NEWS
Get updates on Pokémon Scarlet, Pokémon Violet; hop on Legendary Pokémon Koraidon or Miraidon, and race across Paldea Region
August 5, 2022 3:45 p.m.
The Pokémon Company is pleased to share the latest news about the Nintendo Switch software titles Pokémon Scarlet and Pokémon Violet.
You can watch the latest trailers for Pokemon Scarlet and Pokemon Violet by simply clicking on these links: https://youtu.be/3TgxKhyk3bk (Welcome to the Paldea region! | Pokémon Scarlet & Pokémon Violet), https://youtu.be/eBFh6Ze3n_w (World Overview | Pokémon Scarlet & Pokémon Violet).
The Sprawling Landscapes and Vibrant Towns Woven into the Paldea Region
Your adventure takes place in the Paldea region, a land of vast open spaces dotted with lakes, towering peaks, wastelands, and perilous mountain ranges. Along the way, trainers continue with their adventures and hone their skills with Pokémon battles. You can find lots of people and Pokémon live together in a variety of locations, ranging from a farming village with bountiful harvests to a port town with a bustling marketplace. There are also Pokémon living in treetops, rivers, and all sorts of other locations in the wilderness—and they’re all just waiting to meet you
New Forms Discovered for the Legendary Pokémon Koraidon and Miraidon
During your adventure, you will meet a Legendary Pokémon—either Koraidon or Miraidon—and it will join you on your journey. Koraidon and Miraidon are full of mysteries and said to have powers that far surpass that of other Pokémon.
It seems Koraidon and Miraidon have even more forms than those we’ve already discovered. These Pokémon are capable of changing their forms to better suit what they’re doing or what terrain they’re traveling over.
■Ride these Legendary Pokémon and embark on an unrestricted adventure
Ride your Legendary Pokémon to traverse the expansive Paldea region and explore every nook and cranny together. Sprint through plains and deserts, move across water, scale cliffs, cross hills, and glide off peaks. Enjoy a fresh and liberating adventure that only an open world can provide.
Meet a variety of people and Pokémon alongside your Legendary Pokémon, and seek out the mysteries that await you in Paldea.
■Sprinting Build / Drive Mode
Traveling through Paldea on foot can be quite a hassle. If you learn how to ride a Sprinting Build Koraidon or Drive Mode Miraidon, you’ll be able to traverse the expansive Paldea region more freely and at full speed.
■Swimming Build / Aquatic Mode
On your adventure, you’ll be able to jump into rivers, lakes, and vibrant oceans as you approach the Pokémon that live there, or cross perilous waters in a snap by riding a Swimming Build Koraidon, or Aquatic Mode Miraidon.
■Gliding Build / Glide Mode
You can jump from mountains, towering cliffs, or tall buildings and glide toward your destination.
Not only does this offer you more options when choosing what to do, but you can also freely glide around and enjoy a view that you can see only from the Paldean skies.
Pokémon Shine and Glimmer like Gems, thanks to the Terastal Phenomenon
■What is the Terastal phenomenon?
This phenomenon is found only in the Paldea region and makes Pokémon shine and glimmer like gems.
When a Pokémon terastallizes, a Tera Jewel appears above the Pokémon’s head like a crown, and the Pokémon’s body glistens like a cut gemstone. It’s said that the terastal energy that seeps from the ground of the Paldea region is involved in the phenomenon. Many details remain unclear, but Professor Sada and Professor Turo are researching this mystery.
■Master Terastallizing and dominate Pokémon battles!
Terastallizing holds the key to victory or defeat in battles in the Paldea region. All Pokémon in Paldea can terastallize to gain a special power.
Each Pokémon has a Tera Type and there are 18 types, meaning there are countless combinations of Pokémon and Tera Types. For example, some Eevee will have a Normal Tera Type, but some other Eevee has a Water Tera Type. A Pokémon’s Tera Type is inactive until the Pokémon terastallizes, at which time the Pokémon’s type will change to its Tera Type.
Terastallizing a Pokémon allows you to enhance your battle strategies by increasing the power of any moves that have the same type as your Pokémon’s Tera Type, or by changing your Pokémon’s weaknesses. When to activate this special transformation and the combination of Pokémon and Tera Types you choose to use are all up to you. Find what works best for you to gain the upper hand in battle!
