BALITANG MARINO DAILY NEWS for June 10, 2026
US launches new strikes on Iran after helicopter downed
‘We are dying like flies’: Gear shortage exposes DR Congo’s Ebola medics
Dominguez Warns: No Safe Hormuz Passage
Suez Canal Will Raise Surcharge Fees as It Still Looks to Increase Transits
ReCAAP ISC: Two incidents of armed robbery 2-8 June
National Task Force for West PH Sea confirms structure in Bajo de Masinloc
Mindanao quake deaths rise to 37
Senate publishes impeach rules amendments
Angat Dam nearing critical level
Price freeze in effect in GenSan after strong quake, DTI reminds firms
Pampanga building collapse death toll now 30
Isolated rains to prevail; El Niño conditions present in Pacific
No jackpot winners in last night major lotto draws – PCSO
Empoy Marquez, Alessandra de Rossi receive ₱1 million bonus for ‘Kita-Kita’
Ryzza Mae Dizon recalls nearly losing her spot on ‘Eat Bulaga’ to younger host
Gazini Ganados preparing for upcoming film
Eala sweeps Zhang in breezy Queen’s Club tournament opener
Wembanyama sparks Spurs past Knicks in NBA Finals as Trump booed
AVC: Alas Pilipinas succumbs to South Korea, absorbs second loss
Living with El Niño: The art of staying cool
FULL NEWSPAPER
INTERNATIONAL NEWS
US launches new strikes on Iran after helicopter downed
June 10 —— The United States launched strikes against Iran after President Donald Trump said Tehran had shot down a US Apache helicopter in the Strait of Hormuz, deepening doubts about prospects for peace between the two countries. “They shot down a helicopter, and we are responding as we speak,” Trump told ABC News. “I believe the response should be very strong, very powerful, and that’s what this one is.”
Iran’s state media reported that Qeshm Island in the Strait of Hormuz was attacked and that a projectile hit was confirmed in Sirik. Explosions were heard in eastern areas of Hormozgan, according to Iran’s Fars news agency. Trump earlier said the two US pilots involved in the incident were uninjured. The Apache was brought down by a one-way Iranian attack drone, according to a US official who spoke on condition of anonymity.
Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi did not directly address the helicopter incident but said foreign forces in the region risked being involved in accidents or crossfire. “To reduce risk, the best solution is for them to leave,” he said on social media. Iran’s state media later cited a military source as saying that no offensive air military operations had been conducted in the Strait of Hormuz in the past 24 hours.
The source was also quoted as saying that there would be a decisive response in the event of renewed “hostility by the enemy” following the helicopter incident. Trump told The Wall Street Journal during a phone call on Tuesday that the incident “wasn’t a big deal” and stressed that “the pilot is fine.” However, the episode could add further strain to efforts to broker a peace deal to end the wider Middle East war and reopen Hormuz, a vital conduit for petroleum and other commodities. Trump has repeatedly said Iran and the United States are close to an agreement, though there have been few signs of progress since a tenuous ceasefire took effect in early April.
A US Navy surface drone found and rescued the two crew members, the US military said, after the US Army attack helicopter went down in waters near Oman’s coast while on patrol at around 3 am on Tuesday (2300 GMT on Monday). The US military’s Central Command gave no reason for the crash. It said the soldiers were rescued after two hours and were in s
Source: rappler.com
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‘We are dying like flies’: Gear shortage exposes DR Congo’s Ebola medics
NAIROBI/LONDON/GENEVA, June 10 —— Nearly a month into one of the world’s largest ever Ebola outbreaks, medics in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo are struggling to secure basic equipment to stay safe and prevent further spread of the disease, according to more than a dozen doctors, humanitarian workers and public health officials.
While major donors are surging funding, the size of the outbreak, reductions in pre-positioned stocks due to aid cuts, and logistical problems have caused shortages and driven up costs for personal protective equipment. The International Rescue Committee aid group warned on Tuesday that stocks of essential protective equipment are expected to run out within days.
In North Kivu, one of three affected provinces that have confirmed over 550 cases and 100 deaths, medical teams are close to exhausting items like chlorine and often lack equipment including boots, said Pablo Lwanzo Paluku, chief doctor for the Butembo zone.
A suspected Ebola victim’s body was wrapped in a blue tarpaulin and transported on a taxi roof due to the lack of a body bag or ambulance, he said. “What little we have improvised,” said Paluku. As of June 4, only a quarter of critical supplies needed for the next three months had arrived in Congo and Uganda, which has reported 19 cases, with face shields and alcoholic gel particularly short, according to the Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Steep rise in price of protective equipment
Already, 34 healthcare workers have been infected with the rare Bundibugyo strain of the virus and seven have died, just over three weeks after the World Health Organization declared an international emergency.
