Good morning, Philippines. Manila is preparing to welcome Trump and ASEAN leaders, but that’s not the only headline. The peso has fallen to ₱63.25, El Niño farm losses are nearing ₱10 billion, and SB19 is headed to Coachella. From big diplomacy to big stages, here’s your Thursday morning news briefing.

Stay Sharp.

What happened: US President Donald Trump will attend the ASEAN-US Special Summit in Manila on November 17, as the Philippines concludes its ASEAN chairmanship.

Zoom in: President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. will host Southeast Asian leaders and international partners for discussions on regional security, economic cooperation and Myanmar.

The sticking point: The long-delayed South China Sea Code of Conduct remains unfinished. ASEAN had targeted completion by the end of 2026, but a final agreement remains uncertain.

Why it matters: The Philippines expects to present the ASEAN Digital Economy Framework Agreement, while Singapore prepares to take over the chairmanship.

Also: Metro Manila will observe special non-working days from November 16 to 18 to ease traffic and secure delegates.

Agricultural damage from El Niño has reached ₱9.99 billion across 16 Philippine regions, affecting 324,327 farmers and damaging 323,419 hectares of farmland. The Department of Agriculture reported 288,424 metric tons in lost production, including ₱5.63 billion in corn losses and ₱3.65 billion in rice losses, threatening local food production.

Peso Weakens to ₱63.25 as US Inflation Fuels Rate Hike Bets

The Philippine peso weakened by 34 centavos to close at ₱63.25 against the US dollar on November 11, from ₱62.91 a day earlier. Higher-than-expected US inflation strengthened expectations of another Federal Reserve rate hike. US consumer prices rose 0.4%, exceeding the 0.3% forecast and boosting demand for dollars.

Metro Manila Malls Shift to 11 AM–11 PM Christmas Schedule

Metro Manila malls will operate from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. on weekdays from November 16 to December 25 under an agreement with the MMDA to ease holiday traffic. Weekends and holidays are exempt. Deliveries will be limited to 11 p.m. to 5 a.m., while mall-wide sales will be allowed only on weekends.


DOE Opens Bidding for 18 Coal Blocks, Sets ₱1-B Semirara Bonus

The Department of Energy opened bidding for 18 coal blocks across Antique, Cagayan and Isabela, including 10 in Semirara. Bidders for the Semirara blocks must commit to producing 60 million metric tons over five years and pay a non-refundable ₱1-billion signature bonus. Winners must allocate at least 35% of annual output to local buyers.

P-pop girl group BINI’s Mikha Lim surrendered her driver’s license to the LTO and apologized for using a cellphone while driving. The LTO placed it under a 90-day preventive suspension pending its investigation. (Read more)

SB19 Takes P-Pop to Coachella 2027

SB19 will make its Coachella debut in 2027, performing on April 10 and 17 across both festival weekends, becoming the second Filipino act to appear at the California music festival. (Read More)

Kai Sotto Set to Rejoin Gilas for Malaysia Games

Kai Sotto is expected to join Gilas Pilipinas in Malaysia on November 21, ahead of its November 27 and 30 FIBA World Cup Asian Qualifier games, provided his knee recovers. (Read More)

The partnership goes beyond appearing on the runway. During the season, Sendwave will be featured as the way sponsored prize money is sent to challenge winners, bringing the line ‘’Kapag may panalo, may padala’’ to life.

The partnership reflects a connection between the queens and millions of Filipinos abroad. Many queens are breadwinners pursuing their dreams while supporting the people they love. OFWs do the same when they send money home for groceries, bills, tuition, transportation, and other family needs.

All Season 4 queens have also joined Sendwave as ambassadors, opening the door to more stories about Filipino senders and the families they support. 

Sending money to the Philippines? Download Sendwave and use code PESOWEEKLY.

Eligible first-time users who complete a qualifying first transfer of at least $20 can receive a $20 credit. Available to users sending from the US, Canada, the UK, and Europe. T&Cs apply.

Diden Robotics develops an innovative multi-legged machine equipped with electropermanent magnets to traverse metallic infrastructure, carrying heavy loads and executing industrial welds in confined spaces. (Read More)

Autonomous Robotic Hand Walks on Fingertips Like Thing From The Addams Family

ETH Zurich researchers develop an 818-gram anthropomorphic hand that uses its fingers for independent locomotion,stability, and dexterous object manipulation across diverse surfaces. (Read More)

Humanoid Robot Competes in Antarctic Ultramarathon Before Battery Fails

A bipedal machine joins elite endurance athletes in sub-freezing polar conditions at the Antarctic Ice Ultra, managing to cover three kilometers before extreme cold depletes its power source. (Read More)

Environmental Groups Increasingly Embrace Artificial Intelligence Despite Ongoing Data Center Concerns

Conservation organizations utilize advanced machine learning systems to process satellite data,monitor remote forest habitats, and track potential wildfire risks in real time. (Read More)

Swarm of Philippine Giant Honeybees Spotted Inside Ateneo de Manila University Campus

Wildlife experts monitor a large colony of native Apis dorsata bees nesting on university grounds, highlighting urban biodiversity conservation efforts in Quezon City.

Daily Bright Light Exposure Serves as Powerful Dementia Risk Predictor

Researchers discover that getting less than 42 minutes of bright daylight daily is a stronger indicator of cognitive decline risk than obesity or lifestyle factors.

Researchers Discover New Lace Bug Species on Japan's Remote Ogasawara Islands

Entomologists identify a distinct insect species inhabiting subtropical forest ecosystems, expanding taxonomic knowledge of endemic biodiversity in isolated island archipelagos.

Radical Cosmological Model Suggests Universe is 26.7 Billion Years Old

University of Ottawa physicists propose an alternative framework eliminating the need for dark matter or dark energy by showing that changing physical constants explain cosmic expansion and early galaxy formation.

🛡️ The House approved an anti-grooming bill on second reading, defining and penalizing grooming to strengthen protections against child exploitation. (Read more)

⚖️ A witness said Sara Duterte received ₱2.14M from GenCorp between 2022 and 2025, but lacked written records verifying her investment. (Read more)

🚤 Search operations continued for Loay councilor Andes Patayon, who fell overboard while fishing from his motorized boat in Bohol waters. (Read more)

✈️ More than 300 domestic flights face cancellations or rescheduling from November 13 to 19 due to ASEAN Summit security arrangements. (Read more)

🍚 San Juan City completed its rice assistance program, distributing 40 kilograms each to 8,898 senior citizens through four scheduled releases. (Read more)

A Kenyan court hands down a lengthy prison sentence to the sect leader following the tragic discovery of over 400 followers who starved to death in the Shakahola forest.

New Delhi Enveloped in Toxic Smog Following Diwali Fireworks and Seasonal Crop Burning

Hazardous air quality blankets the Indian capital as particulate pollution surges past safe thresholds, forcing emergency administrative measures and highlighting persistent regional winter smog challenges.

Kenyan Residents Fear Severe Impact of Predicted El Niño Flooding Across Nairobi 

Densely populated informal settlements like Kibera prepare for dangerous weather conditions as emergency workers clear clogged municipal rivers and drainage systems following earlier deadly seasonal rainfall.

📝 Filipino citizens scrutinize local politicians over alleged designer wardrobe selections. (Watch here)

📝 Bianca Gonzalez spark highlights after PBB livestream coffee moment. (Watch here)

📝 ASEAN sari-sari store brings a taste of the Philippines to summit media center. (Read more)

📝 Wanda Maximoff rises from the rubble as Visionquest finale teases her doomsday return. (Read more)