Ara Mina shifts focus to business, foundation work after 2025 election loss

Charmie Joy Pagulong - The Philippine Star 

January 19, 2026 | 12:00am

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Ara Mina sports a pixie cut and shows off her fit figure during Maddox Jewelry’s first-ever fashion show at Teodore Events Place in Marikina.

STAR / File

After failing to secure a councilor seat in Pasig City’s 2nd District in the 2025 midterm elections, actress Ara Mina has shifted her focus to her business ventures and foundation work.

She ran under the ticket of mayoral candidate and controversial contractor Sarah Discaya, who also lost in the elections.

“For now, I’m conditioning myself na wag muna,” Ara said when asked about any political plans during Maddox Jewelry’s first-ever fashion show at Teodore Events Place in Marikina. “Maybe I will just focus on foundation work and concentrate on my business. Napapabayaan ko kasi yung business ko and some people told me to bring it back.”

Ara with Charo Cordial, owner of the jewelry brand.

Outside showbiz, Ara owns Hazelberry - A Taste of Love, a bakery café, and is the founder of the skincare line Ara’s Secret. She said she plans to launch more products this year.   

Ara said she has no regrets about what transpired during the local polls. “That’s just how politics is. You win, you lose… I still help people pa rin naman whether I’m in politics or not. I still continue helping people.”

“I hope for the best na lang for everyone and for our country. I have nothing bad to say because all I want is for our country to be okay, and I have nothing against the people who showed me kindness.”

During the Maddox Jewelry event, Ara sported a pixie cut and showed off her fit figure.

Ara Mina and daughter Mandy with sister Cristine Reyes and her daughter Amarah.

“I missed my short hair,” Ara told reporters. “Remember 20 years ago in ‘Bubble Gang,’ I had short hair. When I lost weight, I thought short hair would suit me. I realized I missed having a pixie cut.”

She began a gradual diet in 2019 and has lost 55 pounds since. She acknowledged that maintaining her weight has been the hardest part of her fitness journey.

“Now I need to tone,” she shared. “I gained four pounds and I need to lose that four pounds. Kasi ‘pag hindi mo ni-lose yung four pounds na yun in a week or two-week time, magtutuloy-tuloy yan. From time to time, I monitor my weight on the scale.”

As part of her diet, she skips soda and occasionally replaces rice with shirataki rice. “Sometimes, I drink soft drinks when it’s really hot, but just one to three sips. Rice ko naka-cup.”

Ara now weighs 129 pounds and has dropped from wearing medium to extra-small dresses. Her highest weight was 180 pounds during her pregnancy.

She also does Pilates as part of her exercise routine. “I also do workouts without machines, like arm circles and massaging my tummy every morning. This year, I’ll launch a channel, or they could watch my ‘Magandang AraW’ show on Net 25 where I’ll share slimming tips.”

Maddox Jewelry owner Charo Cordial and celebrity endorsers Annabelle Rama, Jao Mapa, Yayo Aguila, Ara Mina, Katya Santos, Maui Taylor, Desiree del Valle, and others also graced the fashion show event.

Jan. 20: Fuel prices climb up to P2 per liter

Dominique Nicole Flores - Philstar.com

January 19, 2026 | 1:19pm

 

Undated photo shows a pump attendant interacting with a gas pump at a service station.

Miguel De Guzman / File

MANILA, Philippines — Motorists should fill up their tanks before this week’s fuel price hike of up to P2 per liter takes effect on Tuesday, January 20.

Oil companies will raise prices by P1 per liter for gasoline, P1.50 per liter for kerosene, and P2 per liter for diesel, marking the first major increase of the year.

Shell Pilipinas, Seaoil, CleanFuel, Caltex and PetroGazz announced the upward price changes on Monday, January 19.

Jetti Petroleum President Leo Bellas said that developments intensifying geopolitical tensions have driven crude oil and refined fuel prices to "increase significantly."   

According to the Department of Energy’s Oil Industry Management Bureau, the global oil market over the past week has primarily been influenced by concerns over escalating tensions in Iran, one of OPEC’s largest oil producers.

Bellas pointed to the "volatile and unpredictable environment" in Venezuela, Iran and the Black Sea. He added that the United States' suggestion of possible intervention in ongoing Iranian protests has also sparked short-term price increases and fueled fears of supply disruptions.

