Day: November 3, 2025

Manila: The Government of Japan honored two Filipinos for their contributions to strengthening Japan-Philippines relations in diplomacy, infrastructure, and economic cooperation. According to Philippines News Agency, the Embassy of Japan in Manila announced that former Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri received the Grand Cordon of the Order of the Rising Sun, while former Transportation Secretary Jaime Bautista was conferred the Order of the Rising Sun, Gold and Silver Star under Japan’s 2025 Autumn Conferment of Decorations on Foreign Nationals. Zubiri, who served as Senate president from 2022 to 2024, was recognized for his leadership in advancing inter-parliamentary exchanges and supporting

Alabang: The Bull Runner (TBR) Dream Marathon is set to welcome a record 3,000 participants for its 2026 edition at Filinvest City, Alabang. Scheduled for February 15, the InLife-TBR 2026 marks the highest number of runners since the marathon’s inception in 2010. According to Philippines News Agency, InLife president and CEO Raoul Littaua highlighted the marathon’s significance in a news release. He emphasized the marathon as a metaphor for setting goals and embracing the journey to achieve them. Littaua stated, “Over the last 115 years, we have stood foursquare behind Filipinos protecting what matters most to them as they pursue

Manila: Heavy selling earlier in the day resulted in the negative close of the Philippine Stock Exchange index (PSEi) Monday, but the Philippine peso ended sideways against the U.S. dollar. The local bourse’s main index shed 1.71 percent to 5,828.06 points, and the All Shares by 1.24 percent to 3,548.90 points. According to Philippines News Agency, only the Services index ended with gains, with 0.03 percent, but the rest finished on the red, led by the Financials that fell 3.33 percent. Mining and Oil fell 2.11 percent, trailed by Property, 1.97 percent; Holding Firms, 1.34 percent; and Industrial, 1.24 percent.

Manila: The Department of Agriculture (DA) on Monday expressed optimism that farmgate prices of palay (unhusked rice) will continue to strengthen as the government approved the rice import ban until the end of 2025. Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. told the Philippine News Agency that the extension took effect on Nov. 1, although the DA is still awaiting the issuance of the final order. According to Philippines News Agency, in an earlier interview, DA spokesperson Assistant Secretary Arnel de Mesa said the agency is expecting to receive a copy of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s order within the day.

Caraga: The Department of Social Welfare and Development in Caraga Region (DSWD-13) has strategically prepositioned 81,989 family food packs in anticipation of Typhoon Tino’s impending landfall. According to Philippines News Agency, the DSWD-13 has ensured that these supplies are ready for effective response. The agency highlighted that priority areas include island municipalities within the region to guarantee timely relief assistance once required. A transfer of 846 food packs from the Dinagat Islands’ provincial warehouse to Tubajon municipality has been completed for prepositioning, ensuring immediate availability of food assistance on the ground. Additionally, DSWD-13 distributed 1,000 food packs to residents in