The Philippine Star - February 14, 2025

In this issue

February 14, 2025

PPCRV Tells Congress: Pass Election Reforms

It's time for lawmakers to help put an end to political dynasties and premature campaigning by passing electoral reform laws, Parish Pastoral Council for Responsible Voting (PPCRV) chairperson Evelyn Singson said yesterday.

1 min

On V-Day, Pinoys prefer love, companionship to money

This Valentine's season, more Filipinos prefer to receive love and companionship than material things like money and flowers.

2 mins

Willie Ong Withdraws Senate Bid

Doctor-vlogger Willy Ong is backing out of the May 2025 senatorial race to focus on his cancer treatment.

2 mins

29 Phl firms in World's Best Companies list

Ayala Corp., the country's oldest conglomerate, led the list of 29 Philippine companies that made it to the World's Best Companies of 2025 in the Asia-Pacific by TIME and Statista.

2 mins

Bautista out; Dizon next transport chief

PCO chief goes on leave

4 mins

Declare stand on Sara's impeachment, bets told

Two members of the \"Young Guns\" group in the House of Representatives have proposed that all senatorial candidates - administration or opposition - should make known their positions on the impeachment of Vice President Sara Duterte.

2 mins

Comelec, Miru urged to disclose election contract details

A freedom of information advocacy group on Thursday filed a petition for certiorari and mandamus before the Supreme Court to compel the Commission on Elections (Comelec) and Miru Systems Co. Ltd. to disclose updated details of the P18-billion contract after a local partner withdrew from the joint venture.

1 min

Marcos on midterm polls: Horrific or bright future?

President Marcos yesterday framed the upcoming midterm polls as a choice between \"horror\" and a \"bright and peaceful future,\" as he repeated his attacks against the previous administration while touting the \"clean record\" of the senatorial candidates of the administration coalition.

1 min

Onion Prices Reach P250/Kilo

Red onions' retail price has reached P250 per kilo, with farmers' groups criticizing the Department of Agriculture (DA) for importing bulbs when the onion harvest season has already started.

1 min

AFP: 7th multilateral WPS exercise a success

With the Philippine Navy's BRP Andres Bonifacio frigate sailing side by side with Canada's HMCS Ottawa warship in the West Philippine Sea (WPS), the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) declared Wednesday's 7th Multilateral Maritime Cooperative Activity (MMCA) a success.

1 min

Phl to lose P4-B foreign aid for education programs

With the United States' 90-day foreign aid freeze, the Philippines is set to lose over P4 billion in assistance for key education initiatives, Education Secretary Sonny Angara said yesterday.

2 mins

Cherish Every Moment—Unforgettable #ValentinesAtSM Ideas for Every Kind of Love

Planning a romantic night out, a fun-filled Valentine's, or a well-deserved day of self-love? Feel the magic, make memories, and experience all the kilig moments first at SM—the #HomeOfFirsts.

3 mins

Taguig top cop probed over warrantless search

Taguig police chief Col. Joey Goforth will be investigated following a warrantless search, which led to the relief of 10 police personnel.

1 min

Quiboloy Back in Pasig Jail

After being confined in a hospital for pneumonia, alleged sex offender Apollo Quiboloy returned to the Pasig City jail on Wednesday night, the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology reported yesterday.

1 min

Sandro Muhlach Case: Court Junks Lasciviousness Raps

A Pasay court has dismissed one of the criminal charges filed by actor Sandro Muhlach against two independent television contractors he accused of sexually assaulting him in July.

1 min

NBI Rescues 2 Pinays from African Drug Ring

The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) has rescued two Filipino women from a drug ring in Malaysia and is now tracking down the group's members operating in the Philippines.

1 min

Phl, UAE sign treaties to boost legal cooperation

Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla has signed several treaties with the United Arab Emirates (UAE) involving extradition, mutual legal assistance in criminal matters and the transfer of sentenced persons.

1 min

Abuse of female DJ condemned

Women's group Gabriela has condemned the alleged abuse suffered by disc jockey Jellie Aw at the hands of her fiancé, Jam Ignacio.

1 min

Negative campaigning

SKETCHES

3 mins

Who wants to be VP?

