Philippines

For the first time, China has publicized what it claims is an unwritten 2016 agreement with the Philippines over access to South China Sea islands. The move threatens to further raise tensions in the disputed waterway, through which much of the world’s trade passes and which China claims virtually in its entirety. According to a statement from the Chinese Embassy …

Ateneo de Manila University (ADMU) maintained its position as the leading university in the Philippines, one of five Philippine institutions to make it into this year’s Times Higher Education (THE) Asia University Rankings. According to the most recent rankings from THE Asia, which were released on Wednesday, May 1, ADMU fell around 300 positions from last year’s 84th spot and …

SSS has sent a notice to over 1,200 businesses throughout the country, requesting payment of over P335 million in overdue payments. Nearly 19,000 workers had their social security benefits compromised by these overdue accounts, according to a statement released Tuesday by the SSS.“The My.SSS Portal, accessible from any smartphone, has made it very easy for our members to verify whether …

The Philippines, already with its set of challenges, has been plagued with a new enemy: the extreme heatwave. Gone are the days where Filipinos had experienced the cold and rainy weather as the heatwave had officially started on March 21, 2024.  As the temperature continues to increase drastically, the country is enduring an exceptionally high heatwave until at least mid-May. …

The Standoff Intensifies The Philippines has taken a firm stance in the South China Sea dispute, rejecting any notion of a deal with China regarding the contested waters. This move comes amid escalating tensions over the sovereignty of the region. Dispelling Misinformation Philippine Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. has denounced claims of an agreement with China as “propaganda” and a …

The Rise of Digital Deception The Philippines finds itself at the forefront of a new kind of warfare—one that’s fought not with guns and soldiers, but with pixels and algorithms. Recent reports have surfaced of foreign entities using deepfake technology in attempts to influence the military’s stance on China, putting the nation on high alert. Understanding Deepfakes Deepfakes are sophisticated …

The Emergence of Deepfakes In an era where technology has advanced to the point of creating hyper-realistic fake videos, the term “deepfake” has become a household name. These videos are generated using artificial intelligence, making it possible to manipulate audio and video to create seemingly real content. The Incident Recently, a deepfake video surfaced online, falsely portraying President Ferdinand “Bongbong” …

A Question of Integrity In a recent statement, the Department of Health (DOH) has issued a stern warning to healthcare professionals about the ethical implications of accepting gifts from pharmaceutical companies. This move comes amid growing concerns that such practices may influence medical decisions, compromising patient care and undermining the trust in our healthcare system. The Thin Line Between Gratitude …

As the political landscape in the Philippines heats up, speculation is rife about former President Rodrigo Duterte’s support for his daughter, Sara Duterte, in her potential bid for the presidency. The Political Heir Sara Duterte, currently serving as Vice President, has been a prominent figure in Philippine politics, often seen as the heir to her father’s political legacy1. Her recent …

Yakult, the probiotic fermented milk drink from Japan, has been a staple in many households for its claimed health benefits. However, its reputation has been somewhat ‘sour’ among skeptics. Let’s delve into what science has to say about Yakult’s digestive benefits. The Probiotic Powerhouse: Lactobacillus casei Shirota At the heart of Yakult is the probiotic strain Lactobacillus casei Shirota. Studies …