General

Manila: The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) has so far provided PHP2.28 million worth of relief items to families affected by the intense rainfall in Mindanao due to the intertropical convergence zone (ITCZ), an agency official reported on Sunday. According to Philippines News Agency, DSWD spokesperson, Assistant Secretary Irene Dumlao, emphasized the ongoing coordination with local government units (LGUs) as directed by President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. This collaboration aims to deliver immediate assistance and comfort to affected families. The adverse effects of the ITCZ, from May 15 to 18, have impacted families across Regions 9 (Zamboanga Peninsula),

Laoag: Olympic gold medalist Hidilyn Diaz-Naranjo welcomed the inclusion of weightlifting as a demonstration sport in the 65th Palarong Pambansa, calling it a significant step toward strengthening grassroots development for the sport in the Philippines. During a dry run at Laoag Central Elementary School, Diaz-Naranjo expressed hope that weightlifting will become a regular sport in next year’s edition of the national youth games. She thanked the Department of Education (DepEd) for this development. According to Philippines News Agency, Diaz-Naranjo said, “I should be thankful that weightlifting is now a demo sport. Hopefully next year, it will become a regular sport,

Quezon City: Petro Gazz star Brooke Van Sickle was named Premier Volleyball League (PVL) Most Valuable Player (MVP) for her outstanding performance throughout the season. The 27-year-old outside hitter will receive the highest individual honor during the inaugural Pilipinas Live PVL Press Corps Awards Night at Novotel Manila Araneta City in Quezon City on May 28. According to Philippines News Agency, Van Sickle led the Angels to the 2024-2025 All-Filipino Conference (AFC) title, ending Creamline’s reign. She had a weighted score of 227.6 points, calculated from 50 percent statistics, 30 percent media votes, and 20 percent team votes. Van Sickle

Kuala Lumpur: President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. departed for Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, to attend the 46th ASEAN Summit, where regional leaders are expected to formulate a collective response to the United States’ new tariff measures. Before boarding his flight at Villamor Air Base in Pasay City, Marcos noted that informal consultations had already been initiated among ASEAN leaders, indicating a shift in the bloc’s economic stance amid escalating global trade tensions. According to Philippines News Agency, Marcos mentioned that he had preliminary discussions with the Chair of ASEAN, Malaysia’s Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, regarding the proper response of ASEAN as

Manila: The Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO), in coordination with the Office of Civil Defense (OCD) and the Philippine Air Force (PAF), has successfully airlifted approximately 2,500 “ChariTimba” relief packages using a C-130 aircraft for the families severely impacted by the recent flooding in Maguindanao del Sur. According to Philippines News Agency, the operation followed specific instructions from President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr., emphasizing the collaborative efforts of various government agencies to ensure swift delivery of aid to the affected communities. The OCD highlighted the government’s commitment to promptly providing assistance to those in dire need due to the severe