Manila Standard - 2026 April 6 - Monday

Drug supply at risk—PHAP

By Rolando Ng III and Jimbo Gulle

THE Pharmaceutical and Healthcare Association of the Philippines (PHAP) on Sunday warned that the country’s medicine supply remains vulnerable to global disruptions, recommending that a six-month national inventory buffer be adopted, among possible solutions that could be implemented immediately.

To help cushion potential supply disruptions or price increases of medicines used locally, the industry group offered 10 potential measures, including using joint demand forecasting, building a

By Katrina Manubay

THE United States Embassy in Manila reminded visa applicants to set their social media accounts to “public” as part of the application process. In an advisory issued

By Othel V. Campos, Ram Superable, and Rio N. Araja

THE Department of Agriculture has created a Food Security Task Force to strengthen monitoring and response mechanisms for potential disruptions in agricultural supply, prices and trade, as the country tries to keep the cost of goods down amid an ongoing energy emergency and geopolitical tensions in key export markets.

Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. said the move formalizes and replaces the agency’s previous ad hoc monitoring system with a more structured and data-driven approach

Palace warns energy fake news peddlers

By Charles Dantes, Alena Mae S. Flores and Katrina Manubay

MALACAÑANG on Sunday warned individuals against spreading false information related to the country’s energy situation, saying offenders will face legal consequences. In a statement, Presidential Communications Office Acting Secretary Dave Gomez warned those who deliberately fabricate stories and disseminate fake

Pope urges those unleashing wars to ‘choose peace’

Leo XIV on Sunday urged “those who have the power to unleash wars” to “choose peace” and criticized global indifference to conflicts in his first Easter blessing.

“We are growing accustomed to violence, resigning ourselves to it, and becoming indifferent. Indifferent to the deaths of thousands of people,” he told a crowd of faithful in St Peter’s Square, also announcing a prayer vigil at the Vatican for April 11.

In a break with a tradition observed for years by his predecessors, Leo did not directly refer to any country in his blessing, but this year’s Easter celebrations are taking place in the shadow of war in the Middle East.

Speaking during an Easter Vigil on Saturday, the pontiff called for “a new world of peace and unity” and decried the divisions created by “war, injustice and the isolation of peoples and nations.”

Leo has repeatedly called for peace in the Middle East and this week directly urged US President Donald Trump to find an “off-ramp.”

From the deserted Old City of Jerusalem to the Christian villages in Lebanon caught in the crossfire between Israel and the Iran-backed Hezbollah movement, the Middle East war has set a dark tone for a normally joyous celebration.

In Jerusalem, services in the Holy Sepulchre,

news online to exploit the current energy landscape that they “will be held to account to the fullest extent of the law.”

“Spreading fake news and disinformation undermines public trust, destabilizes our economy, and threatens the welfare of every Filipino during this time of energy emergency,” Gomez said. He added that publishing false news is punishable under the Revised Penal Code, with penalties of up to six months imprisonment, while violations committed online may carry stiffer penalties un-

der the Cybercrime Prevention Act. Authorities are tracing the source of misleading content, including a widely shared graphic claiming an “energy lockdown” on April 20, 2026, and a fake advisory about a supposed “COVID-19 Cicada Variant.” The Department of Health has already debunked the claims, confirming there is no such lockdown. Meanwhile, Energy Secretary Sharon Garin said Iran’s commitment to allow safe passage of Philippine vessels

By Charles Dantes and Vince Lopez

OPEC+ to discuss oil production rise as Iran war weighs on markets

IENNA—Key members of the OPEC+ oil cartel will discuss production quotas for next month as the USIsraeli war against Iran unsettles global oil markets.

The eight-strong V8 (Voluntary Eight) group in the alliance, which includes top oil producers Saudi Arabia and Russia – as well as several Gulf states who have been hit by Iran’s retaliatory airstrikes – are to decide Monday (Manila time) whether to increase production as prices rise.

Last month, the group announced a higher-than-expected increase in production quotas by 206,000 barrels per day (bpd).

the site where Christians believe Christ was resurrected, are being held behind closed doors.

Israel has imposed restrictions on large gatherings as a security precaution because of the constant threat of strikes since the US and Israel began bombarding Iran on February 28.

“It is the first time in my life that I experienced a total closure” of the Holy Sepulchre, Jack Straw, a 52-year-old resident of Jerusalem’s Old City, told Agence France-Presse.

“It’s sad. The Sepulchre is empty. It’s the symbol of the most important event in Christian history,” he said, adding that he hoped the closure would only be for this year.

“The doors are still closed,” the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, said in his Easter Vigil homily at the Church of the Holy Sepulcher.

Pizzaballa was prevented by Israeli police from holding mass in the church last Sunday, an incident that sparked international indignation.

“The silence is almost absolute, broken perhaps by the distant sound of what war continues to sow in this holy and torn land,” he said, according to a text of his sermon issued by his office.

In Lebanon, majority Christian areas in the south of the country are caught in the crossfire between Israel and the Iran-backed Hezbollah movement.

In Debel, close to the Israeli border, inhabitants prepared to celebrate Easter Sunday despite the sound of bombardment around their village, now almost totally cut off from the world and dependent on aid deliveries.

“The situation is tragic,” town notable Joseph Attieh told Agence FrancePresse by phone.

“People are terrified, and the sound of shelling and gunfire has not stopped for a moment since last night. We haven’t been able to sleep.

national medicines logistics command center, and prioritizing pharmaceutical shipments through “green lanes.”

The Department of Health (DOH) last week raised concerns over possible price spikes amid the ongoing conflict in the Middle East.

As global supply chains remain under strain, both government and industry stakeholders are bracing for continued volatility that could affect the availability and affordability of medicines in the Philippines and beyond.

In a statement, PHAP said the Middle East is a critical hub for shipping essential goods, including medicines and raw materials, and any disruption could have cascading effects on supply chains, including in the Philippines.

“The Philippine pharmaceutical industry remains vulnerable to global supply chain disruptions, particularly in the Middle East,” the group said, noting that it is closely monitoring developments and coordinating with member companies to assess risks and align on urgent actions.

While no immediate shortages have been detected, PHAP warned that prolonged disruptions could pose serious risks to supply availability.

“With 12- to 24-month manufacturing lead times for some life-saving medicines, current constraints could lead to future supply gaps,” the group said.

PHAP said it is working with the govern-

Since the war started on February 28, Iran has virtually closed off the crucial Strait of Hormuz. Before the war, about a fifth of global oil and liquefied natural gas (LNG) passed through the Strait.

Critical infrastructure across the Gulf came under attack from Iran on Sunday with damage reported at civilian facilities in the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain and Kuwait. Gulf countries have faced repeated

to tracking essential commodities.

The task force will conduct daily briefings on the country’s food situation, with reports to be submitted to Congress and the Office of the President to support policy decisions.

Initially, the task force will operate within the DA, focusing on consolidating data, standardizing reports and delivering timely information to policymakers.

Separately, the DA said it is preparing to roll out direct fuel subsidies for truckers to ease rising transport costs that have weighed heavily on vegetable farmers.

Tiu Laurel said the measure comes as fuel prices surge due to global oil market pressures and geopolitical tensions, significantly increasing the cost of hauling produce from highland farms to trading centers and major markets.

Farmers and truckers reported that freight costs have doubled to tripled in recent months, with fuel expenses for trips from Benguet to Metro Manila rising sharply.

Meanwhile, lawmakers are considering broader fiscal interventions to cushion the economy from the potential fallout of prolonged tensions in the Middle East.

Senator Sherwin Gatchalian said the government should begin preparing a supplemental budget to support vulnerable sectors if the crisis persists.

Gatchalian, who chairs the Senate PROTECT and Finance committees, warned that extending amelioration programs could require an additional P60 billion to as much as P400 billion under a

lice commanders to maintain a strong and active presence along major thoroughfares and transportation hubs as millions of travelers return to Metro

ment and advancing supply chain resilience strategies to maintain stability and ensure continued access to essential medicines.

