Good morning.

Today’s issue starts with a big classroom shift: DepEd is bringing AI into schools, but with teacher judgment still at the center. Also inside: inflation risks, Philippine mangoes in Canada, Alex Eala’s Birmingham’s win, vaccinated honeybees, and a cockroach bust Australia definitely did not order.

Stay Sharp.

Big picture: DepEd is letting schools use AI, but with guardrails. Education Secretary Sonny Angara said AI should support learning, not replace teacher judgment. The policy comes as over 26M learners return to school across more than 45,000 public schools.

What’s changing: AI will be allowed under DepEd’s ILAW Framework, which simplifies lesson planning and cuts extra paperwork. At the same time, DepEd and Google will train over 1M teachers and staff through Project S.I.N.A.G., with free certifications covering Google tools, Gemini AI, and prompt engineering.

Why it matters: Teachers are being asked to modernize while still carrying heavy classroom loads. AI may help with lesson plans, curriculum summaries, and admin work, but DepEd’s real test is making sure the tech improves learning without creating new problems.

Philippine inflation slowed to 6.8% in May, boosting the peso and local stocks, but economists warn price pressures remain far from over. Rising rice costs, El Niño, Middle East supply disruptions, and energy risks could push inflation back toward 8%, keeping pressure on the BSP to raise interest rates further.

Globe Brings Fiber Closer to Communities

Globe At Home is expanding barangay-based broadband centers across the Visayas to make internet subscriptions more accessible. Residents can inquire about fiber plans, check service availability, and get application assistance within their communities. The initiative aims to improve connectivity for education, work, business, and everyday digital services.

Philippine Mangoes Reach Canada

The first commercial shipment of fresh Philippine carabao mangoes has arrived in Toronto, opening a new export market for one of the country’s most prized fruits. The one-metric-ton shipment will be sold through major Filipino retailers, supporting efforts to boost agricultural exports, foreign earnings, and global recognition of Philippine produce.

Aboitiz Builds a Factory-Centered City

Aboitiz is transforming Batangas’ LIMA Estate into a worker-focused economic hub built around manufacturing. The 1,100-hectare development combines factories, affordable housing, transport, retail, and education facilities to support 75,000 workers, while attracting new investments and creating a long-term talent pipeline for advanced industries.

Oliver Eugen Kretz made history as the first Filipino to win Man of the World, topping 27 candidates with standout performances and an inspiring personal story. (Read more)

The Script Adds Third Manila Show

The Script added a third Manila concert on March 20, 2027 after the first two shows sold out, highlighting the band’s enduring popularity among Filipino fans. (Read More)

Eala Takes Birmingham, Again Makes History

Alex Eala captured her second WTA 125 singles title, rallying past Nikola Bartunkova in Birmingham. The win adds more heat to her rise as Philippine tennis’ biggest global name.(Read more)

Millions of Pokémon Go scans may have helped train a 3D navigation system later used in military drones, showing how player data was collected and repurposed for advanced navigation systems. (Read more)

Scientists successfully tested an AI-designed universal coronavirus vaccine in humans. The vaccine was safe and generated immune responses against COVID-19, SARS, and related bat coronaviruses, offering potential protection against future outbreaks. (Read more)

A United Airlines flight to Spain turned back to Newark after a Bluetooth device name triggered a security concern. The plane returned mid-flight, was inspected, then later continued to its destination. (Read more)

A new firefighting robot, Hypertron-T01, was showcased in Germany. The quadruped machine can operate in extreme conditions, carry heavy loads, and use a high-pressure water system to support disaster response efforts. (Read more)

Honeybees and Shrimp Now Getting Vaccines

Scientists have developed vaccines for honeybees and shrimp that boost their innate immune systems. Early results show improved survival rates and potential benefits for agriculture, reducing disease losses and antibiotic use in farming.

Octopuses Learn to Use Mirrors to Find Hidden Food

Researchers found octopuses can use mirrors to locate hidden food behind them. In experiments, they identified correct locations about 73% of the time, showing advanced problem-solving ability similar to some vertebrates.

Genome Study Reveals What Made Ice Age Cave Lions Unique

Scientists analyzing ancient DNA found cave lions were a distinct evolutionary lineage from modern lions. They were larger, adapted to colder climates, and likely interbred with modern lions during the Ice Age.

South Korean Beekeeper Counts Climate Change Cost

A South Korean beekeeper says climate change is shortening flowering seasons and reducing honey production. Rising temperatures, pests, and disease are threatening migratory beekeeping and pollination, cutting yields and bee populations nationwide.

✈️ Philippine Airlines received an invitation to join the oneworld Alliance, expanding global connectivity, travel benefits, and destination access. (Read more)

🌏 China conducted a maritime operation near Taiwan after Japan and the Philippines announced talks on defining sea boundaries. (Read more)

🚨 Filipino-American fugitive Michael Marasigan lands on FBI Most Wanted Fraudsters list over $34M Guam bingo fraud scheme. (Read more)

♟️ Five-year-old Jodiel Chloe Banawa won the National Age Group Chess Championships Under-8 girls title just one year after learning chess. (Read more)

🎓 DepEd reports 26 million students enrolled for School Year 2026–2027 ahead of June 8 class opening nationwide. (Read more)

US CDC modelling suggests the Ebola outbreak in central Africa could grow to 10,000–20,000 cases if not controlled. Experts say outcomes depend heavily on isolation speed and response effectiveness.

South Korea Names Han as First Female Prime Minister in 20 Years

South Korean President Lee Jae Myung has nominated Han Seongsook as prime minister. If approved, she would become the country’s first female prime minister in two decades and lead efforts on AI-driven economic transformation.

Australia Seizes 100,000 Illegal Cockroaches in Breeding Bust

Australian authorities confiscated over 100,000 illegally bred cockroaches in a raid near Sydney. The insects, valued on the exotic pet market, are now set for disposal after the operation exposed illegal wildlife trade activity.

📝 Superpod of dolphins spotted in Apo Reef amazes Sablayan boat crew. (Watch here)

📝 98-year-old Babaylan teaches Iskrima to youth preserving indigenous warrior tradition. (Watch here)

📝 Yasmine’s Street Fighter design wows fans with Agila karambit, Baybayin details, and Buscalan accents. (Read more)

📝 Pinoy recounts alleged unfair experience at gelato free tasting. (Read more)