WASHINGTON/DUBAI – The United States launched a new wave of airstrikes against Iranian military targets overnight after Iran expanded missile and drone attacks across several Gulf states and again declared the Strait of Hormuz closed, significantly escalating tensions in the Middle East and threatening global energy supplies.
According to U.S. officials, American forces struck approximately 140 Iranian military targets, including facilities linked to Iran’s naval and missile capabilities, following an Iranian attack on a Cyprus-flagged commercial container ship in the Gulf of Oman. The vessel caught fire after being hit, leaving one Indian crew member missing. Washington said the strikes were intended to degrade Iran’s ability to threaten international shipping through the Strait of Hormuz.
Iran responded by launching missiles and drones at U.S.-linked military facilities and strategic locations in Bahrain, Qatar, Kuwait, Jordan, Oman and the United Arab Emirates. Several Gulf countries reported intercepted projectiles and localized damage, while Qatar said three people were injured during the attacks. Oman also condemned the strikes and summoned Iran’s ambassador.
Following the attacks, Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps announced that the Strait of Hormuz would remain “closed until further notice,” warning that foreign vessels must comply with Iranian instructions to transit the waterway. However, U.S. Central Command rejected Iran’s claim, saying the international shipping lane remains open and that coalition forces continue to ensure freedom of navigation. President Donald Trump also stated that commercial traffic through the strait remains operational despite Tehran’s declaration.
The Strait of Hormuz is one of the world’s most strategically important maritime chokepoints, carrying roughly one-fifth of global seaborne oil and a significant share of liquefied natural gas exports. Any prolonged disruption threatens to affect global energy markets and international trade.
Oil prices climbed more than 3 percent following the latest exchange of attacks. Brent crude rose above $78 per barrel, while analysts warned that further military escalation could increase volatility in global energy markets, particularly if commercial shipping through the Strait of Hormuz is significantly disrupted.
The latest fighting has also placed renewed diplomatic efforts in jeopardy. The military escalation comes only weeks after Washington and Tehran reached an interim agreement intended to reduce hostilities, reopen maritime traffic through the Strait of Hormuz, and resume negotiations. Both sides now accuse each other of violating the understanding, casting doubt on prospects for a near-term de-escalation.
Regional mediators, including Oman, Qatar and Egypt, continue efforts to prevent the conflict from expanding into a wider regional war. However, with both Washington and Tehran exchanging large-scale military strikes while maintaining hardline positions, international concern continues to grow over the possibility of further escalation across the Gulf.
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham, a veteran Republican lawmaker, influential foreign policy voice, and one of President Donald Trump’s closest allies in Congress, died Saturday following what his office described as a “brief and sudden illness.” He was 71.
Graham’s office announced his death early Sunday, asking for privacy on behalf of his family but providing no further details about the circumstances surrounding his passing. President Donald Trump paid tribute to the South Carolina senator, describing him as “like a member of the family” and recalling that the two had spoken shortly before Graham’s death following the senator’s return from a trip to Ukraine.
A Republican from South Carolina, Graham served in the U.S. Senate since 2003 after representing his state’s 3rd Congressional District in the House of Representatives from 1995 to 2003. Before entering politics, he served as an attorney in the U.S. Air Force Judge Advocate General’s Corps and later retired from the Air Force Reserve with the rank of colonel.
Throughout his Senate career, Graham became one of the chamber’s most prominent voices on national security and foreign policy. He consistently advocated for a strong U.S. military, robust support for allies including Israel and Ukraine, and a more aggressive approach toward America’s geopolitical rivals. He also chaired the Senate Judiciary Committee and later the Senate Budget Committee, helping shape major Republican legislative priorities and judicial confirmations.
Graham’s political relationship with Trump evolved dramatically over the past decade. After sharply criticizing Trump during the 2016 Republican presidential primary, he later emerged as one of the president’s most loyal congressional allies and trusted advisers on foreign affairs and judicial nominations. Despite occasional disagreements, Graham remained a key figure within Trump’s political circle and frequently defended the administration’s policies.
Colleagues from both political parties remembered Graham as an influential senator known for his willingness to work across party lines on issues such as immigration while remaining a steadfast conservative on defense and national security. His close friendship with the late Senator John McCain also helped shape his reputation as one of Congress’ leading foreign policy hawks.
Under South Carolina law, Governor Henry McMaster is expected to appoint an interim senator until a special election is held to fill the remainder of Graham’s term.
