NCCA Chair and Executive Director Dr. Eric B. Zerrudo, Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism of Viet Nam Deputy Minister Hoang Dao Cuong, Intramuros Administration Administrator Atty. Joan Padilla, members of the Bayanihan Dance Troupe, and the Viet Nam National Puppetry Theatre pose for a photo following the cultural performance at Fort Santiago, Intramuros, Manila, on August 7, 2026. Photo by NCCA International Cultural Affairs Office.     Half a century of diplomatic relations. Fifty years of cultural exchange. Five decades of strengthening trust, friendship, and shared aspirations for the future. The Republic of the Philippines and the Socialist Republic of Vietnam commemorate the 50th anniversary of their diplomatic relations through "Rhythms of the Land, Puppets of the Water: Vietnam Cultural Days in Manila."    Organized under the framework of the Executive Program between the National Commission for Culture and the Arts of the Republic of the Philippin...

  The men and women of the PRA at the opening ceremonies of NRCE 2026 The retail sector stands as a vibrant cornerstone of the Philippine economy, reflecting the dynamism, resilience, and consumer-driven nature of the nation. Characterized by a fascinating blend of traditional neighborhood sari-sari stores, bustling wet markets, sprawling modern shopping malls, and an explosive surge in e-commerce, the Philippine retail landscape is as diverse as its archipelago. Retailing is profoundly important not only because it drives domestic consumption—which historically accounts for a massive share of the country's Gross Domestic Product (GDP)—but also because it serves as the nation's largest employment generator. Millions of Filipinos rely on the retail sector for their livelihoods, spanning micro-entrepreneurs to corporate workforce professionals in logistics, merchandising, and customer service. Fueling this remarkable growth and modernization is the Philippine Retailers Associatio...

Signing the agreement, from left: Usec Lea-Grace B. Salcedo, Usec Juabilly P. Racho, ARTA Sec. Ernesto V. Perez, JCCIPI Pres. Shigeru  Shimoda, H.E. Amb. Kazuya Endo, and JCCIPI VP Kazuhiro Nomura In the pursuit of a vibrant, globally competitive economy, the eradication of red tape is not merely an administrative goal—it is a critical economic imperative. Bureaucratic delays, convoluted processes, and opaque regulations can severely stifle business growth, deter foreign capital, and undermine a nation's competitive edge. Recognizing this, the partnership between the Anti-Red Tape Authority (ARTA) and the Japanese Chamber of Commerce and Industry of the Philippines, Inc. (JCCIPI) marks a monumental step toward fostering a more transparent, predictable, and efficient business environment in the Philippines. At the heart of this collaboration is the robust implementation of Republic Act No. 11032, or the Ease of Doing Business and Efficient Government Service Delivery Act. By stream...

Officers answer questions from the media, from left: Arjun Shroff, PHILTOA Board of Trustee; Jacqueline Fernandez, EastWest Bank President; Ma Lourdes Japson, PHILTOA President; Bryan Ang, Head of Philippine Sales; and Cecile Kimpo, PHILTOA Board of Trustee.  Mark your calendars for the highly-anticipated 2026 Philippine Travel Mart (PTM)! Officially announced during a press launch at Lakbay Museo on July 28, the country’s premier and longest-standing interactive travel trade exposition is back and bigger than ever. Organized annually by the Philippine Tour Operators Association (PHILTOA) with the support of the Department of Tourism, the PTM serves as the nation's primary marketplace for travel experiences. As PHILTOA celebrates its 40th anniversary, the organization remains steadfast in promoting responsible tourism that drives economic growth, creates jobs, and empowers local tour operators. This year’s event—anchored on the theme “Nurturing the NextGen Tourism: Discover Your Ph...

SB19 as PH Tourism Ambassador is long overdue. The group has been raising the Philippine flag all these years in their international gigs and their music more than speaks of the culture and heritage every Filipino loves to share globally.  The Department of Tourism (DOT) has officially named global P-Pop powerhouse SB19 as the Philippines’ newest Tourism Ambassadors, cementing the quintet’s status not only as a source of immense national pride, but as quintessential representatives of modern Filipino culture.  This exciting partnership was heralded by a clever digital activation featuring a "Galingbayan" box—a thoughtful play on the traditional balikbayan box sent home by overseas Filipinos—symbolizing love, sacrifice, and connection across distances.  After playfully fueling internet speculation with cryptic goat emojis, the DOT and SB19 confirmed the collaboration, perfectly timed as the P-Pop Kings prepare to fly the Philippine flag from Manila to Chicago for the highl...

  For its 22nd edition, the Cinemalaya Philippine Independent Film Festival opens and closes with two internationally acclaimed independent films that reflect the complexity of Filipino experience: the opening film, Enjoy Your Stay , explores a mother's enduring love for her daughter, while the closing film, Filipiñana , follows a teenage girl whose job at a country club leads to unexpected discoveries. Opening Film  Directed by Dominik Locher and Honee Alipio and co-produced by Close Up Films and JBA Production, Enjoy Your Stay follows Luz, a Filipina who has spent years working as an undocumented cleaner in Switzerland. Living in the shadows alongside her friend Aileen and other Filipina migrant workers, she constantly faces the threat of being discovered and deported.  When she sees her ex-husband appear on a Filipino reality TV show with their six-year-old daughter, Luz’s life is shaken. In desperation to keep her child after years of working abroad, she promises on ...

Participants at Rizal Covered Court in Taguig City. PHA recognized the events supporters (holding plaque of appreciation below: Coun. Joy Panga-Cruz, Brgy. Capt. Allan Cruz, and Coach Yeng Guiao.  “May bago tayong misyon—”buhayin” ang Samboy Lim Law. Kailangan natin itong i-CPR. Kailangan umpisahan ulit ang pagla-lobby para mapondohan na ito ng Department of Education,” Rain or Shine Elasto Painters head coach Joseller “Yeng” Guiao said on July 17, 2026 , during the observance of the 3rd National Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) Day.  The former Pampanga congressman is the principal author of the Philippine CPR Act. He reflected on the decade-long journey of Republic Act No. 10871, recalling the vision behind the law and stressing the need for its sustained implementation. “Sigurado po ako, hindi lang isang buhay ang masasagip natin kapag marunong tayong mag-CPR. Ang mga kabataan, sila ang posibleng magsalba sa buhay ng kanilang mga lolo at lola, nanay at tatay, at iba pang...