To mitigate potential disruptions and price increases, the group proposed a 10-point set of measures that could be implemented immediately.

These include adopting a six-month national inventory buffer to prevent stockouts, institutionalizing joint demand forecasting between government and industry, and establishing a National Medicines Logistics Command Center to enable real-time monitoring and faster response to bottlenecks.

PHAP also recommended prioritizing pharmaceutical shipments through “green lanes” at ports to reduce delays, expanding cold-chain and storage capacity for temperature-sensitive products, and ensuring fuel allocation for pharmaceutical distribution to guarantee uninterrupted delivery nationwide.

Other proposals include leveraging pooled procurement to negotiate lower prices, enhancing policy predictability and regulatory flexibility to speed up approvals and expand access to medicines, providing temporary tax credits or subsidies to offset rising logistics costs, and expanding value-added tax exemptions on medicines to reduce out-of-pocket expenses for patients.

“As we have demonstrated during the COVID-19 pandemic, PHAP underscores our commitment to help ensure the uninterrupted supply of medicines and vaccines,” the group said.

“In light of evolving global conditions,

drone and missile salvos from Iran over past weeks in response to US and Israeli strikes that began at the end of February.

Iran has targeted energy and other industrial infrastructure in the oil-rich Gulf nations, accusing its neighbors of allowing US forces to carry out attacks from their territory.

The Gulf states have vehemently denied the accusations.

Authorities in Abu Dhabi said on Sunday they were battling fires at a petrochemical plant in Ruwais Industrial City on the UAE’s northwest coast.

“Authorities are responding to multi-

worst-case scenario.

Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo Lacson, for his part, said the government should maximize around P230 billion in potential funds from the 2025 and 2026 national budgets.

He said these include nearly P200 billion in unobligated and unreleased appropriations under the 2026 General Appropriations Act and another P31 billion under the 2025 budget.

In a related development, the PagIBIG Fund has approved a special benefits package for overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) affected by the Middle East crisis, allowing them to access savings and receive temporary relief on housing loan payments.

The Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD) said the package is intended to assist repatriated OFWs as they recover and rebuild their lives in the Philippines.

Under the program, qualified OFW members may withdraw up to 100 percent of their Pag-IBIG regular savings— including employee and employer contributions as well as dividends—before the usual 20-year maturity period.

Members may also withdraw up to 100 percent of their Modified Pag-IBIG II (MP2) savings, including earned returns, ahead of the five-year maturity period.

In addition, qualified borrowers may avail of a three-month moratorium on Pag-IBIG housing loan payments without interest or penalties, with the loan term extended accordingly.

Impact of disrupted global shipping routes

“Since the start of the war, monitor-

Manila and other urban areas following the Holy Week break. In his Easter message, President Marcos underscored the significance of Resurrection of Jesus Christ, saying it serves as a “powerful testament that life conquers death and hope prevails over despair.”

we stand ready to work closely with the government to strengthen forecasting, enhance supply planning, and support advance procurement mechanisms to secure the continued availability of life-saving medicines in the country,” it added.

The 80-year-old PHAP represents the biopharmaceutical research industry in the country.

Concerns over medicine supply and pricing are echoed globally, as pharmaceutical logistics systems come under pressure from disrupted trade routes.

In Florstadt, Germany, a major logistics hub operated by DHL is working to ensure the steady flow of medicines and medical products across Europe and other regions.

Medicines are particularly vulnerable to supply chain disruptions due to strict handling and temperature requirements. Delays in shipping or exposure to improper storage conditions can render products unusable.

The DHL health logistics campus near Frankfurt, which spans an area equivalent to 14 football fields, handles a wide range of products, from insulin and specialty drugs to chemical components used in pharmaceutical production.

“Our 600 employees are specially trained because they know that, ultimately, the patient is at the end of the supply chain and no errors are allowed,” said Katrin Hoelter, head of DHL’s logistics division in Germany and the Alpine countries.

She said the ongoing conflict has prompted some customers to increase storage volumes to secure raw materials and ensure uninterrupted production.

“We are seeing that some customers

ple fires in Borouge petrochemicals plant, caused by falling debris following successful interceptions by air defense systems,” the Gulf emirate’s media office said.

“Operations at the facility have been immediately suspended while damage is assessed. No injuries have been reported,” it added after the United Arab Emirates’ defense ministry earlier said it was responding to missile and drone attacks.

Iran’s army earlier said it was targeting “aluminum industries” in the UAE and US military infrastructure in Kuwait, the official IRNA news agency reported on Saturday. AFP

ing has been largely ad hoc. This task force standardizes reporting and provides more detailed data for faster, better decision-making,” Tiu Laurel said. He said the task force will closely track the impact of disrupted global shipping routes, particularly in the Middle East, which have affected Philippine exports such as bananas and pineapples.

According to the agriculture chief, these disruptions have already resulted in “opportunity losses,” as exporters are forced to divert shipments to alternative markets, often at lower prices. This, he said, affects both producers and the broader economy.

To mitigate the impact, the DA is coordinating with financial institutions, including the Land Bank of the Philippines, to extend support to exporters facing losses linked to logistical bottlenecks and weaker market prices.

The department is also exploring alternative export markets in Africa, Australia, Europe and Southeast Asia, although Tiu Laurel acknowledged that expansion efforts may be constrained by logistical challenges and stiff competition.

“The situation is complex. Prices, supply, exports, and trade routes all require daily monitoring. A dedicated task force ensures decision-makers have the data they need,” Tiu Laurel said.

He added that the DA continues to coordinate closely with Malacañang through regular meetings and communication with executive officials, noting that the formal task force is expected to streamline reporting, close information gaps and enable faster government response to protect both consumers and producers.

“Across generations, Easter has reminded us that sacrifice is never in vain, that suffering is not the end but the beginning of renewal,” the President said.

He said the message of Easter carries a clear call to action, urging Filipinos to transform faith into concrete acts that uplift others and strengthen communities.

are requesting increased storage volumes here, which are essential for their production, in order to ensure the availability of raw materials,” Hoelter said.

The facility is equipped to handle a wide range of regulatory requirements, including ultra-cold storage of up to minus 80 degrees Celsius for sensitive medical products.

Despite ongoing disruptions, the pharmaceutical logistics sector continues to expand alongside the global drug industry.

Healthcare data analytics firm IQVIA projects that the global pharmaceutical market could exceed $2.6 trillion by 2030, driven by demand in developed and emerging markets.

For logistics firms such as DHL Group, growing demand for pharmaceutical transport and storage services is helping offset declines in traditional mail and broader trade disruptions.

The company plans to invest €2 billion in pharmaceutical logistics worldwide by 2030, with significant allocations for Europe and North America.

Industry officials said the trend reflects a broader shift among pharmaceutical companies to outsource logistics operations, allowing them to focus on research and production.

However, the sector remains highly sensitive to geopolitical developments, particularly disruptions in key shipping routes such as the Strait of Hormuz and the Suez Canal.

The DOH last week said it is taking proactive steps to address potential supply and pricing pressures.

Health Secretary Teodoro Herbosa said

through the Strait of Hormuz will not immediately reduce pump prices but remains crucial in ensuring supply stability amid Middle East tensions.

Pump prices are expected to rise by P17 to P19 per liter for diesel and P4 to P6 per liter for gasoline by Tuesday, according to an industry source, due to ongoing hostilities in the region.

Garin said the assurance from Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi, relayed through Foreign Affairs Secretary Ma. Theresa Lazaro, reduces risks of supply disruptions but does not immediately address domestic fuel costs.

She noted that while the Philippines sources fuel from regional hubs such as Singapore and South Korea, much of the crude oil still passes through the Strait of Hormuz, making secure passage critical to maintaining supply.

