“2 Valid IDs” is emerging as the film to beat at the 22nd Cinemalaya Philippine Independent Film Festival. The film, led by Pokwang, topped the box-office rankings released by Cinemalaya on August 14 across its reported Metro Manila venues. “2 Valid IDs” maintained the top spot at...
Not even a looming typhoon could stop the local cinephile scene from gathering together for the annual Cinemalaya. This year, in its 22nd edition, nine feature-length films and 10 shorts are participating. It follows the theme “Reel Reflections,” with entries reflecting on real moments that...
The 24-member Legit Status Varsity is set to represent the Philippines at the 2026 UDO World Street Dance Championships in Blackpool, United Kingdom, adding another exciting international chapter to the Filipino dance community’s growing list of achievements. From Aug. 12–16, Blackpool’s...
The Philippines is lining up another $3.5 billion in loans from the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB), the Asian Development Bank (ADB), and the World Bank, based on preliminary project documents, adding to the previously identified $8.9-billion indicative pipeline of multilateral...
The World Bank urged the Philippines to accelerate power sector reforms to lower electricity costs and reduce its dependence on imported fuel, saying cheaper and more reliable power has become critical to sustaining economic growth, attracting investments, and reducing poverty after the country’s...
The World Bank has approved its first loan for the Philippines since the country was elevated to upper-middle-income country (UMIC) status in July, financing a $268.62-million project to expand climate-resilient water and sanitation services in three islands, improve water security, and generate...
At long last, as of July 2026, the Philippines has attained Upper-Middle-Income status, as announced by the World Bank on July 1, 2026. This reclassification from Lower-Middle-Income to Upper-Middle-Income marks an important milestone in our efforts to eventually be considered a High-Income...
The International Criminal Court (ICC) has cancelled the status conference scheduled for July 14 in the crimes against humanity case against former president Rodrigo Duterte, saying there are currently no matters requiring the court’s attention before trial. In an announcement on Friday, July 10,...
Banish the thought that the World Bank 's classification of the Philippines as an “upper-middle-income” economy is the silver bullet to slay the dragon of widespread poverty. It is a myth—not reality. Find out why. From 1987 to 2025—spanning almost four decades—the Republic of the...
While the Philippines’ graduation to upper-middle-income-country (UMIC) status is a nod to its economic progress, President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s chief economic manager said the milestone alone cannot do the heavy lifting needed for the country to achieve an ‘A’-level sovereign credit...
The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) highlighted the country 's strong trade momentum and rising capital inflows as the primary engines behind the Philippines officially hitting Upper Middle-Income Country (UMIC) status. With Gross National Income (GNI) per capita breaching the critical...
Malacañang has stressed that the Philippines ' elevation to upper-middle-income country (UMIC) status does not mean economic difficulties have disappeared for ordinary Filipinos, with President Marcos vowing to continue government interventions for poor and vulnerable sectors. Speaking at a...
