Veteran PR man bags Pokerstars Gold PassFirst for PhilippinesMANILA, Philippines — Veteran public relations practitioner Rommel Orbigo, who is also an amateur poker player, recently won a Gold Pass in a satellite tournament at Pokerstars, the world’s largest poker site. After besting a field of more than 640 players from all over the world, Orbigo won the $10,300 Pokerstars Gold Pass — which entitles him to join the European Poker Tour (EPT) Main Event in Paris starting on Feb. 23 with a buy-in of €5,300. “To our memories, you (Rommel) are the first and we can’t recall any other Filipino playing an EPT after using a Gold Pass,” the Pokerstars Live Team said via email. I hope to make my fellow local poker enthusiasts proud, when I do finally get to join the EPT in Paris,” Orbigo said. In 2024, the winner of the EPT Paris Main Event banked in more than €1.2 million.

‘Philippines emerges as battleground for faster, cheaper digital remittances’MANILA, Philippines — As the Philippines cements its position as one of the world’s largest remittance destinations, global financial institutions are doubling down on efforts to support the country’s rapidly evolving digital payments landscape. J.P. Morgan sees the Philippines at the center of Asia’s cross-border remittance growth, driven by the surge of digital wallets, instant payment schemes and new consumer expectations for speed and transparency. “Our approach is to help our clients provide cash management services, payments capabilities where they can leverage banks’ rails to collect money from the senders,” he said. “People who are in remote areas are not easily able to access the financial ecosystem but they can actually do it by leveraging individual wallet capabilities,” he said. “On one hand, yes, the growth is important, real-time payments are already here, wallet capabilities are already there.

In his analysis titled “The Delta Doctrine: How 150 Minutes Over Caracas Redrew the Map of Global Power,” Perera wrote: “The capture of Nicolás Maduro represents far more than the removal of a narco-dictator. Does the United States still possess not only overwhelming capability, but the political will to act decisively? Modern power is no longer defined solely by firepower but by coordination, patience and clarity of purpose – qualities that allies watch closely and adversaries study carefully. And it is not asking for permission.”Whether that sentiment is welcomed or viewed cautiously, it undeniably signals a shift. It will be remembered as a moment when the global conversation about power, credibility and resolve decisively changed.

3 cops, civilian killed in Negros shootingsForensic investigators collect evidence from the car where three police officers were shot and killed by a colleague in Sibulan, Negros Oriental on Jan. 9, 2026. Jose Edrohil Cimafranca, chief of the Sibulan police, and his men – Senior M/Sgt. Bonifacio Saycon of the Sibulan police, surrendered to the nearby Tanjay police, according to Lt. Col. Joem Malong, spokesman for the Negros Island Region (NIR) police. For still unknown reasons, Saycon allegedly shot the woman, prompting Cimafranca to arrest him. Negros Oriental police director Col. Criscente Tiguelo condemned the incident.

Traslacion 2026 leaves four deadRescuers carry a Nazarene devotee who collapsed during the annual Traslacion in Manila on January 9, 2026. MANILA, Philippines — Four people died during the Traslacion of the Black Nazarene in Manila on Friday, including a photojournalist covering the event who collapsed due to possible fatigue, the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) said. Overall, the NCRPO’s initial assessment for Traslacion 2026 was “generally peaceful.”“It’s generally peaceful from Day 1,” NCRPO chief Maj. Gen. Anthony Aberin said. Medical assistanceAccording to the Department of Health (DOH), around 1,019 devotees were provided medical assistance during the Traslacion starting Friday. It was earlier reported that the andas underwent a structural upgrade and its movement was made possible using forklift and steel tires.

5,123 measles cases logged in 2025Health officials said the figure is 32 percent higher than the 3,880 cases reported during the same period in 2024. MANILA, Philippines — Up to 5,123 cases of measles and rubella were reported across the country last year, according to the Department of Health (DOH). Health officials said the figure is 32 percent higher than the 3,880 cases reported during the same period in 2024. Half of the cases or 2,567 are children aged six months to five years. Among regions, Zamboanga peninsula, Northern Mindanao, Soccsksargen and Bangsamoro reported the highest number of measles and rubella cases.

Filipina mother deported because of missing documentRecently, an elderly Filipina mother, being petitioned by her US citizen daughter, was ordered deported/removed because her daughter allegedly failed to include her latest tax return when she submitted an affidavit of support in connection with her mother’s adjustment of status. Even more shocking, the deportation hearing and deportation order happened less than a month after the adjustment denial! What threat does an elderly Filipina mother pose, especially when she had an approved petition from her daughter and was otherwise eligible to adjust status? Unfortunately, the mother had to be rushed to urgent care on the date of the hearing and did not attend the hearing. Nevertheless, the court went ahead with the hearing and ordered the mother deported/removed – all because of a missing document (tax return) when filing for adjustment of status.