“What this does is help ensure continuity of supply and stability, especially at a time when further disruptions could significantly affect our economy and our people,” Garin said.

The Department of Foreign Affairs also clarified that Philippine-flagged vessels and energy shipments will not incur toll fees when crossing the Strait of Hormuz following Iran’s assurance of safe and unobstructed passage.

The clarification followed a call between Lazaro and Araghchi and a meeting involving Garin and Iranian Ambassador Yousef Esmaeilzadeh to strengthen bilateral cooperation and energy security.

Officials said the agreement aligns with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s directive to ensure safe passage for Philippine vessels, protect Filipino seafarers, and maintain stable energy supply amid global uncertainty.

The embassy said the information helps determine visa eligibility.

“Since 2019, the United States has required visa applicants to provide social media usernames on immigrant and nonimmigrant visa application forms,” it added. Applicants must list all social media usernames, handles, or identifiers used across platforms in the past 5 years on their application forms.

“As a people known for our resilience and deep faith, let us carry the light of Easter into our daily lives, not only in words, but in action,” Mr. Marcos said. “Let us always choose compassion over indifference, generosity over self-interest, and unity over division,” he added. process,” the embassy said. Applicants covered by the requirement include fiancé(e) visa applicants (K-1, K-2, and K-3 visas); certain personal employees or domestic workers (A-3, C-3, and G-5 visas); trainee or special education exchange visitors (H-3 and their H-4 dependents); cultural and religious visitors (Q, R-1, and R-2 visas); and informants, witnesses, and victims of crimes (S, T, and U visas).

the government is closely monitoring the situation, warning that prolonged geopolitical tensions could lead to tighter supply and higher prices of essential medicines.

“Our fear is that prices of medications would go up. Hospitalization fees may go up if that happens. Our kababayan would suffer,” Herbosa said in an interview.

He said supply disruptions could delay deliveries of medicines to the Philippines, potentially resulting in shortages and price spikes similar to recent increases in fuel costs.

“If the conflict escalates, the next delivery of medicines might not reach our shores, or if they reach us, their prices might spike similar to what happened to gasoline. What we have budgeted last year (for 2026) might not be enough. We might have a shortage,” he said.

In response, the DOH has begun conducting a nationwide inventory of medical supplies and stockpiling commonly used medicines to ensure availability.

Herbosa said these measures were initiated following President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s declaration of a state of national energy emergency, which provides the government with broader powers to respond to potential disruptions.

The Health chief also floated the creation of a price negotiation board to help keep medicine prices under control during the emergency period.

“I will talk to the Department of Trade and Industry so that no one can take advantage of the situation. With the emergency declaration, we may have a legal basis to control the price of medicines,” he said. With AFP

Archbishop

the Manila Cathedral, ahead of the traditional ‘Salubong’ on Black Saturday in Manila.

Norman Cruz

IN BRIEF

BFP to challenge UBJP in

BARMM polls

COTABATO CITY — Prospective Moro and Christian candidates have joined an emerging conservative party to challenge the United Bangsamoro Justice Party (UBJP) of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) in the September 2026 Bangsamoro elections.

Members of the Bangsamoro Parliament aligned with Interim Chief Minister Abdulraof Macacua have organized the Bangsamoro Federalists Party (BFP), a regional affiliate of the Partido Federal ng Pilipinas (PFP), the ruling party of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. Bangsamoro Member of Parliament Susana Salvador Anayatin has been named BFP’s first nominee representing Christian settler communities, while business leader Narciso Yu Ekey is seeking to become the second nominee. Naguib Sinarimbo, one of UBJP’s early organizers, has also been invited to join the BFP, with his chief of staff, lawyer Dayan Andoy, taking an active role in the new party after a convention in Davao City.

UBJP remains dominant following victories in the 2024 midterm elections, but internal divisions within the MILF—particularly over leadership between Abdulraof Macacua and former chief minister Ahod Al-Hadj Murad Ebrahim—have intensified political competition ahead of the parliamentary vote. Nash Maulana

Mayor urges fuel access for farmers

LA TRINIDAD, Benguet — Mayor Roderick Awingan has urged gasoline stations in the municipality to allow farmers to purchase fuel in containers to support agricultural activities amid rising oil prices.

Speaking during the Strawberry Cake Fest, Awingan said Executive Order No. 41, series of 2026, directs gasoline stations in La Trinidad to permit qualified farmers to buy fuel in containers for farm use. Farmers must present proof of ownership or lawful use of agricultural equipment and be registered under the Registry System for Basic Sectors in Agriculture (RSBSA).

They are also required to present an RSBSA stub and an official Farmer’s Certificate issued by the Office of the Municipal Agriculturist before purchasing fuel.

Awingan said monitoring teams from the Price Monitoring Council, OMAG, and the Business Permits and Licensing Section have been deployed to ensure compliance and track fuel and

Catholic schools warn vs. three-term calendar

By Vito Barcelo and Rolando Ng III

CATHOLIC education leaders have warned that the Philippines may not yet be ready to adopt a proposed three-term school calendar, citing risks to learning quality and overall system preparedness.

In a statement, the Catholic Educational Association of the Philippines (CEAP) and the bishops’ education commission said the reform involves more than a simple change in the academic schedule and would require significant adjustments across the education system.

Education Secretary Sonny Angara previously said private schools, such as Catholic-run institutions, may adopt their own class calendar instead of the three-term grading system recently approved by the Department of Education (DepEd).

The Catholic groups acknowledged the DepEd’s goal of improv-

ing learning recovery and efficiency but stressed that success depends on whether schools, teachers, and systems are adequately prepared.

They said shifting from four academic quarters to three terms represents a major structural change that would affect teaching methods, curriculum delivery, and student assessment.

Without sufficient preparation, the groups warned that lessons may be rushed, potentially affecting students’ understanding and limiting opportunities for review and improvement.

The groups called on policymakers to implement reforms in phases and

base decisions on research to ensure coordination across schools and safeguard students’ learning and wellbeing.

The DepEd meanwhile, will conduct an orientation for stakeholders on the proposed three-term school calendar starting in April.

In a statement, DepEd said the sessions aim to raise awareness and provide guidance on the new academic structure, including policies on assessment and grading, lesson planning, class conduct during emergencies, and options for flexible learning.

The orientation will also cover updated guidelines for Work Immersion under the Strengthened Senior High School Program.

“The shift forms part of the Department’s broader effort to improve the quality of basic education, strengthen educational planning, and ensure that schools are better supported in delivering the K-to-12 curriculum,” DepEd said.

April 5. Manny

Gov’t

to commemorate heroes, veterans with series of events

By Rex Espiritu

A SERIES of commemorative events will be held nationwide from April 6 to 13, 2026, as the country prepares to observe the 84th Araw ng Kagitingan and the 2026 Philippine Veterans Week, honoring the bravery and sacrifices of Filipino veterans. Organized by the Department of National Defense and the Philippine Veterans Affairs Office, the observance invites Filipinos, especially the youth, to remember the stories of those who fought for the nation and carry forward their legacy of patriotism and service. The commemoration will feature ceremonies, educational initiatives, and community activities aimed at paying tribute to the nation’s veterans

while encouraging public participation, particularly among the youth.

This year’s observance carries the theme “Valor of Heroes, Legacy for Future Generations,” highlighting how the courage, sacrifice, and patriotism demonstrated by Filipino veterans remain a lasting legacy.

To maximize participation and ensure meaningful conduct of activities, the schedule of the 2026 Philippine Veterans Week has been adjusted to April 6 to 13 instead of its traditional April 5–11 dates, as April 5 and April 11 fall on weekends.

The commemorative week will formally open on April 6 with the Sunrise Ceremony, wreath-laying, and Review in Honor of the Veterans at the Libingan ng mga Bayani.

