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Magnitude 6.4 earthquake jolts Davao Occidental, parts of Mindanao
Oct 8, 2026

Magnitude 6.4 earthquake jolts Davao Occidental, parts of Mindanao

KORONADAL CITY — A magnitude 6.4 earthquake struck Davao Occidental on Thursday afternoon, sending strong tremors across parts of Mindanao, including Soccsksargen, as heavy rains continued to pour over Koronadal City. In Koronadal City, the shaking lasted several seconds, with the ground appearing to sway in a rocking motion. The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and


Magnitude 5.6 quake off Davao Occidental jolts parts of Mindanao
Oct 8, 2026

Magnitude 5.6 quake off Davao Occidental jolts parts of Mindanao

KORONADAL CITY — A magnitude 5.6 earthquake struck Balut Island in Sarangani, Davao Occidental on Thursday afternoon, with strong tremors felt in several areas, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) reported. In its earthquake information no. 2, Phivolcs said that the magnitude 5.6 quake struck 42 kilometers (km) south of Balut Island around


Laguna de Bay water level drops below critical high mark
Oct 8, 2026

Laguna de Bay water level drops below critical high mark

LUCENA CITY — After more than a month above the critical-high mark, the water level at Laguna de Bay fell below the threshold, reaching 12.41 meters on Thursday morning, the Laguna Lake Development Authority (LLDA) said. The latest reading, recorded at 8:30 a.m., was 0.09 meters or nine centimeters below the 12.50-meter critical-high level, according


BARMM leaders to fund Mecca trip for poor Bangsamoro pilgrims
Oct 8, 2026

BARMM leaders to fund Mecca trip for poor Bangsamoro pilgrims

COTABATO CITY – Several members of the Bangsamoro Transition Authority (BTA) or the interim Bangsamoro Parliament have committed to funding at least 1,000 indigent Bangsamoro pilgrims on a religious journey to Mecca, Saudi Arabia, in November. The Bangsamoro Pilgrimage Authority (BPA) and 14 Members of Parliament (MPs), including Bangsamoro interim Chief Minister Abdulraof Macacua, formalized


Nana Patekar, Indian Actor Who Embodied the Everyman, Dies at 75
Oct 8, 2026

Nana Patekar, Indian Actor Who Embodied the Everyman, Dies at 75

He brought the intensity of the stage to the screen and was praised for his craft and philanthropy. He was also accused of sexual harassment.


QC issues traffic advisory for Friday’s La Naval procession
Oct 8, 2026

QC issues traffic advisory for Friday’s La Naval procession

MANILA, Philippines — The Quezon City government advised motorists to temporarily use alternative routes as heavy traffic is expected on Friday, Oct. 9, during the procession of the image of Our Lady of La Naval De Manila. The city government said in an advisory that traffic build is expected from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m.


Myanmar’s Strongman President Is on a Global Quest for Legitimacy. Next Stop, Malaysia.
Oct 8, 2026

Myanmar’s Strongman President Is on a Global Quest for Legitimacy. Next Stop, Malaysia.

After trading his military uniform for civilian clothes, Myanmar’s strongman president, U Min Aung Hlaing, is in Malaysia, his ninth stop on a search for international legitimacy.


Zubiri: Mark Villar’s move to majority not connected to impeachment trial
Oct 8, 2026

Zubiri: Mark Villar’s move to majority not connected to impeachment trial

MANILA, Philippines — Sen. Mark Villar’s move to the Senate majority bloc has nothing to do with the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte, Senate Majority Leader Juan Miguel “Migz” Zubiri said Thursday. Zubiri’s remarks came after the Senate elected Villar as chairperson of the Committee on Public Works and as a member of


Pita Limjaroenrat: The Leader Thailand Could Have Had
Oct 8, 2026

Pita Limjaroenrat: The Leader Thailand Could Have Had

An interview with Pita Limjaroenrat, the former leader of the Move Forward party.