Last week, fuel prices only rose modestly by P0.20 to P0.30 per liter, continuing a trend of smaller increases that began in the first week of January.

With this week's price hike, the year-to-date net increase has reached P1.20 per liter for gasoline, P2.40 per liter for diesel and P1.90 per liter for kerosene.

This effectively raises fuel prices to over P20 per liter compared to 2024, contributing to higher costs for other goods and services that depend on fuel. — with reports from The Philippine STAR / Brix Lelis

PSEi drops on Greenland tension, impeachment filing

By James A. Loyola

Published Jan 19, 2026 04:57 pm

The Philippine Stock Exchange index (PSEi) started the week lower as investors took profits from recent gains, as expected.

The main index dropped 26.89 points, or 0.42 percent, to close at 6,437.78 on Monday, Jan. 19. Banks led the retreat, although the services sector advanced, while the industrial sector held its ground.

Volume also decreased to 2.25 billion shares worth ₱5.19 billion. Losers outnumbered gainers—112 to 87, with 67 unchanged.

“The PSEi ended lower to start the week, weighed down by late-session selling. Profit-taking persisted as investors continued to lock in gains,” said Regina Capital Development Corp. managing director Luis Limlingan.

He noted that “market sentiment remained cautious, with the index still trading at overbought levels.”

Philstocks Financial Inc. research manager Japhet Tantiangco said, “The local market fell as investors booked gains on the final minutes of the trading day following a four-week rally.”

“Concerns over the United States’ (US) tariff threats to selected European countries to get Greenland also dampened sentiment. Finally, the peso’s weakness against the US dollar weighed on the market,” he added.

Rizal Commercial Banking Corp. (RCBC) chief economist Michael Ricafort said the PSEi corrected slightly lower for the second straight trading day after the impeachment complaint filed versus President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. at the House of Representatives, while the exchange rate approached a record low level.

Deutschland friert bis Ende Februar

 Neues Wettermodell und alte Bauernregel einig

:Deutschland friert bis Ende Februar

Schon ab Dienstag neuer Frost

Dick eingemummelte Passanten im Hamburger Jenischpark am 11. Januar: Bald kehrt der Frost nach Deutschland zurück

Foto: IMAGO/Chris Emil Janßen

Jackie

Richard

18.01.2026 - 22:08 Uhr

Jetzt müssen wir uns noch mal warm anziehen. Der Winter kehrt zurück, und laut einer Bauernregel nistet er sich dann für längere Zeit so richtig ein. Droht gar eine Bibber-Periode bis zum März?

Zarte Frühlingsstimmung machte sich schon breit, als in den vergangenen Tagen die Temperaturen bei Sonnenschein auf bis zu zwölf Grad kletterten. Doch die dicke Jacke kann noch längst nicht weggepackt werden: Nach Tief „Elli“ ist vor dem nächsten Wintereinbruch – und der steht uns jetzt bevor. Wetterexperten und eine alte Bauernregel sagen eine lange frostige Phase voraus.

Was eine Bauernregel für den 20. Januar besagt

„An Fabian und Sebastian fängt der rechte Winter an“: So lautet der alte Spruch zum Wetter am 20. Januar, Gedenktag zweier frühchristlicher Märtyrer. Heißt: Traditionell rechneten unsere Ahnen aus der Landwirtschaft damit, dass die Temperaturen um dieses Datum herum in den Keller gehen.

Der Winter ist noch nicht weg: Am 17. Januar bauten Winterfans einen Schneemann in Niedersachsen

Foto: Lydia Böttcher/Campingplatz Kreuzeck/dpa

Tatsächlich wird es ab Dienstag wieder deutlich kälter. Zunächst im Osten, zum Ende der Woche auch im Westen Deutschlands. Mindestens für die nächsten zwei Wochen soll der Dauerfrost zurückkehren.   Kältehoch aus Russland bringt Winter zurück

Wetter-Experte Dominik Jung zu BILD: „Ein Kältehoch aus Russland schiebt kalte Luftmassen zu uns. Das könnte der Beginn einer längeren winterlichen Phase sein.“ Vor allem für nachts prognostiziert er strengen Frost mit Temperaturen von unter minus zehn Grad. Schnee sei allerdings nicht in Sicht.

