MAYNILA. Lima na ang naiulat na nasawi dahil sa epekto ng Severe Tropical Storm Crising at habagat, ayon sa ulat ng National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) nitong Lunes, Hulyo 21.
Umakyat na rin sa lima ang bilang ng mga nasugatan, mula sa tatlong naitala noong Linggo, habang pito ang kasalukuyang nawawala.
Ayon sa NDRRMC, umabot sa 800,864 indibidwal o katumbas ng 225,985 pamilya ang naapektuhan ng masamang panahon sa 1,556 barangay sa bansa.
Sa bilang na ito, 20,115 katao o 5,921 pamilya ang kasalukuyang nanunuluyan sa mga evacuation center, habang 70,720 indibidwal o 16,671 pamilya naman ang pansamantalang nakikituloy sa labas ng mga evacuation site.
SEOUL, South Korea. At least 14 people have died and 12 others remain missing after five days of relentless heavy rains battered South Korea, the Ministry of the Interior and Safety reported on Sunday.
On Sunday, one person was killed when their house collapsed due to intense rainfall, while another victim was found dead after being swept away by a swollen stream in Gapyeong, northeast of Seoul.
The southern town of Sancheong was among the hardest hit, with eight people confirmed dead and six still missing following landslides, house collapses, and flash floods triggered by Saturday’s downpours.
Authorities also reported that six people remain missing in Gapyeong and the southern city of Gwangju.
Earlier in the week, three individuals were found dead inside a submerged vehicle, while another died when their car was buried by soil and concrete following the collapse of an overpass retaining wall in Osan, just south of Seoul.
As of 9 a.m. On Sunday, about 3,840 residents had been forced to evacuate due to the extreme weather. Although the rains stopped in most parts of the country and weather alerts were lifted, officials remain on alert.
According to the ministry, some southern regions received between 600 and 800 millimeters (24 to 31 inches) of rain since Wednesday.
LAS VEGAS. Manny Pacquiao defied age and expectations in his return to the ring on Saturday night, but ultimately fell short of reclaiming championship glory as Mario Barrios retained his WBC welterweight title with a majority draw.
Two judges scored the bout 114–114, while the third gave Barrios a narrow 115–113 edge. With the result, Barrios, 30, kept his title, extending his record to 29 wins, 2 losses, and 2 draws.
Pacquiao, now 46 and recently inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame, was attempting to break his own record as the oldest welterweight champion. His last title win came in 2019 against Keith Thurman when he was 40. This marked his first fight in nearly four years, following a 2021 loss to Yordenis Ugás.
The Filipino legend now holds a record of 62 wins, 9 losses, and 2 draws. Despite the result, Pacquiao hinted he might not be done yet. The largely pro-Pacquiao crowd in Las Vegas booed the decision, many believing he had done enough to win.
In the co-main event, Sebastian Fundora (23-1-1, 15 KOs) successfully defended his WBC super welterweight title after Tim Tszyu (25-3) failed to continue beyond the eighth round. Fundora dropped Tszyu in the first round and overwhelmed him with 118 power punches, leading all three scorecards 69–63.
“It’s all about aggression,” said Fundora, who also made headlines this week after being accepted into Harvard. His dominant win follows a close split-decision victory over Tszyu in their first bout in March. Fundora was previously the WBO titleholder but was stripped of that belt for not facing mandatory challenger Xander Zayas.
At least 30 people were injured when a car crashed into a crowd outside a nightclub in Los Angeles early Saturday morning, authorities said. The incident occurred shortly before 2 a.m. local time outside The Vermont, a club located in the city, according to the Los Angeles Fire and police departments.
The Los Angeles Fire Department reported that seven of the victims were in critical condition, while six others sustained serious injuries.
According to fire department spokesperson Captain Adam VanGerpen, the vehicle initially collided with a taco truck stationed outside the club, then continued through a valet stand and into a large group of people.
The Los Angeles Police Department said on X that the motive behind the crash remains under investigation.
When officers responded to reports of an assault with a deadly weapon, they found the driver had been shot while being attacked by bystanders. He was transported to a hospital, and his condition is currently unknown.
Authorities said a man suspected of shooting the driver fled the scene on foot and may have been armed with a silver revolver.
Before there was Facebook, before algorithms and engagement metrics began shaping our every conversation, there was community. And in San Pablo City, one of the steady voices behind that community spirit was and remains Rolly Inciong.
I owe him more than just a column.
We were friends, fellow believers in storytelling, civic duty, and the power of local media to spark national awareness. I didn’t start as a writer. I was a cartoonist. And it was Rolly who encouraged me to launch my political cartoon, Titay—a humorous but biting take on local issues that helped sharpen my eye for truth and satire. He published the cartoons in News World, his local newspaper, giving my work a platform when few others would. Through sketches and captions, I tried to make sense of the chaos. Rolly believed I had something important to say, and he made sure I dared to say it. That invitation, simple as it seemed, sparked a journey that would lead me to investigative journalism and the Philippine Press Institute. He didn’t just open a door; he helped build the hallway.
