DepEd adopts ‘buddy system’ for students’ mental health

Inquirer.net - Oct 17, 2026

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Education (DepEd) on Friday launched a “buddy system” in schools to provide students a “safe space” where they could help and support one another. In a statement, the DepEd said that students will be organized into structured buddy pairings or small peer groups through its “My Buddy System” program,

Read full article
MORE NEWS
Philippines’ ‘China-free’ manufacturing strategy is a high-risk bet

Oct 17, 2026

Philippines’ ‘China-free’ manufacturing strategy is a high-risk bet

China and the Philippines recently traded accusations over the medical evacuation of a Philippine serviceman from a grounded naval vessel in the hotly disputed Second Thomas Shoal in the South China Sea. The incident has sparked renewed worries about potential armed skirmishes in a global artery of trade. But Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jnr was also quick to emphasise the economic dimensions of a major conflict. After a decade of rapid economic growth, the Philippines is facing...

YOURSAY | Insecurity, not stability, guides Harapan-Bersatu alliance

Oct 17, 2026

YOURSAY | Insecurity, not stability, guides Harapan-Bersatu alliance

'This shows how desperate PKR is to remain in power.'

There’s a village behind every Likhang Habi piece

Oct 17, 2026

There’s a village behind every Likhang Habi piece

‘It's really about the people behind every craft that we create. It represents the sacrifices, the hard work, the time and effort that they have put into the piece.’

Baligod, 4 ex-bodyguards of Zaldy Co post bail

Oct 17, 2026

Baligod, 4 ex-bodyguards of Zaldy Co post bail

Lawyer Levito Baligod and four former bodyguards of ex-lawmaker Zaldy Co posted bail and were freed on Friday after their arrest in San Juan City.

DOST chief: No talk of data center in Clark under Pax Silica initiative

Oct 17, 2026

DOST chief: No talk of data center in Clark under Pax Silica initiative

DAVAO CITY — Science Secretary Renato Solidum Jr. clarified on Thursday that discussions about the US-led Pax Silica program in the country does not include the setup of data centers in the New Clark City in Tarlac. “We should understand that this Pax Silica program of the United States has many components. It has a component that manufacture chips and semiconductors that will be used later on in the development of data centers or artificial intelligence hubs. (But) it is not a data center,” Solidum told reporters here. “There will be no data center to be put up there,” he pointed out. READ: Pax Silica brings promise – but at what cost? Instead, what is being planned in New Clark City is

Heavy rains batter Bohol towns on Friday

Oct 17, 2026

Heavy rains batter Bohol towns on Friday

TAGBILARAN CITY, Bohol — Heavy rains on Friday, Oct. 16, toppled an acacia tree in Barangay Agape in Loay town, and triggered a landslide along a national highway in nearby Loboc, Bohol disrupting traffic in both towns. The acacia tree fell across the national highway in Barangay Agape at around 6:20 p.m., briefly causing traffic

Malaysia’s shoppers love Chinese e-commerce. Its factories pay the price

Oct 17, 2026

Malaysia’s shoppers love Chinese e-commerce. Its factories pay the price

In hindsight, it was only a matter of time before Esha Yusof joined the growing ranks of Malaysian shoppers being drawn to Chinese e-commerce giant Pinduoduo. Esha is a relative newcomer. She signed up in July, more than half a year after the platform launched in Malaysia – and has been smitten with it ever since. Rock-bottom prices, a vast range of products and seamless payments through a popular local e-wallet make it easy for the 32-year-old to spend an average of 500 ringgit (US$122) a month...

[Vantage Point] When a paycheck runs out before payday

Oct 17, 2026

[Vantage Point] When a paycheck runs out before payday

True economic recovery means that families can reliably meet ordinary expenses, systematically repay their debts, and still retain something for unforeseen emergencies

Marcoleta case possible speedy disposition ‘may break record’

Oct 16, 2026

Marcoleta case possible speedy disposition ‘may break record’

MANILA, Philippines — The possible speedy disposition of  the plunder case of Sen. Rodante Marcoleta may possibly break the record, Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla said on Friday.  Remulla made this remark as Ombudsman’s special prosecutors finished presenting its evidence before the Sandiganbayan Third Division on the first day of plunder trial last week. READ: Prosecution rests

House prosecution rejects Sara Duterte trial ‘compromise’

Oct 16, 2026

House prosecution rejects Sara Duterte trial ‘compromise’

MANILA, Philippines — The House prosecution panel rejected suggestions of a compromise that would convict Vice President Sara Z. Duterte in her Senate impeachment trial while leaving her eligible to seek public office, calling the idea unconstitutional. Speaking to reporters, House private prosecutor and legal spokesperson Atty. Benjamin “Jay” Tolosa Jr. emphasized that the Constitution

67-year-old ex-communist militia member surrenders in Oriental Mindoro

Oct 16, 2026

67-year-old ex-communist militia member surrenders in Oriental Mindoro

CALAPAN CITY, Oriental Mindoro — A 67-year-old former militia member associated with a communist rebel group surrendered to authorities in Victoria, Oriental Mindoro, on Friday, Oct. 16, police said. The man, a married government employee and farmer, previously served in the Milisyang Bayan of the Communist Terrorist Group’s (CTG) KLG Ignacio Calabria Magadia unit, which

Ilocos Norte dengue cases top 2,500 with 3 deaths

Oct 16, 2026

Ilocos Norte dengue cases top 2,500 with 3 deaths

SAN ILDEFONSO, Ilocos Sur—The nearby province of Ilocos Norte has recorded 2,501 dengue cases and three deaths from January to early October 2026, according to the Provincial Epidemiology and Surveillance Unit (PESU) on Friday, Oct. 16. The province logged 107 new cases during Morbidity Week 40 (Oct. 4 to 10), covering the latest reporting period

RECOMMENDED
Copyright © 2015 - 2026 Gempak Media. All Rights Reserved.

Subscribe Now!

About Us

Gempak Media delivers the most talked and gempak stories on the Internet to you. Be the first to know about the latest news and don’t forget to share it around.