Auch der Deutsche Wetterdienst (DWD) bestätigt eine Rückkehr des Winters: „Ab Dienstag wird es wieder winterlicher, vor allem östlich der Elbe“, sagt ein Sprecher auf BILD-Anfrage. Wie lange der Trend andauere, könne man aber jetzt noch nicht genau bestimmen, heißt es weiter.

Kalt, aber kein neuer Schnee: Ein Mann ist am Sonntag (18. Januar) bei Düsseldorf mit dem Rad unterwegs

Foto: Christoph Reichwein/dpa

Dominik Jung legt sich dafür fest: „Die Kälteperiode bis Ende Januar und Anfang Februar wird kälter als die Winterperiode Anfang des Jahres, als Schnee lag.“   Laut dem Wetterexperten lassen einige Modelle sogar einen eisig kalten kompletten Februar erwarten. Damit wären die Prognosen nicht weit von dem entfernt, was Fabian und Sebastian aus dem alten Bauernkalender versprechen: Das Wetter am 20. Januar legt demnach fest, ob Deutschland sogar bis in den März friert.

Staatsminister Florian Hahn sagte vor seiner Abreise

 Auswärtiges Amt

www.auswaertiges-amt.de
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Staatsminister Hahn vor seiner Reise auf die Philippinen und nach Malaysia

19.01.2026


Staatsminister Florian Hahn sagte vor seiner Abreise heute (19.01.2026):

"Deutschland steht in einer veränderten geopolitischen Lage vor der Herausforderung, sich wirtschaftlich zu erneuern und eines der modernsten und innovativsten Länder zu bleiben. Dafür wollen wir neue Partnerschaften erschließen. Wir brauchen neue Märkte, Fachkräfte und verbesserte Rahmenbedingungen für Investitionen. Meine erste Reise im Jahr 2026 führt mich daher nicht zufällig auf die Philippinen und nach Malaysia. Ich reise in zwei Länder, die wie wenige andere für Dynamik und Chancen der Indopazifik-Region stehen.

Beide Länder sind Schlüsselpartner: Hier finden wir im besonderen Maß qualifizierte Arbeitskräfte, im globalen Vergleich niedrige Lohnkosten, hohe Vorkommen an kritischen Rohstoffen sowie politische Stabilität. In der Bundesregierung haben wir es uns zum Ziel gesetzt, die Chancen der Kooperation mit diesen Ländern für Sicherheit, Freiheit und Wohlstand Deutschlands stärker zu nutzen. Dafür werde ich auf den Philippinen und in Malaysia zahlreiche Gespräche mit deutschen und internationalen Wirtschaftsvertretern führen.

Beide Länder sind zudem Mitglieder im Verband Südostasiatischer Staaten ASEAN. Mit ASEAN verbindet uns das Interesse am Erhalt der auf Kooperation und Völkerrecht basierenden internationalen Ordnung. Nur im Rahmen eines verlässlichen Regelrahmens können wir globalen Herausforderungen begegnen und unternehmerischen Erfolg fördern. Auch hierfür sind die an Stabilität, Multilateralismus und internationalem Recht orientierten Staaten Südostasiens wichtige Partner. Mit den Gesprächspartnern auf den Philippinen und in Malaysia werde ich unter anderem über Sicherheitskooperation und die Stärkung internationalen Rechts sprechen."

Hintergrund:
Staatsminister Florian Hahn reist vom 19.-23. Januar auf die Philippinen und nach Malaysia. Im Zentrum steht die Stärkung der politischen und wirtschaftlichen Zusammenarbeit.

Auf den Philippinen führt er u.a. Gespräch mit Vertretern des Außenministeriums zur bilateralen Kooperation sowie des Ministeriums für Arbeitsmigranten zur Zusammenarbeit im Bereich Fachkräfte. Außerdem sind Treffen im Verteidigungsministerium und dem Senat als zweiter Parlamentskammer vorgesehen. Der Staatsminister wird sich in Manila auch mit deutschen Wirtschaftsvertretern und politischen Stiftungen austauschen.

In Malaysia trifft Staatsminister Hahn u.a. mit Vertretern des Außen- und Verteidigungsministeriums sowie des Nationalen Sicherheitsrates und des Malaysischen Parlaments zusammen. Außerdem wird er gemeinsam mit Industrievertretern Gespräche zum Thema Kritische Rohstoffe führen. Vorgesehen ist darüber hinaus ein Austausch mit deutschen Firmenvertretern.