But this story isn’t about me. It’s about a man who, throughout decades of local and regional service, has defined what it means to be a communicator with conscience.
Beyond the Press
When I faced a ₱18-million libel suit in my late twenties over a story involving a basketball court that existed only on paper, Rolly and his wife Sylvia, known to most of us as Bebot, stood by me. Through hearings, through fear, through all the noise, they never wavered. They believed in truth, and they believed in me. That kind of loyalty isn’t just rare in journalism, it’s rare in life.
Yet the public record of Rolly’s contributions goes far beyond the newsroom. As San Pablo’s first-ever City Information Officer in the 1990s, he set the bar for local government communications, one rooted not in spin but in service. Now that he’s back in that post, under Mayor Najie Gapangada’s administration, his return feels less like a comeback and more like a homecoming. The city’s renewed push for transparency and civic engagement bears his thoughtful imprint.
A Civic Communicator
He didn’t stop with press releases and media liaison work. Rolly helped shape one of San Pablo’s proudest traditions: the Coconut Festival. In 1995–1996, along with Sylvia and a team of civic-minded collaborators, he was part of the think tank that branded and conceptualized Cocofest, transforming it into an annual magnet for tourism, culture, and local pride.
Later, he took his skills to the regional stage. At the ASEAN Centre for Biodiversity (ACB), Rolly led the Communication and Public Affairs unit, championing biodiversity not just in reports, but in people’s hearts. He facilitated workshops, authored materials, and made the complex language of conservation accessible and inspiring. It was, once again, public communication in its purest form: serving not power, but people.
Business and Beyond
As president of the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry – San Pablo City (PCCI-SPC), Rolly infused business advocacy with vision and strategy. Under his leadership, the local chamber gained national recognition as the Most Outstanding Chamber, proof that communication can catalyze economic growth, too.
His Rotary and Apex Club affiliations further round out a life lived in service of others, volunteerism, public health, youth empowerment, and cultural preservation. For him, these were not side pursuits but the very pillars of a functioning and compassionate society.
Why This Matters Now
In an era of misinformation, of shallow virality, of rapid-fire content with little context, San Pablo is fortunate to have a City Information Officer who understands both the tempo of the internet and the soul of the barangay. Rolly Inciong brings institutional memory, regional credibility, and the kind of narrative sensitivity that AI will never replicate.
To set the record straight: Rolly earned his degree in Development Communication from the University of the Philippines, Los Baños. Before he was appointed as Chief Information Officer, he served as Regional Director of the then National Nutrition and Population Commission (NNPC), now known as the Philippine Information Agency (PIA), for the Southern Tagalog Region. In the broader field of public service, however, his most enduring credentials are not found on paper but in the decades of meaningful work he carried out with integrity and impact.
From One Publisher to Another
What makes Rolly rare is not just his resume. It’s the way he works quietly, collaboratively, persistently. With Sylvia by his side, he has woven together the threads of culture, ecology, business, and governance. And he does it with humility.
As the publisher of Tutubi News Magazine, I count myself lucky to have had Rolly Inciong as a mentor. But more importantly, San Pablo is lucky to have him now, anchoring truth in a sea of noise, one clear, steady message at a time.
Rolly Inciong shares insights on responsible journalism and the role of local media during a seminar with student writers, reflecting his lifelong commitment to truth, public service, and community storytelling.
Venus Peñaflor Publisher, Tutubi News Magazine Personal reflections drawn from experience; all other facts cited from public records and documentation as available.
MAYNILA. Magpapatuloy ang malalakas na pag-ulan sa malaking bahagi ng bansa ngayong Linggo, Hulyo 20, dulot ng Southwest Monsoon o habagat, ayon sa PAGASA.
Sa heavy rainfall outlook ng ahensiya, tinatayang aabot sa 100 hanggang 200 millimeters ng ulan ang mararanasan ngayong araw sa mga lalawigan ng Pangasinan, Zambales, Bataan, Cavite, Batangas, at Occidental Mindoro.
Samantala, posibleng umabot sa 50 hanggang 100 millimeters ng ulan sa Metro Manila, Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, La Union, Benguet, Tarlac, Pampanga, Bulacan, Laguna, Rizal, Oriental Mindoro, Palawan, Antique, Aklan, at Romblon.
Sa Lunes, magpapatuloy pa rin ang mga pag-ulan sa Zambales, Bataan, at Occidental Mindoro na posibleng umabot muli sa 100 hanggang 200 mm, habang makararanas naman ng 50 hanggang 100 mm ng ulan ang Metro Manila, Pangasinan, Tarlac, Pampanga, Bulacan, Cavite, Batangas, at Oriental Mindoro.