Costs for the PPE that is available have surged, in part due to the ripple effects of the Strait of Hormuz closure, which has disrupted imports from Dubai warehouses and driven up transport costs on other routes, five people involved in the response said. Some organizations have procured PPE locally, but the cost of high-protection suits has jumped 40% since last month to around $35, said Frantz Celestin, the International Organization for Migration’s regional director in Nairobi.
Procurement is complicated by eastern Congo’s limited transport infrastructure and insecurity due to armed conflict. The airport in Bunia, at the outbreak’s epicenter, is closed, and Uganda—where many supplies are ordinarily sourced—shut its border with Congo last month to try to reduce spread. Major donors have been scaling up support. The US has delivered 150 tons of medical supplies and pledged over $200 million directly to the affected countries, a State Department spokesperson said, making it the largest financial contributor to the Ebola response.
US cuts mean responders are playing catch-up
The spokesperson did not comment on a question about the US role in supply shortages. But first responders say they are playing catch-up because of the late detection of the outbreak—which health officials think was circulating for at least two months before being declared in mid-May.
The US was previously the lead provider of PPE in emergencies, working alongside WHO and aid groups to pre-position stocks and ramp up delivery quickly. The response to the 2018-2020 Ebola epidemic in Congo, to which the US contributed around $600 million, was “one of the fastest and best equipped in history,” a WHO report said. But US funding cutbacks, plus its withdrawal from WHO, have challenged the response to the current Ebola outbreak, according to five aid sources and two US officials. “I wish I could say we had stock, but in reality, we did not have any,” said Amadou Bocoum, CARE’s country director in Congo, whose largely US-funded budget was cut back by a third, adding that it took 10 days after the outbreak was declared to start distributing PPE.
‘Building the plane as we fly it’
Some supplies were in place. Abdou Sebushishe, a senior adviser at the International Medical Corps, said IMC deployed PPE in Bunia within 24 hours of the outbreak being declared, thanks to US funding, although he witnessed a total lack of water basins and thermometers elsewhere.
The US foreign assistance agency USAID, which President Donald Trump dismantled last year, previously had an agreement with WHO allowing the release of funds for PPE within 48 hours of an outbreak, two former USAID officials told Reuters. “USAID had these systems. They weren’t perfect, but they were pretty good. Now we are literally building the plane as we fly it,” said a third US official, who asked not to be named.
Professor Salim Abdool Karim, who is advising Africa CDC on the response, said USAID’s logistics expertise was sorely missed. “If you needed ten trucks with fuel and drivers, they had the wherewithal to procure that,” said Karim, who was due to travel to Congo this week. On the frontlines, protective suits are slowly arriving, but too late for some. “We are dying like flies,” said Denis Urwothun Rwothng’a, a medic in Bunia who has lost three colleagues to the virus.
Source: gmanetwork.com
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MARITIME NEWS
Dominguez Warns: No Safe Hormuz Passage
June 10 —— Secretary-General of the IMO, Arsenio Dominguez, has issued a warning to the shipping industry: “I am increasingly concerned by reports that vessels continue to attempt to transit the Strait of Hormuz without any credible security guarantees, despite well‑established risks and the fact that seafarers have already been killed, injured and others detained in recent incidents.
“My primary concern is for the safety and lives of the seafarers being placed in these situations. They must not be exposed to conditions where the risks are known, significant, and clearly beyond mitigation. The current situation remains highly volatile, with no reliable security assurances in place. Under such circumstances, safe passage cannot be considered to exist.
“I recall in the strongest possible terms that the ship’s master, and the company, bear the ultimate responsibility for voyage planning and for conducting thorough and realistic risk assessments, in accordance with their obligations under established safety and security management frameworks. These responsibilities are fundamental and must be exercised with the utmost rigor.
“No commercial or operational consideration can justify exposing seafarers to such levels of danger. The protection of their lives must remain the overriding priority at all times. I urge all stakeholders to act with the highest level of responsibility and reiterate my call on all parties to refrain from any actions that place innocent civilian seafarers at risk.”
Source: marinelink.com
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Suez Canal Will Raise Surcharge Fees as It Still Looks to Increase Transits
June 10 —— The Suez Canal Authority has posted its first wide-ranging rate increases in the form of revised surcharges for transits in three years. It comes, however, as the canal continues to pursue efforts to increase transits and new risks are emerging for shipping.
The circulars show that the surcharges applied on top of the base rates will be increased starting on July 15. The authority calls these surcharges temporary, but they will represent significant price increases for nearly all categories of ships. The only ships that are exempt from the new surcharges are passenger ships, which are one of the smallest categories using the canal.
The specific surcharge rate varies by the type of vessel, with the largest increase coming for crude oil and product tankers. Their surcharge will be increased from 25 percent of the base fees or 37 percent when they are laden and 27 percent when they travel only in ballast. LPG carriers will face a 32 percent surcharge, while dry bulk will be 22 percent, and containerships will incur a 12 percent surcharge. The canal had implemented special provisions in the recent past, attempting to attract vessels to make the transit, specifically for all containerships, either carrying cargo or empty.