Born on July 9, 1955, in Central, South Carolina, Graham served more than three decades in Congress and became one of the Republican Party’s most recognizable national figures. His career spanned the presidencies of both Republican and Democratic administrations, during which he played significant roles in debates over war, judicial appointments, immigration, taxation, and U.S. foreign policy.
AALBORG, Denmark — Dozens of Santa Clauses, Mrs. Clauses, and elves from around the world gathered in the Danish city of Aalborg this week for the annual World Santa Claus Congress, transforming the height of summer into a celebration of Christmas cheer through parades, performances, and festive competitions.
Held in Denmark’s fourth-largest city, the four-day event brings together professional Santas months before the Christmas season, providing an opportunity to exchange ideas, improve their performances, and celebrate a tradition that has delighted families for decades.
The World Santa Claus Congress was first staged in 1957 at an amusement park near Copenhagen and later moved to Aalborg on the Jutland peninsula two years ago. The gathering will celebrate its 70th anniversary next year, continuing a long-standing tradition that began as a children’s entertainment event and has since evolved into an international meeting for professional Santas.
Participants from Scandinavia joined visitors from countries including Australia, Canada, Hong Kong, Japan, and the United States, highlighting the global appeal of the annual celebration.
The congress features a packed program of family-friendly activities, including gingerbread-eating contests, gift-wrapping competitions, balloon modeling, and colorful street parades through Aalborg’s city center.
Organizer Peter Gislund, who also portrays Santa Claus during the Christmas season in Aalborg, said the event receives mixed reactions from the public because it takes place during the summer.
“The grandmas say, ‘Oh, it’s too early to come here.’ The kids say, ‘Hooray! Santa’s here already,'” Gislund told The Associated Press.
Among the participants was Paradise Yamamoto of Tokyo, who marched through Aalborg waving a Japanese flag while dancing to the Christmas classic “Feliz Navidad.” Yamamoto described the event as a joyful experience, especially seeing children enthusiastically welcoming the Santas despite the warm weather.
For Robert Hercz, a 64-year-old Santa from Oslo attending the congress for the first time, the gathering reflects a shared commitment among Santas to generosity and kindness regardless of nationality.
“We have the true Santa spirit. And it’s all about giving, sharing, and putting a little bit of joy in people’s hearts,” Hercz said.
Gislund said the congress also allows participants to exchange ideas, compare costumes and beards, and learn from one another before the busy holiday season begins.
Danish participant Simon Brøns, 33, said the congress demonstrates that the Christmas spirit extends beyond a single season.
“Christmas is not a season. It’s a feeling you have in your stomach,” Brøns said. “So if you want, you can have Christmas the whole year.”
The World Santa Claus Congress has become one of Denmark’s most distinctive cultural events, attracting visitors and media attention from around the world while promoting tourism in Aalborg during the summer months.
MANILA, Philippines — Inaasahang mas iinit ang impeachment trial ni Vice President Sara Duterte sa Senado ngayong papasok ito sa ikalawang linggo ng pagdinig, kasabay ng paghahain ng House prosecution panel ng mas maraming testigo at panawagan ng ilang senador na agad linawin ang kinakailangang bilang ng boto para sa magiging hatol.
Ayon sa mga House prosecutor na sina Mamamayang Liberal Partylist Rep. Leila de Lima at Akbayan Rep. Chel Diokno, mas magiging mahalaga ang mga susunod na pagdinig habang unti-unting inilalatag ng prosekusyon ang mga ebidensiya kaugnay ng Article IV ng Articles of Impeachment. Ang bahaging ito ay tumutukoy sa umano’y pagbabanta ni Vice President Duterte laban kina Pangulong Ferdinand Marcos Jr., First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos, at dating House Speaker Martin Romualdez.
May kabuuang 11 araw ang prosecution panel upang iharap ang kanilang mga testigo at ebidensiya para sa naturang artikulo ng impeachment.
Matapos ang pagtestigo ni National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) Senior Agent John Mark Calilung, inaasahang haharap din sa Senate Impeachment Court sina NBI Regional Director Atty. Jeremy Lotoc, House of Representatives Sergeant-at-Arms Legislative Security Bureau Executive Director Capt. Belinda Bello, at NBI Director Melvin Matibag.
Nagpalabas din ng subpoena ang Senado kay Atty. Zuleika Lopez, dating chief of staff ng Office of the Vice President (OVP), bilang bahagi ng nagpapatuloy na paglilitis.