Inaasahan naman na unti-unti nang bababa ang bilang ng mga lugar na makararanas ng malalakas na pag-ulan pagsapit ng Martes.
In the latest attempt to revive the tiny blue creatures of childhood fame, Smurfs brings pop royalty Rihanna to the microphone as Smurfette and even features a new song, but star power alone can’t save this lackluster animated reboot.
Directed by Chris Miller (Puss in Boots, Shrek the Third), Smurfs follows a familiar formula, borrowing liberally from the Trolls playbook: colorful forest creatures, musical numbers, and a feel-good quest. This time, Papa Smurf (voiced by John Goodman) kicks things off by DJing in the village, setting the stage for a bright, fast-paced but uninspired ride.
The story centers on No Name Smurf (James Corden), a blue blob without a defining trait in a village full of overly specific Smurfs. When he unexpectedly gains magical powers, he sets off a dangerous chain of events that threatens the entire Smurf Village. Enter Razamel, an evil wizard and brother of the iconic Gargamel, who embarks on a quest for world domination. What follows is a madcap adventure across multiple dimensions, from Paris to Australia, with even a detour into Claymation.
Despite the international chase and a few zany moments (including Rihanna singing from a kangaroo pouch), the film never manages to lift itself above its Saturday morning cartoon roots. Gags aimed at adults — from jokes about LinkedIn to spam filters — fall flat, and the movie’s strongest moments are diluted by an overreliance on IP-driven content and thin storytelling.
Scripted by Pam Brady (Hot Rod, Team America: World Police), Smurfs aims to appeal to both kids and nostalgic adults, but mostly ends up serving as a gentle 90-minute distraction for young viewers.
Rated PG for action, language, and some rude humor, Smurfs clocks in at 92 minutes and ultimately feels like a missed opportunity. With just one and a half stars out of four, this reboot adds little to the legacy of Peyo’s beloved blue beings.
BEIJING. China’s Ministry of Education has issued a safety advisory for Chinese students in the Philippines, citing a series of criminal incidents allegedly targeting them.
In a brief statement released Friday, the ministry did not provide details of specific cases but urged students to remain vigilant and prioritize their safety if they choose to study in the country. The advisory comes amid strained diplomatic relations between China and the Philippines over maritime disputes in the South China Sea.
According to the South China Morning Post, the number of Chinese students enrolled in Philippine institutions has dwindled to only a few hundred in recent years.
Responding to the advisory, Undersecretary Claire Castro of the Presidential Communications Office acknowledged China’s right to issue such warnings. However, she emphasized that the crime rate in the Philippines has been decreasing.
“Safety and security in the Philippines, we can say, have been improving as far as we are concerned,” Castro said during a daily news briefing on Friday.
She added that police have responded swiftly to public concerns and pointed out that crimes linked to Chinese-run online gambling operations have significantly declined. Many Chinese nationals involved in such activities have also been deported.
The advisory follows a pattern of heightened tensions between the two countries, most recently involving confrontations at sea, where China has used water cannons and other non-lethal methods to deter Philippine fishing vessels.
NEW YORK/WASHINGTON. U.S. President Donald Trump has filed a $10 billion lawsuit against the Wall Street Journal, its parent company Dow Jones, News Corp, and two of its reporters, accusing them of defamation over a report linking him to disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein.
The lawsuit, filed in federal court in the Southern District of Florida, centers on a Wall Street Journal article that claims Trump sent Epstein a birthday greeting in 2003, which allegedly included a sexually suggestive drawing and a message referencing “secrets they shared.” Trump has denied the report, calling it false and malicious.
The defendants, including News Corp founder Rupert Murdoch, are accused of causing Trump “overwhelming financial and reputational harm” through what he describes as deliberate falsehoods.
“I look forward to getting Rupert Murdoch to testify in my lawsuit against him and his ‘pile of garbage’ newspaper, the WSJ. That will be an interesting experience,” Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform Friday morning.
Reuters has not independently verified the Journal’s report. Representatives of Dow Jones, News Corp, and Murdoch were not immediately available for comment.
The controversy surrounding Epstein, who died by suicide in a New York jail cell in 2019 while awaiting trial on sex trafficking charges, continues to fuel conspiracy theories, particularly among Trump’s base. These theories suggest that Epstein had damaging information on many powerful individuals and that the government covered up his connections.
In July, the U.S. Department of Justice released a memo stating there was no incriminating client list or evidence of blackmail by Epstein. Despite this, pressure has mounted on Trump and his allies to release more Epstein-related documents.