PH tourism's long road to global competitiveness

By Manila Bulletin

Published Jan 19, 2026 12:05 am | Updated Jan 18, 2026 04:09 pm

In 2025, Philippine tourism experienced a pivotal year that was marked by remarkable domestic momentum, a historic surge in air travel through Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA), and a renewed strategic emphasis on reclaiming its status as a global destination. Beneath the upbeat headline figures lies a nuanced story of promise tempered by ongoing challenges that demand both urgency and innovation from the Department of Tourism (DOT) — and all-round support from the government and private sector stakeholders of the tourism industry.

At the heart of this transformation has been the explosive growth of domestic tourism. As international arrivals lag behind regional peers, local travel has emerged as the backbone of the sector’s recovery and expansion. Filipinos’ passion for exploring their own archipelago has driven spending to near record peaks, with domestic tourism expenditures eclipsing pre-pandemic levels and consolidating tourism’s role as a pillar of economic activity in cities and rural communities alike.

Complementing this domestic resurgence is the record-breaking passenger traffic at NAIA, which closed 2025 with over 52 million travelers passing through its terminals—the highest annual total in its history. While a significant portion of this figure reflects local outbound and domestic travel, the sheer volume highlights Philippine air connectivity’s rebound, lifting business and leisure travel across major hubs. The airport’s performance, backed by improved passenger processing systems and capacity enhancements, signals confidence in the Philippines as an aviation and tourism gateway.

Yet, the picture for international tourist arrivals reveals persistent challenges. Despite steady economic growth and a robust pipeline of destination experiences, the Philippines is still working to recapture its pre-pandemic foreign visitor numbers. Official data show roughly 5.6 million inbound tourists registered in 2025, a figure that, while significant, remains below both the government’s aspirational goals and the stronger rebound seen in many ASEAN neighbors.

These dynamics unfold against the backdrop of the Philippines’ increasing role in regional tourism leadership. As host of the 2026 ASEAN Tourism Forum in Cebu and chair of ASEAN in 2026, the country is uniquely positioned to influence policy dialogues around sustainable tourism development, connectivity, and joint marketing initiatives that can benefit the entire region. The DOT has also championed bold ideas like a unified ASEAN visa and a “one tourism destination” strategy to lower barriers and promote seamless travel across member states.

Moreover, tourism is not merely about leisure—its economic importance resonates with national growth objectives. Industry projections estimate that tourism could contribute nearly 21 percent of GDP in 2025, underlining its centrality in job creation, foreign exchange earnings, and multiplier effects across sectors.

To elevate Philippine tourism excellence beyond its current trajectory, the national leadership must accelerate action across several fronts:

First: Expand international accessibility. Aggressively pursue air connectivity and route liberalization, prioritize reopening and expanding e-visa arrangements with key source markets such as China and India, and consider more flexible visa policies aligned with ASEAN peers.

Second: Invest in destination readiness. Infrastructure gaps—from regional airports to secondary seaports and road networks—must be addressed to disperse tourism benefits beyond the traditional hubs and unlock the potential of emerging destinations.

Third: Enhance global marketing and branding. Strategic, data-driven campaigns that highlight niche segments beyond beaches—such as gastronomy, eco-tourism, MICE, and cultural heritage—will deepen global appeal and attract higher-yield travelers.

Fourth: Strengthen sustainable and inclusive practices. Embedding sustainability into every facet of tourism—from community-based circuits to climate-responsive infrastructure—will ensure long-term viability and resilience in the face of environmental and economic volatility.

As the nation assumes a greater leadership role in ASEAN and charts a forward path toward post-pandemic revitalization, the DOT’s strategy must be equally bold, inclusive, and globally oriented. The opportunity is clear—what remains is the steadfast pursuit of excellence that matches the Philippines’ breathtaking destinations with world-class access, service, and visitor experience.

Beauty queen Rabiya Mateo reveals battle with depression, anxiety

By Robert Requintina

Published Jan 17, 2026 09:18 pm

Miss Universe Philippines 2020 Rabiya Mateo has revealed that she was diagnosed with depression and anxiety in the previous year.

Rabiya Mateo (Images courtesy of Facebook)

She disclosed her mental health diagnosis by sharing a medical certificate dated January 7, 2025.