The Chairman of the Suez Canal Authority, Osama Rabie, commented during ceremonies for CMA CGM’s newest ship transiting the canal, that the canal had succeeded in recent times in elevating the level of maritime services provided as it sought to attract more vessels. He acknowledged that the geopolitical challenges in the region had imposed new realities on the maritime transport market and supply chains. However, they continue to emphasize the benefits of the shorter voyage and cost savings versus taking the Cape of Good Hope route.
To emphasize the return of large containerships, the authority highlighted the first transit of the new CMA CGM ultra-large vessels, CMA CGM Vendome (220,553 dwt) vessel, completed in 2025 and registered in Singapore. The ship, which is 399 meters (1,309 feet) in length with a capacity for more than 24,000 TEU, made the transit on June 9. It was in the north convoy coming from France, bound for Asia. The Suez Canal Authority reported it was the first southbound transit on CMA CGM’s 3 FAL route since January 2026. The French carrier has sent some of its large vessels through the Suez Canal, coming from Asia.
In total, CMA CGM made 104 transits of the Suez Canal in the first five months of 2026. The ships were carrying 12.5 million tons of cargo. CMA CGM is at the forefront, with major carriers avoiding the Suez Canal and Red Sea since the start of hostilities in the Persian Gulf.
Renewed concerns were raised on Monday, June 8, when the Houthis’ spokesperson threatened to widen the hostilities, saying that all Israeli ships are barred from transiting the Red Sea. In addition, the Houthis claimed to have launched a new salvo of missiles at Israel after Israel and Iran also launched missiles at each other.
The Red Sea has become a critical alternative for tankers seeking to load at Saudi Arabia’s western terminal as an alternative to the Persian Gulf. At the same time, some carriers are using the Suez Canal and running vessels to the Saudi ports as part of a land bridge to move cargo overland into the Gulf States.
Source: maritime-executive.com
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ReCAAP ISC: Two incidents of armed robbery 2-8 June
June 10 —— Over the past week, 2-8 June, two (one CAT 3 and one CAT 4) incidents of armed robbery against ships in Asia were reported to the ReCAAP ISC.
The two armed robbery incidents occurred in the Straits of Malacca and Singapore (SOMS) on 05 Jun 2026. The first incident took place 1.9 nm off Pulau Cula, Indonesia at 0228 hrs involving a bulk carrier. Three perpetrators were involved, not armed, the crew was not injured, and nothing was stolen, categorized as CAT 4. The second incident occurred 2.3 nm off Pulau Cula, Indonesia at 0352 hrs, also involving a bulk carrier with three perpetrators who were armed with knives and a gun-like object. The crew was not injured, but service kits and a DG turbo charger were stolen, and the incident was categorized as CAT 3.
Area of concern
With the incidents reported in SS, a total of 19 incidents were reported in SOMS since January 2026. The ReCAAP ISC advises ships to continue to intensify vigilance, maintain a sharp look-out while transiting areas of concern and report all incidents to the law enforcement agencies immediately. The Centre also urges the littoral States to increase patrols and enforcement in their respective waters, respond promptly to incidents, strengthen coordination and promote information sharing on incidents and the criminal groups involved to arrest the perpetrators.
Situation Update
For a 6th consecutive year, there has been no report of incident of abduction of crew in the Sulu-Celebes Seas and waters off Eastern Sabah. The last incident occurred on 17 Jan 2020. In January 2025, the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), coordinated with other stakeholders and counterparts further downgraded the threat level of ‘Abduction of crew for ransom in the Sulu-Celebes Seas’ to ‘LOW’, meaning ‘No information or monitored activities suggest an impending attack; hence incidents are not expected to occur’.
ReCAAP ISC Advisory
The ReCAAP ISC, in its Advisory on 14 Feb 2025 advised ships to “exercise vigilance when transiting the Sulu-Celebes Seas and report incidents to the Operation Centers of the Philippines and Eastern Sabah Security Command (ESSCOM)”. Also, to maintain communication with the relevant authorities when transiting the area.
Recommendations
Ship master and crew are to report all incidents of piracy and armed robbery against ships to the nearest coastal State and flag State, referring to the Poster on the Contact Details for Reporting of Incidents of Piracy and Armed Robbery against Ships in Asia, exercise vigilance and adopt appropriate preventive measures taking reference from the Regional Guide 2 to Counter Piracy and Armed Robbery Against Ships in Asia; both produced by the ReCAAP ISC.
Source: safety4sea.com
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PHILIPPINE NEWS
National Task Force for West PH Sea confirms structure in Bajo de Masinloc
MANILA, Philippines, June 10 —— The National Task Force for the West Philippine Sea (NTF-WPS) confirmed sightings of structures being built within Bajo de Masinloc, a revelation earlier made by Armed Forces of the Philippines chief Gen. Romeo S. Brawner Jr.
