Eala joins giants in WTA1000MANILA, Philippines — Dubai main draw Alex Eala will no longer go through the qualifying round, gaining spot in the main draw of the WTA1000 Dubai Duty Free International Tennis Championships set next week. Eala’s ticket has been upgraded as announced by organizers yesterday after she barged into the Top 40 of the Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) rankings. And that means a chance to slug it out with the sport’s titans led by world No. The three hotshots lead a stacked main draw featuring 18 of the world’s top 20 players including No. And it’s the second WTA1000 for the 20-year-old Filipina this season after the Qatar Open where she got the boot early with a 7-6 (8-6), 6-1 defeat at the hands of Czechia’s Tereza Valentova, WTA No.

MRT station manager axed over signage gaffeA photo of some MRT-3 personnel holding a signage pointing to working escalators at the Shaw Boulevard station circulated online. MANILA, Philippines — Transport Secretary Giovanni Lopez has relieved a station manager of the Metro Rail Transit Line 3 (MRT-3) over another signage blunder. A photo of some MRT-3 personnel holding a signage pointing to working escalators at the Shaw Boulevard station circulated online. This was immediately stopped the moment the management learned about it,” the rail management said in a statement. The station manager was referred to the MRT-3 disciplinary committee for investigation and corresponding sanctions.

Photo by JUNG YEON-JE / AFP This picture taken on October 22, 2025 shows a mockup of a chipset featuring Samsung Electronics' high-bandwidth memory (HBM) technology on display during the 2025 Semiconductor Exhibition in Seoul.

Villagers in Maguindanao del Norte town benefit from humanitarian missionPersonnel of the 1st Marine Brigade provided children belonging to ethnic Iranun families free haircuts during a multi-sector outreach event in Barira, Maguindanao del Norte on Feb. 11, 2026. COTABATO CITY, Philippines — More than a thousand marginalized ethnic Iranun villagers in Barira town in Maguindanao del Norte availed of free medical, dental and other essential health interventions during a multi-sector relief mission in the municipality on Wednesday, February 11. Local executives, among them Barira Mayor Abdul Rauf Tomawis, confirmed to reporters on Thursday that 1,384 villagers from across their municipality benefited from Wednesday's joint outreach mission of the offices of Maguindanao Del Norte Gov. Local officials said the provincial government of Maguindanao del Norte gave out a dozen wheelchairs for persons with disabilities and elderly Barira residents during the day-long event. “Our governor intends to replicate such activity in other towns in Maguindanao del Norte,” Sinsuat said.

Lawmakers seek probe into Philippines-linked Epstein operationsThis undated and unlocated handout image released by Democrats on the House Oversight Committee on December 18, 2025 shows late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein (R). MANILA, Philippines — Lawmakers filed separate resolutions seeking a congressional probe into alleged Philippines-based operations that may have aided convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. Sen. Loren Legarda filed Senate Resolution No. If Filipino individuals or entities were involved in Epstein's digital cover-up operations, we must investigate thoroughly and hold accountable those who undermine our protections," she added. Both resolutions call for fact-finding inquiries and do not allege that specific Filipino individuals have been formally charged.

Tabuena's risk pays off with full-time 2026 LIV Golf statusThe Philippines' Miguel Tabuena reacts after winning the International Series Philippines golf tournament at the Sta. MANILA, Philippines — Even before he could unleash his opening drive in his second LIV Golf League appearance in Adelaide, Miguel Tabuena had already emerged a winner. “This week at Adelaide, I am no longer teeing up as a reserve, but as a wildcard for the entire LIV Golf 2026 season,” Tabuena shared on Instagram. After falling agonizingly short of securing an outright LIV berth through the Asian Tour International Series standings, Tabuena made a bold decision. Reserves in LIV Golf travel with teams but have no assurance of actually competing.

DFA warns Filipinos: Avoid joining foreign militariesMen pass by a digital screen displaying an ad promoting contract military service in the Russian army's unmanned systems units in Saint Petersburg on Feb. 3, 2026. MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) on Wednesday, February 11, issued a warning to Filipino nationals against accepting overseas job offers that could lead to recruitment into foreign armed forces. According to the DFA, participation in foreign armed conflicts exposes Filipinos to “grave danger and serious legal consequences.”Recruitment into foreign armed forces may also violate Philippine laws and lead to loss of citizenship, according to the agency. The statement from the Foreign Affairs Department came after reports of two Filipinos allegedly fighting for Russia during the Russian-Ukrainian War. However, this claim is still under investigation, according to the Armed Forces of the Philippines.

Lunar New Year fairs open with cautious cheer for the Year of Horse

Bounty for Atong Ang raised to P20 millionMANILA, Philippines — The reward money for information leading to the arrest of fugitive tycoon Atong Ang has been increased to P20 million, Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla said. Remulla announced this at a press conference on Thursday, February 12, saying that the funds came from the confidential funds of the Department of the Interior and Local Government and the Philippine National Police. “P20 million for information leading to his arrest,” Remulla said. Remulla first set the bounty for information leading to Ang’s arrest on January 15, setting the amount at P10 million. On February 6, another court in Laguna, the San Pablo RTC Branch 29, also issued an arrest warrant against the fugitive tycoon.

Built for the LIV moment: Miguel Tabuena's breakthroughThe Philippines' Miguel Tabuena tees off on Hole 1 during Round 3 of the International Series Philippines golf tournament at the Sta. MANILA, Philippines — It was always Miguel Tabuena’s dream to play in the LIV Golf League. His breakthrough followed a standout rise through the Asian Tour’s International Series. Miguel is currently competing in the second leg of the LIV Golf League in Adelaide, Australia. Miguel Tabuena stood near the door.

The Pentagon logo is seen behind the podium in the briefing room at the Pentagon in Arlington, Virginia, U.S., January 8, 2020. REUTERS/Al Drago/File Photo

Lunar New Year fairs open with cautious cheer for the Year of Horse

Third arrest warrant issued vs hiding Atong Ang over missing sabungerosCharlie “Atong” Ang files criminal charges before the Mandaluyong City Prosecutor's Office on July 3, 2025 against Julie “Dondon” Patidongan and Alan Bantiles for false accusations related to the case of missing sabungeros. MANILA, Philippines — A court in San Pablo, Laguna has issued another arrest warrant against fugitive businessman Charlie “Atong” Ang and five others. In an order dated February 6, the San Pablo City Regional Trial Court Branch 29 issued a warrant of arrest against Ang and five other individuals over the case of the missing sabungeros. Cruz, Laguna RTC Branch 26 first issued a warrant against Ang and 20 others. This was followed by the Lipa RTC in Batangas, which issued a warrant of arrest on January 15.

Philippines concerns are affairs of the US – embassyThis undated image shows the US Embassy in Manila, Philippines. MANILA, Philippines — The United States has underscored that Washington remains firmly committed to the security of the Philippines especially in response to China’s increased aggression in the South China Sea. “Our shared values and commitment to a free, prosperous and secure Indo-Pacific make Philippine concerns US concerns especially in response to China’s increased aggression in the South China Sea,” Chargé d’Affaires Y. Robert Ewing of the US embassy said at the US-Philippines Society Trilateral Panel on Tuesday. The Philippines also signed a memorandum of understanding on critical minerals supply chains with the US during the Critical Minerals Ministerial meeting on Feb. 4 in Washington. Japanese Ambassador Endo Kazuya joined Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro Jr. in a turnover ceremony at the Department of National Defense main office at Camp Aguinaldo.

Lunar New Year fairs open with cautious cheer for the Year of Horse