CEB’s Mike Szucs: Coffee, comfort and runwaysIt’s good to know that all this talk about extending runways in far-flung provinces is finally taking off – pun intended. “Let’s not think we’ve got to build a Changi,” Szucs said, referring to Singapore’s world-renowned airport, consistently among the world’s best. It’s really not that complicated, is what Szucs was trying to say – just coffee, comfort and runways, with lights. Bus service in the skyBack at the Aviation Summit, Szucs said that for airlines operating in emerging markets such as CEB, growth is no longer the hard part. It was good listening to Szucs and other aviation leaders in the region.

Obiena wins pole vault gold in Asian Indoor Athletics ChampionshipsPhilippines' athlete Ernest John Obiena competes in the men's pole vault qualification during the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo on September 13, 2025. Obiena ruled the 12th Asian Indoor Athletics Championships Saturday in Tianjin, China. The gold-medal finish came after the Olympic pole vaulter also struck gold in Germany late last month. Aside from Li, Obiena bested China’s Chen Yang (5.40 meters), Thailand’s Amsamang Patsapong (5.20 meters) and Japan’s Ejima Masaki (5.20 meters). Prior to the gold medal in Germany, Obiena copped a bronze in the ISTAF Indoor Dusseldorf.

Altas unbeaten in 5 gamesSheila Omipon and Cyille Joie Almeniana came through when their team needed it most and finished with 17 and 16 points, respectively, as the Lady Altas nailed their fifth straight win. MANILA, Philippines — University of Perpetual Help survived Emilio Aguinaldo College’s fierce first and third set challenges to hammer out a 28-26, 25-14, 26-24 victory yesterday and remain unscathed in NCAA Season 101 women’s volleyball at the San Andres Gym. Sheila Omipon and Cyille Joie Almeniana came through when their team needed it most and finished with 17 and 16 points, respectively, as the Lady Altas nailed their fifth straight win.

Philippines flag held high in MilanMANILA, Philippines — Philippine bets Francis Ceccarelli and Tallulah Proulx, both in Alpine skiing, were all smiles and waved the flag as the Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics opened on Friday with a glittering ceremony at the San Siro stadium echoed by festivities at Games venues across the snow-capped Italian Alps. Ceccarelli, 22, and Proulx, 17, will see action in both the Giant Slalom and Slalom events from Feb. 14 to 18. Alberto Tomba and Deborah Compagnoni, two Italian skiing Olympic champions of the past, lit an intricate cauldron inspired by Leonardo da Vinci’s knot patterns at Milan’s Arch of Peace. The ceremony in Milan showcased Italy’s rich cultural heritage, with a nod to late fashion giant Giorgio Armani. An otherwise harmonious event was punctuated by loud boos from the crowd when US Vice President JD Vance appeared on the big screen at the San Siro stadium.

Kochhar tames beast at Wack WackMANILA, Philippines — Successful in moving out of the danger zone in the second round, Indian Karandeep Kochhar cranked it up further on moving day to surge ahead of the early leaders. And with a flawless seven-under 65 on wet conditions – a hot card that sparked a frantic search to verify whether it’s a new record at Wack Wack’s tough East Course – Kochhar seized pole position in the Philippine Golf Championship presented by the Philippine Sports Commission. “It was the hardest out of the three days because of the rain today,” said Kochhar. Kochhar netted a $10,000 bonus from Wack Wack for the day’s low score. The club’s records were scarce but Internet searches showed the late Cassius Casas scoring a 64 in the 2001 Philippine Open prior to Kochhar’s 65.

Senate coups and weak institutionsThis week saw another attempted coup in the Senate. He said that he was hearing complaints from colleagues that the current Senate leadership was “preoccupied with campaigning rather than governing,” a clear predicate for a leadership challenge. Notably, the minority senators were conspicuously absent. This dynamic exposes the true motivations behind recent attempts at Senate leadership changes. Sotto, as Senate President, has begun undoing some of the institutional damage left by his predecessor.

Big guns await Alex in DohaMANILA, Philippines — A bigger mountain awaits Alex Eala in the nearby Doha City after being drawn into a tough bracket featuring Grand Slam champions and Top 10 players for the prestigious WTA 1000 Qatar Open starting today at the Khalifa International Tennis and Squash Complex. After campaigning in both singles and doubles play of the WTA500 Abu Dhabi Open marked by a roaring Filipino crowd backing, Eala was bracketed with world No. 2 and six-time Grand Slam champion Iga Swiatek of Poland, and No. Eala, WTA No. Eala, according to live WTA rankings, has already entered the Top 40 for the first time ever at No.

