Filipino troops unaffected by word war with China – NavyPersonnel of the Philippine Navy and Royal Australian Navy pose during the Feb. 13 to 16 port visit of HMAS Toowoomba, at the Naval Operating Base in Subic, Zambales on Friday. MANILA, Philippines — Philippine troops remain unaffected by the Chinese embassy’s word war and public attacks against Philippine officials and institutions, the Philippine Navy said yesterday. Philippine Navy spokesperson Rear Admiral Roy Vincent Trinidad said the soldiers are in the front line and committed to their mandate. “They are not affected and they know what they are doing,” he said, adding that the morale of the military is high despite the raging word war. For his part, Akbayan party-list Rep. Perci Cendaña cried foul yesterday over the latest Chinese embassy threats warning of the loss of millions of jobs in the country amid the word war.

Bong Go, ex-DOJ chief Aguirre deny role in Duterte drug warIn this undated file photo shows former special assistant to the president Bong Go and former Justice Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre. MANILA, Philippines — Two senior officials named as alleged co-perpetrators in the crimes against humanity case involving former president Rodrigo Duterte denied any role in the anti-drug campaign. In separate statements, Sen. Bong Go and former Justice Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre rejected the allegations of the International Criminal Court (ICC) that they were co-conspirators in the drug war. For Go, the former special assistant to Duterte, the allegations are "entirely unfounded, one-sided and unfair." Cascolan, however, passed away on Nov. 24, 2023 due to pneumonia as a complication of stage 4 lung cancer.

Loving Like JesusGreater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. This reveals the character of a man who was loved and admired for loving others. Loved for loving, this is the message the apostle John keeps sounding throughout his gospel. Being loved and loving others are like a chapel bell that tolls night and day, regardless of weather. But don’t miss the challenge that brings, for Jesus commands: “Love each other as I have loved you” (v. 12).

Chinese President Xi Jinping attends a bilateral meeting with President of Congo Republic Denis Sassou Nguesso (not pictured) in The Great Hall of the People on September 04, 2025 in Beijing, China. Lintao Zhang/Pool via REUTERS

Split screen Saturday for Jerry Chau as he opts for Self Improvement in Saudi Arabia over Lucky Sam Gor at Sha Tin

Countdown to CNY: New Year prospects for people born in the Year of the Dog

Lady Bulldogs down Golden TigressesMANILA, Philippines -- The post-Bella Belen era in National University is off to a rousing start. This, after the Lady Bulldogs mauled the University of Santo Tomas in four sets, 25-23, 25-19, 23-25, 26-24, in their UAAP Season 88 women’s volleyball skirmish Sunday at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City. The Golden Tigresses looked primed to force a fifth and deciding set, but NU, led by rookie Sam Cantada, was just too good to write off. Cantada and the returning Tigress Xyza Gula, then, traded points, with UST gaining the upper hand, 22-19. But Cantada’s three aces, as well as an Alinsug off-the-block attack, pushed NU ahead, 24-23.

Tourists ‘very impressed’ by Philippines visitA Winter Escapade tourist from Canada tries the traditional tuob by a faith healer, during their visit to the province of Siquijor. Siquijor Provincial Tourism OfficeMANILA, Philippines — From healing by steam inhalation to a restive volcano, Fil-Canadians, as well as Canadians and Americans, were “very impressed” with their first visit to some of the Philippines’ tourist spots. Brian Budzan, 54, from Winnipeg, said his visit to Siquijor, known both locally and globally for the widespread practice of faith healing, was a highlight of the tour. Budzan and Howard, who joined this year’s Winter Escapade tour for the first time, both said they would want to return to the country and visit other destinations. The Winter Escapade tour is a joint program of the Department of Foreign Affairs, the Department of Tourism, the Tourism Promotions Board and private tour operator Rajah Tours.

Mongolian nabbed over spy allegationsThe 30-year-old Mongolian national nabbed by the Bureau of Immigration on Feb. 12, 2026, for alleged espionage activities. MANILA, Philippines — The Bureau of Immigration has arrested a Mongolian national due to alleged espionage activities in Zambales. According to the bureau, intelligence records revealed that Bold-Erdene is a highly trained pilot with an extensive military background. He is a graduate of the Defense University of Mongolia and the Civil Aviation University of China. Surveillance footage and seized data on the Mongolian national indicate that he took aerial photographs of Iba Airport and the nearby Palauig River area, located approximately five nautical miles from the airport.