The Story Unfolds the Way You Want It To
Weave three grand stories into your adventure as you meet the Pokémon you’ve never seen and unique characters.
These titles have the hallmark Pokémon story of going to Gyms and aiming to become a Champion, but there is no set path, so you can go to whichever Gym you want to challenge in the order you desire. There are two other grand stories besides your pursuit of becoming a Champion, and many trials and tribulations await you in those stories as well. Please look forward to finding out what kinds of stories they are.
In addition, you can freely go back and forth between all three stories, allowing your adventure to develop in the order you want it to. Some may want to reach the rank of Champion and rush through the Gyms, while others might want to go an adventure at their leisure—at times searching for Pokémon or meeting all sorts of people. Everybody can experience the game the way they want to.
Being able to make your very own story is one of the hallmarks of Pokémon Scarlet and Pokémon Violet.
New Pokémon and People you can encounter
■ In the Paldea region, you can meet Pokémon for the first time.
In Pokémon Scarlet and Violet, there are many never-before-seen Pokémon waiting for you to discover.
Fidough
This Pokémon Has a Moist, Smooth Feeling to It
Fidough’s moist, smooth skin has elastic qualities and is both firm and soft at the same time. When this Pokémon is excited, they intimidate their opponents by puffing up their bodies to appear bigger.
Their Breath Contains Useful Yeast
Fidough ferments things in its vicinity using the yeast in its breath. Said yeast is useful for cooking, so this Pokémon has been protected by people since long ago.
Pokémon with Paldean Forms
Paldean Wooper
They Live on the Land and Cover Their Bodies with a Poisonous Film
In ancient times, Wooper lived underwater in the Paldea region. But it seems after losing in a struggle for territory, they began living in bogs on land. While living on land, they began to cover their bodies with a poisonous film to keep them from drying out.
Powerful Poisonous Liquid Emits from Their Tough Gills
The Wooper’s gills have hardened thanks to living on the land for so long. Their bodies are heavy and they move slowly, but they can protect themselves by shooting powerful poisonous liquid from their gills. You may see poisoned Pokémon in areas where these Woopers live.
Cetitan
The Horn on the Upper Jaw Freezes the Surroundings
A Cetitan has five hard horns. Among them, the horn on the upper jaw is able to gather ice energy, making the surrounding temperature extremely low and freezing the area around the Pokémon.
Strong Muscles and Thick Blubber
Cetitan needs to have tough muscles to be able to support their immense bodies. They also use their bodies and their incredible power to fend off physical attacks. They can migrate around the snowy regions because they are protected by a thick layer of subcutaneous fat.
■People at the academy
In the center of Paldea sits the largest city in the region: Mesagoza. It is here that you’ll find a school boasting a history that few other schools do, where people from all sorts of regions come to hone their skills against each other, be it through academics or Pokémon battles.
Clavell
He acts as the director of the academy, and since you’re a new student, he will teach you many things about your school. He can be strict, but he can also be kind. He seems to be a friend of Professor Sada and Professor Turo.
Jacq
Mr. Jacq is your homeroom teacher, and he teaches biology. He is very knowledgeable about Pokémon biology and is the developer of the Pokédex app for the Rotom Phone. He has a slightly airheaded side to him, and he sometimes loses himself in his research.
Arven
Arven is an upperclassman at the academy. He’s good at cooking and researching healthy recipes that can help Pokémon feel better. He will be asking you to help him out, since he isn’t good at Pokémon battles.
Penny
Penny is in the same grade as you. She has a bit of a shy personality, and for some reason, she doesn’t seem to come to the academy very often. She is especially fond of her fluffy Eevee bag and always has it on her back.
■Aim for the Champion Rank!
The Paldea region has a Pokémon League and a special class of pro-rank Pokémon Trainers who have achieved the Champion Rank. These Trainers have grown with their Pokémon to be able to dazzle audiences with their skills in battle.
There are facilities called Pokémon Gyms in many towns, and the leaders of these Gyms are waiting to challenge Trainers like you and your friends.