Solon proposes autism aid act in Congress

By Maricel V. Cruz

A BILL has been filed in the House of Representatives that seeks to institutionalize a comprehensive support system for Filipinos diagnosed with autism.

Under House Bill 3771, or the proposed “Autism Assistance Act,” Quezon City Rep. Patrick Michael Vargas seeks to address gaps in the country’s health and education systems that leave many families ill-equipped to handle the needs of children and adults with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD).

“Every Filipino deserves to be treated and served well, especially those who need our support and protection,” Vargas said.

“Autism remains a developmental disability that is not yet fully understood in our country, and it is the government’s duty to ensure that these families do not struggle alone,” he added.

Experts estimate that three to six out of every 1,000 children have ASD. Nationally, Vargas said one out of every 500 Filipinos—or approximately 200,000 individuals—is estimated to have the disorder.

The bill mandates the Secretary of Health to establish a Global Autism Assistance Program.

Key objectives include providing grants to non-governmental organizations and local service providers to implement advocacy and support activities, and establishing the Teach the Teachers Program—a specialized initiative to train health and education professionals in the provinces on the latest biomedical interventions, nutritional impacts on behavior, and speech therapies.

Lawmaker eyes joint energy plan with China

By Ram Superable

THE Marcos administration should study the possibility of entering into a joint energy venture with China in the West Philippine Sea, Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo Lacson said Sunday as continuing conflict in the Middle East threatens global oil supply. Lacson said any such arrangement must strictly comply with the Philippine Constitution’s 60-40 foreign ownership rule.

“I’m four-square behind it. I support it because it would be a waste not to. We would become rich from it,” he said.

Under Section 2, Article XII of the 1987 Constitution, the state may enter into co-production, joint venture, or production-sharing agreements only with Filipino citizens or corporations or associations whose capital is at least 60% Filipino-owned.

Lacson said available information indicates that the West Philippine Sea holds significant natural gas and oil reserves that could help address the country’s energy needs.

He said, however, that the Philippines lacks the technical expertise and financial capacity to carry out large-scale exploration on its own, while China has the technology and equipment needed to undertake such operations.“The most important thing is that the 60-40 arrangement is clearly emphasized. If China agrees, we’ve already won because it means they recognize Philippine sovereignty over the West Philippine Sea or wherever the area to be explored is,” the lawmaker said.

No need to recall witnesses, docs will suffice—solon

By Maricel V. Cruz

THE House Committee on Justice may no longer need to call back several personalities who have already appeared in previous congressional hearings, as the panel moves to rely more on official transcripts and documentary records in its review of the impeachment case against Vice President Sara Duterte.

Bukidnon Rep. Jonathan Keith Flores, vice chair of the Justice committee, indicated this when asked whether the panel would still summon those who have testified in previous proceedings.

“No more. I think they were asking for the transcript of the records,” Flores said in an interview.

That point is significant because it suggests the justice panel may try to avoid repeating testimony already given in earlier House proceedings, especially on matters that have already been taken up at length and recorded in official transcripts.

“l don’t remember any names being subpoenaed except for the two that I mentioned,” Flores noted, referring to Michael Poa, a former spokesperson of VP Duterte and part of her legal team, and a Commission on Audit lawyer.

Flores’ remarks also point to a narrower witness list at this stage of the proceedings, with the committee appearing more focused on gathering records already on file than reopening every thread through a fresh round of appearances.

CamSur eyes purple yam as major export agricultural product

THE provincial government of Camarines Sur is embarking on a premier value chain program from commercial production to export of purple yam or “ube.”

The program aims to take advantage of the crop’s ready market locally and abroad.

In its latest session, the Sangguniang Panlalawigan (SP) approved Ordinance 040 series of 2026 declaring purple yam (scientific name: Dioscorea Alata) as the province’s priority crop, and establishing the CamSur Ube Development Program as the blueprint for developing “a comprehensive ube value chain from farm to export” to harness the full economic potential of this crop as another driver of the province’s rapid growth and catalyst for better lives for its small farmers.

Former congressman and Gov. Luis Raymund Villafuerte said the SP-approved program aims to “replicate—and even surpass—the success of Japan in transforming matcha or green tea powder into a superb export winner by assigning purple yam with preferential consideration in the agricultural support programs, technical assistance, extension services, enterprise development initiatives and value chain investments of the provincial LGU (local government).”

COLOR THEM EASTER. After a wild goose chase, kids get to put all their Easter Eggs in one basket during a universal tradition that formally draws the curtain down on the passionate observance of the Holy Week. Easter eggs on

Sunday are inexplicably link to the promise of eternal life as Jesus Christ rises again on the third day after his death on the cross in exchange for mankind’s salvation. Joan Bondoc

P7-k theft at NAIA hits OTS, suspects relieved

By Joel E. Zurbano

OOPS,

they did it again.

Personnel from the Office for Transportation Security (OTS) are facing renewed criticism following allegations of their involvement in thieveries at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA).

The complaints prompted investigations into the performance records of OTS staff, raising concerns about security protocols and the integrity of operations at the country’s premier and busiest airport.

Over the weekend, an Australian passenger at NAIA Terminal 3 bound to Cebu via Cebu Pacific (CEB) Flight 5J 565 complained that he lost cash amounting to P7,000.

Airport authorities immediately launched an internal investigation into the foreigner’s allegation.

The OTS has been working in close

coordination with the airport private operator, New NAIA Infra Corp. (NNIC), and the Philippine National Police - Aviation Security Group (PNP-Avsegroup) to identify the culprits and bring up criminal charges against them.

OTS administrator Undersecretary Gilberto Cruz emphasized that the organization is committed to “upholding the highest standards of integrity while ensuring the safety and security of all passengers.”

“We do not tolerate such acts within our organization. Any violation of trust or misconduct will be thoroughly investigated, and those found responsible will face appropriate consequences, both criminal and administrative punishments, if warranted,” Cruz said.

“The personnel involved have been relieved of duty, and the fact-finding investigation is ongoing. We shall provide updates on the progress of the investigation as soon as they become available,” he disclosed.

In 2023, the OTS was marred by a scandal when a female security screening officer was caught on CCTV swallowing three $100 bills pilfered from an outbound Chinese passenger. The officer was reportedly acting in collusion with at least two co-workers, including a baggage X-ray machine operator. The series of thefts and other irregularities reported in 2023 involving OTS staff prompted then Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez to call for the resignation of administrator Ma. O. Aplasca, who initially filed for a leave of absence, but later decided to resign.

Additional controversies involving OTS personnel included the arrest of two screening officers for allegedly extorting money from a Thai national, and another officer was dismissed for stealing a watch from a Chinese passenger. A wheelchair attendant’s mobile phone was also reported stolen by an OTS employee.

IN BRIEF

BI, ISAFP agents nab Chinese linked to spies

THE Bureau of Immigration (BI) has arrested a “high-risk” Chinese national posing as a Filipino with alleged links to individuals previously arrested in Palawan province for espionage.

BI Commissioner Joel Anthony Viado said the suspect, identified as Ronxuan Cai, was apprehended upon arrival at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 1 from Sepang, Malaysia by Immigration operatives in collaboration with the Intelligence Service of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (ISAFP). The suspect was said to have misrepresented himself as a Filipino national and was reportedly using the alias Peter Buenaobra Zhuang.

BI intel also revealed that he has been using other Philippine documents, including a driver’s license, as well as birth and marriage certificates.

Vito Barcelo

Envoy probes bigotry vs. Pinoys by Korean bizmen

SENATOR Erwin Tulfo on Sunday thanked Korean Ambassador Lee Sang Hwa for addressing reports of discrimination against Filipino customers of Korean KTV and restaurant shops in Angeles City and Clark, Pampanga. Ambassador Lee investigated the allegations and submitted a report to Tulfo, chairman of the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations, detailing corrective actions taken by the Central Luzon Korean Association.

“I thank Ambassador Lee for his speedy action in immediately investigating the complaints against certain Korean-owned establishments here in the Philippines,” he said.

