The Mactan Shrine in Lapu-Lapu City in the days before the pandemic. Cebu is slowly opening up to tourists, starting with locals and those from other parts of Central Visayas. —CONTRIBUTED PHOTO A dynamic tourism sector that fueled consumption helped Central Visayas remain as the fastest-growing region in the country in 2024, beating Metro Manila which grappled with high inflation and borrowing costs. Central Visayas, also known as Region VII, saw its economy grow by 7.3 percent in 2024, the highest among the 18 regions in the country, the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) reported on Tuesday. Article continues after this…

Jalen Brunson isn’t one of the biggest, quickest, or most explosive guards in the NBA, but he’s become one of the best because no one is craftier. Brunson has faced skeptics as he’s climbed the basketball world, going from an underrated recruit to a college basketball legend at Villanova to a second round draft pick who the Dallas Mavericks didn’t want long-term. He’s morphed into a true NBA superstar on the New York Knicks even with the same limitations traditional scouts have always seen in him. Ausar Thompson is almost the polar opposite of Brunson. He’s an elite quick-twitch athlete…

Coach Roger Gorayeb and former player Jang Bualee. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net MANILA, Philippines — Coach Roger Gorayeb is happy to see Jang Bualee’s volleyball career continue to flourish–this time as team manager and assistant coach for Nakhon Ratchasima–after his former import took Philippine volleyball to greater heights from its humble beginnings. READ: AVC: Thai coach Jang Bualee has full circle moment in return to PH Article continues after this advertisement Gorayeb and Bualee were reunited at the AVC Champions League during the match between Nakhon Ratchasima and PLDT on Tuesday at the Philsports Arena. Bualee was Gorayeb’s resident import at San…

The NBA Playoffs officially started over the weekend, kicking off what will end up being about two and a half months of postseason basketball. In theory, that’s very fun, but some of the opening games got me thinking about a few things the NBA can take from the WNBA to make their playoffs more thrilling. Let’s be so honest here: Sunday’s 131-80 score between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Memphis Grizzlies was not exactly the “playoff basketball” we want. The thought of even having to endure three more games of this series when we know the outcome is yawn-inducing.…

In this Aug. 7, 2009 file photo, Argentina’s Cardinal Jorge Bergoglio gives a Mass outside the San Cayetano church where an Argentine flag hangs behind in Buenos Aires, Argentina. (AP Photo/Natacha Pisarenko, file) BUENOS AIRES, Argentina (AP) — Jorge Mario Bergoglio, born in Buenos Aires, never set foot in his homeland after becoming Pope Francis in 2013. That left many of the faithful in Argentina feeling puzzled and snubbed by the world’s first Latin American pope. Article continues after this advertisement Francis, who died Monday, said little about his decision to steer clear of Argentina. But Vatican insiders and interlocutors said the pontiff…

Justin Thomas emerged victorious at Harbour Town on Sunday as he picked up his 16th career PGA Tour victory at the RBC Heritage. It took a playoff hole to get there, the fifth playoff on Tour this season, but that only added to the intensity of it all. Interestingly the event marked the 250th start of Thomas’ career so a conversion on 16 of them puts his career winning percentage at 6.4%. Putting it that way may sound paltry, but this is professional golf where winning is extraordinarily difficult. Context is required. Consider that Thomas is still only 31 years…

The latest addition to the PBA 50 Greatest List during an anniversary gala on Friday. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net There is that sense that those who chose the latest batch of players added to the PBA’s Greatest list got it right. Of the 10 players added to the elite group that now numbers 50, only two are active players. Article continues after this advertisement There was some noise regarding the inclusion of Scottie Thompson, the 2021 PBA MVP—for a reason. As with previous enshrinements, there are those who feel that active players should be left for future consideration. Future lists are additions,…

The Connecticut Sun announced on Monday that guard Madison Hayes and forward Morgan Maly have signed training camp contracts. Madison Hayes just completed a strong graduate season at North Carolina State, in which she averaged a career-best 10.9 points and 7.1 rebounds per game. She led the Wolfpack in rebounds per game, as well as total offensive rebounds (71), three-point percentage (41.3%), and free-throw percentage (81.9%). Hayes helped the Wolfpack to two ACC regular season titles (2022, 2025), an ACC conference tournament crown (2022), and an NCAA Final Four appearance in 2024. North Carolina State University guard Madison Hayes has…

Disney is reportedly putting live-action remakes on hold. This comes after the lukewarm reception for the Rachel Zegler-led “Snow White,” which has currently grossed $184,910,998 worldwide against its $200 million budget. The Disney classic remake also faced external backlash due to casting choices and Zegler’s public criticism of the original “Snow White” story.  That said, audience and critic opinion is split, with the film currently rated 39 percent for critics and 72 percent for audiences on Rotten Tomatoes. Meanwhile, “Snow White” is also rated 50 on Metacritic, with users giving it a 1.2 out of 10 score. The pause is…

The New York Liberty announced on Monday that two training camp signees, Raquel Carrera and Seehia Rirad, are out for the 2025 due to a personal decision. Raquel Carrera is a Spanish power forward who currently plays for the Valencia Basket of the Liga Femenina in Spain. She was drafted by the Atlanta Dream with the 15th pick in 2021. Her draft rights were subsequently traded to the Liberty. She has yet to play in the WNBA despite being the highest Spanish player ever picked in a WNBA Draft. Photo by Borja B. Hojas/Getty Images Seehia Rirad is a French…