Si Lotoc ang nanguna sa imbestigasyon ng NBI kaugnay ng umano’y pagbabanta ni Duterte at kabilang sa mga pangunahing testigo ng prosekusyon. Siya rin ang nagsuri sa mga video at iba pang ebidensiyang na-authenticate ni Calilung bago ito isumite sa Department of Justice (DOJ).
Sinabi ni Diokno na nailatag na ng prosekusyon ang pundasyon ng kanilang kaso sa pamamagitan ng unang testigo.
“Inihahambing namin ito sa pagtatayo ng bahay. Hindi ka makapagtatayo kung wala munang matibay na pundasyon,” ani Diokno.
Samantala, nanawagan si Senador Panfilo Lacson sa Senate Impeachment Court na agad resolbahin ang usapin tungkol sa eksaktong bilang ng mga boto na kinakailangan upang mahatulan o mapawalang-sala ang bise presidente.
Ayon kay Lacson, dapat malinaw ang interpretasyon ng probisyon ng Konstitusyon bago pa man dumating sa yugto ng pagboto upang maiwasan ang anumang legal na kontrobersiya.
Iginiit niyang malinaw sa 1987 Constitution na kinakailangan ang boto ng dalawang-katlo o 16 sa kabuuang 24 senador upang magkaroon ng conviction sa isang impeachment trial.
Lumitaw ang isyu matapos talakayin ng mga senator-judges kung ang two-thirds requirement ay dapat ibatay sa kabuuang bilang ng mga senador o sa aktwal na bilang ng mga senator-judges na naroroon sa oras ng pagboto.
“Mas mainam na maresolba na ito bago kami maglabas ng desisyon, kung magko-convict o mag-a-acquit,” ani Lacson.
Sa unang linggo ng impeachment trial, nakatuon ang Senado sa mga procedural matters, kabilang ang pagpapatibay sa Rules of Procedure, ang pagpili kay Senate President Francis “Chiz” Escudero bilang presiding officer ng impeachment court, at iba pang mosyon na may kaugnayan sa takbo ng paglilitis.
Ang impeachment trial ni Vice President Duterte ay isa sa pinakamahahalagang usaping pampulitika sa bansa ngayong taon, at inaasahang magpapatuloy ang presentasyon ng mga testigo at ebidensiya sa mga susunod na linggo bago umusad sa susunod na yugto ng paglilitis.
HANOI, Vietnam — A speedboat carrying Indian tourists capsized off the coast of southern Vietnam on Saturday, killing 15 people and injuring several others just minutes after departing from a popular tourist island near Phu Quoc, authorities said.
The vessel was carrying 32 Indian tourists and four crew members when it overturned shortly after leaving Hon May Rut Ngoai Island, located about 10 kilometers south of Phu Quoc, Vietnam’s largest island. According to authorities, the boat had traveled less than 500 meters (0.3 mile) from shore when the accident occurred.
Emergency responders rescued 21 people, while all 15 victims were later recovered from the water. The injured were taken to nearby hospitals for treatment, according to Vietnamese authorities.
Ashish Kumar, an Indian tourist who witnessed the tragedy, told The Associated Press that nearby boats immediately rushed to assist after passengers began calling for help.
“The boat had not even gone half a kilometer when it just tipped over,” Kumar said. “We screamed, ‘Help! Help!'”
He said there was no emergency medical team waiting onshore when survivors were brought back, adding that three of his friends had been aboard the vessel. Two of them died, while another remained in critical condition.
Vietnam’s VN Express reported that some passengers became trapped inside the overturned boat. Footage aired by Vietnamese state television showed rough seas and strong winds as rescue personnel threw life buoys to people struggling in the water. Jet skis transported survivors back to shore, where beachgoers and responders administered first aid before ambulances arrived.
Vietnamese Prime Minister Le Minh Hung ordered a full investigation into the accident and directed authorities to determine its cause and hold those responsible accountable if negligence is found. He also instructed government agencies to review maritime and waterway safety measures around Phu Quoc and nearby tourist destinations.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his condolences to the victims’ families in a statement posted on social media, saying the Embassy of India in Vietnam was providing all possible assistance to those affected.
Officials said many of the passengers were believed to be from the Indian states of Telangana and Tamil Nadu. Authorities in Telangana established a control room to coordinate information and support for the victims’ families, while Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M. K. Stalin urged Indian officials to ensure immediate assistance for survivors and the prompt repatriation of those who died.