As we mark the 80th anniversary of Philippines-US diplomatic relations, we are not simply commemorating history. We are recognizing a living alliance that continues to shape our strategic, economic and regional future. Sustained economic cooperation enhances resilience and positions both nations to adapt to rapid change. What makes the Philippines-United States relationship truly special is that it is not only anchored in treaties and institutions: it is anchored in people. Marking 80 years of diplomatic relations is not nostalgia – it is a reaffirmation of deliberate choice.

Wanted: An honest and courageous president for 2028The fight for 2028 should begin this year as we continue to battle corruption. I am not stating that if we elect an honest president, that corruption will be immediately eliminated. But I am saying that this will be the first giant step towards eliminating corruption and poverty. A moral and courageous president will bring into government moral and courageous officials which can start changing the behavior of society. The election of 2028 is therefore a crucial and a possible historic turning point in Philippine history.

EDITORIAL — Discomfort roomsUntil a few years before the COVID pandemic, washrooms with inadequate water and without toilet paper were among the top complaints at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport. In many other public transport facilities across the islands, however, inadequate washrooms remain a problem. Filipinos call washrooms comfort rooms. But across the country, even in several top travel destinations, public toilet facilities are sources of discomfort. Modern public washrooms are available mainly in shopping malls, major fast-food chains and dining areas and certain gas stations.

Highrisers win one after 345 daysErica Jin Deloria of Galeries Tower puts up a solid defense against Jovelyn Gonzaga of Zus Coffee in the Highrisers’ breakthrough win yesterday. MANILA, Philippines — There’s nowhere to go but up for the Galeries Tower Highrisers. “Sobrang happy ako sa team tonight na kumapit talaga kaming lahat.”The win ended a string of 17 straight defeats that started after it shocked Cignal on Feb. 27 last year – a losing spell that lasted 345 days. Interestingly, that stunning result against Cignal catapulted Galeries Tower to its breakthrough quarterfinal appearance. But good things come to those who wait as the Highrisers finally emerged from the ashes after revamping their old roster and acquiring a new coach in Clarence Esteban.

Officiating at the launch ceremony of the Jockey Club STK Eco Eight Recycling and Ecotourism Education Project were Diane Wong, Under Secretary for Environment and Ecology of the HKSAR Government (5th left); Bernard Chan, Steward of The Hong Kong Jockey Club (5th right); Professor Wong Kam-sing, Chairman of the Wu Zhi Qiao (Bridge to China) Charitable Foundation (4th right) and other guests.

Duterte’s brother diesDAVAO CITY, Philippines — The youngest brother of detained former president Rodrigo Duterte died yesterday due to a lingering illness. Benjamin “Bong” Duterte, 62, helped draft the campaign plan of his niece, Vice President Sara Duterte, during the 2022 elections. We take comfort in our faith knowing that we now have a campaign manager in heaven,” the Vice President said. Benjamin had twice visited his brother at The Hague, where the former president has been detained since March 2025. He was a councilor of Davao City when Duterte was mayor.

Teacher promoted 4 months before retirementPresident Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and Department of Education Secretary Sonny Angara lead the oath-taking of 2,915 newly promoted teachers and school heads from the National Capital Region at the Makati Coliseum on February 6, 2026. MANILA, Philippines — In line with the commitment of President Marcos that no teacher will retire as Teacher 1, a teacher from Pasig City was promoted two ranks higher five months before her retirement in June 2026. Teacher Eloisa Reyes Cruz, who will turn 65 in June, is among the 2,915 newly promoted teachers and school leaders in Metro Manila who recently took oath in Makati City. Cruz said as a Teacher 1, she received around P26,000 per month, while as Teacher 3, her salary increased to at least P34,000. Marcos, who witnessed the oathtaking of the 2,915 newly promoted teachers and school leaders, highlighted the administration’s push to fast-track the career progression in the education sector.

Even an inch of our territory ay hindi isu-surrender sa foreign powers (The President will continue his policy of defending what’s ours. Even an inch of the country’s territory will never be surrendered to foreign powers),” Presidential Communications Undersecretary Claire Castro told “Balitanghali” on Friday. Castro reiterated the President’s position after Sen. Rodante Marcoleta was quoted in a news report as saying that some of the KIG features are “way beyond” the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone (EEZ). They’re outside the coverage of EEZ,” Marcoleta said. Sen. Marcoleta claimed the KIG is outside the EEZ, and I cannot accept that because there were Filipinos living on Pagasa Island,” he said.