CTALK

4 mins

Electoral reforms

EDITORIAL

1 min

Mere allegation

A LAW EACH DAY [Keeps Trouble Away]

3 mins

Responsible Parenthood and Reproductive Health Act of 2012

ROSES & THORNS

3 mins

'Forthwith' means 'agad'

COMMONSENSE

4 mins

Top NPA amazon slain in Agusan del Norte clash

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY - The alleged highest female official of the New People's Army (NPA) was killed in an encounter in the hinterlands of Butuan City in Agusan del Norte on Wednesday afternoon.

1 min

DepEd Plan to Promote 15,000 Teachers Hailed

A plan of the Department of Education (DepEd) to promote over 15,000 qualified teachers to school principals this year has been described as a significant step toward addressing the shortage of public school administrators.

1 min

3 Die as Truck Rams Trike in Dipolog

Three people, including two minors, died after a truck loaded with motorcycles hit the victims' tricycle in Dipolog City on Wednesday morning.

1 min

1,045 Soldiers to Secure Elections in Negros

Up to 1,045 soldiers will be deployed in Negros Occidental to secure the May 12 elections, the military said yesterday.

1 min

Ex-DENR exec gets 112 years for graft

The Sandiganbayan has sentenced to 112 years in prison an official of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources in the former Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (DENR-ARMM) in connection with the allegedly anomalous procurement of P3.76 million worth of office supplies and equipment in 2010.

1 min

California Braces for Flooding as Snow Comes to Oregon

Officials in California distributed sandbags, prepositioned rescue swimmers, and told residents to have their go-bags ready as the state prepares for an atmospheric river that could bring heavy rain, winds, and flooding Thursday to areas ravaged by wildfires.

1 min

Egypt, Qatar working to salvage Gaza ceasefire deal

Egyptian and Qatari mediators were working to salvage the ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas on Wednesday, according to Egypt's state-run Al-Qahera News TV, which is close to the country's security agencies.

1 min

Shakira Kicks Off 1st World Tour in 7 Years

Shakira (in photo) launched her first worldwide tour in seven years from Rio de Janeiro this week for her latest Grammy-winning album \"Las mujeres ya no lloran\" (Women Don't Cry Anymore).

1 min

Trump: Putin, Zelensky Want Peace

Phone calls kick off talks to end Ukraine war

1 min

Gas explosion at Taiwan food court kills 4

A gas explosion at a department store in Taiwan yesterday killed four people and left eight hospitalized, fire authorities said.

1 min

Musk Calls for US Gov't to 'Delete Entire Agencies'

Billionaire Elon Musk called yesterday to \"delete entire agencies\" from the United States' federal government as part of his push under US President Donald Trump to radically cut spending and restructure its priorities.

1 min

Sure medal for Pinoy curlers

It's hard to imagine a tropical country like the Philippines competing and even snaring a medal in the Asian Winter Games.

1 min

Bolts kiss EASL hopes goodbye

Taiwan's New Taipei pulled the plug on Meralco's Final Four bid in the East Asia Super League with a 106-96 double-overtime victory Wednesday night at the University of Taipei Gymnasium.

1 min

NU fired up in UAAP volley

All eyes will be on National U as it seeks a back-to-back title feat it failed to achieve two years ago in UAAP Season 87 women's volleyball tournament firing off tomorrow at the Mall of Asia Arena.

1 min

Rondina pushes Choco past Nxled

Coming through big when she needed it most, Rondina did what she always does. Choco Mucho survived Nxled 21-25, 25-23, 15-10, yesterday in the Volleyball League All-Filipino at the PhilSports Arena.

1 min

Kim grabs lead with 18 holes left

South Korea's Ahyeon Kim stormed to the top with a flawless, bogey-free 67 entering the final round of the ICTSI Worldwide Link Philippine Ladies Masters yesterday at the Country Club in Sta. Rosa, Laguna.

1 min

GILAS FLEXES MUSCLES IN DOHA

Gilas Pilipinas looks to harness the defensive abilities of comebacking mainstays AJ Edu and Jamie Malonzo as the Nationals tweak their approach sans ACL-hit center Kai Sotto.

1 min

Secret is never retire

The man who made \"Pinoy Pride\" a mantra in Philippine boxing is no longer involved in the sport as he closed down the famed ALA stable in 2020 after a 35-year journey that produced world champions Donnie Nietes, Milan Melindo and Merlito Sabillo while spawning the likes of Mark Magsayo, Melvin Jerusalem, Rey (Boom Boom) Bautista, AJ Banal, Edito Villamor, Malcolm Tunacao, Andy Tabanas and Jeo Santisima.