The cause of the capsizing has not yet been officially determined. Vietnamese authorities are investigating whether weather conditions, operational issues, or other factors contributed to the accident.
Phu Quoc, located in the Gulf of Thailand, is one of Vietnam’s premier tourist destinations, attracting millions of domestic and international visitors each year. Its surrounding islands, including Hon May Rut Ngoai, are known for white-sand beaches, clear waters, snorkeling, and island-hopping excursions, making maritime safety a critical concern during the busy travel season.
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Iran has declared the Strait of Hormuz closed “until further notice,” dramatically escalating tensions in the Gulf even as the United States continues to press Tehran to guarantee safe passage for international shipping during indirect negotiations mediated by Oman.
According to Reuters, Iran’s Revolutionary Guards announced the closure after one of its naval units fired a warning shot at what Iranian authorities described as a commercial vessel traveling through an “unauthorized route” in the strategic waterway. The move immediately heightened concerns over global energy supplies and maritime security because the Strait of Hormuz remains one of the world’s most critical shipping corridors.
The United States has responded by intensifying diplomatic efforts, seeking a public commitment from Tehran that commercial vessels will be allowed to transit the strait safely, without attacks, interference, or transit fees. Senior U.S. officials have described freedom of navigation through the waterway as a key objective of the ongoing negotiations.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi met with Omani Foreign Minister Badr Albusaidi in Muscat as Oman continued its role as the principal mediator between Washington and Tehran. The discussions focused on managing navigation through the Strait of Hormuz and preventing further escalation, even as military tensions persisted.
The Strait of Hormuz connects the Persian Gulf to the Gulf of Oman and the Arabian Sea and normally carries about one-fifth of the world’s oil supply. Any disruption to shipping through the narrow passage can immediately affect global energy markets, freight costs, and international commerce.
The latest developments come despite continuing diplomatic contacts between the United States and Iran. U.S. President Donald Trump has said indirect negotiations will continue, even after declaring the previous ceasefire effectively over following renewed attacks on commercial shipping. Iranian officials, meanwhile, have accused Washington of violating earlier agreements while insisting they remain committed to negotiations through Oman’s mediation.
Iran has maintained that it intends to retain control over navigation in the Strait of Hormuz, including requiring approval for certain vessel movements, a position Washington says is inconsistent with international norms governing freedom of navigation. The dispute has become one of the central issues in the current round of negotiations.
The declaration closing the strait also followed another exchange of military action in the Gulf. U.S. officials said additional strikes were carried out after what they described as an Iranian attack on a commercial vessel, while Iran accused the United States of further violating previous understandings reached between the two countries.
Despite the renewed escalation, both Washington and Tehran have indicated they are willing to continue indirect talks through Oman. Diplomats hope a negotiated arrangement can restore confidence in one of the world’s busiest maritime trade routes, though the latest developments underscore the fragile security situation in the Gulf and the continuing risk of disruptions to global oil shipments.
TAIPEI, Taiwan — Typhoon Bavi made landfall in eastern China before dawn Sunday after prompting the evacuation of nearly two million people, forcing widespread transport disruptions, school closures, and emergency measures across several coastal provinces as authorities warned of dangerous flooding, landslides, and storm surges.
China’s National Meteorological Center said Bavi came ashore near Taizhou in Zhejiang Province with maximum sustained winds of about 144 kilometers per hour (89 mph), equivalent to a Category 1 hurricane. Although the storm has begun to weaken after moving inland, forecasters warned that its extensive rain bands continue to pose a significant threat of flash floods, overflowing rivers, and landslides across eastern China.
Authorities evacuated more than 1.7 million residents in Zhejiang Province and over 100,000 people in neighboring Fujian Province, bringing the total number of evacuations to nearly 1.8 million. In Shanghai, approximately 34,000 residents were relocated from flood-prone and other high-risk areas as a precaution.
China maintained an orange typhoon alert, the country’s second-highest warning level, while weather authorities also kept a red rainstorm alert in effect for parts of eastern China due to the heightened risk of severe flooding. Emergency crews remained on standby as the government allocated 40 million yuan (about US$5.9 million) in disaster relief funds to support rescue operations, emergency response, and recovery efforts in Zhejiang and Fujian provinces.
The typhoon caused widespread disruptions across eastern China. Hundreds of flights were canceled, ferry services suspended, and several high-speed railway operations halted, while schools remained closed in many affected areas as emergency measures continued.