In Ordinance 40, its sponsor, Sanggunian member Regin Oliver Oliva noted that their province is “endowed with fertile volcanic soil, favorable climate conditions and agricultural expertise that makes it ideally suited for the cultivation of ube with its significant potential for economic development and global market expansion.”

Maricel

V. Cruz

AFAB adds 2 more feathers to its cap

By Butch Gunio

THE Authority of the Freeport Area of Bataan (AFAB) has reaffirmed its commitment to quality management and transparency after securing two major recognitions by separate oversight bodies.

AFAB recently retained its ISO 9001:2015 certification following a successful recertification audit conducted last March 18 by TÜV Rheinland Philippines, Inc. The audit covered the agency’s provision of ecozone development and zone management services for the Freeport Area of Bataan.

According to the audit’s initial summary report, no major or minor nonconformities were recorded, underscoring AFAB’s continued adherence to international standards for its qual-

ity management system. The certification affirms the agency’s ability to consistently deliver efficient and high-quality services to investors, workers, and residents within the ecozone.

The AFAB was also recognized as a 2024 Freedom of Information (FOI) Compliant agency by the Presidential Communications Office. The certification was awarded in accordance with Section 3 of Memorandum Circular No. 2025-001, series of 2025, which sets standards for transparency and public access to government information. The FOI Compliant recognition is granted to government agencies that meet key requirements under the FOI program, including timely responses to information requests, proper disclosure of public documents, and strengthened accountability mechanisms.

“Some of these measures include posting at the doors of the complained-about KTVs and restaurants an apology for the incident and a promise not to turn away customers, especially Filipinos,” Tulfo added.

Ram Superable

BuCor hails ASEAN talks on convict transfer

THE Bureau of Corrections (BuCor), led by Director General Gregorio Pio Catapang Jr., strongly backed the recent initiative undertaken by the Philippines and six other Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) member states to negotiate a Treaty on the Transfer of Sentenced Persons (TTSP).

The initiative, formalized during the first technical working group meeting held in Manila, signaled the forging of multilateral cooperation on criminal justice concerns within the region.

The proposed TTSP aims to facilitate the transfer of sentenced individuals who are citizens of likeminded ASEAN members—including Filipinos—back to their home countries to serve the remainder of their prison terms.

This mechanism is a progressive approach to correctional management that promotes social reintegration and rehabilitation by allowing offenders to remain closer to their families and familiar cultural environments.

Household budgeting as template

WHAT does a housewife do when the family income must be stretched to be able to afford the higher cost of living?

Simple, really. Cut down on unnecessary expenses. Postpone what can be put off for better days.

Why can’t government do the same?

Okay, we have four-days of work instead of five in a week. Good start, but did we stretch the workday to 10 instead of eight hours? That would defeat the purpose of economizing on power costs. Except for basic services such as peacekeeping, firefighting, and health, people wouldn’t mind a reduced work week. Ten hours to compensate for the loss of a day would just make government workers less productive, crisis or no crisis.

BbM’s UPLIFT needs to think like a Filipino housewife, who, without studying Econ 101, knows how to properly allocate scarce resources

Cut down on all junkets in the guise of training, workshops and seminars.

Doing away with these should amount to savings that would be easy to compute, both by LGU budget officers and the DBM.

Why, even barangay kagawads are brought to Boracay and Bohol, some even to Hong Kong and Bangkok, for “study tours”!

Do away with all foreign trips by government officials save for important commitments and urgent concerns.

Hasn’t anyone heard of Zoom?

Postpone the Asean summit for better times, as Gary Teves suggests. The member countries will understand. After all, Covid postponed and even downplayed the Olympics in wealthy Japan.

The billions of pesos sunk into the renovation of PICC and the Cultural Center can wait for some other time to be preened over.

The Catholic bishops should tell their parishioners to simply attend Holy Mass to commemorate their patron saints, instead of processions and costly fiesta celebrations. Stop all those useless holidays to commemorate city or provincial “foundation” days. Better for civil servants to work and “serve” the public on these days.

Isko Moreno is, as usual, “bilis kilos”, hiring jeepneys and giving free rides so people could economize on their way to work, even as BbM cannot yet decide on what to do with the excise tax for which he asked Congress to give him emergency powers.

Order all government officials to meanwhile come to office wearing short sleeved barongs or shirts. Mothball their expensive barongs, designer jackets and flashy ternos.

The Senate President and the Speaker can set the example. Dignity, after all, is not a function of expensive attire. The same should be followed by city councils and provincial boards.

At the Israeli Knesset, members wear short-sleeved white shirts, and so do members of the Singapore parliament.

Then adjust the air-conditioning to 25 degrees to save on electricity.

There are a thousand and one “small” measures that put together, can save billions of taxpayers’ money in this time of “indulto.” Learn from the housewives.

But here is a big thing: postpone all, and I mean ALL pork barrel entitlements.

Farm-to-market road construction can wait. Fertilizer subsidies cannot.

What use are badly constructed roads reeking of “tong-pats” for lawmakers when farmers cannot afford fertilizers to grow their crops?

Due to the big stink, flood control projects have been stopped, but in their place, we have farm-to-market roads which in the past, were so shoddily built, even non-existent, that they have been rightly labelled as “farm-to-pocket” roads.

Do the math, DBM. It’s simple arithmetic.

Take your 6.8 trillion budget for 2026. You calculated expenditures on the basis of projected revenues, including the hefty 12 percent VAT on almost everything, from oil to grocery items, from transport to food services; everything except rice and wet market produce.

So now, government is getting a windfall because 12 percent of higher prices is much bigger than the revenue basis for your 2026 GAA.

Take oil. DBM and DBCC with the approval of the president, submitted a NEP where revenue projections were based on an average 60 pesos per liter of diesel. It has since ballooned to 130 pesos per liter, and higher by the week.

At 60 pesos, VAT collection is 7.20 pesos per liter. At 130, government collects 15.60 pesos which all must pay. Gross incremental revenue is 8.40 per liter.

Government profits at the expense of the public which must pay VAT on almost everything. Ginigisa tayo sa sariling mantika.

Even if Trump and Netanyahu are somehow restrained, and Iran sobers up, short supply and high prices will remain for a long time.

We may need to adopt fuel rationing, as FEM in 1973-74 did.

By the way, there are other precedents: FVR during the Asian financial crisis of 1997-98, even RRD during the Covid pandemic of 2020-2022.

BbM’s UPLIFT needs to think like a Filipino housewife, who, without studying Econ 101, knows how to properly allocate scarce resources.

By Melandrew T. Velasco

FOR many of us, Easter is wrapped in childhood memories—of solemn Holy Week processions, quiet reflections, the anticipation of Sabado de Gloria, the triumphant peal of church bells on Sunday morning and the feast over lauya to cap our Lenten week. And there is something profoundly human—and deeply spiritual—about the story of Easter. It is not merely a celebration of an empty tomb, but a powerful reminder that life’s most defining moments often emerge from their darkest valleys. For me, those memories run even deeper—formed in the quiet discipline of seminary life for six years, shaped by devout Catholic parents who nurtured not only faith, but vocation. Though life would later lead me down a different path with my marriage to Tess that produced four lovely children, the truths learned in those formative years remain enduring. At the heart of Easter is not just a symbol—but a Savior.

It is the triumph of Jesus Christ, the Redeemer, who conquered death and rose again. For us Catholics, this is not metaphor—it is the cornerstone of our faith. The resurrection affirms that sin and death do not have the final word, that

sacrifice is not in vain, and that through Christ, humanity is offered redemption and eternal hope. In the course of our life’s journey, we all carry crosses. Some are visible such as financial struggles, health concerns, personal losses. Others are borne quietly like unspoken anxieties, disappointments, and the weight of responsibilities we seldom share.

