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The Mary Grace Piattos Story

Aug 20, 20263100

CAMPUS SECURITY & FIREARM ACCESS: The Ateneo de Zamboanga University Junior High School building in Zamboanga City is seen following an Aug. 18, 2026 school shooting. The incident—which involved a Grade 9 student who entered campus with firearms—resulted in the deaths of a student and the shooter, reigniting national debates on gun control, adult accountability for firearms, and safety protocols in Philippine schools. (Photo courtesy of Wikicommons)

School violence cases put firearm access, child safety under scrutiny

Three school shootings in Cagayan de Oro, Tacloban, and Zamboanga highlight a disturbing trend: minors obtaining firearms issued to military, police, customs, and private security personnel.

Aug 20, 20264000

RECOVERED FIREARM. Police present one of the two firearms allegedly used in the shooting at Zamboanga National High School. (Screengrab from ANC video)

After 3 school shootings, how can we keep students safe?

Following three school shooting incidents across the Philippines, educators, families, and authorities face urgent questions about campus safety.

Aug 20, 20263100

Six-year-old Philippine chess player Elisha Abanilla Romarate of Dipolog City, Zamboanga del Norte, poses at her tournament board (left) and displays her medal haul (right) at the 24th ASEAN+ Age-Group Chess Championships in Singapore. Trained by National Master Geronimo Romarate, she won four golds and two silvers in the Girls Under-6 division. (Photo courtesy of National Chess Federation of the Philippines / Romarate Family)

Small Hands, Big Moves: Dipolog’s Elisha Romarate proves world-class potential starts at home

Six-year-old Elisha Romarate of Dipolog City captured 12 medals—including eight golds—in the Girls Under-6 division at the 24th ASEAN+ Age-Group Chess Championships in Singapore. Trained by her father, NM Geronimo Romarate, the young prodigy highlights the growing strength of grassroots chess development in Mindanao.

Aug 19, 20264700

Liceo de Cagayan University Titan swimmers Neil Christian Salvador (left) and Jewel Zelene M. Ferrera (right) display their regional medals after earning spots in the 2026 Philippine Aquatics, Inc. (PAI) National Events. Photo courtesy of Liceo de Cagayan University FB

CDO swimmers Ferrera, Salvador eye PAI national titles

Liceo de Cagayan University swimmers Jewel Zelene M. Ferrera and Neil Christian Salvador earned national berths for the 2026 Philippine Aquatics, Inc. National Championships.

Aug 19, 20262700

Samal Senior High School athletes Tom Emmanuel S. Gonzales (left, silver) and Bann Ford R. Quilaton (right, gold) display their medals after competing in the Kadayawan Kickboxing Tournament at LPU Davao on Saturday, Aug. 15, 2026. (Photo courtesy of Samal Senior High School)

Samal SHS kickboxers win gold, silver at Kadayawan

Student-athletes Bann Ford R. Quilaton and Tom Emmanuel S. Gonzales brought pride to Samal Senior High School by claiming gold and silver medals at the Mindanao Invitational Tournament: Kickboxing Kadayawan 2026.

Aug 19, 20262400

Young athletes execute basketball agility drills during the Cagayan de Oro City Sports Clinic at the Barangay Balubal covered court on Saturday, Aug. 15, 2026. (Photo courtesy of Cagayan de Oro City Sports Office)

CDO moves to make sports safer for athletes

The Cagayan de Oro City Council has proposed the Sports Safety and Security Ordinance of 2026 to establish uniform safety and emergency protocols across local sporting events. Championed by Vice Mayor Bebot Rodriguez and Councilor Jonjon Rodriguez, the measure mandates venue inspections, trained first responders, and a dedicated monitoring council.

Aug 19, 20262700

KADAYAWAN KICKBOXING CHAMPIONS: Members, coaches, and officials of the Tong-Il Moo-Do Blazing Tigers from Davao del Norte pose with their medals, certificates, and banner after being crowned overall champions at the 2026 Kadayawan Mindanao Invitational Kickboxing Tournament at LPU Davao on Saturday, Aug. 15, 2026. (Photo courtesy of Tong-Il Moo-Do Blazing Tigers)

Blazing Tigers win Kadayawan kickboxing title

The Tong-Il Moo-Do Blazing Tigers from Davao del Norte captured the overall championship at the 2026 Kadayawan Mindanao Invitational Kickboxing Tournament at LPU Davao.

Aug 19, 20262200

SAFETY CHECK. Zamboanga City government officials hold a coordinating meeting following the shooting incident involving students at a private school in Barangay Lunzuran, as authorities assess the situation and strengthen school and community safety measures. (Photo courtesy of Zamboanga City Government)

PNP probes Zamboanga school shooting

Police are investigating a shooting involving two minor students at a private school in Barangay Lunzuran, Zamboanga City.