Taiwan also experienced significant impacts as Bavi passed just north of the island. Taiwan’s Central Weather Administration reported at least 113 people were injured, many in motorcycle-related traffic accidents during heavy rain and strong winds. More than 14,200 residents were evacuated, particularly from mountainous areas in Hualien County and Taichung City, while most schools and government offices remained closed during the storm’s passage. Nearly 1,200 domestic and international flights were also canceled.
The typhoon earlier affected Japan’s southern islands, particularly Okinawa Prefecture and the Sakishima island chain, where authorities warned residents about dangerous waves, storm surges, and powerful winds. More than 200 flights were canceled as heavy rain and strong winds swept across the region.
Before reaching Taiwan and eastern China, Typhoon Bavi intensified the southwest monsoon over the Philippines, triggering days of heavy rainfall that caused deadly landslides and flooding across several southern provinces. According to the Philippine Office of Civil Defense, at least 17 people were killed, most of them in landslides.
The deadliest incident occurred in Malapatan, Sarangani, where a landslide buried a village before dawn on Friday, killing 10 people and leaving three others missing. Another landslide in Calanogas, Lanao del Sur, claimed five lives, while six people remained missing. Two other people drowned in floodwaters in Bukidnon, according to Philippine disaster officials.
Philippine authorities also said around 11,000 residents were evacuated to 77 emergency shelters, most of them in southern provinces affected by days of monsoon rains enhanced by the typhoon.
Although Bavi is steadily weakening after making landfall, meteorologists warned that its vast circulation continues to carry enormous amounts of moisture capable of producing torrential rainfall across eastern China over the next several days. Authorities remain on high alert as the storm moves farther inland, where flooding, landslides, and swollen rivers are expected to remain the primary hazards even after the strongest winds subside.
MANILA, Philippines – Umakyat na sa 10 ang bilang ng mga nasawi matapos matabunan ng pagguho ng lupa ang dalawang bahay sa Barangay Poblacion, Malapatan, Sarangani, ayon sa Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (MDRRMO).
Kabilang sa mga nasawi ang dalawang bata at isang indibidwal na naisugod pa sa ospital ngunit idineklarang dead on arrival. Ayon sa MDRRMO, ang mga biktima ay mula sa dalawang magkahiwalay na pamilya na naninirahan sa lugar. Patuloy naman ang search and retrieval operations habang inaalam ng mga awtoridad kung may iba pang posibleng nawawala.
Sinabi ni Malapatan Mayor Salway Sumbo Jr. na hindi malalim ang natabunang bahagi ng lupa kaya mabilis na nakapagsagawa ng rescue operation ang mga responder. Ayon sa kanya, bandang alas-6 ng umaga ay may naririnig pa umanong boses sa ilalim ng gumuhong lupa ang purok chairman, subalit isa lamang sa mga nailigtas ang naitakbo sa ospital at kalaunan ay binawian din ng buhay.
Ayon kay Malapatan MDRRMO Officer Mark Christopher Quiño, posibleng dulot ng tuloy-tuloy na malalakas na pag-ulan na pinalakas ng Habagat ang pagguho ng lupa. Sinabi rin niyang maaaring nakaambag ang pinsalang idinulot ng magnitude 7.8 na lindol na yumanig sa Sarangani noong Hunyo 8, na maaaring nagdulot ng mga bitak o tension cracks sa kabundukan. Gayunman, nilinaw niyang isinasagawa pa ang masusing pagsusuri upang matukoy ang eksaktong sanhi ng landslide.
Kasunod ng insidente, iniutos ng pamahalaang panlalawigan ang agarang preemptive evacuation sa mga pamilyang nakatira sa mga lugar na itinuturing na mataas ang panganib sa pagguho ng lupa. Ayon kay Sarangani Governor Rogelio Pacquiao, inatasan na ang mga barangay na ilikas ang mga residente sa mga sitio na maaaring maapektuhan habang nagpapatuloy ang malakas na pag-ulan.
Nauna nang nagbabala ang mga awtoridad na mataas pa rin ang panganib ng landslide sa ilang bahagi ng Mindanao dahil sa patuloy na pag-ulan na dulot ng Habagat na pinalalakas ng Bagyong Inday. Pinayuhan ang mga residente sa mga bulubundukin at lugar na may kasaysayan ng pagguho ng lupa na sumunod sa mga evacuation order at manatiling nakaantabay sa mga abiso ng lokal na pamahalaan at ng mga disaster response agency.