Brawner said a moving manned structure was observed by the military during aerial surveillance. “Aerial monitoring by several agencies has confirmed the presence of a 6×6 meter floating structure with what appears to be an antenna. Latest imagery obtained by the AFP likewise shows presence of personnel on top of the structure,” the NTF-WPS said. “Recent PCG [Philippine Coast Guard] monitoring further indicates that the platform is currently located within the shoal with individuals observed onboard,” it added.
The NTF-WPS said it is closely coordinating with relevant government agencies to monitor developments and further assess the nature, purpose and implications of the installation and relevant activities within the shoal. “Inter-agency efforts are ongoing to establish a complete and accurate picture of the situation,” the statement read.
Diplomatic appeal
The NTF-WPS also confirmed that the Department of Foreign Affairs has already undertaken appropriate diplomatic action with the government of the People’s Republic of China in connection with the illegal presence of this structure. “The protection of the Philippine Sovereignty, sovereign rights and jurisdiction remains a paramount consideration. The Philippine government will continue to take action consistent with international law and in defense of the country’s national interests,” the NTF-WPS said.
Source: manilatimes.net
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Mindanao quake deaths rise to 37
MANILA, Philippines, June 10 —— The number of reported deaths due to the magnitude 7.8 earthquake that shook parts of Mindanao rose to 37 yesterday, with at least four persons still missing.
Latest reports from the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) said at least 479 people were injured. Of the fatalities, 33 are from Soccsksargen, including 13 in General Santos City, while the remaining four are from the Davao region.
The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) reported that seven persons were swept away by strong water currents in General Santos City on Monday during the temblor – one of them died, two are missing and four survived. All are residents of Poblacion, Baluan, Maguindanao del Sur.
As of 4 p.m. yesterday, at least 1,352 aftershocks were recorded and 391 were plotted, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology said. Of these, 35 were felt. Phivolcs said the aftershocks ranged from magnitude 1.3 to 6.4.
The NDRRMC said a total of 88,000 people were affected. Of this number, 19,635 persons are staying in 39 different evacuation centers. At least 51 different barangays were affected, including 26 in Soccsksargen, 19 in the Davao region and six in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao and Zamboanga Peninsula.
As of yesterday, initial estimated worth of damage to infrastructure stood at P15 million in Soccsksargen and Davao regions alone. Office of Civil Defense (OCD) Region 12 director Rodrigo Sosmeña said at least 47 infrastructure were damaged, with 19 roads impassable, nine bridges, one seaport and a local airport damaged by the quake.
The NDRRMC said search and rescue operations, damage assessment and provision of help and support to affected communities continue. Meanwhile, the Department of Information and Communication Technology deployed free WiFi hotspots to restore vital communications across Region 12, after telecommunication lines were also affected.
The DICT, in collaboration with the OCD and local government units, established the access points in Glan municipal plaza, provincial disaster risk reduction management office in Alabel, Maasim evacuation center, incident management team (IMT) disaster office and OCD in General Santos City, IMT in Koronadal, South Cotabato and in Balut Island, Davao Occidental.
Source: philstar.com
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Senate publishes impeach rules amendments
MANILA, Philippines, June 10 —— The Senate is now officially authorized to elect a new presiding officer in an impeachment court before its scheduled convening next month following the publication of an amended set of rules designed to bypass the automatic assumption of the Senate president as presiding officer.
Published in newspapers of general circulation yesterday, Senate Resolution No. 48 amends Rule II of the Rules of Procedure on Impeachment Trials. After 15 days, Gatchalian’s bloc could be cleared legally to implement the revised rules. While the chief justice is constitutionally mandated to preside when the president of the Philippines is on trial, the Senate president historically presides over all other impeachment cases.
However, the newly published amendment establishes a crucial loophole, allowing the chamber to install a different leader at the rostrum through a simple floor vote. The measure, adopted during the June 3 session that reorganized the Senate’s leadership, takes effect immediately upon its publication. “The president of the Senate shall preside in all other cases of impeachment unless the Senate, by a majority vote of the members present, elects another senator as the presiding officer,” the amended rule states.
The resolution further directs that the chosen presiding officer “shall, for that purpose, be placed under the prescribed oath or affirmation by any person authorized by law to administer an oath.” The immediate effectivity of the amended rules possibly clears a procedural hurdle for the impending trial of Vice President Sara Duterte, although Sen. Alan Peter Cayetano’s faction still maintains they have administrative control over the chamber. Meanwhile, Sen. Bam Aquino said in an ANC interview that he is expecting another senator from Cayetano’s bloc to jump to their camp anytime to become the 13th vote.
Source: philstar.com
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Angat Dam nearing critical level
MALOLOS , Philippines, June 10 —— Heavy rainfall associated with the southwest monsoon and the start of rainy season in the past few days failed to stop from receding the water level in Angat Dam in Bulacan.
