The Philippine Star - March 23, 2025

In this issue

March 23, 2025

Feared, beloved George Foreman, 76

Former heavyweight champion George Foreman, who lost to Muhammad Ali in boxing's iconic 1974 \"Rumble in the Jungle\" before reclaiming the title two decades later, died Friday aged 76, his family said.

3 mins

Rody leaves fate to God, hits ‘fractured governance'

A week since his arrest and detention under the jurisdiction of the International Criminal Court (ICC) in The Hague, Netherlands, former president Rodrigo Duterte is now leaving his fate up to God, whom he previously called \"stupid.\"

1 min

US defense chief visiting Phl to advance security goals

United States Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth is scheduled to visit the Philippines on March 28-29, the first stop in his first trip to Asia, for talks that will include increasing deterrence against Chinese aggression in the South China Sea, Ambassador to Washington Jose Manuel Romualdez said on Friday.

2 mins

'Gov't must serve with integrity to rise above adversities'

As his administration grapples with political issues, President Marcos has highlighted the need for the government to serve with integrity and to work more vigorously in creating a united, just and peaceful country.

4 mins

Pinoy among Rody's legal defense team

A Filipino lawyer will be among the five-member core defense team of detained former president Rodrigo Duterte, with his lead counsel Nicholas Kaufman currently interviewing candidates, Duterte's daughter, Vice President Sara Duterte, confirmed.

3 mins

BBM drops Imee from Alyansa senatorial slate?

Is Imee out of the administration's senatorial ticket?

1 min

Journalists urged: File raps vs fake news peddlers

The National Bureau of Investigation on Friday urged journalists to file cases against peddlers of fake news.

3 mins

Medialdea discharged from hospital

Former executive secretary Salvador Medialdea has been discharged from hospital in The Hague, Sen. Bong Go said yesterday.

1 min

Comelec says 95% ready for election day

With less than two months before the May 12 midterm polls, the Commission on Elections yesterday said it is 95 percent ready for election day.

1 min

Pacman Sends Condolences

Filipino boxing icon Manny Pacquiao issued a message of sympathy to Foreman's family.

1 min

DFA: Married women can use maiden name in passport

Married Filipinas who wish to use their maiden name in their passports may now do so under the New Philippine Passport Law or Republic Act 11983.

1 min

3 Phil Eagles returned to Leyte

Three Philippine Eagles were successfully transferred to the Department of Environment and Natural Resources' (DENR) Eco-lodge in Mahagnao, Burauen, Leyte, yesterday.

1 min

DepEd to streamline procurement policies

The Department of Education is now pursuing reforms in its procurement policies to \"level supplier competition and ensure the integrity of the bidding process\" and consequently, speed up the delivery of learning resources to public schools.

1 min

US

\"These engagements will drive ongoing efforts to strengthen our alliances and partnerships toward our shared vision for a free and open Indo-Pacific,\" he said.

1 min

Murder, Frustrated Murder Cases Filed vs Cop

Complaints for murder and frustrated murder were filed against a policeman who figured in a road rage shooting on Thursday night.

1 min

Phl to Host ASEAN Social Work Day 2025

Recognizing the role of social workers in disaster risk reduction and climate change resilience across Southeast Asia, the Philippines will host on Tuesday the hybrid celebration of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Social Work Day 2025.

1 min

Groups Slam Plan to Demolish Old Sta. Mesa Fire Station

After workers barricaded the 106-year-old Sta. Mesa fire station with corrugated sheets, heritage conservation groups slammed the decision to demolish one of four prewar fire stations in Manila.

1 min

Belmonte Leads Earth Hour 2025 Switch-Off in QC

Mayor Joy Belmonte yesterday led Quezon City's annual participation to the Earth Hour as part of the global call for unified climate action.

1 min

JFK files: Reopening of old wounds

BABE'S EYE VIEW FROM WASHINGTON, D.C.

4 mins

Succession at the Consunji Group

EYES WIDE OPEN

3 mins

'Ghost' students

EDITORIAL

2 mins

Women talk about mental health

We talked about themes that were once deemed taboo. What was formerly discussed in hushed tones because of the stigma attached to it now sparks healthy debates and informed exchanges.

4 mins

Are green card holders at risk under Trump?

There have been several news reports and viral videos concerning lawful permanent residents (LPR or green card holders) having their green cards taken away or revoked and then being in removal or deportation proceedings.

4 mins

Philippines First' foreign policy

DIPLOMATIC POUCH

6 mins

Last 4 Missing Hikers Rescued

Four hikers who were among six foreigners reported missing in the mountains of Negros Oriental were rescued yesterday morning in the forest of Amlan town.