There is a powerful reminder that life’s most defining moments often emerge from their darkest valleys

Like the long road to Calvary, our own paths are often marked by uncertainty and hardship. In 2023 and 2024, I went through a serious health challenge that required two major surgeries to arrest the Big C on my digestive system. Yes, Easter tells us that suffering is not the end of the story.

EDITORIAL

Comfort and challenge at Easter

ROMAN Catholics commemorated Easter yesterday, with church leaders speaking to the faithful amid the chaos and struggle of current times.

Pope Leo, who was born an American, told Catholics they must not feel numbed by the conflicts raging across the world. Mistrust and fear, he said, have severed bonds between people “through war, injustice, and the isolation of peoples and nations.”

He exhorted the faithful to not allow themselves to be paralyzed, but instead to work for peace.

Earlier, Pope Leo had warned that God rejects the prayers of those who start wars and asked US President Donald Trump, who first bombed Iran on February 28, to find an “offramp” to end the Middle East war.

Here at home, Manila Archbishop Jose Cardinal Advincula urged the fauthful to push back against the

May we also be challenged into a rebirth.

forces that seek to bury our joy and our future. He painted the resurrection of Jesus Christ as the most subversive and revolutionary message of Christianity. The current war, he said, has caused inflation and economic hardship, severe mental and emotional anguish, and the tragic loss of countless lives. “Easter is a nonviolent battle

THE West Philippine Sea has become a focal point where regional tensions and national interests intersect. Strategic dynamics not only for security planners, but for Filipinos whose livelihoods depend on these waters.

That pressure cannot be ignored. Fishermen return to shore frustrated, not because the catch is poor, but because they are constantly harassed. Philippine Coast Guard crews carry out routine missions with vigilance, fully aware that even ordinary patrols can quickly turn into confrontation. Despite these risks, their commitment to safeguarding the country’s maritime interests remains steady.

Recent reports underscore how serious the situation has become. Encounters in the West Philippine Sea are not only more frequent, but more dangerous. In 2025 alone, the Philippine Coast Guard West Philippine Sea Transparency Group recorded 64 Philippine missions subjected to illegal, coercive, aggressive, and deceptive actions.

These incidents ranged from water cannon attacks, shadowing, to dangerous maneuvers and collisions. Some resulted in damaged vessels and injuries to Filipino personnel and fisherfolk, placing lives at risk and disrupting lawful activities.

This increasingly hostile environment leaves no room for complacency. The Philippines must strengthen its ability to protect its sovereign rights while managing limited resources.

Building internal capability remains vital. Investments in ships, aircraft, and training must continue.

For an archipelagic nation overseeing vast maritime areas, capacity alone is insufficient. Strength must be credible, enduring, and continually reinforced.

That is where partnerships become essential.

The Visiting Forces Agreement between the Philippines and France, signed on March 26, 2026 in Paris, comes at a crucial time.

It establishes a legal framework for the presence of military personnel from both countries, enabling expanded joint training, exercises, and operational cooperation.

In the passion, death, and resurrection of Christ, we are reminded that every Good Friday carries within it the promise of Easter Sunday. The crucifixion was not defeat—it was divine purpose unfolding. And the resurrection was not only a miracle, but twin victories of life over death and hope over despair.

We have seen glimpses of this truth unfold in our lifetime, just like mine being declared cancer free and nursed back to health by God’s Providence.

In the same vein, the global ordeal of COVID 19 tested humanity in ways few generations have experienced. It was, in many respects, a collective Good Friday. On record, lives were lost, economies faltered, and isolation became a shared burden.

Yet through science, solidarity, and faith, the world slowly emerged from that darkness. We rose from COVID 19 although wounded but emerged wiser.

And still, our journey continues.

Today, the world watches with concern as tensions persist in the Middle East, particularly involving US, Israel and Iran. For many, the suffering is immediate and the uncertainties are overwhelming. It is

against hatred and hostility,” he said.

The effects of conflict do not distinguish between Catholics or those from other religions, men or women, children or the elderly. The only distinction is that the rich and the powerful get to make decisions to boost their egos, while the poor suffer the consequences even if they had no hand in making these choices – except perhaps in electing their political leaders. At Easter, Catholics celebrate how Christ rose from the dead. But must there be countless, senseless death and suffering in our time before the world sees its folly and rises again?

We begin this week resuming our routines. May we do so armed with greater acknowledgment of the turbulent times we are living in. May we also be challenged into a rebirth—in thinking, speaking, and acting—as we navigate these perilous days.

The France VFA and the case for stronger deterrence

As the Philippines’ first defense agreement of this kind with a European state, it marks an important step in diversifying security partnerships and strengthening its external defense posture.

France stands out as a capable and reliable partner.

As a maritime nation with enduring interests in the Indo-Pacific, it shares the Philippines’ commitment to secure sea lanes, freedom of navigation, and the protection of vital ocean resources.

It is also a resident power in the region, with overseas territories, sustained military presence, and advanced naval capabilities.

It also ensures that Filipino fishermen can safely return to their traditional fishing grounds

The value of this partnership goes beyond formal agreements. French defense industries are known for producing advanced platforms, including naval systems and submarines.

For the Philippines, access to such capabilities would be transformative in securing its maritime domain.

The agreement also enables more frequent joint exercises. These engagements build interoperability, sharpen tactical proficiency, and expose Filipino forces to modern systems and operational concepts.

Over time, this directly supports the Armed Forces of the Philippines’ modernization goals and strengthens its external defense capability.

Modernization, however, is not just about military capability. Its impact is felt in ways that matter to all Filipinos.

A more capable Armed Forces enhances the country’s ability to protect its rights in the West Philippine Sea,

a stark reminder that humanity still walks through its own long Good Friday. But as Easter teaches us, darkness never has the final say. If Christ could conquer death itself, then surely humanity can find its way toward peace and dialogue just like the recent outcome between Philippines and Iran allowing passage of the country’s oil supply in the Strait of Hormuz.

Thus, the resurrection is not only a past event. It is a living promise that renewal is always within reach, even in the most fractured corners of our world.

This message finds resonance in our daily lives and advocacies.

In our work for environmental stewardship at the Million Trees Foundation, we witness our own form of resurrection. Forests once barren begin to breathe again. Watersheds planted with new trees regain life. Communities rediscover hope.

Each tree planted is an act of faith—a declaration that life, once lost, can return. But Easter is not just about rising—it is about how we rise. It calls us to rise with compassion, to forgive as we have been forgiven and

where fisheries, energy resources, and major shipping routes are at stake.

Securing these areas supports food security, energy stability, and economic resilience.

It also ensures that Filipino fishermen can safely return to their traditional fishing grounds.

The benefits extend beyond external defense.

The Philippines remains highly vulnerable to natural disasters where a modern, well-trained military plays a critical role in disaster response. Joint training with partners like France improves coordination, logistics, and rapid deployment capabilities. In times of crisis, these translate directly into lives saved and communities protected. Public sentiment reflects a growing awareness of these priorities.

A Stratbase commissioned Pulse Asia national survey conducted in June 2025 found that 65 percent of Filipinos support modernization of the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the Philippine Coast Guard, while 51 percent support strengthening alliances through joint patrols and exercises with partners and allies.

Partnerships, however, must always be guided by national interest. Cooperation should strengthen independence and reinforce the country’s ability to stand on its own.

The Philippines has long navigated a complex strategic environment.

What has changed is the intensity of challenges and the velocity at which they unfold. Agreements like the Philippines–France Visiting Forces Agreement reflect a deliberate effort to respond with clarity and resolve.