There is no set path to the Gyms. You can purposefully seek out a stronger Gym Leader, or you can simply stop by a Gym that happens to be located in a town you came across on your journey. This time, you get to plot your very own path along Victory Road.
Gym Leader of the Glaseado Gym, Grusha
Grusha used to be a professional snowboarder, but he is now the Gym Leader of the Glaseado Gym full-time. He is an ice-type specialist who has Cetitan as his partner. He is usually coolheaded, but when battles get heated, he starts showing the emotions he usually keeps pushed down.
For more information, please go to their official Webpage athttps://scarletviolet.pokemon.com/en-us/
For more information, please go to their official Webpage athttps://scarletviolet.pokemon.com/en-us/
NEWS
COA named WTO External Auditor, begins six-year term
7:11 p.m. April 6, 2026
The Commission on Audit (COA) has been appointed as the new External Auditor of the World Trade Organization, reflecting its credibility and strong reputation in international auditing and growing influence in advancing good governance around the world.
The Philippines’ audit body, an independent constitutional commission, succeeds France’s supreme audit institution, the Cour des Comptes, and will serve a non-renewable term of six years.
In its role, COA will oversee the audit of the WTO’s financial statements, pension plan, and operations in line with the Organization’s financial regulations.
The audit body was selected by the WTO General Council on the recommendation of its Committee on Budget, Finance and Administration (CBFA). The committee cited how COA’s proven track record in auditing international organizations will help strengthen financial accountability and reinforce trust in the WTO’s governance framework.
“COA’s appointment as the WTO’s new external auditor demonstrates how the world views our capabilities as an independent audit body– reliable, trustworthy, and world-class. We are committed to upholding the highest standards of independence and professionalism in our work with the WTO, continuing our mission to promote transparency and accountability in international institutions,” said COA Chairperson Gamaliel A. Cordoba.
He said the WTO appointment represents a significant milestone for COA, illustrating its expanding influence and growing force in advancing transparency, accountability, and good governance not just in the Philippines, but around the world.
COA earlier served as External Auditor for several major specialized United Nations agencies, including the World Health Organization (WHO), the International Labor Organization (ILO), the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO), and the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO).
In these assignments, COA was commended for its rigorous standards and contribution to strengthening transparency and accountability in global governance. #
NEWS
MTerra Solar powers up 250 MW, boosting energy supply amid global volatility
7:45 p.m. April 1, 2026
Meralco PowerGen Corporation (MGEN), through its affiliate Terra Solar Philippines Inc. (MTerra Solar), has successfully energized the first 250-megawatts (MW) of its solar capacity – now operating as a generator and marking the start of its contribution to the country’s growing demand for reliable and clean energy.
This milestone represents a critical step in the project’s phased development and comes at a pivotal time for the Philippines, as global fuel market volatility driven in part by the current situation in the Middle East, continues to highlight the urgency of strengthening domestic and renewable energy sources. The early delivery of capacity from MTerra Solar reinforces efforts to enhance the country’s energy self-sufficiency and reduce exposure to imported fuel risks.
“Reaching this milestone reflects the strong execution, collaboration, and dedication of our teams and partners. More importantly, it underscores the role of projects like MTerra Solar in helping secure the country’s energy future at a time when reliability and
affordability are under increasing pressure,” said MGEN Renewables and MTerra Solar President and CEO Dennis B. Jordan.
MTerra Solar was initially authorized to export up to 85 MW of firm power to the grid as part of testing and commissioning activities. With the continued support from the Department of Energy (DOE) and the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP), the facility is now exporting up to 250MW — providing additional capacity to help stabilize supply during a period of heightened system demand.
During a previous MTerra Solar event, DOE Secretary Sharon Garin emphasized the project’s significance in strengthening the country’s renewable energy pipeline and addressing immediate supply challenges.
“The initial grid synchronization of MTerra Solar – led by MGEN and Actis – represents a meaningful step towards our transition to a cleaner and more energy-resilient Philippines. Developments of this scale are critical as we navigate current global uncertainties while ensuring long-term energy security,” Secretary Garin said.
