Windows26: Weekend Roundup: Alex Eala’s historic run, Myanmar-Thailand earthquake, and more Test One

Hi there, reader. Just this past week, Alex Eala plucked us out of the swamp of political developments dampening the spirits of Filipinos everywhere, particularly events concerning former President Rodrigo Duterte and Vice President Sara Duterte. ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌

UPDATE PREFERENCES

Hi there, reader!

Just this past week, Alex Eala plucked us out of the swamp of political developments dampening the spirits of Filipinos everywhere, particularly events concerning former President Rodrigo Duterte and Vice President Sara Duterte.

The 19-year-old Filipino tennis player proved to be a "fierce competitor" in her dream run at the 2025 Miami Open.

Fierce — but still radiant and graceful throughout — even in her semi-final defeat at the hands of 31-year-old American Jessica Pegula.

After all, it was quite a leap for a No. 140 ranked challenger who went up against a No. 4 ranked veteran.

"She [Eala] is really good. Goes for her shots, takes the ball early. Being a lefty is always tricky, competes really well. She's beaten a lot of top players this week. [...] I don't really think she needs me to tell her that she's a great player, that we're not going to see enough of her, but we definitely are. And she proved that tonight. That was really tough," Jessica Pegula said.

We have included some stories about Eala in this Weekend Roundup.

Unfortunately, the euphoria of the week was capped on Friday by a magnitude 7.7 earthquake in Myanmar that turned the capital, Naypwidaw, into a "mass casualty area."

We also have stories of that catastrophe here, along with others on different issues you'd probably be interested in.

MIAMI OPEN

Eala's historic run

Alex Eala ended her dream run in the 2025 Miami Open on Friday, but not before dragging World No. 4 Jessica Pegula to a grueling three-set showdown in the semifinal. Pegula booked the spot in the final with a 7-6 (3) 5-7, 6-3 win against Eala, the 140th-ranked history maker from the Philippines, who pushed her to the limits and threatened another upset on Friday. Here are more stories about her historic run:

ON OUR RADAR

Must-reads

'Mass casualty' after magnitude 7.7 quake strikes Myanmar, Thailand. A powerful earthquake hit Myanmar and neighboring Thailand on Friday, turning a major hospital in the Myanmar capital into a "mass casualty area" and trapping dozens of workers in an under-construction skyscraper in Bangkok. BY AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE

Follow our special Myanmar-Thailand earthquake coverage here.

'181 items': ICC prosecutor's body of evidence vs Duterte. The prosecutor of the International Criminal Court (ICC) has formally turned over to the defense team of former President Rodrigo Duterte the pieces of evidence that formed the basis for his arrest warrant for alleged murder as a crime against humanity. BY KATHLEEN DE VILLA

Rodrigo Duterte marks 80th birthday in ICC detention. Former President Rodrigo Duterte marked his 80th birthday in detention in the Netherlands Friday after the International Criminal Court ordered his arrest, while in the Philippines, police forces braced for planned protests by his followers and opponents. BY ASSOCIATED PRESS

Writer leads petition vs Roque asylum bid. A Filipino-Dutch writer is leading a campaign to block the asylum request of former presidential spokesperson Harry Roque in the Netherlands, pointing out the latter's "deceptive strategy" to "avoid" his charges in the Philippines. BY DEMPSEY REYES

TNT conquers Ginebra in Game 7 classic to win 11th PBA title. TNT weathered every challenge Barangay Ginebra threw its way on Friday night and delivered in the biggest moments for an 87-83 Game 7 overtime victory to put itself atop the PBA Commissioner's Cup. BY DENISON REY DALUPANG

Kim Chiu, Paulo Avelino's movie earns P12 million on opening day. The Kim Chiu and Paulo Avelino-starrer "My Love Will Make You Disappear" is off to a great start as it earned P12 million on its first day of theatrical run, making it the highest opening-day gross for a local film so far this year. BY JESSICA ANN EVANGELISTA

Kathryn Bernardo stuns in birthday photo shoot, flaunts toned figure. The actress turned up the heat in her black crop top and bikini bottom, as seen on her Instagram page on Tuesday, March 25. In the snaps, the actress sits with her accentuated abs while holding a bag of chips. BY ANNE PASAJOL

BINI named Billboard Philippines 'Women of the Year.' BINI — composed of Jhoanna, Aiah, Colet, Maloi, Gwen, Stacey, Mikha and Sheena — was named Women of the Year by Billboard Philippines, and will be honored at the "Women in ceremony with female industry leaders. BY HANNAH MALLORCA

Nikki Valdez na-trauma sa relasyon nila ni Troy Montero: Ang daming na-shock! Matinding trauma ang naranasan ng seasoned actress na si Nikki Valdez nu'ng maging dyowa niya si Troy Montero. Sobrang pambabagsak at pambabatos daw ang inabot niya nang aminin nila ng hunk actor that time ang kanilang relationship. BY ERVIN SANTIAGO

Tanong ni Dingdong sa Family Feud nag-trigger ng okrayan sa Facebook. Pak na pak sa mga netizens ang naging question ni Dingdong Dantes sa nakaraang episode ng Kapuso game show na "Family Feud." BY ERVIN SANTIAGO

Column of the Week: In the aftermath of the Duterte arrest. The arrest and March 11 handover of former president Rodrigo Duterte to the International Criminal Court (ICC) is a defining moment for the Philippines. To make sense of what may come next, we must look beyond the spectacle and examine the deeper fault lines in our political system. BY RANDY DAVID

INQFOCUS

Duterte drug war

In 2024, then-President Rodrigo Duterte had this to say about his murderous campaign against drugs and crime that has killed thousands of mostly poor Filipinos: "I did what I had to do." Here's an in-depth story on how thousands were killed, yet the menace remains. BY KURT DELA PEÑA

INQFOCUS

Feeding the problem

Filipino children are exposed to a constant stream of ads promoting donuts, soft drinks, fried chicken, instant noodles, and chocolate-covered treats. Here's a special report on junk food ads targeting kids and how they should be addressed. BY CRISTINA ELOISA BACLIG

Thanks for reading our Weekend Roundup, reader. For suggestions and feedback, please reach out to us at newsletter@inquirer.net.

Regards,

Alexander T. Magno

March 29, 2025

Alex Magno is the current News Channel editor of INQUIRER.net. He oversees the daily operations of the News Desk, ensuring the timely and consistent delivery of news stories to our valued readers.

Visit INQUIRER.net for more latest news