Latest news with #UniversityofthePhilippines
GMA Network
2 days ago
- Sport
- GMA Network
UP fends off NU to capture first-ever Filoil Preseason three-peat
For the first time in the history of the Filoil EcoOil Preseason Cup, a team seized three titles in a row. This, after powerhouse University of the Philippines dominated fellow UAAP team National University, 79-65, to reign supreme in the 2025 edition on Sunday, clinching a rare three-peat feat in the annual preseason showcase. The Fighting Maroons were comfortably holding a 22-point lead after big man Gani Stevens sank a pair of free throws that pushed UP's lead to 74-52 early in the fourth. But the Bulldogs staged a massive fightback after taking advantage of foul-plagued UP with Jake Figueroa, Steve Nash Enriquez, and Kinshin Padrones combined for seven straight freebies that trimmed their deficit to 13, 65-78, in the final 1:44. NU, though, missed their next shots as Harold Alarcon sealed the final shot with a split on the line as UP clinched what no team has ever done before. Francis Nnoruka led the charge with a double-double of 15 points and 12 rebounds to go with two assists and one block while Gerry Abadiano and Stevens each poured 13 markers. Stevens also grabbed nine boards, four dimes, and a steal. Figueroa and Padrones paced NU with 12 and 10 points apiece as NU finished as runner-up after a gallant run in the tournament, which saw them make the championship round despite being the fourth-ranked team after the elimination round. Scores: UP 79 - Figueroa 12, Padrones 10, Santiago 9, Palacielo 6, Manansala 6, Francisco 6, Enriquez 4, John 4, Jumamoy 3, Garcia 3, Dela Cruz 2, Solomon 0, Parks 0, Navarro 0. NU 65 - Nnoruka 15, Abadiano 13, Stevens 13, Remogat 8, Torres 7, Alarcon 7, Fortea 6, Alter 4, Yniguez 3, Belmonte 2, Bayla 1, Briones 0, Felicilda 0. Quarters: 27-21, 48-37, 70-49, 79-65. —JKC, GMA Integrated News
GMA Network
3 days ago
- Health
- GMA Network
Walking 7,000 steps a day a huge boost to health
People walk around the University of the Philippines campus in Diliman, Quezon City despite monsoon rains on July 25, 2025. Photo: Virgil Lopez/GMA Integrated News PARIS, France - People who walk 7,000 steps a day have a dramatically lower risk of a broad range of serious health problems, the largest review of the evidence yet said. The most widely promoted target for people tracking their number of steps is 10,000 -- but that figure reportedly originally came from a 1960s marketing campaign for a Japanese pedometer. To find a more scientific target, an international team of researchers sifted through 57 previous studies that covered 160,000 people. The results published in the Lancet Public Health journal found that walking 7,000 steps a day nearly halved people's risk of early death from all causes, compared to 2,000 steps. The study also looked into health problems not previously covered by research into step counts. Walking 7,000 steps a day was linked to people's risk of dementia falling by 38 percent, depression dropping 22 percent and diabetes decreasing 14 percent. It was also associated with lower rates of cancer and falls, though the researchers warned this was based on less evidence. "You don't need to hit 10,000 steps a day to get major health benefits," Paddy Dempsey, a study co-author and medical researcher at Cambridge University, told AFP. "The biggest gains happen before 7,000 steps, and then benefits tend to level off," he said. While people's speeds vary widely, 7,000 steps add up to roughly an hour of walking throughout the day. Dempsey emphasized that people already managing 10,000 or more steps should keep it up. But he had a message for people who might find 7,000 steps daunting: "don't be discouraged.'' "If you're only getting 2,000–3,000 steps a day, aim to add an extra 1,000 steps. That's just 10–15 minutes of light walking spread across the day," he said. Andrew Scott, a researcher at the University of Portsmouth not involved in the study, said that "it demonstrates that overall more is always better.'' "People should not focus too much on the numbers, particularly on days where activity is limited," he added. The World Health Organization recommends at least 150 minutes of moderate to intense physical activity a week. Nearly a third of people worldwide do not reach this target, according to the WHO. —Agence France-Presse
ABC News
4 days ago
- Climate
- ABC News
As typhoons become more frequent and intense, Filipinos are getting married in flooded churches
Major flooding inundated parts of the Philippines this week as tropical storm Wipha made landfall, killing at least six people and forcing tens of thousands of people to evacuate. But one couple in Bulacan province was undeterred by the extreme weather, which fell on their wedding day — and chose to wade down the aisle in a flooded church. Jade Rick Verdillo and Jamaica Aguilar saw the decision to persevere in the unusual conditions as a symbol of their commitment to one another. "It's just a test. Before we got married, we were in this relationship for 10 years. We have been through a lot. "This is just one of the struggles that we've overcome." Images of the wedding went viral on social media, a symbol of Filipino resilience in the face of extreme weather. And wedding guests, knee deep in water, praised the couple. "It's an extraordinary wedding, like you will see love prevailed because even against weather, storm, rains, floods, the wedding continued for the blessing of our Lord, they become one," Jiggo Santos, a friend of the couple said. It's reportedly not the first time a Filipino couple has tied the knot in a submerged chapel. Two years ago, another pair walked down the flooded aisle of the same church, at the same time of year. Flooding is a perennial issue for the South-East Asian nation located in the Pacific typhoon belt, with at least 20 storms or typhoons striking each year. According to the UN, the country is the most prone to natural hazards in the world, and these hazards are becoming more intense due to climate change. Mahar Lagmay, a geologist at the University of the Philippines and an expert in disaster response, said infrastructure in the country was ill-equipped to deal with weather extremes made more likely by climate change. "Rainfall events that generate big floods are now becoming more frequent, they're not as rare anymore, they used to happen every one in 100 years," he said. "There should be a shift in mindset and try to entertain moving into a safer place that's safe and more liveable because these places are not liveable unless they convert it to a Venice type community." Dr Lagmay said construction of properties and roads over natural waterways and flood plains in the capital Manila rendered the city particularly vulnerable to inundation. But he said the country's disaster risk reduction efforts had made significant strides in recent decades, pointing out that the average number of fatalities from hydrometeorological hazards went down significantly from 1,000-1,250 average deaths a year for the period 1986-2013 to about 250 a year from 2014 to the present.