Data released by the provincial disaster risk reduction and management office showed that as of 6 a.m. yesterday, the dam’s elevation was 169.88 meters, or just 9.88 above its critical level of 160 meters. The elevation was 10.12 meters below Angat’s minimum operating level of 180, or 42.12 meters below its normal high water level.
Meanwhile, the threat of El Niño may delay the scheduled release of irrigation water to rice farms in Central Luzon, particularly in Bulacan and Pampanga, according to Enrique Carlos, chief of the office of the National Irrigation Administration in Bulacan. Carlos said the wet cropping season this year may be adjusted from July 15 to Aug. 15 due to low water level in Angat Dam.
Angat supplies more than 90 percent of the potable water needs of Metro Manila households. It provides water to nearby Bustos Dam, which irrigates up to 25,000 hectares of palay farms in Central Luzon, considered as the country’s rice bowl. Angat also supplies water for hydro power plants of the Luzon grid.
Source: philstar.com
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Price freeze in effect in GenSan after strong quake, DTI reminds firms
MANILA, June 10 —— Prices of basic commodities in General Santos City should not be adjusted upward for 60 days following the local government’s declaration of a state of calamity after a magnitude 7.8 earthquake devastated parts of Mindanao.
Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Secretary Ma. Cristina Roque told journalists that personnel from the DTI regional office in the affected areas are monitoring price developments daily. “We’ve already instructed them to make sure that there’s enough food supply, and that prices are stable and don’t move,” she said on the sidelines of the launch of the Philippine Creative Ecosystem National Diagnostic Report in Makati City.
Asked for her reaction to the quality of materials used in buildings that collapsed because of the earthquake, Roque said the DTI has a department that checks the quality of construction materials being sold in the market. However, she noted that the affected structures were already old. In terms of financing access for micro, small and medium enterprises affected by the calamity, Roque said the DTI has an Enterprise Rehabilitation Fund that businesses may avail themselves of.
Fuel prices
Energy Secretary Sharon Garin, during an online briefing earlier in the day, urged the public to report any fuel price hike violations in the affected areas through the e-Gov mobile app so that appropriate action can be taken by government agencies such as the Department of Energy and the Philippine National Police. “If it’s a clear violation then we will proceed with any legal action against them,” she said.
Source: pna.gov.ph
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Pampanga building collapse death toll now 30
ANGELES CITY , Philippines, June 10 —— The number of fatalities in the collapse of a building in Barangay Balibago in this city has risen to 30 after two more bodies were recovered from the rubble in the past two days.
The Bureau of Fire Protection-Central Luzon said the 29th and 30th fatalities were extracted from the ruins at 9:37 p.m. on Monday and at past noon yesterday, respectively. The bodies were turned over to the Angeles City health office, and the management of the dead and missing team for identification and proper disposition.
As of yesterday, the 17th day of the tragedy, members of the search and rescue operation continued to dig up piles of concrete and steel in the hope of finding survivors
Source: philstar.com
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Isolated rains to prevail; El Niño conditions present in Pacific
MANILA, June 10 —— Isolated rain showers will continue to prevail over most parts of the archipelago, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said.
The southwest monsoon (habagat) affecting the western section of northern Luzon will cause scattered rains and thunderstorms across Ilocos Region, Batanes, and Babuyan Islands. Moderate to heavy rains in those areas could result in flash floods or landslides.
The rest of the country will continue to experience isolated rain showers caused by localized thunderstorms. Moderate to strong winds and moderate to rough seas still prevail throughout northern Luzon. Elsewhere, winds will be light to moderate with slight to moderate seas.
PAGASA said no low pressure area is monitored for possible tropical cyclone formation as of 2 a.m. Meanwhile, PAGASA reported that El Niño conditions are now present in the tropical Pacific. There is an over 80 percent probability that this will develop into a full-blown El Niño and is likely to persist until early 2027.
El Niño increases the likelihood of below-normal rainfall conditions across much of the country, raising the risk of dry spells and drought, particularly in vulnerable areas. “However, above-normal rainfall conditions may still occur, particularly over the western sections of the Philippines during the southwest monsoon,” PAGASA said.
Source: pna.gov.ph
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No jackpot winners in last night major lotto draws – PCSO
June 10 —— No one won the jackpot prizes in the major lotto draws of the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) last night.
No one correctly guessed the winning combination of 40-03-36-41-28-18 to the Lotto 6/42, which had a jackpot prize of P20,676,273.22. The P25,000,000 jackpot prize of the Superlotto 6/49 is still unwon as no one hit the correct combination of 43-22-15-04-03-17.
Similarly, the P75,000,000 jackpot prize of the Ultra Lotto 6/58 is still up for grabs as no one got the right combination of 42-07-23-41-56-44.