2 mins

Bittersweet Valentine's: Chocolate price rise to persist

Chocolates and roses. It has always been chocolates and roses on Valentine's Day. But unlike the song of The Green, Filipino lovers may have to resist a sweet bite of chocolate as the price of the beloved sweet continues to turn bitter.

2 mins

SEX, LOVE, ROCK AND ROLL Motel business still thriving

They're used for a few hours of wild sex, love and even death, but rarely for a good night's rest or an afternoon siesta.

3 mins

BSP surprises market as it holds off rate cut

The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) opted to keep borrowing costs unchanged yesterday amid lingering global uncertainties, marking the first time it held interest rates steady after three straight rate cuts last year.

2 mins

Smartphone Sales Rise 6% to 18 M Units in 2024

Even as Filipinos struggled with a weaker peso in 2024, their yearly tradition of buying a new gadget continued, resulting in the purchase of almost 18 million new smartphones.

1 min

Market Up Anew Ahead of BSP Policy Meeting

Share prices climbed anew as investors waited for the outcome of the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) policy meeting, which came out after trading.

1 min

Banks' bad loans ratio eases to two-year low

The soured loans of Philippine banks continued to ease in December last year, hitting the lowest level in two years, as improved borrower repayment capacity and sustained economic activity helped reduce defaults.

1 min

Sta. Lucia Earmarks P5B for 2025 Capex

Listed real estate developer Sta. Lucia Land Inc. is looking to spend as much P5 billion to sustain its expansion this year.

1 min

Hedcor Supports Benguet Community Meet Surging Demand for Premium Arabica Coffee

Hedcor, a renewable asset manager of Aboitiz Power Corporation (AboitizPower), donated 5,000 Arabica coffee wildlings and 500 cacao seedlings to the highland municipality of Bakun, Benguet to help farmers scale production and take advantage of rising demand.

1 min

Gov't Hiking Purchase of Raw Sugar to 500K MT

The government will siphon off as much as a quarter of the country's projected raw sugar supply as it seeks to propel farmgate prices of the commodity to a level favorable to planters while keeping retail prices affordable to consumers.

2 mins

Making the switch to hybrid

My husband and I have grown old driving conventional gas or diesel motor engine vehicles.

4 mins

The new Audi Q7: First-class seating for 7

All-rounder family SUV offers luxurious space, comfortable ride, contemporary design

2 mins

Impressively capable, surprisingly refined, and delightfully well-priced: The BAIC B30e Dune is the Hybrid SUV you're looking for

The BAIC B30e Dune is a compelling hybrid SUV that delivers impressive performance, fuel efficiency, and a host of advanced features at a surprisingly competitive price point.

3 mins

Higher power spot market rates loom

Electricity rates in the country's power spot market are likely to rise in the coming months due to higher demand driven by the summer heat and election campaign rallies.

2 mins

No more foreign ownership limit in Jollibee - PSE

Asian food conglomerate Jollibee Foods Corp. (JFC) has secured the green light from the Philippine Stock Exchange (PSE) to remove the foreign ownership limit in the company.

1 min

How These Artists Keep The Romance Alive In Marriage

Keeping the romance alive in a marriage takes effort, commitment and a willingness to adapt to life's ever-changing dynamics - especially when kids enter the picture.

3 mins

Kuh Ledesma, daughter Isabella talk about secrets that bond mother and child

The love month celebrates all forms of love and relationships, although we have a particular day to honor our moms, dads, grandparents and friends.

3 mins

Bridget Jones is middle-aged now and still loved

It is a truth universally acknowledged, as Bridget Jones herself might write in her diary, that at the end of any \"Bridget Jones\" movie, our heroine has triumphed over all doubts and obstacles and is finally happy.

3 mins

STAR-STUDDED CAST FEATURED IN 2025 CINEPANALO FILMFEST

This year's Puregold CinePanalo Film Festival will feature a star-studded cast to appear in the seven competing film entries, which will be screened at the Gateway Cineplex 18 from March 14 to 25.

3 mins

Gaita taught us good taste, and taught JFK Jr. how to play backgammon

The \"unexpected\" death of celebrated chef and restaurateur Margarita \"Gaita\" Fores early this week at the relatively young age of 65 was a jolt to us all about the uncertainty of life, of how tomorrow is never promised, and of why we must live the moment.