Karylle finds self-care in shared moments at BlueWater Day Spa
Oct 8, 2026

Karylle finds self-care in shared moments at BlueWater Day Spa

For Karylle, self-care has never been limited to moments spent alone. The singer, actress, host and theater performer has long believed in taking care of herself, but over the years, she has also discovered that some of the most meaningful ways to relax are those shared with the people she loves. Whether getting a massage with friends, bringing family members to the spa or finding time to reconnect over an everyday activity, Karylle sees wellness as something to enjoy together. “I’ve always given a lot of value to taking care of myself,” Karylle told The Manila Times. For her, taking a day off is only part of the equation; what matters is how well that time allows her to rest. “It’s about the quality of the rest,” she said. “I’ve always been a big believer in self-care and emotional healing. It has always been part of my vocabulary from the beginning of my career,” she continued. One place she has long turned to for that quality of rest is BlueWater Day Spa. She began visiting when she was still living in the Annapolis, San Juan City area, long before becoming one of the wellness brand’s ambassadors. Its relaxing, beach-inspired atmosphere initially drew her in. “I used to live in Annapolis, so I grew up in that neighborhood. We would go there for massages. There weren’t that many spas back then, so I liked that it had this beach vibe. It gave you that feeling of, ‘Hey, this is the time to relax,’” she recalled. “It was something I would do after dinner, just winding down after a busy workday,” she added. The atmosphere, along with her fondness for the color blue, helped her settle into those moments of relaxation. Her preferred treatment is the Traditional Filipino Massage, while the familiarity of returning to the spa has become a source of comfort in itself. Making time for meaningful rest What began as a way to unwind after work has also become an opportunity to bring people together. During her run in the stage production “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory,” Karylle brought her colleagues to BlueWater Day Spa for massages on a Monday, the cast’s major day off. “It was very clear to me that on our big day off, we would want to get a massage, so I brought them to BlueWater Day Spa,” she said. Being in the same space allowed them to bond and enjoy their time off together, adding another dimension to a routine she had previously enjoyed alone or with her husband. “Before, I would get a massage by myself or sometimes with my husband Yael, which is also a good bonding experience. But now there are different kinds of experiences that you can share,” she said. Spa visits are also a family affair. Her grandmother, whom the family calls Lola Kating or Lola Manga, requests massages whenever she visits the Philippines from Las Vegas. “When my grandma is here, she always requests for the Traditional Filipino Massage. And it can’t be just one; it’s two. So, of course, when my grandmother comes, the barkada comes, her siblings, the spouse, and my mother-in-law also loves a massage. Any excuse to go to a massage,” she chuckled. These days, for Karylle, spa visits offer a chance to catch up with loved ones amid busy schedules, making time together as valuable as the relaxation itself. She acknowledged that self-care was once sometimes viewed as a luxury but nowadays, it has become a necessity. Her own experience, however, has reinforced its value, especially when it also brings people together. “But when you do it for yourself, how can you put a tag on it? Plus, if you’re going to bond anyway, why not enjoy it and do something like this?” she said. For Karylle, sharing these visits has enriched her relaxation with the added pleasure of bonding. That approach extends beyond the spa. In her free time, Karylle enjoys going to the beach, watching movies, seeing plays and concerts, reading and doing puzzles. “The experiences are really what help me fully enjoy my self-care. It also doesn’t have to be a solo activity. I mean, it can be, and that’s simpler, but it’s magnified when you share these things with loved ones,” she said. For her, being present for someone is itself an expression of care. Beyond asking how a loved one is doing, spending time together offers a way to show support through something both can enjoy. “Life is not easy right now. So if you want to show somebody you love them, allow them also to show you they love you,” she said. That thought prompted Karylle to reflect on her own approach to self-care. As someone who enjoys planning activities, she recognized how sharing her habits allows her to care for herself while showing up for others. “Self-care is also me showing up for other people and sharing my habits,” she added. A range of wellness treatments BlueWater Day Spa offers a range of treatments for different wellness and relaxation needs. Its services include traditional and international massages such as Traditional Filipino Massage, Traditional Balinese Massage, Swedish Massage, Chiang Mai Thai Massage, Thai Yoga Massage and Athlete’s Massage, along with hand and foot services, body scrubs and other body treatments. For those looking to make wellness a group activity, BlueWater offers spa party experiences with friends and loved ones for all occasions such as bridal showers, baby showers, birthdays, reunions or simple get-togethers, combining relaxation with the bonding that Karylle values as part of self-care. This October, in celebration of their 21st anniversary, Bluewater Day Spa is offering 30% off on select services from October 1 - 31, 2026 only. Head on out to BlueWater Day Spa, with branches at: Eton Square-Greenhills, San Juan (0917-815-6659) open daily from 2 p.m. to 11 p.m. One Banawe Plaza-Quezon City (0947-896-5075) open daily from 2 p.m. to 11 p.m. Estancia Mall - Pasig (0917-881-0092) open Mondays to Thursdays from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Fridays to Sundays from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.


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