1 min

Poll bet's aide killed in Bulacan attack

Three people, including a consultant of a congressional aspirant, were killed while seven others were wounded in an attack by unidentified gunmen in San Rafael, Bulacan on Friday afternoon.

1 min

Tuba, Benguet school reaps benefits of SM school building turned over in 2019

Seven years ago, Tuba Central School (TCS) had to make do with overcrowded classrooms, each accommodating up to 53 students on a typical school day.

3 mins

Albay Shares Best Practices in Volcano Ops With Negros

The provincial government of Albay has shared its best practices in handling the unrest of Mayon Volcano with officials of Negros Island, who are dealing with the increased activity of Kanlaon.

1 min

'Coco 2' film in the works at Disney, Pixar

\"Coco\" is getting a sequel.

1 min

Ukraine hopes for partial ceasefire at Saudi talks

Ukraine hopes to secure at least a partial ceasefire at upcoming talks in Saudi Arabia, during which US officials will meet separately with Russian and Ukrainian delegations, a senior Ukrainian source told AFP on Friday.

1 min

Conor McGregor Appeals Rape Case Amid Ireland Presidential Bid

Lawyers for Irish mixed martial arts star Conor McGregor began an appeal on Friday after a woman won a civil court damages claim over her allegation that he raped her.

1 min

First flights land at Heathrow after power station fire

Some flights began to land at London's Heathrow Airport late on Friday after a fire at a power station grounded planes at Europe's busiest air hub, causing travel chaos for thousands of people around the world.

1 min

US revokes legal status for 500,000 immigrants

The United States said on Friday it was terminating the legal status of hundreds of thousands of immigrants, giving them weeks to leave the country.

1 min

Trump Admits Musk Susceptible on China

US President Donald Trump said on Friday that Elon Musk should not be allowed to see top secret US plans for any war with China, in a rare admission that his billionaire ally's business links raised potential conflicts of interest.

1 min

Japan, China, South Korea Discuss Trilateral Cooperation

TOKYO (AP) — Foreign ministers from Japan, China, and South Korea reaffirmed the importance of denuclearization on the Korean peninsula and sought common ground in areas like aging, low birth rates, natural disasters, and cultural exchange at a meeting that took place at a time of growing tensions.

1 min

Israel defense minister threatens to annex parts of Gaza

Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz threatened on Friday to annex parts of the Gaza Strip unless Hamas militants release the remaining Israeli hostages held in the war-battered Palestinian territory.

1 min

Creamline in semis; Petro stays alive

Creamline added another milestone as it claimed its 17th straight semifinal stint with a 20-25, 25-21, 25-22, 25-22 win over Chery Tiggo in the Premier Volleyball League All-Filipino Conference last night at the Ynares Center here.

1 min

Lady Falcons end four-game skid

Adamson vented its ire on winless University of the East, 25-20, 25-11, 25-21, to snap a four-game slide in the UAAP Season 87 women's volleyball yesterday at the Mall of Asia Arena.

1 min

Eala shocks Ostapenko in Miami

Alex Eala soared to greater heights, pulling off historic victory over the world No. 25 and 2017 French Open champion Jelena Ostapenko of Latvia, 7-6(2), 7-5, in the Miami Open yesterday at the Hardrock Stadium in Florida.

1 min

Pivotal Game 5 at Big Dome

For Barangay Ginebra, the challenge is to keep Justin Brownlee in \"playing condition\" despite his dislocated right thumb. For TNT, it's all about showing character after a bad setback.

1 min

Arellano dents Letran's shining armor

Arellano University dented Letran's unblemished record with a 25-20, 22-25, 25-23, 25-20 victory yesterday and bolstered its sagging bid in NCAA Season 100 women's volleyball at the JRU Gym.

1 min

An unexpected blow-out

Barangay Ginebra's 95-78 romp over TNT in Game 4 of the PBA Commissioner's Cup Finals at the Ynares Center, Antipolo, last Friday was an unexpected blow-out.

2 mins

Domestic Trade Value Down in Q4

Goods traded within the country declined by 25 percent in the fourth quarter of 2024 from the previous year amid the series of typhoons that hit the country.

2 mins

Financial system resources hit P33.6 T

The total resources of the country's financial system grew by almost eight percent as of end-January amid continued asset expansion in bank and non-bank financial institutions, preliminary data from the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) showed.

1 min

Construction Activity Slows in January

Construction activity slowed at the start of the year as approved building permits dropped by 14.6 percent in January, according to the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA).

1 min

Sari-sari store activity up 32% in 2024

Sari-sari store activity picked up in 2024 from a year ago, fueled by growth in the regions, according to technology startup Packworks.