4 mins

A million and one threads of creativity

Clothes tell a story. Miranda Priestly had an extensive lecture about \"that lumpy blue sweater\" in The Devil Wears Prada just to emphasize that behind fashion is a tale of blood, sweat and tears, of private struggles and personal wins, of creativity and commerce.

3 mins

What Men Want: Speed, Precision, and Style

Philip Stein expands its men's collection—just in time for the season of love—with the Speed Ceramic Edition, an evolution of the Speed series that embodies precision, durability, and refined craftsmanship.

1 min

JOSH KIM & MARY BUENAVENTURA

A real Korean-Filipino love story, worthy of a K-drama

4 mins

Fauré Le Page: Luxury Accessories For Him & Her

Fauré Le Page offers the ultimate expression of love through its meticulously crafted accessories.

2 mins

Cartier: Love Out Of The Box

From the elegant Love Collection to the legendary Panthère, Tank, and Santos watches, Cartier presents an unforgettable way to express your love through the timeless beauty of fine jewelry and horology.

1 min

Valentine's Day Is Woke

Here we go again. It's Valentine's Day, the annual global showcase of public displays of affection, overpriced flowers, SRO restaurants, overbooked motels, and the crushing realization that you're either part of the in-love crowd or lurking in the single-and-loving-it corner.

4 mins

Love Yourself, Love the Planet: A Holistic Approach to Self-Care

In today's fast-paced world, the pursuit of self-care often feels like a luxury, a fleeting moment stolen from a demanding schedule.

2 mins

Explore Cinema-Inspired Spots and Japan Finds at Shangri-La Plaza

Shangri-La Plaza hosts \"Into the Heart of Japan,\" a curated selection of events that celebrate and promote Japanese arts and culture, in partnership with The Japan Foundation Manila.

2 mins

Travel The World With The New BDO Visa Signature

BDO Unibank Inc. and Visa launched the BDO Visa Signature in the Philippines at Grand Hyatt Manila.

1 min

Say it with pearls

Looking for the best Valentine's gifts for the women in your life? Check out a wide selection of authentic South Sea and freshwater pearls, semi-precious stones, and handcrafted accessories at Kultura's Jewelry Market which runs until Feb. 28 at all branches of Kultura.

1 min

Burlesque PH Just Wants To Have Fun!

Burlesque PH rekindled my love for creating, reminding me that art is meant to be fun. In a world where creativity is often reduced to its market value, it's easy to forget that, at its core, art is self-expression. It isn't meant to exist for an audience; it exists for the artist.

4 mins

Do I yearn for love or the spectacle of it?

My boyfriend likes to call February an \"untouchable month\"—a time when he's the Ken to my Barbie, especially since my birthday falls right on Valentine's Day. Every year we ask, what's the plan? Do we invite our friends? Is that restaurant still taking reservations?

3 mins

The Essence of Bayside Living

Shore 3 Residences is the embodiment of SMDC's Bayside Living philosophy, where urban sophistication meets the ease of a waterfront retreat.

1 min

A Day in the Life at Shore 3: Serene Bayside Living at MOA Complex

The day starts early at Shore 3 Residences, an exclusive development under SMDC's Bayside Living portfolio.

2 mins

LOVE AND SHARED SPACES:Resolving conflict, creating harmony,and establishing peace

‘Being alone for a while is dangerous. It’s addicting.’ This quote, attributed to the actor Tom Hardy, pertains to the good side of solo living: you realize how peaceful it is to be by yourself because you don’t have to meet anyone’s expectations; you don’t have to worry about disappointing them; and you basically experience a slice of freedom not many people do.

2 mins

Embrace a new chapter of modern living in Davao with One Lakeshore Drive

Long celebrated for its natural beauty and vibrant culture, Davao is once again on the rise, and with it comes a new landmark that is set to redefine urban living in Mindanao.

3 mins

Embrace a new chapter of modern living in Davao with One Lakeshore Drive

Long celebrated for its natural beauty and vibrant culture, Davao is once again on the rise, and with it comes a new landmark that is set to redefine urban living in Mindanao.

3 mins

DPWH Enforces Supreme Court Decision on National Building Code

After two decades, the Supreme Court has finally ruled that only duly licensed and registered architects are authorized to prepare, sign, and seal architectural plans and documents.

2 mins

Invasion of hospitality giants

The Philippine travel and tourism sector continues to attract major hospitality brands. This is primarily due to the sector’s growth potential especially given the Marcos administration’s plans to rehabilitate and modernize airports across the country.

3 mins

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