“Beyond its contribution to the renewable energy transition, MTerra Solar plays an important role in supporting the country’s near-term energy requirements. The project’s phased energization enables earlier delivery of capacity to the grid, helping ease supply constraints and supporting efforts to maintain stable electricity prices amid evolving global conditions,” MGEN President and CEO Emmanuel V. Rubio shared.
In addition, MTerra Solar has also energized the first tranche of its battery energy storage system (BESS). Through energy generated from its solar output, the plant has been able to deliver up to 450 MWh of energy to the grid at night. This tranche now represents the largest operational BESS available in the Philippines.
Following these milestones, the facility will still undergo a series of comprehensive activities in the coming weeks to ensure the safe, efficient, and reliable integration of battery storage with the solar facility. Once fully operational, the integrated BESS will enhance grid stability and enable the dispatch of renewable energy beyond daylight hours, strengthening system reliability while maximizing the value of solar power generation.
MTerra Solar underscores MGEN’s commitment to advancing a diverse energy portfolio that addresses the energy trilemma – ensuring that supply remains sustainable, reliable, and affordable. At full capacity, the project is expected to generate up to 3,500 MWp of solar power, supported by a 4,500 MWh battery energy storage system – delivering clean energy to approximately 2.4 million households.
The project will also avoid an estimated 4.3 million tons of carbon emissions annually, equivalent to removing more than 3 million gasoline-powered vehicles from the road. With
Phase 1 on track for completion this year and Phase 2 already under construction, MTerra Solar will continue to scale up its capacity, contributing meaningfully to the Philippines’ renewable energy targets of 35% by 2030 and 50% by 2040.
NEWS
Food delivery rider smashes PH cycling record using bike with P2,500 frame
2:25 a.m. March 30. 2026
TAGAYTAY City— Patrick Gerard Lee put the Philippines on the medals board with his bronze medal in men C5 scratch race of para cycling in the Asian Cycling Confederation Track and Para Track Cycling championships on Sunday at the Tagaytay CT Velodrome.
It was the first medal for the Philippines in the annual championships hosted this year by the PhilCycling and Tagaytay City—and the first continental exposure of the national para cycling team.
As importantly, Lee earned points for qualification to the Los Angeles 2028 Paralympics.
But before Lee turned the crowd inside the Tagaytay CT Velodrome into a frenzy, a Panda Food delivery bike rider—Zedrick Ivan Honorica—set a new Philippine record in men elite sprint using the same bike he uses in plying his trade.
Honorica’s bike? A Brain frame that costs P2,500 and a wheel set worth P12,000 which he raised from delivering food—a bicycle that astronomically pales to the equipment used by the elite countries’ riders, some breaching P7 million.
“I pushed and pushed myself, it’s a very tough race,” said Lee, 21, who lost his right forearm from under the elbow in a meat grinder at his aunt’s stall at Marilao Market when he was five years old.
“I’m really very happy because it’s for our country,” added Lee, who’s set to race again on the last day Wednesday of the championships supported by Tagaytay City Mayor Brent Tolentino and supported by the Philippine Sports Commission, Philippine Olympic Committee, MVP Sports Foundation, Sports Plus PH, Toyota and Peak.
Uzbekistan’s Azimbek Abdullaev won the gold medal and Japan’s Ruito Kameda secured the silver but with a tough challenge from Lee—the result went down to the photo finish.
Another Filipino, Joel Inn Tacutaco, finished fifth in the 14-rider race.
Honorica? He’s not your ordinary elite cyclist—literally, he came out of nowhere.
“I race in ‘bente-bente, nothing more,” said the 21-year-old who broke the national record his fellow Marikeño and many-time tour champion Jan Paul Morales set in the Doha 2006 Asian Games.”
“I wasn’t aware of the national record, but I know Kuya JPM [Morales], him being a champion … he doesn’t know me, though,” he added.
Honorica said he’s an accidental member of the national team in the Asian championships.
“I saw a post on Facebook by national coach Gil [Virgilio Espirutu) on an invitation for a power test [informal tryouts], and I was second best … that was only last January,” he said.
Honorica clocked 10.865 seconds, beating Morales’s 20-year-old record of 11.42 seconds.
The effort landed him in 21st out of 22 riders in the event won by Japan’s Kaiya Ota in 9.348 seconds, also shaving a fraction from his previous best of 9.350.
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