Rabiya explained that she underwent multiple rounds of medication and traveled abroad for three months to focus on her recovery from depression.

Rabiya's full post:

"2025, I was diagnosed with depression and anxious distress. I had my several rounds of medication. I left the country for 3 months so I won’t get triggered by people who have no idea what I’ve been going through.

A screenshot of Rabiya Mateo's medical certificate

"Every day was a struggle to survive. I almost deactivated everything and disappeared to lead a quiet, peaceful life. I fought hard and am still fighting up until now.

"When I saw what happened to Emman and saw how painful it was for Kuya Kuya Kim Atienza and his family, I made a promise to myself to never give up because I don't want my Mama to experience the same thing.

"You don’t know how little kindness means to a depressed person like me and how your words can push me to do something else," Rabiya added.

How Jesus learned to be human

By Fr. Rolando V. De La Rosa, OP

Published Jan 18, 2026 12:05 am | Updated Jan 17, 2026 04:42 pm

THROUGH UNTRUE

Many images of the Santo Niño that we see in churches or carried in Ati-Atihan festivals portray him wearing a crown and a velvet cape, holding a scepter or a globe, and radiating power and authority. They resemble miniature images of Christ the King. Yet one may ask: Why not depict the Santo Niño as an ordinary child, embodying our fragile humanity?

God became a child because He wished to understand what it truly means to be human. From our catechism, we learn that Jesus is fully divine and fully human. His humanity belongs to the very core of His being. But becoming human was not an automatic process for Jesus. He had to begin with infancy and childhood, the stages of life in which all of us are most vulnerable.

As a child, He experienced dependence, sickness, and hardship, along with other painful yet formative dimensions of human life. Jesus learned that being human entails suffering. Scripture expresses this poignantly: “Although he was a Son, he learned obedience through what he suffered” (Hebrews 5:8). The Gospels portray Him as deeply affected by hunger, fatigue, grief, and sorrow. Through suffering, He learned that joy cannot be fully appreciated without pain.

Through struggle, obedience, and love, He “grew in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and others” (Luke 2:52). Part of that wisdom is the realization that love is given before it is deserved, and that forgiveness is more powerful than vengeance.

Jesus also learned why, despite our basic goodness, we are tempted to sin. But by rejecting temptation, He revealed the grandeur of our humanity. He showed that we are capable of choosing the good despite the seductiveness of sin. By His example, He taught us that excuses such as “I was born this way” or “I can’t help it. I just can’t say no” diminish, rather than honor, our human dignity.

The Santo Niño also reminds us of the childhood virtues we often lose in our haste to grow up. Like any ordinary child filled with wonder and reverence, the child Jesus must have seen, heard, smelled, tasted, and felt what the poet Gerard Manley Hopkins calls “the dearest freshness deep down things.” He must have listened attentively to nature, to people, and to life itself, refusing to confine His gaze to what is merely practical, functional, or useful.

Above all, the child Jesus must have played often. His playfulness, was surely tested by the pains of growing up and the pressures of survival. Yet He resisted surrendering the thrill of discovery and the joy of a game played for its own sake.

Today, many children are drawn too early into the vortex of competitive sports, where victory and power are treated as the highest values. One troubling consequence is that children stop looking for playmates. They instead look for opponents to conquer or humiliate.

Worse, many parents nurture their children’s curiosity and sense of wonder by regularly rushing them to air-conditioned malls to ride plastic horses, pedal stationary bikes, and play video games. At home, children spend their days absorbed in endless television shows, livestreamed videos, and mindless texting and chatting, while consuming a steady diet of junk foods. No wonder, many of them are early candidates for obesity, diabetes, and stroke.

On this Feast of the Santo Niño, let us pray for children everywhere who are constantly exposed to screens, text messages, and videos, and are drawn into an endless rhythm of doing, solving, clicking, and responding. May their parents teach them the habit of turning their hearts toward God, and speaking to Him in prayer.

The Gospels show us Jesus stepping away from the noise to pray, sometimes through the night, sometimes with tears and deep longing for the Father’s guidance. From His earliest years, through the quiet faith and daily example of Mary and Joseph, He learned that prayer was the foundation of His life. May children discover that God is not distant or unreachable, but a loving Father who is closer to them than they could ever imagine.