The Philippines is unlikely to reach upper middle-income status this year, but it remains on track to achieve the milestone by 2026, economic and foreign affairs officials said in a high-level briefing ahead of an international conference on middle-income countries.

The late national artist Nora Aunor, Original Pilipino Music icon Pilita Corrales, multi-awarded actress Gloria Romero, and renowned chef Margarita Fores will be posthumously awarded the Presidential Medal of Merit.

As the Vatican prepares for the secret meeting of cardinals who will pick a successor to Pope Francis, forget - to some extent - what you may have learned from 'Conclave,' last year's hit movie depicting high-level power games and backstabbing among the red-robed clerics.