According to national tourism officials, one of the main reasons domestic plane tickets in the Philippines remain expensive is the country’s heavy reliance on air travel. The issue was highlighted during the ASEAN Tourism Conference on January 29.

Only a small fraction of Filipinos truly understand mental health and know how to respond to it, according to recent research. The 2025 AXA Mind Health Study, released Thursday, revealed that while 65 percent of the population are aware of mental health issues, an even smaller number can recognize warning signs and seek proper support.

Fiesta season in the Philippines has a rhythm of its own, a pulse that blends devotion, excitement, and uncontainable joy. In Lumban, Laguna, that rhythm finds its clearest voice every January, when the town comes alive for the Lupi Festival, a celebration of tradition, community, and plenty of water.