By Duoi Ampilan#TodayInHistory: The Buliok Complex Battle The Battle of Buliok Complex erupted 23 years ago on February 11, 2003, in Pagalungan, Maguindanao. This fierce conflict between the Government of the Philippines and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) spread far and wide, displacing more than 400,000 people. This battle, and the wider conflict that has spanned decades since 1968, fueled the long and determined pursuit of peace. It inspired various peace processes and agreements over the years, leading to the establishment of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM), which has since evolved into the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM). We have come a great distance in the journey toward a lasting peace in the Bangsamoro, yet the final destination can still seem uncertain. No matter where the road ahead may lead, let us steadfastly support all peaceful initiatives. We owe future generations nothing less than peaceful, progressive, and thriving com...

Alex and Zeynep by Whispered Words "The Friendship" - Alex Eala and Zeynep Sonmez by Joel Lopez On the professional tennis tour, friendships are not supposed to be easy. The schedule is relentless. The travel is exhausting. Every match carries pressure, rankings, expectations, and dreams stitched together with years of sacrifice. Opponents are everywhere, and every handshake at the net marks both victory and heartbreak. Yet somehow, in the middle of that unforgiving world, a friendship quietly bloomed between two young women from opposite ends of the map, Alex Eala of the Philippines and Zeynep Sonmez of Turkey. They came from different cultures, spoke different native languages, and grew up thousands of miles apart. But tennis, in its strange and beautiful way, brought them to the same courts, the same locker rooms, the same long weeks on tour where loneliness sometimes travels heavier than luggage. And that is where their story truly began. The first time Alex met Zeynep, i...

From Duoi Ampilan 9 February 2026 Alex Eala: Charting a New Course for Philippine Tennis Alex Eala’s young career is defined by a series of groundbreaking achievements, each one rewriting the record books for Philippine tennis. 🟣 BREAKING INTO THE ELITE ✅ Highest-ranked Filipino tennis player in history. She reached a career-high WTA ranking of No. 40 (as of 09 February 2026). ✅ First Filipino to break into the WTA Top 100 and the WTA Top 50, shattering long-standing barriers for the nation. 🟣 WTA TOUR PIONEER ✅ First Filipino to win a WTA title. Champion at the 2025 Guadalajara Open. ✅ First Filipino to reach a WTA final. Runner-up at the 2025 Lexus Eastbourne International. ✅ First Filipino to reach a WTA 1000 semifinal. A stunning run at the 2025 Miami Open, where she also became the first to qualify for a main draw at this elite level. 🟣 GRAND SLAM SUCCESS ✅ First Filipino to win a main draw match at a Grand Slam (2025 US Open). ✅ First Filipina to win any Grand Slam title. Juni...

From Inday Sara Duterte 7 February 2026   I extend my heartfelt gratitude to all who have expressed their sympathies and prayers for the passing of my uncle, Benjamin R. Duterte. We are deeply thankful for your compassion and remembrance.  Tiyo Bong was one of the strengths beneath our wings during the 2025 national and local campaign planning and operations. His quiet leadership will be deeply missed as we look ahead to the 2028 elections. We take comfort in our faith, knowing that we now have a campaign manager in heaven securing the success of the Filipino people. Before his passing, he expressed his wish that the wake and burial be limited to family and selected friends. May God grant eternal rest for his soul. ***

By Dick Gordon Alex Eala and the Filipino Diaspora: Excellence in the Struggle As Alex Eala competes on the world’s most demanding tennis courts, the public witnesses a young 20-year-old athlete still in the process of becoming—disciplined, hardworking, not yet perfect, yet fully committed to mastering her craft. It is this visible struggle for excellence that has drawn the admiration and respect of both the nation and the international community. Simultaneously, the global spotlight extends beyond the court. In the same tennis capitals where Eala competes, Filipinos are present not only as spectators, but as engineers, nurses, medical technologists, educators, caregivers, and professionals whose labor and integrity contribute meaningfully to the success of their host countries. As the world watches Eala, it also catches a powerful glimpse of the Filipino diaspora, individuals whose dedication and excellence help make the countries they serve stronger and more prosperous. In moments wh...

From Mexican Problem Many Mexicans are often mistaken for Filipinos, and many Filipinos for Mexicans. That’s not a coincidence. The answer lies in genetics, history, and a long journey across the Pacific Ocean. Mexicans and Filipinos often share features like straight dark hair, almond-shaped eyes, defined cheekbones, and similar skin tones. Why? Indigenous peoples of the Americas and those of Southeast Asia share very ancient ancestors from Asia who migrated thousands of years ago. On top of that, both regions experienced more than 300 years of Spanish influence, which added another shared layer of ancestry. The result: different faces, yet surprisingly similar. For over 250 years, the Manila Galleon connected Acapulco and the Philippines. It wasn’t just goods that traveled—people, traditions, words, and food crossed the ocean too. In fact, the Philippines was once governed from Mexico when both were part of New Spain. That’s why we still see similarities today: Filipino adobo, rice-b...