Protecting sovereign rights, ensuring the safety of citizens, and preparing for both conflict and disaster are responsibilities that demand sustained commitment. They require both internal strength and credible partnerships. As regional pressures intensify, the Philippines must remain committed to defending its interests, upholding peace, supporting the international rule of law, and advancing maritime security, while working with partners who share these goals.

to serve as Christ Himself served. My Lenten and Easter reflection boils to one thing: triumph is not measured in power or possession, but in love, sacrifice, and the quiet strength to lift others. In a world often consumed by noise and division, Easter invites us back to what truly matters: faith, hope, and love. And so, as the stone is rolled away and the tomb stands empty, we are reminded of a truth that has endured through centuries: Christ has risen.

And because He lives, we too can rise—beyond our trials, beyond our fears, and toward a renewed life filled with purpose and grace. In the end, Easter’s triumph is not just a story we remember. It is a victory we are called to live until our journey is over on Mother Earth.

(The writer, president/chief executive officer of Media Touchstone Ventures, Inc. and president/executive director of the Million Trees Foundation Inc., a nongovernment outfit advocating tree-planting and environmental protection, is the official biographer of President Fidel V. Ramos.)

Trump says US airman rescued in Iran in ‘miraculous’ operation

TEHRAN—President Donald Trump

said Sunday that US forces had safely recovered a second airman downed in Iran, calling it “one of the most daring Search and Rescue Operations in U.S. History.”

The announcement came as Iran launched missiles and drones at Bahrain, Israel, Kuwait and Abu Dhabi on Sunday, and a day after Trump said the Islamic republic had 48 hours to cut a deal or face “all Hell.”

“This brave Warrior was behind enemy lines in the treacherous mountains of Iran, being hunted down by our enemies,” Trump said on Truth Social.

“He sustained injuries, but he will be just fine.

“This miraculous Search and Rescue Operation comes in addition

to a successful rescue of another brave Pilot, yesterday, which we did not confirm, because we did not want to jeopardize our second rescue operation.”

Iranian media reported five people were killed in strikes during the US rescue operation. Iran said its forces had downed the plane, while US media reported that the plane had been shot down.

The US administration has not said publicly if it was downed.

The war, which erupted on February 28 with US-Israeli strikes on Iran, has spread across the Middle East and convulsed the global economy.

Iran has virtually blocked the Strait of Hormuz shipping lane, a vital conduit for oil and gas, and kept up a campaign of strikes on Israel and its Gulf neighbors. AFP

Artemis astronauts now preparing for historic six-hour lunar flyby

HOUTON—The Artemis astronauts were gearing up Saturday (Sunday, Manila time) for their longanticipated lunar flyby, including reviewing the surface features they must analyze and photograph during their time circling the Moon.

“Morale is high on board,” commander Reid Wiseman told Houston’s Mission Control center as the space crew’s work day began.

Upon waking up around 1635 GMT on Saturday, the astronauts were approximately 169,000 miles (271,979 kilometers) from Earth, and approaching the Moon at 110,700 miles (178,154 kilometers), according to NASA.

The official dedicated lunar flyby observation period for the Artemis II mission is approximately six hours, scheduled for Monday, April 6, 2026, starting at 2:45 p.m. ET.

During this window, the Orion capsule will swing around the far

side of the Moon, with the crew conducting, photographing, and analyzing lunar surface features.

The next major milestone of the approximately 10-day journey is expected overnight Sunday into Monday (Monday into Tuesday, Manila time), at which point the astronauts will enter the “lunar sphere of influence”—when the Moon’s gravity will have stronger pull on the spacecraft than Earth’s.

If all proceeds smoothly, as Orion whips around the Moon the astronauts could set a record by venturing farther from Earth than any human before.

The astronauts kicked off their day

Afghan mother seeks justice after Pakistani bombing kills hundreds

KABUL—Samira Muhammadi hopes an international investigation can “extinguish” her pain after a Pakistani bombing killed her son and hundreds of other Afghans in the capital Kabul last month.

The March 16 attack hit a drug treatment centre and killed 411 people, according to Afghan officials.

A United Nations source, speaking to AFP on condition of anonymity, said they had verified at least 250 killed, with more still missing.

“There should be investigations on this... Like me, many mothers lost their sons, many women lost their husbands and many sisters lost their brothers,” Muhammadi, 43, said at her home, where she scrolled through photos of her eldest son.

Afghanistan and Pakistan have been locked in an escalating conflict over claims from Islamabad that Kabul is harboring militants responsible for cross-border attacks, which the Taliban government denies.

Pakistan has maintained it struck a military installation and did not respond to AFP questions about a possible probe into the deadly Kabul bombing.

AFP journalists at the scene in the hours after the attack saw dozens of bodies, including some that had been torn apart and burned.

The force of the blast made it difficult to identify some of the victims, the Norwegian Refugee Council, a humanitarian NGO, said shortly after visiting the site.

Muhammadi’s 20-year-old son, Aref Khan, had become addicted to methamphetamine while working at a slaughterhouse in Iran alongside his mother.

“His coworkers told him the drug would help him stay awake,” she said.AFP

with a meal that included scrambled eggs and coffee, NASA said, and had woken up to the tune of Chappell Roan’s pop smash “Pink Pony Club.” Wiseman along with fellow Americans Christina Koch and Victor Glover as well as Canadian Jeremy Hansen are on a historic journey around the Moon, which they’re soon due to slingshot around.

It’s a feat Wiseman has dubbed “Herculean” and which humanity has not accomplished in more than halfa-century.

Later on Saturday, Glover was due to perform a manual piloting demonstration to provide NASA with more data regarding the spacecraft’s performance in deep space.

After that, the crew was planning to go over their checklist for documenting their experience traveling around the Moon.

The astronauts have had geology training in order to be able to photograph

and describe lunar features, including ancient lava flows and impact craters.

They’ll see the Moon from a unique vantage point compared with the Apollo missions of the 1960s and 70s. Apollo flights flew some 70 miles above the lunar surface, but the Artemis 2 crew will be just over 4,000 miles at their closest approach, which will allow them to see the complete, circular surface of the Moon, including regions near both poles.

The crew has been busy taking photographs including with smartphones, devices NASA recently approved to take aboard spaceflights.

The space agency has released images from Orion that included a full portrait of Earth, featuring its deep blue oceans and billowing clouds.

NASA official Lakiesha Hawkins praised the photographs taken by commander Wiseman, calling them “amazing” during a briefing Friday. AFP

MIXED PUBLIC VIEWS. Taiwan’s main opposition party KMT chairperson Cheng Li-wun speaks at the Taiwan Foreign Correspondents’ Club in Taipei in this file photo on March 23, 2026. She will make a rare trip to China on Tuesday, weeks before US President Donald Trump, with Beijing expected to use the visit to increase its influence over the democratic island. Cheng’s visit comes as the United States—Taiwan’s most important security backer—intensifies pressure on Taiwanese opposition lawmakers to approve a proposal for defense purchases. AFP

Taiwan opposition head Cheng to make ‘peace’ visit to China

TAIPEI—Taiwan’s main opposition leader will make a rare trip to China on Tuesday, weeks before US President Donald Trump, with Beijing expected to use the visit to increase its influence over the democratic island.

Cheng Li-wun, who will become the first sitting chairperson of the Kuomintang (KMT) to travel to China in a decade, said she wants to meet Chinese President Xi Jinping to build cross-strait “peace”.

Taiwanese officials and experts, however, say Xi sees an opportunity to reinforce Cheng’s standing in the KMT and stymie further US weapons sales to Taiwan.

The KMT has long advocated for closer relations with China, which claims Taiwan is part of its territory and has threated to use force to seize it.

But Cheng, whose unexpected rise to the top of the KMT drew congratulations from Xi in October, has been accused by critics, including inside the party, of being too proChina.

Cheng’s visit comes as the United States—Taiwan’s most important security backer—intensifies pressure

on Taiwanese opposition lawmakers to approve a proposal for defence purchases, including billions of dollars worth of US weapons, to deter a potential Chinese attack.

The KMT leader, who has railed against the government’s NT$1.25 trillion ($39 billion) plan, faces deepening divisions inside her party over how to counter China’s military threats.