Shabu hidden in bibles seized at NAIAContrabands kept inside two bibles confiscated by the Bureau of Customs at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport. MANILA, Philippines — A German national was apprehended at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal 3 on Friday, February 13, after authorities discovered over P55.3 million worth of suspected shabu concealed inside hollowed-out bibles. In a statement on Saturday, February 14, the Bureau of Customs said the 77-year-old passenger, identified by authorities as "Peter," arrived on a connecting flight from Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. The seized contraband has an estimated value of P55,386,000. A subsequent K9 sweep and field testing by authorities yielded positive indications for shabu, confirming the high-value nature of the contraband, according to the bureau.

So far, he said his most extreme effort was braving -10C for seven hours, stripped to the waist in hiking boots and running shorts. He says he can withstand floating in icy water for up to 15 minutes. In recent years, "cold exposure therapy," such as ice baths and swimming in frozen lakes, has gained global popularity. For Stevanovic, although his initial inspiration was the spiritual practices of Tibetan monks, the general appeal of icy plunges is a little less mystical — overwhelming shock of "extreme cold." "When you put cold water on you, it is very unpleasant for the first one or two seconds, and then you get very relaxed.

Eala opens WTA1000 Dubai tilt campaign vs BaptisteMANILA, Philippines -- Alex Eala faces a familiar opponent in qualifier Hailey Baptiste of the United States to begin her second WTA1000 campaign in the Dubai Tennis Championships at the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships. She, however, bowed to Australia’s Maya Joint, 4-6, 6-1, 6-7 (10-12), in the epic marathon finale. The Dubai tilt will serve as Eala’s sixth straight campaign in a hopeful 2026 season so far marked by a bevy of playoff finishes. Eala’s lone early exit so far was a first-round elimination in the WTA1000 Qatar Open after yet another defeat against Tereza Valentova of Czechia, 7-6 (8-6), 6-1. 40 in the world rankings, with a pretty chance to garner more points and hopefully enter the Top 30 in the 1000-level Dubai joust.

Yang masters the wind; Malixi ties for thirdMANILA, Philippines -- Rianne Malixi’s backdoor bid to snatch the Women’s Amateur Asia-Pacific crown was blown away by the fierce New Zealand gusts Sunday, as the final round turned into a survival test where only one player truly thrived. Malixi, who began the day four strokes behind Yunseo Yang after 54 holes, needed steady aggression. Though Malixi answered with a birdie on the third, another wind-ripped miscue cost her the stroke back on the next. Even after a wind-raked outward 39 dropped her to six-under overall – eight strokes behind Yang – Malixi found one last spark. It marked Malixi’s best finish in six Women’s Amateur Asia-Pacific appearances, surpassing her joint fourth in 2022.

ICC urged to issue arrest warrants for Duterte’s co-conspiratorsComposite photo shows Sen. Bato dela Rosa, former President Rodrigo Duterte and Sen. Bong Go at three different hearings. MANILA, Philippines — An international rights group is calling on the International Criminal Court (ICC) to immediately issue arrest warrants for former and current government officials recently identified as "co-perpetrators" in the alleged crimes against humanity committed during Rodrigo Duterte’s war on drugs. ICHRP Chairperson Peter Murphy pointed out that the named individuals should face trial alongside Duterte, who is currently in ICC custody. In a document released on February 13, the ICC revealed Duterte’s alleged co-conspirators in the war on drugs. RELATED: ICC names Duterte’s alleged 'co-perpetrators' in charges

'US-versus-World' All-Star Game divides NBA playersVictor Wembanyama of the San Antonio Spurs takes a shot against Jaxson Hayes of the Los Angeles Lakers in the first half of their NBA game at the Crypto.com Arena on February 10, 2026 in Los Angeles, California. Once a highlight of the calendar, the All-Star Game has suffered from a lack of competitiveness and declining audiences, forcing NBA bosses to pivot from the traditional East-versus-West format. "We've seen that many of the best players have been increasingly foreign players. Giannis Antetokounmpo, Nikola Jokic, Joel Embiid and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander -- all foreign players -- have swept the last seven league MVP awards. "I just feel like fans and media need something to complain about, and the All-Star Game don't make them feel like it made them feel back when they was kids," he said.