Theatre Group Asia has released its "boldest" lineup yet for its 2026-2027 season, and it is a powerhouse trio of productions that have never before graced a Filipino stage. According to TGA Creative and Overall Artistic Director Clint Ramos, this season is built on the theme of human influence. "This season places the human capacity to influence through love, survival, and creation on center stage. While each production proudly spotlights artists and narratives, the season ultimately celebrates something even greater: the power every person holds to shape hearts, defy limits, and leave a lasting mark," he said. It will portray Allie and Noah across three different stages of their lives, showing "how love matures, fractures, and ultimately endures."

Pistons survive Nuggets; Thunder trounce PelicansCade Cunningham of the Detroit Pistons drives against Jonas Valan?i?nas of the Denver Nuggets in the first half at the Ball Arena on January 27, 2026 in Denver, Colorado. LOS ANGELES, United States — Cade Cunningham finished with 22 points as the Detroit Pistons held off a late rally from the depleted Denver Nuggets to hang on for a 109-107 road victory on Tuesday (Wednesday Manila time). Denver star Jamal Murray could have forced overtime after being awarded three free throws with one second remaining and Detroit leading 109-106. However, Murray missed his second and third free throws and the Pistons escaped. Jalen Brunson led the Knicks scoring at Madison Square Garden with 28 points as New York finally pulled away with a 31-point final quarter.

Filipino in California pleads guilty to ISIS funding, bomb possessionThe logo of the United States' Federal Bureau of Investigation on the facade of one of its buildings. MANILA, Philippines — A Filipino national who is a permanent resident in the United States pleaded guilty on Tuesday, January 27, to federal charges for sending money to suspected ISIS members and illegally possessing a homemade bomb. Villanueva sent more than $1,600 in a dozen payments, knowing the money would buy ammunition, weapons and other supplies for ISIS operations, court documents show. He also discussed conducting operations for ISIS in the United States. "At all relevant times, Villanueva knew the bomb was considered a firearm and a destructive device under federal law, and the device was not federally registered as required by law," the release stated.

Armando “Butz” Bartolome, president of GMB Franchise Developers Inc., guides MSMEs by sharing insights drawn from years of experience in business development and mentorship. The program aims to connect MSMEs with mentors, partners, and resources to help grow their businesses. When starting a business, entrepreneurs should identify a problem, determine what the market needs, address what can be fixed, and define the value their business brings. Renel Batralo, CEO and designer of Rolyolikha at Iba Pa Handicraft, mentors arts and lifestyle MSMEs by personally sharing his designs and experiences as a fellow creative entrepreneur. Providing mentorship to many of these MSMEs is one of the biggest ways we can help them scale up,” he adds.

Learners who fall behind may be held back, as the Second Congressional Commission on Education (EDCOM 2) is seeking to end mass promotions. EDCOM 2 submitted its third and final National Education and Workforce Development Plan for 2026 to 2035 to Congress on Jan. 26. The commission said that the crisis could be due to systemic failures, limited access to early childhood education, and the policy allowing unqualified learners to advance. Romulo said that a teacher told them that they didn't want to pass unqualified learners but felt pressured to. "'Dahil kapag binagsak namin, nasasabihan kami na pinahamak namin ang division o ang school,'" Romulo quoted.

Filipino nuncio to Israel, Palestine retires from Vatican serviceRetired Apostolic Nuncio Archbishop Adolfo Tito Yllana with a delegate from Caritas Jerusalem in 2025. MANILA, Philippines — Filipino Apostolic Nuncio to Israel Adolfo Tito Yllana has retired from the Holy See's diplomatic service, according to CBCP News. Lingua has served as apostolic nuncio to Croatia since 2019. In December 2001, Pope St. John Paul II appointed him apostolic nuncio to Papua New Guinea, later expanding his responsibilities to include the nunciature on Solomon Islands. Pope Benedict XVI later appointed Yllana apostolic nuncio to Pakistan in 2006 and to the Democratic Republic of Congo in 2010.

Research has shown that having a dog may be good for the mental health of teenagers. They also discovered that adolescent dog owners had "significantly lower" social problems than those who didn't, and had higher on "measures of companionship and social support" as they grew older. A biological factor may also be involved, as children who own dogs have microbiomes that differ from those who do not. The study involved exposing mice to oral microbiomes from the dog-owning group to evaluate changes in social behavior. The study was conducted among 343 teenagers in Tokyo—96 of them were dog owners.

