Manila: The Bureau of Immigration (BI) recorded a 12 percent increase in international travel amid the observation of All Saints’ and All Souls’ Days. In a statement, the BI reported that it processed 167,538 passengers on Oct. 31 and Nov. 1, higher than the 149,257 recorded during the same period in 2023. It noted that the influx, fueled by the ‘Undas’ season, brought high passenger volumes to major Philippine airports, particularly on those two days. According to Philippines News Agency, on Oct. 31, BI recorded 41,078 arrivals and 43,341 departures across the country. The Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal

Basco: A few hours after resuming normal operations following the onslaught of Super Typhoon Leon, the Basco Airport in Batanes was again closed for the weekend after a Philippine Air Force Airbus C-295 skidded off the runway at about 4 p.m. Friday. The medium tactical transport aircraft, with Tail No. 217, delivered relief goods for the typhoon victims. According to Philippines News Agency, the aircraft skidded off the runway after its nose landing gear detached upon touchdown. The Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) in Basco stated that the airport would be closed to fixed-wing aircraft until November 3

Quezon city: Ginebra finally put one over TNT, 85-73, in Game 3 of the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) Governors’ Cup finals at Smart Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City on Friday. Ginebra stifled TNT defensively in the fourth quarter, holding the Tropang Giga to only 14 points en route to victory that narrowed the best-of-seven gap to 2-1. According to Philippines News Agency, Ginebra coach Tim Cone expressed that the first two games served as a wake-up call for the team, and he hopes this victory will motivate them throughout the series. Scottie Thompson was named the best player of the

Manila: The Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission (PAOCC) has distanced itself from an anti-POGO police operation conducted at the Century Peak Tower in Ermita, Manila, on October 29. The PAOCC labeled the operation as ‘flawed’ due to the reported release of foreign suspects. According to Philippines News Agency, the operation was led by the Philippine National Police Anti-Cybercrime Group (PNP-ACG) at the 40-story Century Peak Tower, a location believed to employ individuals from previously closed Philippine Offshore Gaming Operator (POGO) hubs. Manila Mayor Honey Lacuna was informed of the raid during its execution, but the PAOCC stated it was neither consulted

Manila: The easterlies are expected to bring cloudy skies and rain showers to most parts of the Philippines, as reported by the weather bureau. According to the 4 a.m. weather advisory from the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA), regions including Cagayan Valley, Aurora, Quezon, the Bicol Region, and Eastern Visayas will experience partly cloudy to cloudy skies with isolated rain showers or thunderstorms. According to Philippines News Agency, PAGASA has indicated that Metro Manila and other parts of the country will also see partly cloudy to cloudy conditions accompanied by isolated rain showers or thunderstorms due to

Manila: In recognition of Filipino architects’ contributions to the country, President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has declared December as “Philippine Architecture Festival – National Architecture Month.” Under Proclamation 724, signed by Marcos on October 28 and made public on Saturday, the Board of Architecture under the Professional Regulation Commission has been tasked with leading the observance of this month-long celebration. The Board will coordinate with accredited architectural organizations to promote the discipline and recognize the significant contributions of Filipino architects. According to Philippines News Agency, Proclamation 934, issued in 1971, initially declared the second week of December as “Architecture Week.”