General

Following a recent earthquake, employees in Cebu’s business process outsourcing (BPO) industry are calling out serious lapses in safety and labor rights, including unsafe return-to-office orders and threats for speaking up. The BPO Industry Employees Network (Bien-Cebu) is pushing for urgent reforms, better support, and enforcement of occupational safety standards. On October 2, 2025, Bien-Cebu filed a formal complaint with the Department of Labor and Employment in Central Visayas (DOLE […]

At least 72 people have been confirmed dead in Cebu following the devastating 6.9-magnitude earthquake that struck the province earlier this week, according to the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC). The death toll, released on Thursday, October 2, highlights the scale of destruction that has left communities reeling from both the initial quake and thousands of aftershocks that continue to shake the province. The earthquake struck on […]

At least 61 people have been confirmed dead following the powerful magnitude 6.9 earthquake that shook Cebu on Tuesday, September 30, 2025, according to the Cebu Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO). The tremor, one of the strongest to strike the province in recent years, caused widespread damage and casualties across several towns. The PDRRMO reported on Wednesday, October 1, that of the 61 deaths, 32 have already […]

Beginning October 1, 2025, consumers in Metro Cebu will see a 12 percent increase in their water bills as the Metropolitan Cebu Water District (MCWD) implements a new rate structure and tighter disconnection rules. What’s changing The MCWD announced on September 29 that the rate hike has been approved by the Local Water Utilities Administration (LWUA) and will take effect Wednesday. This is the second rate adjustment for the year; […]

Embattled Ako Bicol party-list Representative Elizalde “Zaldy” Co has formally resigned from his seat in the House of Representatives amid mounting allegations of irregularities tied to flood control projects. In a resignation letter dated September 29, 2025 and addressed to House Speaker Faustino “Bojie” Dy III, Co stated that his departure is immediate and irrevocable. He cited what he described as “real, direct, grave and imminent threat” to the safety […]

In the wake of Severe Tropical Storm Opong, more than 2,000 residents of Iloilo City remain displaced and are currently sheltered in evacuation centers. According to local authorities, 727 families—amounting to 2,431 individuals—are still being accommodated in these safe zones as floodwaters continue to affect large sections of the city. The storm battered 99 barangays across Iloilo City, inundating homes, blocking roads, and forcing many families to leave their residences. […]

In a moment that feels like destiny fulfilled, Jessica Sanchez has been crowned winner of America’s Got Talent Season 20, bringing her journey with the show full circle after nearly 20 years. Jessica first auditioned for AGT in its inaugural season as a 10-year-old, but did not progress to the final rounds. Now, as a mature artist, she’s proven how far she’s come — and how determined she’s remained. In […]

Major League Baseball is set to usher in a new era of officiating beginning in the 2026 season, with the approval of an Automated Ball-Strike (ABS) Challenge System, commonly dubbed “robot umpires.” The decision was made by MLB’s 11-member Joint Competition Committee, which includes team representatives, players, and an umpire. Under this hybrid model, human umpires will continue to make the initial calls on balls and strikes. However, pitchers, catchers, or […]

Filipino tennis star Alex Eala began her campaign at the Jingshan Open in China with a solid performance, defeating Belarus’ Aliona Fei in straight sets, 6-3, 7-5, to move into the round of 16 of the Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) 125 tournament. Eala, currently ranked world No. 58 and the tournament’s top seed, showcased both her poise and power in her opening match on Tuesday. Playing her first event since […]