Latest Stories

The Witness for the Prosecution

Money is often called the root of all evil. I think it’s a witness. Not the accused. Not the judge.

Aug 7, 20262600

Krizscha T. Luche and her opponent exchange kicks under the watchful eye of a referee during the 2026 World Organization of Taekwondo Federations Championships in Incheon, South Korea. Student-athletes Luche and Kila Rendel M. Naval of Koronadal City overcame years of early morning training, weight cuts, and intense competition to secure gold, silver, and bronze medals on the international stage. (Photo courtesy of Kring Luche)

Sweat, Bruised Shins, and Faith: Two Koronadal Taekwondo jins win big in Seoul

Grade 9 students Krizscha Luche and Kila Rendel Naval of Koronadal National Comprehensive High School brought home four medals from the WOTF Taekwondo Championships in Incheon, South Korea.

Aug 7, 20265400

Nashalie Mae Costañero Gonzalez smiles during a quiet moment in Zamboanga City on Friday, July 31, 2026. The former barista faced chemotherapy, radiation sessions, and medical expenses following her Stage 3 cancer diagnosis before entering recovery.

The decision she made before the storm came

Diagnosed with Stage 3 Hodgkin Lymphoma at age 23, Zamboanga barista Nashalie Gonzalez shares how getting insured early saved her family from medical debt.

Aug 7, 20266900

FFW President Atty. Sonny G. Matula (center, in blue) speaks to reporters outside the Navotas City Hall of Justice after the Federation of Free Workers (FFW) and the NAGKAISA! Labor Coalition filed a motion to intervene in a court case challenging the implementation of the ₱85 daily minimum wage increase for Metro Manila workers on Wednesday, Aug. 6. (Photo courtesy of FFW)

Workers’ ₱85 pay raise faces fresh court fight

Labor coalitions ask a Navotas court to lift the temporary restraining order blocking Metro Manila's ₱85 minimum wage hike, warning that delays worsen financial burdens for low-income workers.

Aug 7, 20265100

LOCAL FLAVORS. Food vendors serve a variety of freshly prepared local delicacies and street food at the Fiesta sa Kaumahan: Agro Fair and Garden Show 2026, one of the Higalaay Festival attractions showcasing homegrown flavors and local entrepreneurs. (Photo courtesy of the Cagayan de Oro City Information Office)

Higalaay Agro Fair opens for shoppers seeking fresh local food

Cagayan de Oro residents can now buy fresh produce, ornamental plants, and artisanal food products directly from local farmers and fisherfolk at the annual Fiesta sa Kaumahan Agro Fair and Garden Show at Gaston Park.

Aug 6, 20264300

Cagayan de Oro City Mayor Rolando "Klarex" Uy (left) converses with URC Flour Marketing Manager Ma. Lilia “Chinkee” Andres, (second from left) and company representatives during a courtesy call at City Hall in Cagayan de Oro City on Thursday, Aug. 6, 2026. The executive meeting finalized preparations for the "Sugod Bakery Caravan," a joint public-private initiative bringing free technical training and modern equipment to local bakeshops during Higalaay Festival 2026. Photo by Dave Achondo

Sugod Baker Caravan to empower local bakers during Higalaay

Local bakeshop owners and home bakers in Cagayan de Oro will receive free professional training, cost management strategies, and baking tools as URC Flour brings the Sugod Bakery Caravan to Higalaay Festival 2026.

Aug 6, 20266100

Student-athlete Alexis Angela Philippe P. Laranjo displays her gold medal alongside family members after returning home to Tacurong City, Sultan Kudarat. Competing under team "Lily" with India's Rudra Kumar, the Notre Dame of Tacurong College archer secured top honors in the recurve under-18 mixed team division, earning commendations from the Philippine Embassy in Bangladesh and her local school community. (Photo courtesy of El Mar Facebook)

Tacurong archer Laranjo strikes gold at Asia Challenge Cup in Bangladesh

Sultan Kudarat student-athlete Alexis Laranjo captures gold in the recurve U18 mixed team event at the 2026 World Archery Asia President’s Challenge Cup in Bangladesh.

Aug 6, 20264500

ON FESTIVAL WATCH. Emergency responders activate the Incident Command Post (ICP) at Rio de Oro Boulevard to coordinate security, traffic, and emergency response operations throughout the month-long Higalaay Festival 2026. (Photo courtesy of the Cagayan de Oro City Information Office)

Higalaay safety plan in place

Cagayan de Oro activates its month-long Incident Management Team, deploying over 300 police personnel and emergency responders to safeguard festivalgoers during Higalaay Festival 2026.

Aug 6, 20265300

A highland farmer meticulously selects coffee cherries on a mountain farm. Strategic government interventions under the national agriculture roadmap help growers upgrade productivity and secure stable, higher incomes. (File photo: PIA-10/Bukidnon)

Why Bukidnon is emerging as Mindanao's coffee hub

Modern processing equipment, direct buyer linkages, and local peace initiatives are helping Bukidnon coffee farmers elevate bean quality and capture higher-value markets across the country.