Samantala, patuloy pa ring nakararanas ng epekto ang Sarangani at mga karatig-lugar mula sa magnitude 7.8 na lindol noong Hunyo 8. Ayon sa National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC), umabot na sa 92 ang kabuuang napaulat na nasawi sa lindol, bagaman karamihan sa mga ito ay sumasailalim pa sa validation. Naniniwala ang mga awtoridad na ang patuloy na pag-ulan kasabay ng mga bitak na iniwan ng lindol ay nagpapataas ng panganib ng mga kasunod na landslide sa mga apektadong komunidad.
MANILA, Philippines – Patuloy na humihina ang Bagyong Inday (international name: Bavi) habang kumikilos pahilagang-silangan at papalayo sa pinakahilagang bahagi ng Pilipinas, ayon sa Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA).
Sa pinakahuling tropical cyclone bulletin ng PAGASA, nananatili sa loob ng Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) ang sentro ng bagyo ngunit inaasahang tuluyang lalabas ng bansa habang tinatahak ang karagatan sa silangan ng Taiwan. Bagama’t lumalayo na ito, nananatiling may banta ng malalakas na hangin at maalon na karagatan sa ilang bahagi ng Batanes at mga karatig na lugar.
Ipinakita rin ng forecast track ng Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) at ng Joint Typhoon Warning Center (JTWC) ng Estados Unidos na kikilos ang bagyo pahilagang-silangan bago tuluyang tumungo sa East China Sea. Parehong inaasahan ng dalawang ahensya na magpapatuloy ang paghina ng sistema habang nakararanas ito ng mas malamig na karagatan at mas malakas na vertical wind shear.
Ayon sa PAGASA, ang Bagyong Inday ay dati nang umabot sa kategoryang super typhoon habang nasa silangang bahagi ng Philippine Sea, subalit unti-unti itong humina bago ang pinakamalapit nitong paglapit sa Batanes. Gayunman, binigyang-diin ng ahensya na maaari pa ring makaranas ang mga lugar na nasa ilalim ng Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal ng malalakas na bugso ng hangin, pag-ulan, at mapanganib na kondisyon sa karagatan.
Patuloy ding nagbabala ang PAGASA sa mga mangingisda at maliliit na sasakyang pandagat na iwasan ang paglalayag sa mga baybaying-dagat ng hilagang Luzon dahil sa mataas na alon at malalakas na hangin na dulot ng bagyo. Pinayuhan din ang mga lokal na pamahalaan at residente sa mga apektadong lugar na manatiling nakatutok sa mga susunod na weather bulletin at sundin ang mga ipalalabas na abiso ng mga awtoridad.
Nauna nang nagdulot ng mapanganib na kondisyon ang Bagyong Bavi sa bahagi ng Mariana Islands bago ito pumasok sa Philippine Area of Responsibility bilang Inday. Habang papalayo na ito sa Pilipinas, inaasahang magpapatuloy ang pagtahak nito patungo sa silangang bahagi ng Taiwan at kalaunan ay sa East China Sea, kung saan patuloy itong babantayan ng mga internasyonal na weather agency.
Patuloy namang hinihikayat ng PAGASA ang publiko na umasa lamang sa mga opisyal na tropical cyclone bulletin at severe weather advisories para sa pinakabagong impormasyon hinggil sa galaw at epekto ng Bagyong Inday.
Some artists paint what they see. Others paint what they feel. For painter, muralist, sculptor and poet Ameer Michael Catandihan, every work of art begins with a story, one rooted in faith, gratitude, family and the belief that even life’s greatest struggles can become sources of hope.
Born in Cebu, raised in Mandaluyong City and now based in Pila, Laguna, Catandihan has spent decades transforming ideas into paintings, murals and sculptures that speak not only to the eye but also to the heart. His works encourage people to care for one another, protect the environment and discover purpose in everyday life.
At the center of his artistic world is Anton, an ant-inspired human character that has become his unmistakable signature. Through Anton, Catandihan tells stories of kindness, resilience, family and respect, inviting viewers of all ages to see life through a more hopeful lens.
“I want people to find positivity even amid life’s struggles,” he said. “I want my works to remind them that we all have a purpose in life and that Allah, our Almighty Creator, created each of us with meaning.”
That philosophy has guided Catandihan throughout his artistic journey, one that began long before galleries and exhibitions.
