Carlos Yulo wins first PH gold in Asian Games 2026

Carlos Yulo wins PH's first gold in 2026 Asian Games after ruling floor exercise finals

GMA News 
24 September 2026

Carlos Yulo captured an elusive gold medal in the Asian Games — and delivered the country's first gold in the current edition of the games — after ruling the men's floor exercise finals on Thursday at the Nagoya General Gymnasium in Japan.

The two-time Olympic gold medalist scored a whopping 14.666 anchored on 8.966 in execution and 5.7 in difficulty to rule the eight-man field that also featured his younger brother Eldrew.

It was the first gold medal for the Philippines in this edition of the games, pushing the country's medal haul up to one gold, one silver, and four bronze medals.

Yulo will have an opportunity to shoot for more medals in the finals of the vault and parallel bars events.

Yulo surpassed his qualifying mark of 14.600 to win his maiden Asian Games gold medal, completing his collection of titles that include golds in SEA Games, Asian Championship, World Championships, and the Olympics.

To deliver the gold, the 26-year-old Yulo won by just 0.066 against his closest pursuer in Milad Karimi of Kazakhstan, who performed last and garnered an impressive score of 14.600 to seize the silver medal.

Shoma Tsukiyama of Japan put together 14.566 to settle for the bronze in front of his home crowd while Eldrew finished seventh after posting 12.233 points.

—Bea Micaller/JMB, GMA News

Philippines scores back-to-back international pageant wins

Philippines scores back-to-back international pageant wins

Margarette Briton is Miss Interglobal 2026; Jamie Casiño is Miss Equality World.

Jojo Gabinete
Philippine Entertainment Portal
31 August 2026

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippines once again proved its supremacy in the field of beauty pageants when two Philippine representatives won consecutive international beauty titles on Sunday, August 30, 2026.

Margarette Briton, 26, won the inaugural edition of Miss International 2026 held in Bali, Indonesia.

Jamie Casiño, 28, was crowned Miss Equality World 2026 at the coronation ceremony held at MGI Hall in Bangkok, Thailand.

MISS INTERGLOBAL 2026

Nabila Fenelia of Indonesia was the first runner-up in Miss International 2026.

Second runner-up is Nicole Missios of Australia.

Dariya Toleukhan of Kazakhstan was the winner of the Mrs. Interglobal 2026 category winner.

Margarette was awarded four special awards at Miss International 2026: Star Connect Award, Social Impact Award, Dinner Dress Award, and National Costume Excellence Award.

MISS EQUALITY WORLD 2026

Miss Equality is an international beauty pageant for transgender women that kicked off in Bali, Indonesia, in 2022

"Gender equality and human rights" are the slogans promoted by Miss Equality World.

Jamie Casiño was the first Filipino to win the aforementioned crown and title.

There are thirteen official candidates for Miss Equality World 2026.

If Jamie hadn't won, Filipinos wouldn't have known that there was such a beauty pageant except for Miss International Queen.

Allana Cordero of Mexico was the first runner-up in Miss Equality World 2026 and Vi Ai Giang of Vietnam was the second runner-up.

In addition to being crowned Miss Equality World 2026, Jamie is the recipient of The Voice of Equality award.

Jamie showed off his intelligence with his winning answer to the question: “If you had to choose between strengthening anti-discrimination laws and investing directly in economic opportunities for transgender communities, which would you prioritize and why?"

She answered: “As a trans advocate, I would prioritize making gender-affirming care accessible to everyone because I do believe that if we give this gender-affirming care for transwomen, then we would be able to save lives, just like how we queens here do advocate for trans people.

“I am more than ready to be the voice of equality, and to work with the Miss Equality World Organization and remind trans people that they are not alone, so come join with me.

"Let’s save lives together for a better tomorrow.”

PH climbs 10 places in FIVB ranking

PH jumps to No. 46 in FIVB women’s rankings

Jean Malanum

June 14, 2025

Philippine News Agency

MANILA – The Philippines hopes to move up further in the world rankings with a title victory at the 2025 Asian Volleyball Confederation (AVC) Women’s Volleyball Nations Cup in Hanoi, Vietnam.

Ranked No. 56 in the FIVB rankings before the tournament, the Philippines jumped to No. 46 after beating Chinese Taipei, 25-17, 25-21, 18-25, 15-25, 15-12, at the Dong Anh Arena on Friday night.