Aug 6, 20265100

Photo caption: Commission on Elections Commissioner George Erwin Garcia speaks during the signing of a partnership agreement supporting the anti-vote-buying campaign at the Marawi Cultural Center. Garcia said the Sept. 14 Bangsamoro Parliamentary Elections will allow BARMM voters to choose the region's first parliamentary leaders under its new system of government. (Photo by Shiela Mae Butlig)

Historic BARMM vote to shape region's next leaders

Comelec advances preparations for the historic BARMM parliamentary elections as regional leaders and civic groups launch anti-vote-buying initiatives in Marawi City.

Aug 6, 20264400

TRAFFIC ADVISORY. Acting Assistant Department Manager for Traffic Operations Benedicto Ramiro outlines the special traffic scheme for the Higalaay Festival 2026 during the Meet the Press forum at the Fifth Level of SM CDO Downtown on Wednesday, Aug. 5. Cagayan de Oro Press Club President Hanne Pisos served as guest host of the program. Photo by Edwin Iyo

Higalaay traffic plan starts today: Roads closed, reroutes in effect

Cagayan de Oro enforces a temporary traffic scheme and street closures along Rio de Oro Boulevard for the grand opening of Higalaay Festival 2026.

Aug 6, 20264500

SISTER-CITY PARTNERSHIP. San Juan City Mayor Francis Zamora announces plans to formalize a sisterhood agreement with Cagayan de Oro City during his visit to Northern Mindanao. The partnership is expected to strengthen cooperation in governance, tourism, trade, investment, and public service as the city hosts the League of Cities of the Philippines National Executive Board Meeting this August. (Photo by Shiela Mae Butlig)

CDO, San Juan to seal Sister-City deal during Higalaay

San Juan City plans to formalize a sisterhood partnership with Cagayan de Oro City, aiming to bolster economic development, tourism, and governance cooperation across regions.

Aug 6, 20265600

Camiguin Governor Xavier Jesus "XJ" Romualdo speaks during an official briefing in Mambajao, Camiguin, on Thursday, Aug. 6, 2026. Romualdo reiterated the provincial government’s long-standing ban on lottery operations, affirming that local authorities will continue to prohibit state-sanctioned and commercial gambling establishments across the island province. (Photo by Shiela Mae Butlig)

Camiguin keeps lottery ban to protect families

Governor Xavier Jesus Romualdo reaffirms Camiguin's prohibition on lottery operations, prioritizing household financial security and family needs over potential provincial gambling revenues.

Aug 6, 20262800

A poll technician verifies the printed output from a vote-counting machine during automated voting system testing. Election workers in Misamis Oriental are undergoing technical drills and equipment testing to ensure full operational readiness for precinct workers across local barangays ahead of the scheduled November polls. (Photo courtesy of DOST)

BSKE still on: Comelec readies polls for 1.52m Misor, CDO voters

Comelec advances BSKE preparations across Misamis Oriental and Cagayan de Oro, covering over 1.52 million voters, as election offices await congressional action on proposed postponement legislation.

Aug 6, 20263700

Vendors sell fresh produce inside the vegetable section of a public market in Cagayan de Oro City at Cogon public market. (File Photo courtesy of City Economic Enterprises and Business Development Administration)

Why healthy eating feels out of reach for many Filipino families

High food prices and export-driven farming leave low-income families in Cagayan de Oro struggling to afford nutritious meals, despite Northern Mindanao's ₱182B agricultural yield.

Aug 6, 20264300

Construction scaffolds line the iconic Cloud 9 boardwalk tower in General Luna, Siargao Island, during ongoing rehabilitation works on Thursday, July 31, 2026. Municipal leaders and tourism officials inspected the coastal development site to ensure facility upgrades, including new public restrooms and first-aid booths, are completed before the 2026 World Surf League Championship Tour begins on Oct. 31. (Photo courtesy of Lingkod Lapid FB)

Siargao travelers to get better airport, rest stops, surf facilities

Ahead of the upcoming World Surf League tour, Siargao transforms visitor experience with upgraded Cloud 9 boardwalks, modern airport lounges, and dedicated tourist rest areas across the island.

Aug 5, 20265500

BODY FOUND. Police recover the decomposed body of 30-year-old Friscela Ongcoy Quijada from a stream near a pineapple field in Sitio Buntungon, Purok 6, Barangay Poblacion, Libona, Bukidnon, on Aug. 3. Authorities said the victim was identified through her distinctive tattoos after workers discovered the remains. (Supplied photo)

Decomposed body found in Libona river identified as missing woman

Following the identification of 30-year-old Friscela Ongcoy Quijada in a Libona stream, her family appeals for a thorough investigation as police await autopsy results to determine the cause of death.

Aug 5, 20264300

An architectural rendering shows the proposed ₱300 million rehabilitation of the Don Gregorio Pelaez Sports Center in Cagayan de Oro City. Funded through joint ₱100 million contributions from the Province of Misamis Oriental, Cagayan de Oro City, and 2nd District Rep. Rufus Rodriguez, the upgraded facility features a 5,000-seat grandstand, modern rubberized tracks, and a three-story multipurpose center with athlete dormitories. (Photo courtesy of Misamis Oriental Provincial Information Office)

Beyond Concrete: How a P300M sports hub benfits Misamis Oriental, CDO's youth

For years, local athletes faced worn-out tracks and costly travel. The ₱300M Pelaez Sports Center overhaul changes that, giving homegrown talent modern facilities and proper home-court dignity.

Aug 5, 20265700