Source: gmanetwork.com
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ENTERTAINMENT NEWS
Empoy Marquez, Alessandra de Rossi receive ₱1 million bonus for ‘Kita-Kita’
June 10 —— Empoy Marquez revealed that he and Alessandra de Rossi each received a P1 million bonus following the box-office success of their 2017 hit movie “Kita-Kita.”
Marquez made the revelation during his recent guest appearance on the “Your Honor” vodcast hosted by Chariz Solomon and Buboy Villar. “Totoo ‘yung chika na may bonus kayong milyon?” host Buboy asked. “Oo, kasi hinarot lang ni Alex (Alessandra) si Kuya PJ (Piolo Pascual, one of the movie’s producers) na bonus. Sabi ni Alessandra, ‘baka naman, tig-one million lang,’” answered Marquez. “’Tapos after three days sa bangko namin nu’ng pag-withdraw ko bakit may extra one M (million) na ganu’n!” added the actor-comedian
“Kita Kita,” directed by Sigrid Andrea P. Bernardo, follows Lea (De Rossi), a Filipino tour guide living in Japan who goes blind after having witnessed her Japanese fiancé’s infidelity. She then encounters fellow Filipino and charmer Tonyo (Marquez). They become friends and they fall for one another.
The film is produced by Joyce Bernal and Piolo Pascual’s Spring Films and distributed by Viva Films. The film grossed ₱100 million on its first week and ₱240 million the following week, on a modest budget of ₱10 million. It ended its theatrical run with a worldwide gross of ₱320 million, making it the highest-grossing Philippine independent film at the time.
Meanwhile, during the same interview, Marquez also looked back on his journey in showbiz — from being an extra and sidekick to becoming a leading man. The actor said he never imagined that he would one day headline films alongside some of the industry’s top actresses, including de Rossi, Maja Salvador, and Cristine Reyes.
Source: inquirer.net
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Ryzza Mae Dizon recalls nearly losing her spot on ‘Eat Bulaga’ to younger host
June 10 —— Ryzza Mae Dizon said she once came close to losing her long-time spot on the noontime show “Eat Bulaga” as their former management wanted to replace her.
In an interview on “Toni Talks” on Sunday, June 7, Dizon recalled how she was gradually reduced to limited appearances on the program amid the show and TVJ’s (Tito Sotto, Vic Sotto, Joey de Leon) debacle with their former company, TAPE Inc. “Ako ‘yung top 1 po na sure na sure na gusto nilang tanggalin nung dati po naming company [kasi] mayroon pong bata na gusto rin ipasok,” she said.
“[Masakit po sa akin] kasi yung time na ‘yon po kasi ‘yun na po ‘yung once a week na lang ako pinapapasok. Tapos sa isang segment lang po pwede lumabas kasi ‘yon ‘yung instruction po sa kanila,” she added as she held back her tears.
The former child star revealed that her replacement was already being trained at the time. “Kasi nandoon na po ‘yung papalit sa akin, tinitrain na po. Masakit talaga po kasi pinaghirapan ko ‘to tapos bigla-bigla na lang po aalisin na ganun-ganon lang,” she said.
Dizon did not disclose the identity of her supposed replacement as she expressed gratitude toward TVJ, who she said fought for her and the other hosts. “Hindi naman po kasalanan ng TVJ. Ang pinagpapasalamat ko na lang po doon ay ang pinapasok pa po ako once a week,” she said. “Sobra rin po talaga ‘yung pasasalamat ko sa TVJ kasi pinaglaban din po nila na hindi ako maalis. Grabe rin po ‘yung assurance na binigay nila sa amin, hindi lang po sa akin kasi parang lahat naman po kami planong alisin, pero ako lang po ‘yung sure na sure na talaga,” she added.
Dizon rose to fame after winning “Little Miss Philippines” in 2012 on “Eat Bulaga!” She was later absorbed as a full-time host, becoming one of the show’s youngest co-hosts. She later transitioned into acting. She appeared in the 2012 Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF) entry film “Si Agimat, si Enteng Kabisote at si Ako.” In 2013, Dizon co-starred in “Vampire ang Daddy Ko,” marking her first major sitcom role. In 2013, Dizon headlined her own self-titled talk show, “The Ryzza Mae Show,” making her the youngest TV show host in the Philippines to have her own show.
Source: inquirer.net
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Gazini Ganados preparing for upcoming film
June 10 —— Gazini Ganados is entering her movie era! The beauty queen is set to start working on a film, she teased in Athena Imperial’s report on “24 Oras.” “Already reading the scripts for it. So hopefully, we get to meet everyone on the set already,” Gazini said.
Per the report, Gazini will star alongside fellow beauty queens and Sparkle artists. Gazini previously acted in “Encantadia Chronicles: Sang’gre” as Celebes and appeared in “The Master Cutter” as Georgia.