Aug 19, 20262400

TEAM HUDDLE. Coach Arvin Martinez kneels as he addresses players of the Northern Mindanao A-Team during a team talk at the Australian International School in Singapore during the 3rd World Youth Championship. The Cagayan de Oro-based squad overcame administrative and financial hurdles—along with emergency surgery for starting guard Leba Deomidi “LD” Martinez—to sweep the tournament and capture the championship title. (Photo courtesy of A-Team Basketball Program)

Faith, Family, and Gold: Young CDO hoopers win big in Singapore

Just weeks after facing emergency surgery and financial hurdles, Cagayan de Oro’s Northern Mindanao A-Team Basketball Program captured the 3rd World Youth Championship title in Singapore.

Aug 19, 20263800

AFFORDABLE GRAIN: A resident in a yellow shirt receives a bag of subsidized rice from a distribution worker during the rollout of Iligan City's "Benteng Bigas Meron Na" program at Barangay Mandulog in Iligan City on Friday, Aug. 14, 2026. (Photo by Bonita L. Ermac)

₱20/kg rice reaches more Iligan communities

The Iligan City Government has expanded its "Benteng Bigas Meron Na" program directly to local communities, offering rice at ₱20 per kilo across 12 barangay clusters.

Aug 19, 20264300

AGRI INVESTMENTS. DA-10 Regional Executive Director Jose Apollo Y. Pacamalan presents investment opportunities in farm processing, post-harvest facilities, renewable energy, and digital agriculture during the 35th Mindanao Business Conference in Cagayan de Oro City on Aug. 12, aimed at creating better markets for farmers and strengthening Mindanao’s food supply. (Photo courtesy of JAKA/PIA-10)

MinBizCon: DA-10 courts investors to boost food supply

The Department of Agriculture in Northern Mindanao (DA-10) is pitching key private-sector investment opportunities in food processing, coffee production, renewable energy, and digital tools.

Aug 18, 20262600

COFFEE SHOWCASE | Judges and industry buyers evaluate coffee samples during the Southeast Asia Green Coffee Competition in Valencia City, held alongside the Bukidnon Coffee Festival on May 29–31, 2026, highlighting local coffee for wider markets. (Photo courtesy of SEA Green Coffee)

Bukidnon coffee boom opens investment opportunities

The Department of Agriculture in Northern Mindanao (DA-10) is urging private investors to build coffee processing and manufacturing facilities in Bukidnon.

Aug 18, 20263300

YOUTH SAFETY. Grade 7 learners of Yumbing National High School join the Youthcare Program 2026 at Agoho Covered Court in Camiguin, learning practical skills on making healthy choices, staying safe, and protecting themselves. (Photo courtesy of Yumbing National High School)

Report abuse, stop child marriage, Camiguin lawyers urge

Lawyers from the Camiguin Provincial Legal Department urged residents to report cases of violence against women and children and prevent illegal child marriages.

Aug 18, 20263200

NO MORE THREAT. Parents rushed to Ateneo de Zamboanga High School in Barangay Tumaga, Zamboanga City, to fetch their children following a reported school shooting Tuesday morning. City Police Director PCol. Fidel Fortaleza said at 8:40 a.m. that “there is zero threat already.” (Screengrab from an ANC video)

Zamboanga high school shooting leaves 2 dead; threat cleared

ZAMBOANGA City — Parents rushed to Ateneo de Zamboanga High School in Barangay Tumaga Tuesday morning to fetch their children after a shooting left two people dead and two others injured.

Aug 18, 20262800

Participants and organizers posing with certificates during the MTIT Business Expense Savings Training Game in Barangay Lower Binembengan, Sumisip, Basilan.

Pag-IBIG Fund, Avida and Amaia join hands to expand homeownership for Filipino workers

Pag-IBIG Fund, Avida Land Corp. and Amaia Land Corp. signed a memorandum of understanding to expand quality housing choices for Filipino workers.

Aug 17, 20262500

Seventeen-year-old International Master Christian Gian Karlo Arca of Zamboanga City displays the 12 medals—six gold and six silver—he won at the 24th ASEAN+ Age-Group Chess Championships at Our Tampines Hub in Singapore, which concluded Monday, Aug. 17, 2026. (Photo courtesy of National Chess Federation of the Philippines)

PH finishes 2nd in ASEAN chess; Zamboanga’s Arca leads 83-medal haul

The Philippine chess delegation delivered a stellar performance at the 24th ASEAN+ Age-Group Chess Championships in Singapore, securing 83 medals to place second overall.

Aug 17, 20263600

UNITED BUSINESS LEADERS. Chamber of commerce and industry leaders from across Mindanao gather at the 35th Mindanao Business Conference (MinBizCon) on Aug. 11–13 in Cagayan de Oro City, strengthening collaboration on investment, innovation, sustainability, and inclusive economic growth. (Photo courtesy of JAKA/PIA-10)

Minbizcon pushes action on Mindanao’s growth agenda

The 35th Mindanao Business Conference (MinBizCon) in Cagayan de Oro City concluded with business leaders and government partners calling for immediate, concrete action. Key discussions focused on bridging economic gaps in power, digital infrastructure, financing, and market access to ensure sustainable growth reaches local communities and MSMEs.

Aug 17, 20262300