Asian Games Culture & Pride: Filipina beach volleyball duo Sofiah Pagara and Khy Progella kept their winning run alive, beating Japan to reach the women’s beach volleyball semifinals, while the other PH pair fell to Thailand in a tight finish. Sports Spotlight: Ernest John Obiena defended his pole vault crown with a Games record 5.91m, and the women’s sepak takraw team grabbed silver after a breakthrough run that ended in a final loss to Vietnam. Education & Inclusion: DepEd issued new standards for future public schools—disaster-resilient and PWD-accessible—while COA flagged major delays in classroom completion under the Basic Education and Facilities Fund. Women, Safety, and Online Life: Marcos urged ASEAN to act harder on gender-based violence in digital spaces; in South Cotabato, police reported a sharp rise in online threats after a school shooting. Migrant Worker Safeguards: CHR welcomed Mary Jane Veloso’s absolute pardon, calling it a reminder of OFW vulnerabilities and the need for stronger protections. Governance & Accountability: COA also found “unverifiable” beneficiaries in DepEd’s senior high school voucher program, citing overpayment concerns. Pop Culture & Film: DreamWorks’ “Forgotten Island” opened at No. 1 in Philippine box office with P97.2M, spotlighting Filipino folklore and star voice cast.