Meanwhile, Gazini received a surprise celebration from Sparkle GMA Artist Center, who welcomed her back after competing in Miss Grand International (MGI) All Stars. “I feel honored and grateful that I have such a family that’s so supportive. Their support never really faded even if I was far away, I was in Thailand. I really felt love,” she said.
Gazini said she felt like she competed at Miss Universe all over again because she was with veteran pageant contenders. “This time we were five Filipina girls so it was so fun for me kasi i can speak Tagalog, Bisaya, all at the same time, and we were like a team.”
Gazini was in Thailand with her mom, and to feel her dad’s presence, she wore a gold bracelet given by him. She added that her gown was a duplicate of her Miss Universe evening gown. “Pero it was an elevated… because of the hand jewelry that was given to me by my dad. And then there were a little bit of blue gemstones, so it could match the crown,” she said.
If she were given a time extension to her answer to the MGI All Stars final question, Gazini would add, “To call out those people who are degrading you or who are limiting your worth. And now that we know our capabilities, we should spread love, kindness. Because love is the grandest power that we could have and we could give to someone else.”
Source: gmanetwork.com
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SPORTS NEWS
Eala sweeps Zhang in breezy Queen’s Club tournament opener
June 10 —— SIX straight wins on grass proved that Alex Eala can also perform on a bigger stage at the HSBC Championships in London.
Fresh from winning her second WTA125 title in Birmingham, the Filipina world no. 33 defeated China’s Zhang Shuai, 6-3, 6-2, in the round of 32 to set up a rematch against her French Open tormentor, Iva Jovic. It only took Eala an hour and 9 minutes to defeat the Chinese, no. 64.
After falling behind 0-2 in the opening set, Eala quickly regained control by winning five of the next six games for a 5-3 advantage before closing out the frame, 6-3. The Filipina then carried her momentum into the second set, breaking away from a 1-1 deadlock to build a commanding 5-2 lead before sealing the straight-set victory.
The Queen’s Club tournament is Eala’s second event on the surface this season after an impressive start in Birmingham. Eala hopes to get even with Jovic, world no. 19, as she banks on her growing momentum on grass. Given that her Birmingham title run came at the WTA125 level, the feat also marked Eala’s first main-draw win on the WTA Tour since her runner-up finish at the Eastbourne Open last year.
Source: spin.ph
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Wembanyama sparks Spurs past Knicks in NBA Finals as Trump booed
NEW YORK, June 10 —— Victor Wembanyama scored 32 points to spark the San Antonio Spurs over New York 115-111 in the NBA Finals snapping the Knicks’ 13-game win streak with President Donald Trump booed as he watched.
Frenchman Wembanyama added eight rebounds, six assists, three blocks and two steals at Madison Square Garden as the Spurs cut the Knicks’ lead to 2-1 in the best-of-seven championship series. “We’ve done what we were supposed to do but the job is absolutely not done,” the 22-year-old Wembanyama said. “We’re not even halfway. The hardest is yet to come.”
A raucous crowd created an electric atmosphere for the first NBA Finals game at Madison Square Garden since 1999. That included boos for Trump, the first sitting president to attend an NBA Finals game, when he was shown on the arena videoscreen. “At home it really feels like playing six against five,” said Wembanyama. “In here it feels like playing five against six, but … it really shows what teams are made of.”
Expanded security measures for Trump’s attendance led to fans being asked to arrive two hours before the tip-off and cancellation of a watch party outside the arena. The Spurs knew no team had ever won an NBA playoff series after losing the first three games, helping push them after late-game blunders cost them in a game-two home loss. “Less mistakes, more control,” the 7ft 4in (2.24m) Wembanyama said. “It’s the little things. We were more serious. Less mistakes. Less turnovers.”
Stephon Castle added 23 points for the Spurs while Dylan Harper had 13 off the bench. “He has got great poise,” Wembanyama said of Castle. “It’s hard to put into words how valuable he is to us.” Jalen Brunson led New York with 32 points while OG Anunoby added 28, but the Knicks shot 40-of-88 from the floor and only hit 13-of-37 from three-point range. “What was better in the defense was communication, being early,” said Wembanyama.
The Knicks’ streak was halted two shy of the NBA playoff record of 15 wins by Golden State on the way to the 2017 title. Game four is also in New York, on Wednesday (Thursday PH time). The Spurs are seeking their sixth NBA title and first since 2014 while the Knicks won their only crowns in 1970 and 1973.
Source: news.abs-cbn.com
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AVC: Alas Pilipinas succumbs to South Korea, absorbs second loss
CANDON, Ilocos Sur, June 10 —— Alas Pilipinas Women absorbed a 16-25, 18-25, 22-25 loss at the hands of South Korea in Pool A of the 2026 AVC Women’s Cup at the Candon City Arena here.
