Hong Kong Hosts Global Friendship Games, Uniting International Bowlers
The Filipino Bowling Club of Hong Kong successfully hosted the Global Friendship Games 2025, an international bowling tournament that drew participants from multiple countries over the weekend. Held at the South China Athletic Association Bowling Center in Causeway Bay on May 3-4, the tournament featured bowling teams from Australia, Singapore, Malaysia, Korea, and various Philippine cities. Newly appointed Filipino Consul General...
Migrant Workers Secretary Urges Lawmakers to Prioritize Overseas Filipino Workers’ Welfare
The Philippines' Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) is pushing newly elected officials to prioritize the protection and reintegration of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs), a critical workforce that underpins the nation's economic stability. DMW Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac told reporters Wednesday that the agency is committed to working closely with incoming lawmakers to fulfill President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.'s vision of a...
Overseas Filipino Remittances Climb 2.6% in March, Central Bank Reports
MANILA — Remittances from overseas Filipino workers continued their steady ascent in March, providing a crucial financial lifeline for millions of Philippine families, the central bank reported Thursday. The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) revealed that cash remittances rose 2.6% year-on-year to $2.81 billion in March, marking another positive indicator of the Philippines' economic resilience amid global economic uncertainties. Total personal...
4 Filipino Seafarers Under Investigation in Massive Drug Bust in South Korea
MANILA — The Philippine government is providing comprehensive support to 20 Filipino seafarers involved in a massive drug seizure aboard the M/V Lunita in South Korea, officials said Wednesday. The Korea Coast Guard's record-breaking interception of over two tons of suspected cocaine has left four crew members under ongoing investigation, while 16 others have been repatriated and cleared of direct...
French Actor Gerard Depardieu Convicted of Sexual Assault, Given Suspended Sentence
In a landmark case that resonates with the ongoing #MeToo movement, renowned French actor Gerard Depardieu was found guilty Tuesday of sexually assaulting two women on a film set, receiving an 18-month suspended prison sentence. The Paris court convicted the 76-year-old cinema icon of groping a 54-year-old set dresser and a 34-year-old assistant during the 2021 filming of "Les Volets...
Bong Go Leads Early Returns as PPCRV Highlights Swift Vote Counting
MANILA – The Parish Pastoral Council for Responsible Voting (PPCRV) announced Monday night that nearly 75 percent of precinct votes nationwide have been successfully counted by its transparency server, signaling a swift electoral process. PPCRV spokesperson Ana Singson noted, "Comparing them to 2022 and 2019, it does look that transmission is quite fast." She attributed this efficiency to advancements in...
Justice for OFWs: Arrest Warrants Sought for Nina Mabatid and Associates
The United Filipinos in Hong Kong (UNIFIL-Migrante) is calling for the immediate issuance of arrest warrants against Cebu City councilor candidate Prisca Nina Mabatid and several co-conspirators in connection with a widespread scam that has defrauded Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) in the region. In a significant win for the migrant workers' movement, the Philippine Department of Justice has rejected a...
U.S., China Report Progress in Geneva Trade Talks Amid Ongoing Tensions
GENEVA — Senior economic officials from the United States and China emerged from high-stakes trade negotiations Sunday with cautious optimism, signaling potential breakthrough in months-long trade disputes that have roiled global markets. Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng characterized the weekend discussions as "in-depth, candid and constructive," describing the meetings as an "important first step" toward resolving economic tensions between the...
OWWA-PAL Program Launches Special Travel Discount for Iloilo’s OFWs
Philippine Airlines is offering domestic travel discounts for overseas Filipino workers from Iloilo through July 31, partnering with the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration to recognize the region's significant migrant worker population. The pilot program provides OFWs originating from Iloilo with discounts ranging from 5% to 10% on domestic flights, depending on ticket class. Economy Saver tickets receive a 5% discount...
Hong Kong Welcomes Budget Travelers, Tech-Enhanced Tourism
Hong Kong is casting a wide net for tourists, embracing visitors across all spending levels and leveraging technology to enhance their experience, the city's top official said Saturday. Chief Secretary Eric Chan highlighted the city's robust tourism recovery, revealing that nearly 1.1 million tourists visited during the recent Golden Week holiday, a 22% increase from last year. The surge included budget-conscious...
