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A girl holds a baby sea turtle in her palm. (Photo: Los Muertos Crew/Pexels) The year 2019 saw the emergence of the Internet phenomenon known as VSCO girls (or VSCO kids). Named after VSCO — a photo-editing app that the Guardian described as “a kind of Instagram 2.0” — these Gen Z teenagers sported brightly colored oversized t-shirts worn over athletic shorts, with Crocs or Birkenstocks to match.

Team EMPATH (L-R): Sophia Nicole Mendoza, Samantha Muñoz, Brendan James Saripe and James Kaleb Graycochea. (Photo: Mrs. Shie Munoz) A team of undergraduate biology students from the University of Sto. Tomas (UST) received the Distinction Award at the 2026 ASEAN Geospatial Challenge for their proactive decision support system for managing plastic pollution in a crucial Metro Manila river system.

DOST Secretary Renato U. Solidum Jr. speaks before the media, announcing the qualifiers for the 2025 National Competitive Examination (NCE) of the Philippine Science High School (PSHS) in a press conference, Philippine Information Agency Building, Quezon City, March 30.

ย Ariptyelus ikalahani. (Photos: L – Elizabeth Huber; R – Agnieszka Anna Pierwola) In March 2026, the description of Ariptyelus ikalahani, a new spittlebug species from the Philippines, was published by Vinton Thompson, Elorde S. Crispolon, Jr., and Sheryl A. Yap in The Pan-Pacific Entomologist.

Amorphophallus calladoi. (Photo: John Rey Callado) In February 2026, the description of Amorphophallus calladoi, a new endemic species of herbaceous plant from the Philippines, was published by Rene Alfred Anton B. Bustamante, Maverick N. Tamayo, John Paul Collantes, and Pieter B. Pelser in the journal Phytotaxa.

Begonia occidentalis. (Photos: Bobby Alaman – L; lower R; Donnafe Ancheta – upper R) In March 2026, the description of Begonia occidentalis, a new species of flowering plant from the Philippines, was published by Mark Arcebal K. Naive, Bobby B. Alaman, Grace V. Villanueva, Melbert James G. Baul, and Donnafe J. AnchetaΒ in the journal Phytotaxa.

Luperosaurus alvarezi. (Photo: Camila G. Meneses & Rafe M. Brown) In March 2026, the description ofΒ Luperosaurus alvarezi, a new species of fringed forest gecko from the Philippines, was published in PeerJΒ by Camila G. Meneses​ and Rafe M. Brown.

Photo: Inoblasyon: The UP Innovation Summit (via Facebook) The University of the Philippines will bring together researchers, entrepreneurs, government officials, and industry leaders for its first Innovation Summit on May 5-6 at the SMX Convention Center Aura in Bonifacio Global City.

Members of the media joined the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) in a press conference led by DOST-PAGASA in preparation for the onset of the warm and dry season. (Photo: Patrick James Lee C. Alfonso, DOST-STII) The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration (DOST-PAGASA) has officially announced on Monday the end of the northeast monsoon or “Amihan,” signaling the onset of warmer and drier seasons in most parts of the country.

Photo: Mico Medel/Pexels As the country observes National Women’s Month, the Philippines is facing a disturbing reality: children are having children. New data from the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) show that the trend of births from girls aged 10-14 years old has continued to increase, 8.9% from 2023 to 2024, a worrying trend that highlights the growing vulnerability of young Filipino girls to sexual abuse, exploitation, and early pregnancy. The number of these births is 3,612.