The home bets showed promise, even leading 19-16 against the powerhouse late in Set 3; however, the Koreans proved to be too much to handle, as the visitors uncorked an 8-1 run to put themselves at match point, 24-20. Ara Galang fired an attack off the hands of the blockers, while Niña Ytang blocked Kang Sohwi for a 24-22 count, but the Koreans only needed one point to seal the match, and it came from Lee Juah from a kill. “Sayang, pero maganda naman ‘yung nakipagsabayan kami, nakadikit kami. Effort lang ‘yung sa last point, ‘yun nga sayang,” said Galang, reflecting on the match.
No Alas player breached double-digit territory, as Thea Gagate and Ytang tallied nine and eight points, respectively. Alyssa Valdez and Alyssa Solomon put up seven points, while Galang and Ces Molina chipped in four markers. The Alas captain also added nine digs and three receptions, while Alyssa Eroa, who celebrates her birthday made her presence felt with 12 receptions and seven digs.
The Philippines dropped to a 2-2 record, seeing its chances for a semifinals spot dim. Sohwi led the Korean squad with 19 points on 15 attacks, a block, and three aces as South Korea improved to 3-0, tying Chinese Taipei in the standings of the tourney presented by the PSC, FIVB, AVC, Volleyball World and Candon City headed by Mayor Eric Singson.
Source: news.abs-cbn.com
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FEATURED ARTICLE
Living with El Niño: The art of staying cool
There is a kind of heat that doesn’t simply visit. It settles in and refuses to leave. It wraps around you like a damp shawl, following you from room to room, reminding you that you live in a tropical country under the unyielding grip of El Niño.
Humidity, as it turns out, is not just a weather condition. It is a personality test. On some days, even the simplest tasks feel like endurance sports. Folding laundry becomes a negotiation. Walking from one room to another requires resolve. Even blow-drying one’s hair begins to feel like a questionable life choice. So how do we stay cool, physically and emotionally, when the weather seems determined to melt both our patience and poise?
First, accept the reality: this is not the season for perfection. This is the season for survival, with grace and a sense of humor, if we can manage it. The more we resist the heat, the more it lingers. But when we adjust—lightening schedules, loosening expectations, and forgiving ourselves for moving a little slower—hot days become more manageable.
Dress like you’ve made peace with the weather. Light, breathable fabrics are not just a fashion choice; they are a strategy. Linen, cotton, anything that allows your skin to breathe will quickly become your closest ally. This is also the time to embrace the “effortlessly undone” look. Perfectly pressed outfits and humidity are not on speaking terms.
Hydration becomes a quiet ritual of self-care. A tall glass of cold water with a lemon slice and a mint sprig is a small gesture that reminds the body it is cared for. Sipping throughout the day, rather than waiting to feel parched, helps keep both energy and mood steady.
For a small, refreshing luxury on a humid day, try this cool drink, you’ll need:
• 1 glass cold sparkling water
• ½ cup ice cubes
• 3–4 slices of lemon or calamansi
• Slices of orange, mango, pineapple, or strawberries
• 3–4 fresh mint leaves (optional)
• 1–2 teaspoons honey or stevia (optional)
To make:
• Fill a tall glass with ice.
• Add the fruits and gently press to release their juice.
• Add the mint leaves.
• Pour over sparkling water and stir lightly.
• Add a touch of honey or stevia, if desired.
With a revitalizing drink in hand, create small pockets of coolness at home. Position an electric fan where it matters most. Let in soft daylight with light curtains while keeping out harsh glare. Set up a comfortable corner where you can sit, read, or simply pause. Even a few minutes in a cooler, calmer space can reset the day.
Food, too, plays a part. This is not the season for heavy, complicated meals. Think simple, fresh and easy. Enjoy chilled fruits, light dishes, or anything that nourishes without weighing you down. The body, already working overtime to regulate temperature, will thank you.
And then there is temperament, the part no electric fan or air conditioning can fix. Heat has a way of shortening patience. Small inconveniences feel larger, delays feel longer and even well-meaning people can seem a little more trying than usual. It helps to recognize this early. When irritation begins to rise, pause. A deep breath, a sip of water, a quiet moment before responding are small but powerful acts of self-control.
Lower the volume of the day and move at a gentler pace. Not every message needs an immediate reply, nor every task an urgent finish. There is wisdom in knowing when to step back and cool down, literally and figuratively.
Sleep, too, can be elusive in humid weather. A lukewarm shower before bed, clean, breathable sheets and a cooler room can make all the difference.
Perhaps most importantly, hold on to a sense of lightness. Laugh at little absurdities, such as the way your hair develops a personality of its own, how you’ve become oddly attached to your hand fan, or how stepping into an air-conditioned room now feels like a blessing.
El Niño may test our comfort, but it also invites us to slow down, care for ourselves more intentionally and meet discomfort with patience rather than frustration.
After all, staying cool is not just about lowering the temperature around you—it’s about choosing to rise above the heat and carrying a quiet grace through even the warmest days—proof that calmness, not climate, defines how we move through our days.
Source: www.philstar.com