The Philippines, whose earlier victories over Mongolia, New Zealand, and Kazakhstan also contributed to its rise in the world rankings, is scheduled to meet defending champion and host Vietnam in the finals at 9 p.m. (Manila time) on Saturday.

“The program is working. The past three years (were) all upward for our national program in all disciplines – volleyball and beach – thanks to the support of our stakeholders," Ramon Suzara, president of both the Philippine National Volleyball Federation (PNVF) and Asian Volleyball Confederation (AVC), said in a press statement on Saturday.

When Suzara and the PNVF took over in 2021, the Alas women’s team was No. 156 in the 222-nation FIVB but jumped to No. 66 in 2023. Last year, the Philippines improved to No. 58 after placing third in the Volleyball Nations Cup at the Rizal Memorial Coliseum.

Bella Belen, who registered a triple-double 14 points, 19 receptions, and 16 digs against Chinese Taipei, is expected to deliver again.

“I’m really happy because we were able to win this game, not just for us but for the Philippines. No words can explain how much we wanted this game and we’re going to prepare hard for us because it’s in Vietnam,” Belen said.

Brazilian coach Jorge Souza De Brito described the victory over the Taiwanese as "a gem of a win."

“We knew that semifinals are always hard and they (Taiwanese) gave us a hard night. But we also knew that we just have one chance to get to the final so I’m proud and very thankful for the girls," said De Brito, who has been supervising the Alas women's program for the past three years.

Jia De Guzman, last year's Best Setter, said Chinese-Taipei tested the team’s character.

“We're very grateful that we surpassed that test of character. Being up two sets, losing two sets, then coming back in the fifth set, that's really hard to do against a team like Chinese Taipei," she said. (PNA)

PH among the happiest countries in the world

Philippines among the happiest, most optimistic countries — study

Jiselle Anne C. Casucian
GMA Integrated News
07 February 2025

The Philippines emerged as one of the happiest and most optimistic countries in the world, according to a nationwide study by the Philippine Survey and Research Center (PSRC) and Gallup International Association (GIA) in 2024.

The country placed 9th among participating countries with a net happiness score of 60 percent.  This is above the global average of 46 percent, according to the GIA End of Year Survey.

China topped the list of happiest countries, followed by Indonesia, Mexico and Kazakhstan.

Net happiness score (% happy Filipinos minus unhappy) is at 60%.  This is above global average of 46%.  GIA says, “regionally Southeast Asians are the happiest (73%) while those in South Asia [India] are the unhappiest (36%) with China (86%) and Indonesia (85%) the happiest.”

“Regionally Southeast Asians are the happiest (73%) while those in South Asia [India] are the unhappiest (36%) with China (86%) and Indonesia (85%) the happiest,” said GIA.

The Philippines’ net optimism of 40 percent also landed it as the top Asian nation with a positive outlook for 2025.

The score was a big leap from the global average of 17%.

“As they edge ever closer to The Kingdom’s 2030 vision, it is Saudi Arabians who are most optimistic with 82% hopeful for 2025. Austrians are the most concerned, with 50% expecting a downturn in 2025 and only 15% keeping their positivity,” GIA said.

"The Philippines still performs above global average on happiness and hope. A lot of this positive sentiment is driven by younger and upper/middle income segments. This is in spite of economic difficulties and multiple typhoons in 2024.," the report said.

However, the report added that "uncertainty is slowly creeping into many Filipino segments."

"There are more and more middle-grounders, hedging their dispositions and getting into wait-and-see mode.... More cautiousness is observed," the report also said.

This is a big challenge for aspiring leaders, as Philippines enters the midterm elections in 2025. While the Philippines remains a nation of resilience, keeping their positive disposition high, leaders need to be on the lookout for what will happen next. There will be needs in gaining back confidence and strengthening the disposition of Filipinos.," it added.

The worldwide study covered a total of 37,338 persons, among 37 countries. In the Philippines, face-to-face interviews were conducted among 1,000 randomly sampled respondents who are nationally representative.

The respondents were males and females, 18 years old and above from nationwide urban and rural areas and all socio-economic classes. The survey had a margin of error of 3%.—LDF, GMA Integrated News

PH is best-performing Southeast Asian nation in Paris Games

PH is best-performing Southeast Asian nation in Paris Games

Story by ABS-CBN News
11 Aug 2024

The chief of the Philippine Olympic Committee hailed national athletes after the Philippines emerged as the top Southeast Asian country in the 2024 Paris Olympics.