1 min

Exporters Group Seeks More Gov't Support

The country's umbrella group of exporters is pushing for stronger government support with export performance expected to fall below target this year.

1 min

Capt. Rona Guevarra's remarkable flight to success

Nursing's loss is aviation's gain with Capt. Rona Guevarra, one of 66 female pilots from Philippine Airlines' roster of 839. The Iloilo City native had set her sights on the nursing profession and was already doing her board review when she saw a pilot recruitment poster in her university campus.

6 mins

Monde Clearing Path for Food Security, Healthier Products

Snack food giant Monde Nissin Corp. continues to lead in clearing the path for better and healthier products as part of the company's efforts to contribute to food security.

2 mins

Feedback is key to learning and improvement

Some books may have been written years ago, but as I browsed through them, I found that they still make much sense today.

2 mins

Ajinomoto eyes 3rd facility to meet rising demand

Food company Ajinomoto Philippines Corp. (APC) is considering setting up a third manufacturing plant in the country with its output nearing full capacity.

1 min

First Gen nets $245 M in 2024

First Gen Corp. of the Lopez Group saw its earnings slide last year due to increased expenses, coupled with lower contributions from its green energy business.

1 min

Converge building more fiber ports in rural areas

Broadband provider Converge ICT Solutions Inc. plans to expand its fiber network to 11 million ports by 2027, as it hunts for more opportunities to scale up its subscriber base in far-flung areas.

1 min

MPower expands tie-up with Go family-led firms

MPower, the local retail electricity arm of tycoon Manuel V. Pangilinan's Manila Electric Co. (Meralco), is further strengthening its partnership with the family of businessman Emilio Go.

1 min

CLI Mulls Another P5-B Bond Offer Later This Year

Cebu Landmasters Inc. (CLI) is looking at another sustainability-linked debt facility later this year after successfully raising P5 billion from an oversubscribed sustainability-linked bond issuance.

1 min

The danger of deepfakes

The Philippines experienced the biggest jump in deepfakes among all countries in Asia-Pacific, according to a 2023 report by identity verification platform Sumsub.

4 mins

PEZA Releases Guidelines for Pharmazone Dev't

The Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA) has issued the guidelines for the registration of pharmaceutical economic zones or pharmazones, in line with the agency's push to attract medical and drug manufacturing-related investments in the country with the aim of making medicines more affordable to the public.

1 min

Phl to import less soybean meal from US

Philippine demand for soybean meal from the United States may fall below 2.6 million metric tons (MT) in the current market year due to weaker animal feed demand as local swine production remains challenged by African swine fever.

2 mins

DA Reconvenes Consultative Body on Livestock, Poultry Issues

The Department of Agriculture (DA) has reconvened a consultative body that tackles pressing livestock and poultry industry issues with stakeholders for timely policymaking decisions.

1 min

BRIGHT, BOLD, AND BEAUTIFUL: CELEBRATING WOMEN THROUGH BEAUTY

Rustan's Beauty Source GRLPWR 2025: Summer in Full Color celebrates Women's Month and welcomes summer with a vivid display of art, beauty, and self-expression

3 mins

Ycoy Sitchon and the Blooming Flower Garden in Her Soul

Dan Brown once described Manila as the \"gates of hell\" in his novel, Inferno. With temperatures soaring to levels that would make even the devil sweat, one might argue that he wasn't too far off the mark.

4 mins

Barbie Imperial's Secret to an Effortless Glow Starts With "Step Zero"

The newest brand ambassador of Belotero® Revive shares how it simplifies her skincare routine

3 mins

ABS-CBN's story inspires Columbia Business School MBA students

For MBA students at Columbia Business School who visited ABS-CBN, the company's transformation story is more than just an informative case study; it is also an inspiring story of resilience, reinvention, and strategic transformation.

2 mins

ARTSTART'S SHOW BECOMES REUNION OF FRIENDS PICKING UP WHERE THEY LEFT OFF

It may have taken the current iteration of Artstart approximately 30 years to reunite, but if we go by how well its members meshed at last Saturday's reunion concert at the Music Museum, it sure looked like they were simply picking up where they left off.

4 mins

Fans get surprise 'mini-concert' from the Eraserheads

The Eraserheads surprised fans with a \"mini-concert\" after the sold-out screening of the iconic band's documentary film \"Eraserheads: Combo on The Run\" at the Gateway Mall Cinema 5 on Friday night.

2 mins

KIM CHIU AND PAULO AVELINO: WHAT MAKES THEIR LOVETEAM WORK?

ARE THEY OR AREN'T THEY? AS THEY SAY, JUST READ BETWEEN THE LINES.

3 mins

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