Southeast Asia was regarded as a strategic battleground in which bigger powers waged an influence struggle. ASEAN is also one of the most significant strategic resources in the Indo-Pacific region, and the big boys cannot afford to look the other way. ASEAN has a population of over 680 million and an economy of over $3.8-trillion, therefore they have the scale …

The 81st Independence Day (HUT RI ke-81) in Indonesia will be celebrated on August 17, 2026 in Jakarta which will engage in various public celebration programs. There are national celebrations, native games, a theatre show, a dismal show for the evening etc that families can select from. The start of celebration centers near Monas and Bundaran HI, along with the …

Disney’s Frozen 3 is finally set to come to theaters around the world on Nov. 24, 2027, adding one more major Thanksgiving weekend animated film. Earlier there was an expectation that this film would release sooner, however Disney delayed production due to giving the creative team enough time to work on the script. The new film is also meant to …

Philippines passport holders have to meet the US immigration requirements prior to entering Hawaii. The visas usually required for tourism are the B-2 visitor visa or a B-1/B-2 combination visa. Philippine nationals holding B-1/B-2 visas are issued as multiple entry visas with a validity period of 120 months subject to the visa decision of the individual concerned by the U.S. …

The geopolitical threat between the U.S. and China is a huge conundrum for Southeast Asian countries. Southeast Asian nations’ Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) operates through strategic hedging in the region to safeguard the national sovereignty, political maneuverability and economic growth. In the delicate balance of economic integration, defense diversification and institutional diplomacy, ASEAN member states navigate US-China competition …

The Chinese lunar calendar’s seventh month is a time of celebration, when Phuket is filled with activity and offerings of good fortune.The seventh month of the Chinese lunar calendar is a time of celebration, and Phuket is filled with activity and offerings of good fortune. Also called the Hungry Ghost festival, this is an ancient Hokkien tradition to pay respects …

The Land Transportation Office (LTO) has stepped up its drive against illegal modifications, unassigned tags and fake license plates of vehicles across the country. The Philippines’ high-profile enforcement of sports cars and high-end SUVs have put the LTO fake plate penalties in the spotlight. However, if a vehicle is equipped with an unauthorized vanity tag, a different alphanumeric combination, or …

There’s a high level of excitement among Filipino techies about Google’s flagship hardware lineup. Navigating the Philippines market for the Google Pixel 11 Pro price breakdown requires understanding and knowing where to look because price variation exists between official US retail prices and the Philippines. Local consumers use importers who import hardware into the country illegally, as there is no …

The National Heroes Day, August 31, 2026 is a regular holiday in the Philippines. On this day, the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) has rules to be strictly observed on wage rates. By knowing how to use the DOLE overtime calculator and applying these rules to the National Heroes Day 2026 overtime, employees can be certain that they are …

Legendary filmmaker Stephen Chow is back on the field with Kung Fu Soccer (功夫女足), the long-anticipated sports comedy, more than 20 years after his film Shaolin Soccer (2001) set a new standard for action-comedy. The movie hits the Malaysian cinemas on August 13, 2026, and offers Chow’s trademark mixture of “mo lei tau” incoherent gags, gravity-defying martial arts and heart-thumping …