The Philippines ended the Paris Games with two gold medals -- courtesy of gymnast Carlos Yulo -- and two bronzes from boxers Aira Villegas and Nesthy Petecio. It is the country's best-ever performance in the Games, surpassing the haul from the Tokyo Olympics in 2021 when national athletes brought home one gold, two silvers, and a bronze.

A digital billboard along EDSA in Mandaluyong City shows a congratulatory message to Filipino gymnast Carlos Yulo on August 5, 2024, a day after his win in the men's artistic gymnastics vault final. Mark Demayo, ABS-CBN News

"We're the best performer in Southeast Asia, and No. 7 in Asia," POC President Abraham "Bambol" Tolentino said on Sunday, ahead of the closing ceremony.

"We wanted more, but with two gold and two bronze medals, should we ask for more from Paris?" he added.

Yulo became the first Filipino athlete to win multiple medals in a single Games when he ruled both the vault and floor exercise in men's artistic gymnastics. Meanwhile, Petecio became just the fourth Filipino athlete with more than one Olympic medal when she added a bronze to the silver that she won in Tokyo.

And Villegas capped a memorable Olympic debut with a bronze of her own.

Japan was fourth with 18, South Korea seventh with 13, then Uzbekistan (eight) at No. 13, Iran (three) at No. 22 and Chinese Taipei (two golds with five bronzes) at No. 33.

The Philippines was No. 1 among countries competing in the SEA Games with its closest pursuer Indonesia also winning two gold medals but only had a bronze in badminton.

Kazakhstan, an Asian Games powerhouse, surprisingly only has one gold medal in judo.

"We've gone quality in Paris—in gymnastics, a blue-chip sport," Tolentino said. "And looking at the SEA Games countries, we outperformed our closest neighbors."

Thailand, a perennial SEA Games champion, could only go 1-3-2 with its taekwondo gold, while Malaysia lost its best gold medal hope when Azizulhasni Awang was disqualified in men’s keirin of cycling and will have to settle with two badminton bronze medals.

Singapore lost its sting in the pool and will go home with a sailing bronze medal.

Yulo and Villegas will carry the Philippine flag in the closing ceremony on Sunday, with the Olympians expected home on Tuesday.

IMF: Philippines is expected to be the fastest growing economy in Southeast Asia

IMF: Philippines growth fastest in ASEAN, 2nd in Asia

Story by Keisha Ta-Asan

PhilStar Global

17 July 2024

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippines is expected to be the fastest growing economy in Southeast Asia and second fastest in Asia over the next two years, according to the latest World Economic Outlook released by the International Monetary Fund (IMF).

Based on the latest economic outlook update, the IMF maintained its six percent gross domestic product (GDP) growth forecast for the Philippines this year.

If realized, the country’s economic growth would be the fastest among members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and the second-fastest among selected Asian economies, following India’s seven percent.

The Philippines is projected to surpass China (five percent), Indonesia (five percent), Malaysia (4.4 percent), Kazakhstan (3.5 percent) and Iran (3.3 percent) in terms of GDP growth this year.

It will also be above Thailand (2.9 percent), Egypt (2.7 percent), South Korea (2.5 percent), Pakistan (two percent), Saudi Arabia (1.7 percent) and Japan (0.7 percent).

For next year, the IMF expects the Philippine economy to grow by 6.2 percent. The growth target will also be the fastest in ASEAN and second-fastest among Asian economies, behind India’s 6.5 percent.

The latest growth forecasts will also be above the projections of the IMF for the ASEAN-5, which is composed of the Philippines, Vietnam, Indonesia, Thailand and Malaysia. It sees the region growing by 4.5 percent this year and 4.6 percent next year.

“Asia’s emerging market economies remain the main engine for the global economy,” the multilateral lender said, adding that robust growth in India and China will account for half of global growth this year.

“Yet prospects for the next five years remain weak, largely because of waning momentum in emerging Asia,” the IMF said.

Earlier in June, the IMF lowered its growth forecast for the Philippines to six percent this year from the 6.2 percent forecast it gave in its April World Economic Outlook mainly due to the slower than expected growth in the first quarter.

Still, GDP growth is expected to pick up in 2025 amid continued pickup in domestic demand, investment and consumption, IMF mission chief Elif Arbatli Saxegaard earlier said.

Stable inflation and easing monetary policy would also help support the economy next year, she said.

The IMF forecasts inflation to average 3.4 percent this year, lower than the six percent full-year inflation in 2023. It is also below the 3.8 percent risk-adjusted forecast of the Philippine central bank.