Usapang Bayan

Usapang Bayan is the news portal of Hiyaw, an independent news website dedicated to current events affecting the Philippines. It covers topics including politics, human rights, the economy, and international news, with reports available in both Filipino and English. The site features sections dedicated to the nation, the economy, the world, and entertainment, publishing short articles on government proceedings and local incidents.

The platform is specifically built for Overseas Filipino Workers and their families scattered across the globe. It serves millions of Filipinos living and working abroad in the Middle East, Europe, North America, Asia, and beyond. The mission is to provide honest, independent reporting on policy changes affecting OFWs and news from back home, told in a voice that sounds like the diaspora community.

The news portal operates on a self-hosted, open-source software platform to ensure privacy and community control. It runs entirely without external advertisers or advertorials, relying instead on a community-run model. This approach ensures that data never gets packaged and sold, and the content remains free from corporate influence.

The website features dedicated sections for People, World, Nation, Economy, and Entertainment to organize its content. It publishes articles in both Filipino and English to accommodate its diverse readership. Specific recent stories include updates on the Supreme Court, fuel price rollbacks, and international migrant rescue operations.

The site explicitly states it has no advertisers and no agenda, focusing on honest journalism. It avoids clickbait and foreign editorial filters to speak directly to the diaspora community. The platform aims to connect people who miss fiestas and family meals by providing relevant local and global news.

The platform is described as a private, community-run initiative rather than a corporation backed by venture capital. It was built by a small team of Pinoys who understand the feeling of being far from home. The goal is to create a connection to home that is not sold to the highest bidder.

The website provides a contact form where users can submit inquiries, suggestions, or messages. Information submitted is used only to respond to the inquiry and is not shared with third parties. Users can also find the site on social media platforms including Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, and X (Twitter).

The site includes a privacy policy that outlines how user data is handled. It emphasizes that the platform was built to ensure conversations stay private and files remain owned by the user. The community focuses on creating a safe space for Filipinos abroad to stay informed.

The platform covers stories ranging from local incidents like a farmer shot by an infantry battalion to global events like a boat fire in the English Channel. It also reports on domestic issues such as the impeachment proceedings of Sara Duterte and Supreme Court rulings. The content spans from economic policy to entertainment news.

The website identifies itself as a news portal for Filipinos living and working abroad, distinct from general news sites. It aims to fill the gap left by social media feeds full of noise and foreign news sites that barely cover OFW issues. The content is designed to be relevant to the specific experiences of the diaspora.

The platform was established in 2026, as indicated by the copyright notice and the date of the latest articles. It has been operating as an independent news portal since then, focusing on the diaspora community. The site continues to update its content regularly to reflect current events.

The website states it has no agenda and runs on a model that does not rely on external advertising revenue. This allows it to maintain independence from corporate interests. The content is driven by a community of people who work abroad and want to share their stories.

The site provides a way for users to subscribe via email to stay updated on the latest news. It also encourages engagement through social media links and a contact form for direct feedback. The platform aims to build a strong community connection among Filipinos worldwide.

You can reach Usapang Bayan by e-mail at contact@hiyaw.net.

The official website of Usapang Bayan is hiyaw.net.