong Tagalog that looked sleek and had a slimming effect.  Other brands and designers that are now part of Kultura Atelier include Fam Ph, Goodluck Humans, Harold and Harry, Jo-Rel Espina, Ken Samudio, Martin Uy, Rodolfo by Puey Quinones, Sari Lazaro, Tim Tam Ong and Zarah Juan. The festivities that afternoon extended beyond the runway with a perfume bar by Tadhana Fragrance, and jewelry customization by Nazrea Pearls. Kultura Atelier and Kultura at SM Makati still share the same space but the former  consists mainly of designer apparel and fashion accessories while the latter carries home decor and food items. In praise of the coconut There are dozens of food and decorative items for sale this weekend at the Department of Trade and Industry’s (DTI) National Trade Fair. This time the coconut is in the spotlight with a wide range of food items ranging from coconut leaf-wrapped suman and extra virgin coconut oil to beaded hanging lamps and Christmas decor made of the tree’s different elements.  As the second coconut-focused trade fair this year, the initiative highlights the versatility of the Philippine coconut industry through innovative products in food, wellness, beauty, textiles, home essentials and handicrafts. The fair is open free to the public until Sunday and is a good place to jumpstart Christmas shopping.  Beyond showcasing local ingenuity, however, the fair opens doors for MSMEs and coconut farmer-beneficiaries to connect with institutional buyers, retailers and consumers, expanding their market reach and business opportunities.

An evening of elegance, gratitude and celebration unfolded at The Cove at Okada Manila as Perpetual Help Medical Center–Las Piñas marked its 50th anniversary. The hospital marked five decades of dedicated health care, compassionate service and a lasting commitment to providing quality medical care through its enduring mission, “Alagang Perpetual.” The celebration brought together distinguished guests, health care professionals, awardees and friends of the institution for a memorable evening that paid tribute to the people whose dedication and achievements have helped shape the medical center’s legacy. It was not only a celebration of the institution’s golden milestone but also a recognition of the people behind its continued success. Hosted by beauty queen Ganiel Krishnan, the occasion was graced by personalities including Alice Dixson, Joey Generoso of the band Side A, Mags Cue and reigning Miss Universe Philippines Bea Milan Windorski. Their presence added glamour to an evening that blended prestige, appreciation and celebration. Guests enjoyed an elegant dining experience at The Cove, with a choice of beef or salmon prepared for the occasion. The evening also marked the birthday of Antonio Tamayo, who was surrounded by family, friends and distinguished guests. The tribute added a personal dimension to the festivities, bringing together two meaningful occasions: a golden anniversary celebrating a legacy of service and a birthday honoring a respected figure whose presence made the gathering even more significant. More than a milestone celebration, the medical center’s 50th anniversary paid tribute to a legacy built on dedication, compassion and the enduring value of service. It was a golden occasion where legacy, family and service came together in a memorable celebration. “Alagang Perpetual” — 50 years of caring, serving and ma­king a difference.

KANANGA, Leyte — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Friday inaugurated a P91-million solar-powered irrigation system in this town, a project expected to provide water to 155 hectares of farmland and benefit 66 farmers from two barangays amid the threat of prolonged dry conditions associated with El Niño. Marcos assured farmers that the national government would

Three bettors will split the P15-million Mega Lotto 6/45 jackpot in Friday's draw, the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) said.

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY — A policeman who went absent without leave, previously flagged for illegal drug use, was arrested along with a civilian in a buy-bust operation here yesterday afternoon. In an emailed advisory, the Police Regional Office-10 (PRO-10) said the police corporal, categorized as a high-value target, was apprehended at 3:19 p.m. on

MANILA, Philippines — Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla on Friday announced that Sen. Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa is now considered armed and dangerous and placed a P50 million bounty for his capture. “As of today, Sen. Bato will be considered armed and dangerous. We are placing a bounty of P50 million for his capture,” Remulla told