On Thursday, Trump said he had instructed Attorney General Pam Bondi to ask the courts to release grand jury testimony related to Epstein. A day later, the U.S. government filed a motion in Manhattan federal court to unseal transcripts from grand jury proceedings involving Epstein and his longtime associate Ghislaine Maxwell, who is currently serving a 20-year sentence after being convicted in 2021 of five federal charges related to Epstein’s abuse of underage girls.
Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche emphasized the public’s ongoing interest in the case. “After all, Jeffrey Epstein is the most infamous pedophile in American history,” Blanche said in the filing. He called the transcripts “critical pieces of an important moment in our nation’s history,” adding that prosecutors would redact all victim-identifying information before any release.
The Wall Street Journal said the letter in question appeared in a leather-bound birthday book for Epstein, alongside messages from other prominent individuals. The letter, bearing Trump’s signature, reportedly featured several typed lines framed by a drawing of a naked woman and ended with the words: “Happy Birthday — and may every day be another wonderful secret.”
Epstein’s alleged abuse of underage girls first became public in 2006, after the birthday book was reportedly created. He was arrested that same year and later accepted a controversial plea deal. He was arrested again in 2019 on sex-trafficking charges, but died in custody shortly after.
Trump, who had been photographed with Epstein in social settings during the 1990s and early 2000s, has publicly distanced himself from the financier. In 2002, he told New York Magazine, “I’ve known Jeff for 15 years. Terrific guy. He’s a lot of fun to be with. It is even said that he likes beautiful women as much as I do, and many of them are on the younger side.”
But in 2019, Trump told reporters that he had a falling out with Epstein long before his legal troubles. “I haven’t spoken to him in 15 years. I was not a fan of his, that I can tell you,” he said.
While many of Trump’s supporters had hoped for the full release of case files held by federal agencies, the unsealing of grand jury transcripts, even if partially redacted, may be the most transparency the public receives for now.
Grand jury proceedings are typically secret under federal rules, but courts may allow disclosure under certain circumstances, such as when requested by a defendant or for judicial proceedings. Any released material will likely undergo redaction to protect the privacy and safety of individuals involved.
MAYNILA. Bahagyang lumakas ang Bagyong Crising habang patuloy na kumikilos pa-kanluran hilagang-kanluran, ayon sa ulat ng PAGASA nitong Biyernes, Hulyo 19. Sampung lugar sa Luzon ang isinailalim sa Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal No. 2.
Kabilang sa mga nasa Signal No. 2 ang mga sumusunod:
Batanes
Cagayan, kabilang ang Babuyan Islands
Isabela
Apayao
Kalinga
Hilaga at gitnang bahagi ng Abra (Manabo, Pidigan, San Juan, Tayum, Langiden, Boliney, Sallapadan, Bucloc, Lagangilang, Danglas, La Paz, Licuan-Baay, Tineg, Malibcong, Peñarrubia, San Isidro, Daguioman, San Quintin, Dolores, Lagayan, Bangued, Bucay, Lacub)
Silangang bahagi ng Mountain Province (Natonin, Paracelis)
Silangang bahagi ng Ifugao (Aguinaldo, Alfonso Lista)
Ilocos Norte
Hilagang bahagi ng Ilocos Sur (Cabugao, Sinait, Magsingal, San Juan, San Ildefonso, Santo Domingo, Bantay, San Vicente, Santa Catalina, Caoayan, Vigan City, Santa)
Samantala, nasa ilalim ng Signal No. 1 ang mga sumusunod:
Quirino
Nueva Vizcaya
Natitirang bahagi ng Mountain Province at Ifugao
Natitirang bahagi ng Abra
Benguet
Natitirang bahagi ng Ilocos Sur
La Union
Hilagang bahagi ng Pangasinan (San Nicolas, Natividad, San Quintin, San Manuel, Tayug, Sison, San Fabian, Pozorrubio, Laoac, Binalonan, San Jacinto, Manaoag, Mangaldan, Dagupan City, Binmaley, Lingayen, Labrador, Sual, Alaminos City, Bolinao, Anda, Bani, Agno, Burgos, Mabini, Dasol, Calasiao, Santa Barbara, Mapandan, Bugallon)
Hilagang bahagi ng Aurora (Dilasag, Casiguran, Dinalungan, Dipaculao, Baler, Maria Aurora)
Huling namataan ang sentro ng bagyo sa layong 195 kilometro silangan ng Tuguegarao City, taglay ang lakas ng hangin na 75 kilometro bawat oras malapit sa gitna at pagbugso na aabot sa 90 kilometro bawat oras. Kumikilos ito pa-kanluran hilagang-kanluran sa bilis na 25 kilometro bawat oras.
Ayon sa PAGASA, posibleng mag-landfall si Crising sa Cagayan o Babuyan Islands ngayong hapon o gabi. Inaasahang lalakas ito bilang isang severe tropical storm pagsapit ng Sabado bago tuluyang lumabas ng Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) sa Sabado ng hapon.
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