Mara Cepeda

3 weeks ago | straitstimes.com | Walter Sim |Mara Cepeda |Wendy Z.W. Teo

TOKYO/MANILA/SEOUL – The United States is not going anywhere and stands shoulder to shoulder with its Indo-Pacific allies in facing down regional threats, especially from China. That was the key message that US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth sought to convey to Japan and the Philippines on his maiden tour of the region ended on March 30 that, however, skipped South Korea.

Jan 19, 2025 | straitstimes.com | Lin Suling |Shannon Teoh |Mara Cepeda |Linda Yulisman

US President Joe Biden leaves office with a mixed legacy in South-east Asia, but his successor might not fare better. PHOTO: AFP– As US President Joe Biden hands over the keys to the White House to Donald Trump, observers say South-east Asia has emerged as a key winner over the past four years as US-China rivalry intensified. The gains can be quantified, to some extent, in dollars and cents. Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.

Jan 13, 2025 | thestar.com.my | Mara Cepeda

MANILA (The Straits Times/ANN): More than a million members of influential Christian group Iglesia ni Cristo (INC) gathered in 13 cities in the Philippines, including the capital Manila, to protest against the impeachment cases filed against Vice-President Sara Duterte. Nearly 1.8 million INC members flocked to the historic Quirino Grandstand in Manila city and the surrounding streets by late afternoon on Jan 13, according to official estimates.

Jan 13, 2025 | straitstimes.com | Mara Cepeda

MANILA – More than a million members of influential Christian group Iglesia ni Cristo (INC) gathered in 13 cities in the Philippines, including the capital Manila, to protest the impeachment cases filed against Vice President Sara Duterte. Around 1.5 million INC members have flocked to the historic Quirino Grandstand in Manila City and the surrounding streets as of 2pm on Jan 13, according to official estimates.

Jan 10, 2025 | straitstimes.com | Mara Cepeda

MANILA – Flying out of the Philippines’ main international airport used to mean packing a whole lot of extra patience alongside your passport. But with a private consortium now helming the controls, passengers are starting to see hints of smoother skies ahead, even as pockets of turbulence remain. Manila’s Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) has long been notorious for its lengthy waiting times, power failures and even bedbug-infested rattan chairs.