Read the latest news from regional and global sources, presenting different voices and perspectives.

At Travel Madness Expo, Christina Frasco says tourism is more than leisure
Tourism Secretary Christina Frasco said tourism is more than just leisure, it’s a vital source of hope and livelihood for Filipinos. Frasco highlighted tourism that fuels job generation and economic growth during the opening of the three-day...

Abrams Tanks, NMESIS Missiles “Thunder’ In China’s Backyard As Taiwan & Philippines Flaunt U.S. Weapons To Deter PLA
The Republic of China (better known as Taiwan) officially kicked off the annual Han Kuang military exercise on July 9, with a special emphasis on combating China’s ‘grey zone’ tactics that are classified as acts of aggression, little short of a...
Philippines' president to discuss tariffs in Trump meeting this month, top diplomat says
By Danial Azhar KUALA LUMPUR (Reuters) -Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr will meet U.S. President Donald Trump in Washington this month, Manila's top diplomat said on Friday, with an increased trade tariff on one of Washington's top...

Tourism Malaysia strengthens hotel data collaboration ahead of Visit Malaysia 2026
Tourism Malaysia hosted a hotel data session in Sarawak to boost data quality and collaboration ahead of Visit Malaysia 2026. The Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture (MOTAC), through its agency Tourism Malaysia, organised the Hotel Data...

Sports events drive surge in travel bookings to Singapore, reports Trip.com
Trip.com has observed a sharp rise in inbound travel bookings to Singapore for the July-August period, driven by international sports fans attending two major events: the World Aquatics Championships 2025 and the Singapore Festival of Football...

China's need for Filipino workers on distant-water vessels allegedly being exploited by labor agencies
China’s increasing reliance on Southeast Asian labor to man its distant-water fleet has led to alleged abuse from staffing agencies that facilitate contracts for Chinese fishing firms. A Filipino fisherman, who spoke to SeafoodSource on the...

The Link Between U.S. Immigration Changes and Real Estate Opportunities in the Philippines
Share Post Viber icon Viber Email For many Filipino-Americans and overseas Filipinos, real estate remains one of the most meaningful ways to stay connected to the homeland. Whether you’re planning for retirement, securing a future home, or...

Manila to press US for tariff rollback
THE PRESIDENTIAL PALACE on Thursday raised alarm over the US decision to increase tariffs on Philippine exports to 20%, as a high-level delegation prepares to fly to Washington next week to seek adjustments. The Philippine Exporters Confederation,...

World's top 20 beaches: The most stunning spots
Craving sun-kissed shores, crystal-clear waters, and unforgettable sunsets? The world is brimming with breathtaking beach destinations that offer more than just sand and surf. From hidden tropical gems to iconic coastlines, these 15 beaches...

Malaysian tourism ministry holds Hotel Data Refinement Session in Sarawak
The Malaysian Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture (MOTAC), through its agency Tourism Malaysia, organised the Hotel Data Refinement Session with hospitality professionals in Sarawak. This event was held in conjunction with the Presentation of...

Philippines eyes air talks with Japan, India, Thailand, US
MANILA, Philippines — The Philippines is aiming for bilateral air talks with Japan, India, Thailand and the United States, according to a government official. Carmelo Arcilla, executive director of the Civil Aeronautics Board (CAB), said they were...

Rails, Roads, and Runways: How Major Projects Are Reshaping the Philippine Property Market
Share Post Viber icon Viber Email The Philippines is entering a new era of connectivity as major infrastructure projects begin to take shape across Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao. From high-speed commuter lines to international airports and...

world Philippines' president to discuss tariffs in Trump meeting this July, top diplomat says
KUALA LUMPUR — Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr will meet US President Donald Trump in Washington this month, Manila's top diplomat said on Friday (July 11), with an increased trade tariff on one of Washington's top defence allies set to...

Sandigan denies ex-DBM usec’s bid to recover bail, travel bonds
Manila, PHILIPPINES—The Sandiganbayan has denied the plea of former Budget Undersecretary Mario Relampagos to recover over P300,000 in bail and travel bonds, ruling that he had forfeited the right to reclaim them after being declared by the court...

World’s top 10 biggest tourism economies in 2024–25: India breaks into top 10 at this rank
World’s Top 10 Biggest Tourism Economies in 2025 List: Amid a strong post-pandemic recovery and despite challenges such as climate pressure and local tourism fatigue, the global travel and tourism sector contributed US$10.9 trillion to the world...

Tieza rebounds with P7.8B travel tax revenue, nationwide projects
TOURISM Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority (Tieza) Chief Operating Officer Mark Lapid underscored the agency’s pivotal role in rebuilding and sustaining Philippine tourism infrastructure during his presentation at the Visayas Regional...

From Crisis to Comeback: TIEZA Rebounds with ₱7.8B Travel Tax Revenue, Nationwide Projects
Cebu City, Philippines — Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority (TIEZA) Chief Operating Officer Mark T. Lapid underscored the agency’s pivotal role in rebuilding and sustaining Philippine tourism infrastructure during his...

Get Ready for the Ultimate Travel Experience!
The 12th Travel Madness Expo (TME 2025) is happening on July 11–13, 2025 at the SMX Convention Center Manila! Whether you’re a seasoned traveler, planning your first adventure, or looking for amazing travel deals, TME 2025 is your one-stop...

Flight constraints, price pressures loom as tourism gears up for summer surge
The tourism sector is bracing for a vibrant summer season, with hotel operators projecting high visitor numbers and occupancy rates in August. However, industry experts warn that growth momentum may be threatened by rising cost sensitivity,...
![[Vantage Point] Can the Philippines endure economic pain with Trump’s tariff?](https://www.rappler.com/tachyon/2025/07/TL-TRUMP-TARIFF-ON-PHILIPPINES-JULY-11-2025-copy.jpg)
[Vantage Point] Can the Philippines endure economic pain with Trump’s tariff?
The Philippines has recently been levied a 20% tariff on exports to the United States, more than the 17% toll that the country’s finance team was expecting from an April 2025 announcement. I’m tempted to say, “I told you so.” Some three weeks...