South Korea is undeniably charming, even more so when its cherry blossom trees are in full bloom. Whether you’re planning a trip to South Korea or just dreaming of one, we’ve picked some top cherry blossom spots for your itinerary, along with the estimated best time to catch them. Bomun Lake Visit Korea / websiteYou can also take a stroll around the man-made Bomun Lake in Gyeongju. If you have the time, check out the Gyeongju Cherry Blossom Festival for the full experience. Cherry Blossom Road in Hadong Visit Korea / websiteKnown as the "wedding road," the four-kilometer Simni Cherry Blossom Road in Hadong is also among the popular spots to enjoy the sakura.

Bong Revilla joins 6 inmates in Quezon City jailMANILA, Philippines — After undergoing medical quarantine for a week, former senator Ramon “Bong” Revilla, and his co-accused in the graft and malversation cases before the Sandiganbayan, were transferred to regular detention cells at the New Quezon City Jail in Barangay Payatas, yesterday. The former senator and his co-respondents were quarantined for seven days before they joined the jail’s population of about 3,600 inmates. Revilla’s two other co-accused, Emelita Juat and Christina Pineda, are detained at the Quezon City Jail female dormitory in Camp Karingal, Quezon City. Revilla is staying in a 48-square meter detention cell, which can accommodate a maximum of 10 inmates. Just like when they were in quarantine, Revilla and his co-accused are not allowed to have cell phones and other gadgets.

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

'One Battle After Another,' 'Sinners' top BAFTA nodsComposite photo of "Sinners" and "One Battle After Another"LONDON, United Kingdom — "One Battle After Another" and "Sinners" led the shortlist Tuesday of films competing at Britain's BAFTA awards next month, ahead of the Oscars in mid-March in which both also dominate the nominations. "One Battle After Another," an offbeat thriller set against a wild backdrop of radical violence, immigration raids and white supremacists, earned 14 BAFTA nods, including for the coveted best film award. "One Battle After Another" enters the Oscars best film race in second place after it garnered 13 nods in the Academy shortlist for the March 15 awards to be held in Hollywood. Timothee Chalamet's ping-pong drama "Marty Supreme" also snagged 11 nods, including in the best film category, while Norwegian dramedy "Sentimental Value" bagged eight nominations and is the final of the five BAFTA best film contenders. Although "Sinners" topped the Oscars nominations, "One Battle" was still strongly favored in this year's awards season, having won almost every precursor prize so far this awards season.

‘Eyes forward’: Donaire set for March return vs Japan’s MasudaMANILA, Philippines — Following a tough split-decision loss in December last year, Nonito Donaire will return to the ring in March. The 43-year-old Donaire, who absorbed a contested defeat against Seiya Tsutsumi in December last year, will be taking on Riku Masuda on March 15 in Yokohama, Japan. “Eyes forward. The bout will be a WBA title eliminator match, he said, under Teiken promotions. 1 contender for the WBA title, with Masuda at fourth.

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

No work, no pay eyed for AWOL BatoMANILA, Philippines — Sen. Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa may see himself suspended and his salaries withheld if a proposal in the Senate to revise its rules is approved. The Senate rules currently are silent on the punishment for absent senators, but amendments can be made to include suspension or “no work no pay” arrangement, Lacson said. But amending the rules can only happen after the ethics committee releases its report on the ethics complaint, he said. Lacson acknowledged that he has no “moral ascendancy” to seek Dela Rosa’s punishment for being absent. Trillanes expects to file the ethics complaint against Dela Rosa in March.

Red Bull, Ferrari defy rain as F1 testing continuesFerrari's British driver Lewis Hamilton (left) and Ferrari's Monegasque driver Charles Leclerc wave to fans after testing the new Formula 1 Ferrari SF-26 at Fiorano Circuit in Fiorano Modenese on January 23, 2026. BARCELONA, Spain — Formula One endured a rainy second day of private testing in Barcelona on Tuesday (Wednesday Manila time), with only Red Bull and Ferrari braving the wet conditions. According to several media outlets, Frenchman Isack Hadjar of Red Bull, who had set the fastest time on Monday, was involved in a minor off-track incident at the end of the day, slightly damaging the rear of his car. "For now it's all about trying to understand if everything is working properly, which it kind of did," Leclerc said. Four-time Dutch world champion Max Verstappen also drove for Red Bull and set the fastest time of the day in dry conditions, more than a second ahead of Leclerc.