Japan foreign minister to visit Manila this weekJapan Foreign Minister Motegi Toshimitsu at the 20th East Asia Summit in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia on Oct. 27, 2025. MANILA, Philippines — Japan’s Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi is scheduled to visit Manila this week for high-level meetings with Philippine officials led by Foreign Affairs Secretary Ma. In an announcement on Friday, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said the bilateral meeting is scheduled on Jan. 15. “The official visit will take place as the Philippines and Japan mark this year the 70th anniversary of the normalization of their diplomatic relations,” the announcement read. Japan and the Philippines have been strengthening their bilateral relations with joint naval exercises and other combined training activities along with other partner nations.

DILG chief bares P30 million kickback scheme at BFPDepartment of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Jonvic Remulla on January 15, 2025. MANILA, Philippines — Two senior officials of the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) are under investigation for alleged irregularities in the procurement of fire extinguishers worth P30 million for a condominium building, according to the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG). In an interview over Bilyonaryo News Channel’s “Politiko Talks” on Friday, Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla said he dismissed two BFP officials from their posts who were reportedly involved in the anomalous transaction. There are also BFP inspectors who would force business owners to hire a contractor for the installation of sprinklers. Remulla said they will require fire safety inspectors to wear body-worn cameras so that their activities are recorded.

Marcos monitoring Army colonel’s removal – PalaceMANILA, Philippines — President Marcos is closely monitoring developments surrounding the relief of an Army colonel who allegedly withdrew his support for the administration, Malacañang said. Col. Audie Mongao, chief of the Training Support Group, was removed from his post following a social media post in which he reportedly withdrew his personal support for President Marcos, whose administration is facing allegations of large-scale corruption. Hours after the controversial post circulated online, Mongao voluntarily turned himself in Friday night to his immediate superior, according to the Philippine Army. Training Command commander Maj. Gen. Michael Logico said Mongao is “fully cooperating” with authorities and has admitted authoring the social media post. To reassure the public, the military has repeatedly said its personnel remain loyal to the Constitution and the chain of command.

The 10 biggest marketing challengesHow do you know if a “famous guru” is still relevant? Schaefer recently wrote something many of us have been thinking but too tired to type: “The 10 biggest marketing challenges (and, surprisingly, they’re not ‘AI problems’).” He starts by asking: “Are you tired of reading about AI? Me too.” Then he made the case – that the biggest marketing headaches are bigger than AI and many of them were already growing before the robots learned to write haikus. He raises a critical question: if word-of-mouth is the most trusted form of marketing, why are budgets for it, as well as for community and experiential marketing, often minimal? No marketing strategy can compensate for a declining customer base due to lower birth rates.

Government OKs P279.5 billion infrastructure projectsThe government plans to build 16,459 new classrooms across Luzon from March 2027 to March 2028. MANILA, Philippines — The Economy and Development Council (ED Council), chaired by President Marcos, has approved nearly P280 billion worth of education, transport and agriculture projects. In a statement, the Department of Economy, Planning and Development (DEPDev) said the council approved on Jan.8 a total of P279.5 billion in infrastructure projects. Among those approved is the P105.69-billion Public-Private Partnership (PPP) School Infrastructure Project Phase III (PSIP III), aimed at closing classroom gaps and providing better learning environments. In addition, the ED Council approved changes to the P27.69-billion Farm-to-Market Bridges Development Program’s implementation period.

Minor eruption recorded at Taal VolcanoPhivolcs said the eruption at the main crater was captured by a thermal camera of the Daang Kastila Observation Station between 7:11 p.m. and 7:15 p.m. and generated plumes that rose about 900 meters. MANILA, Philippines — A minor phreatomagmatic eruption occurred at Taal Volcano in Batangas on Friday night, according to the Philippines Institute of Volcanology and Seismology. At the Calauit Observation Station, volcanologists detected a precursory signal six minutes before the eruption. Phivolcs said that Taal Volcano remains under Alert Level 1 or low-level unrest wherein sudden steam-driven or phreatic eruptions may occur, particularly within the main crater. Entry into Taal’s permanent danger zone, particularly at the main crater and volcano island, remains prohibited.

Nestlé recalls infant formula products over toxin riskIn a statement, Nestlé Philippines said the recall is being undertaken as a “precautionary measure,” stressing that no illnesses have been confirmed in connection with the affected products. MANILA, Philippines — Nestlé Philippines Inc. has voluntarily recalled limited batches of its NAN OPTIPRO and NANKID OPTIPRO infant formula products due to a potential contamination risk linked to an ingredient supplied by a third party. The Philippines is among more than 50 countries covered by a global voluntary recall of certain Nestlé infant formula products. Consumers may verify whether their purchased products are affected through a dedicated website set up by Nestlé Philippines for real-time checking. The company stressed that all other Nestlé products and other batches of the same infant formula brands are not included in the voluntary recall.

Final milestones of ‘25Here is the third and last installment of memorable sporting milestones of 2025. It was the 31-year-old 2010 Asian Games silver medalist’s fourth Asian Tour crown, breaking the record previously held by Angelo Que. Custodio added a gold at the SEA Games for good measure. It was the first time the Philippines harvested more than two golds in swimming at the SEA Games since 2009. Coach Norman Black took over from Cone and piloted a rag-tag team to the SEA Games gold in a blazing end to the year.