The Supreme Court (SC), led by Chief Justice Alexander G. Gesmundo and Associate Justice Amy C. Lazaro-Javier, Chairperson of the 2025 Bar Examinations, announced yesterday that 5,594 out of the 11,420 qualified examinees passed the 2025 Bar Examinations, posting a passing rate of 48.98%.
The Philippine Consulate General in Houston invites the public to a special screening of the acclaimed Filipino film Sakaling Hindi Makarating (The Amazing Journey of the Letters) on 26 Jan. at 5:30 PM at the historic River Oaks Theatre in Houston.
Houston officials say the city will host seven FIFA World Cup 2026 matches at NRG Stadium and expect about 500,000 visitors over three weeks in June, a temporary population increase of roughly 20 percent. Organizers project the influx of international and domestic fans could generate up to $1 billion in economic impact through hotel stays, dining, transportation and entertainment spending. City, tourism and airport authorities coordinate security, transit, staffing and infrastructure plans as they prepare Houston to serve as a major U.S. host city for the global soccer tournament.
The Philippine Senate will investigate allegations that Representative Martin Romualdez of Leyte’s 1st District purchased a Makati City house and lot through top flood control contractors Curlee and Sarah Discaya. The probe will examine property records, financial flows, and government project contracts to determine compliance with procurement, ethics, and anti-corruption rules. Lawmakers plan to call witnesses, review official documents, and coordinate with regulatory agencies to establish the timeline, participants, and structure of the alleged transaction and to identify any legal or administrative violations.
Businessman Enrique Razon Jr. files a cyber libel complaint against suspended Cavite 4th District Representative Elpidio “Pidi” Barzaga Jr. before the Makati City Prosecutor’s Office over a January 9 Facebook post alleging bribery of National Unity Party lawmakers to support former House Speaker Martin Romualdez. Razon’s camp calls the claims false and defamatory, while Barzaga stands by his statements in new Facebook posts and a video, vowing to present evidence in Congress and in court. The prosecutor’s office will now evaluate the complaint under the Cybercrime Prevention Act.
The City of San Antonio is providing communities with data on nuisance properties and local problems by zip code, city officials said.
South Korean drama “Princess Hours” marked its 20th anniversary on Jan. 11, 2026, with fans, media, and broadcasters revisiting the 2006 series that helped expand the Korean Wave. The article reports how the show’s enemies-to-lovers royal romance, adapted from the manhwa “Goong,” raised the profiles of stars Yoon Eun-hye, Ju Ji-hoon, Song Ji-hyo, and Kim Jeong-hoon, influenced later K-dramas, and remained visible through global syndication, streaming, and anniversary re-airings.
Actress-host Toni Gonzaga on Jan. 13, 2026, denied that she and her husband, director Paul Soriano, are the “power couple” in a viral blind item about a marriage allegedly in trouble. Gonzaga addressed the rumor during a TikTok live for a collagen supplement after viewers flooded the comments with questions about their relationship. She urged followers not to focus on “nonsense” and dismissed the speculation, while Soriano has not issued a separate statement. Clips of the livestream and her denial later circulated across social media platforms.
Beauty Gonzalez expressed pride in Ellen Adarna’s strength in handling her separation from estranged husband Derek Ramsay during an ambush interview at a press conference for Gonzalez’s new drama series in Quezon City on Jan. 8, 2024. Gonzalez described Adarna as “sexy and beautiful” and said she admired her resilience and composure amid public scrutiny. She shared that she stayed in close contact with Adarna, offering emotional support while respecting her friend’s privacy. Gonzalez answered questions about Adarna before shifting focus back to promoting her upcoming television project.
Netflix Thailand confirmed on January 14, 2026, that Thai-British actress Becky Armstrong will take over the role of Nanno in “Girl from Nowhere: The Reset,” the latest installment of the hit Thai thriller series. The streamer revealed her casting through an official poster on its social media platforms, showing Armstrong in a bloodstained school uniform and teasing a new “empire” and a “new kid.” The announcement emphasized themes of karma and retribution but did not include a release date, plot details, or additional casting information.