Filipino Times
18-07-2025
- Business
- Filipino Times
Manila ranks 88th in QS best student cities 2026
Manila ranked 88th in the 2026 edition of the QS Best Student Cities rankings released by global higher education analyst Quacquarelli Symonds (QS). The ranking evaluates cities based on several indicators, including affordability, student mix, desirability, employer activity, student view, and the presence of top-ranked universities. Manila received an overall score of 63.9. It scored highest in affordability at 85.3, which reflects the cost of tuition and student living expenses. The city also earned a 68.4 in employer activity, measuring how employers view graduates from Manila-based institutions. For student view, which gauges student satisfaction and the city's friendliness and sustainability, Manila received a score of 57. It earned 37.2 in desirability and 31.2 in student mix, which refers to the proportion of students in the city population, including international students. In terms of institutional presence, the Philippines scored 35.2, with six universities included in the QS World University Rankings 2026. These are: • University of the Philippines (362nd) • Ateneo de Manila University (511st) • De La Salle University (654th) • University of Santo Tomas (851st–900th) • Adamson University (1,001st–1,200th) • Mapúa University (1,401st) Seoul topped the 2026 QS rankings, ending London's six-year run as the number one student city. Tokyo placed second, followed by London, Munich, and Melbourne. QS also noted that 10 of the top 20 cities are in the Asia-Pacific region, including Sydney, Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, Beijing, Taipei, Hong Kong (SAR), and Kyoto. Cities included in the ranking must have a population of at least 250,000, at least two universities featured in the QS World University Rankings, and a low to moderate risk level based on the International SOS index. The indicators were based on various sources, including Numbeo's Quality of Life and Traffic indices, and the Economist Price Index.
GMA Network
17-07-2025
- Business
- GMA Network
Manila ranks 88th in QS 2026 'world's best student cities'
The Philippine capital has earned a place on the global academic map as Manila ranked 88th in the 2026 QS Best Student Cities Ranking, released by international education analyst Quacquarelli Symonds (QS). The annual index evaluates cities worldwide based on factors that matter most to students: academic reputation, student diversity, affordability, and employability. With an overall score of 63.9, Manila stood out for its affordability (85.3) and employer activity (68.4) — two crucial metrics for local and international students alike. The city also scored a respectable 57 in student view, reflecting generally positive perceptions of the student experience in the metro. Though it placed lower in categories like student mix (31.2) and desirability (37.2) — which reflect internationalization and quality of life — Manila's inclusion highlights the country's growing relevance in the global higher education landscape. To qualify for the rankings, cities must have over 250,000 residents and at least two universities featured in the latest QS World University Rankings. In Manila's case, top-performing universities such as the University of the Philippines (UP) and Ateneo de Manila University help anchor its presence in the index. Asia's momentum Manila's inclusion coincides with a broader trend across Asia: the continent is on the rise in international higher education. For the first time, Seoul has been crowned the world's best student city, dethroning London after six consecutive years. South Korea's capital was praised for academic excellence, safety, and cultural vibrancy — a model that many Asian cities, including Manila, may look to emulate. 'Asia's continued ascent signals a broader shift in the global education landscape, as emerging hubs challenge long-standing Western dominance,' said Ben Sowter, QS Senior Vice President. Other Asian cities also climbed the ranks: Kuala Lumpur (12th) broke into the top 15 for the first time. Beijing (13th) and Taipei (14th) achieved record-high placements. Hong Kong (17th) re-entered the top 20. Global overview The 2026 edition of the QS Best Student Cities Ranking evaluated 150 cities across 58 countries and territories, using six indicators: University Rankings Student Mix Desirability Employer Activity Affordability Student Voice Meanwhile, the Top 10 cities are: Seoul Tokyo London Munich Melbourne Sydney Berlin and Paris (tie) Zurich Vienna In contrast to Asia's momentum, many Western cities saw stagnation or decline, particularly due to high living costs. London, despite strong performance in employer activity and student mix, dropped to third place due to affordability issues. US cities also struggled with metrics on desirability and diversity, while Canadian cities dropped slightly in rank. Now in its 11th edition, the QS Best Student Cities Ranking is produced annually by Quacquarelli Symonds (QS), a global authority on higher education insights. The index is widely consulted by students, educators, and policymakers worldwide as a trusted guide to the world's top study destinations. —VAL, GMA Integrated News