As a young boy, he found joy in drawing Marvel superheroes, DC comic characters, and cartoon figures. What started as a childhood pastime soon evolved into a passion that earned him recognition in poster-making contests throughout his elementary and high school years. While studying at Jose Rizal College, he was named Overall Champion in one poster-making competition and First Runner-Up in another, further affirming his desire to pursue art as a profession.
Behind every sketch was someone quietly encouraging him to keep creating. “My greatest inspiration is my mother,” Catandihan said. “She was the first person to believe in me and encouraged me to keep drawing from a very young age.”
Her influence extended far beyond artistic encouragement. Raised without ever meeting his father, Catandihan witnessed firsthand the sacrifices his mother made to provide for him. Her strength, perseverance and unconditional love shaped not only the man he would become but also the values that define his work today. Her example inspired him to become the best father he could be for his own family, making love, responsibility and compassion recurring themes throughout his art.
Few works capture that gratitude more deeply than one of his most cherished sculptures, Mother and Child, also known as My Mother the Laundry Woman. The piece pays tribute to the woman who worked tirelessly to support him, believed in his dreams and never stopped encouraging him despite life’s hardships. More than a sculpture, it is a deeply personal expression of gratitude to the person who laid the foundation for everything he has achieved.
As his skills grew, Catandihan joined ABS-CBN, where he helped create props and scenic backdrops for television productions. The demanding environment taught him discipline, efficiency and the importance of delivering quality work under pressure.
His artistic journey later took him to Masagana Mall in Manila before opening another chapter overseas as an interior decorative artist in Dammam, Saudi Arabia. Working abroad broadened both his technical expertise and creative perspective, experiences that continue to influence his work today.
When he returned to the Philippines, Catandihan devoted himself fully to painting, sculpture and mural-making. His murals now adorn commercial establishments across Laguna, while his paintings and sculptures continue to be exhibited in galleries throughout Metro Manila and Laguna.
Among all his creations, Anton remains the most recognizable. The ant-inspired figure symbolizes resilience, humility and unity, qualities Catandihan believes are essential in everyday life. Through Anton’s stories, he encourages people to strengthen family relationships, care for the environment and treat every individual with dignity and respect.
For Catandihan, Anton is far more than a character. He considers the creation a blessing from Allah, one that gave his artistic journey a unique identity and deeper purpose. His Muslim faith remains the guiding force behind every work he creates, reminding him that every talent is a gift meant to serve others.
That same sense of purpose shapes his creative process. Every work begins with inspiration, followed by reflection, a balanced mind and sincere intention. Before every exhibition, he carefully studies the theme while ensuring each piece communicates something meaningful to those who experience it.
Although equally accomplished as a painter, muralist and poet, sculpture remains his favorite medium.He finds fulfillment in transforming found objects and forgotten memorabilia into works of art that give discarded materials new life. Sculpture, he believes, offers an experience unlike any other because people can appreciate it not only visually but also through its physical presence, creating a deeper connection between the artwork and its audience.
Like many artists, Catandihan has faced uncertainty and setbacks throughout his career. Yet he has never allowed adversity to define him.
“Life is like a roller coaster or a turning wheel,” he said. “Trials are part of life.” One of his greatest achievements, he believes, was discovering his own artistic identity through Anton. Finding a distinctive voice enabled him to overcome one of the greatest challenges any artist faces: creating work that is unmistakably their own.
More importantly, Catandihan no longer measures success by fame or recognition. Instead, he finds fulfillment in remaining grateful for the gifts Allah has entrusted to him and in using those gifts to inspire others.
Looking ahead, he continues to explore new ideas that blend creativity with purpose. He hopes to develop more interactive and kinetic artworks that invite viewers to engage with his creations, form their own interpretations and leave with a renewed sense of hope.
For Ameer Michael Catandihan, art is far more than a profession. It is a lifelong calling rooted in faith, gratitude and service. Every mural transforms an ordinary wall into a story. Every sculpture gives forgotten objects a second life. Every painting carries a message of hope.
And through Anton, the little character with a big heart, Catandihan continues to remind the world that kindness, family and purpose remain among life’s greatest masterpieces.
He enjoys transforming found objects and old memorabilia into sculptures that give forgotten materials new life.
One of his greatest accomplishments, he explained, was discovering his artistic identity through Anton.
For Ameer Michael Catandihan, art is far more than a profession. It is a lifelong mission rooted in faith, gratitude and service.
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