Cheng backed a KMT proposal to allocate NT$380 billion for US weapons with the option for more acquisitions, but more moderate senior figures in the party are pushing for a much higher budget.

Beijing sees “a need to rescue Cheng Li-wun” from a “power crisis”, Albert Tzeng, a former KMT adviser, told AFP.

Xi’s endorsement of Cheng will make her critics wary of attacking her, Tzeng said. And Xi, who has tied taking Taiwan to his vision of the “great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation”, can show Beijing is “not losing Taiwan altogether to the United States”, he said.

royal family, Buckingham Palace has made it clear they retain their titles as princesses.

They have always been seen as close to the king’s two sons, heir Prince William and Prince Harry, and were part of the royal family’s inner circle.

In December, they attended the family’s traditional Christmas church service on the eastern Sandringham estate even though their parents were not invited. But the two women and their young families would not be at Windsor this weekend for the traditional Easter gathering, a royal source confirmed to AFP.

The two had made alternative plans, but will be seen at future family celebrations, the source added. AFP

Erdogan, Zelenskyy discuss security, peace efforts

ISTANBUL—Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan received Ukrainian counterpart Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Istanbul Saturday for talks on energy and navigation security, and efforts to end the war with Russia, the Turkish presidency said. The visit came a day after Erdogan spoke with Russian President Vladimir Putin, who accused Kyiv of attempting to target the gas pipeline between Russia and Turkey supplying several European countries.

Erdogan “stressed the importance that Turkey attaches to the safety of navigation in the Black Sea and the crucial nature of the security of energy supply,” his office said. The two leaders had discussed relations between the countries, “peace efforts in the Russia-Ukraine conflict, and regional and international developments,” it added. Zelenskyy said they had discussed “steps to implement joint projects in de-

Tolentino: PH athletes have potential to excel in teqball

THE Fédération Internationale de Teqball (FITEQ) vowed to support and develop in the Philippines the fast-growing sport that is now on the official programs of major international competitions.

“Teqball has gained outstanding popularity recently and it’s one sport that Filipino athletes could potentially dominate,” said Tolentino, who welcomed FITEQ president Dr. Victor Huszár on Maundy Thursday at the Shangri La Makati.

Huszár is in town to strengthen the sport’s presence in the country through the Philippine Teqball Federation (PITEQ) headed by Victor Yap.

Teqball was played at the Southeast Asian Games in Thailand last December and is also on the program of the Asian Games in Nagoya this September as well as the Riyadh Asian Indoor and Martial Arts Games, Tolentino said.

POC secretary-general Atty. Wharton Chan joined Tolentino in welcoming Huszár, who was accompanied by PITEQ secretarygeneral Peter Paul Soliman and executive director Jovy Mamawal. Founded in Hungary in 2012, teqball combines football and table tennis and

is played on a specially curved table called TEQ table— a low-impact game focusing on technical skills with players

using any part of their body except arms and hands to return the ball.

The PITEQ has its headquarters in Budapest and counts 124 member federations, including 36 countries in Asia.

PH powerlifters flex might in East & Southeast Asia tilt

By Randy M. Caluag

THREE Filipino lifters—Adrian Perillo, James De Luna, and Jose Virgil Perez—emerged as the driving force behind the country’s dominant campaign in the 2026 East & Southeast Asia Classic Powerlifting & Bench Press Championships held in Hainan, China, each delivering multiple gold medals that powered Team Philippines to the top.

Leading the charge was Adrian Perillo, who turned in a flawless performance in the 66kg Open division by capturing four gold medals—sweeping all the events in squat, bench press, deadlift, and total. He lifted 185 kilograms in the squat, 122.5 kilograms in the bench press, and 250 kilograms in the deadlift for a 557.5-kilogram total. Rising junior standout James De Luna matched that achievement in the 120+kg Junior division, also securing four gold medals. He powered his way to a commanding 745-kilogram total, highlighted by 300-kilogram lifts in both the

squat and deadlift, along with a 145-kilogram bench press. His performance marked him as one of the brightest young

prospects in the region.

In the Master I ranks, Jose Virgil Perez delivered a veteran showcase in the 93kg category, claiming four gold

medals and earning the distinction as Best Lifter (Master I). He posted lifts of 230 kilograms in the squat, 132.5 kilograms in the bench press, and 230 kilograms in the deadlift for a 602.5-kilogram total.

Other Filipino athletes also delivered podium-worthy performances, further highlighting the depth of Team Philippines.

Audrich Khong Hun, competing in the 105kg Junior division, secured one gold medal in bench press, showcasing his strength in the discipline. In the 105kg Open category, Emilio Florendo turned in a consistent all-around effort, earning one gold, one silver, and one bronze medal across the three lifts.

In the junior ranks, Rayven Villasotes impressed in the 74kg division with two silver medals and two bronze medals, reflecting his competitiveness in a tightly contested field. Meanwhile, John Sorima added to the country’s medal haul in the 83kg Open class, claiming two bronze medals against strong opposition.

Gilas Men, Women reach quarterfinals of FIBA 3x3 Asia Cup

GILAS Pilipinas 3x3 Men and Women are both through to the quarterfinals of the FIBA 3x3 Asia Cup in Singapore.

The Gilas Pilipinas 3x3 Men, composed of Chris Koon, Jerrick Ahanmisi, Ralph Cu, and Sean Alter, had a much tougher path in reaching the final eight, as they had to play through the Qualifying Draw.

It was Alter who flexed his muscles first, scoring 11 points in their opening game as they defeated Maldives, 21-16. They then took down reigning Southeast Asian Games gold medalist Thailand, 17-15, in a knockout match to qualify for the Main Draw.

The squad had an impressive start against top-seed Mongolia, with Cu and Koon combining for 15 points, but they were ultimately beaten by their more experienced opponents, 21-19. However, they bounced back with a dominant 21-13 win over Chinese Taipei to secure a quarterfinal berth. In that match, Ahanmisi was unstoppable with 11 points, including a putback for the game-winner.

They are now scheduled to face South Korea at 4:35 p.m. today with Kirk Collier, Patrick Fran, and JJ Española overseeing their preparations.

On the other side, the Gilas Pilipinas 3x3 Women qualified directly for the Main Draw. The squad, composed of Kacey Dela Rosa, Afril Bernardino, Cheska Apag, and Mikka Cacho, wasted no time advancing to the quarterfinals, clinching a spot after a 19-10 win over Tonga. Dela Rosa impressed with

eight points and seven rebounds in the match. They fell to a taller Australian side, 21-10, in their second game and are now scheduled to face a familiar foe in Mongolia at 3:20 p.m. today under the guidance of Anton Altamirano.

“We’re happy with the progress so far,” said Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) Executive Director Erika Dy. “Having two teams in the quarterfinals means that our program is heading in the right direction. There will be tough games ahead of us, but we believe our Gilas squads have a shot against any team in the tournament.”

“Our teams’ showing here is a big boost to our 2028 Olympics bid. With our stakeholders from the professional

Jr PH Golf Tour Summer Series starts

THE Junior Philippine Golf Tour unveils its two-series summer swing today (Monday) with a surge of energy and anticipation as 80 young golfers troop to the scenic fairways of Mount Malarayat Golf and Country Club in Lipa City, Batangas for the opening leg of the Luzon series.

After a long break, a bit of rust may linger – but it is quickly overshadowed by the players’ eagerness to compete, prove themselves and launch strong bids for the season. Armed with months of preparation and renewed determination, these rising talents are ready to showcase not just their skills, but their growth, resilience and hunger for success.

The Luzon and Visayas-Mindanao Series each feature six legs played across premier championship courses, providing a comprehensive test of skill, consistency and composure. Open to players aged 7 to 18, the tour follows a stroke-play format, with competitions tailored to each age group – 36 holes for the 7-10 and 11-14 divisions, and 54 holes for the premier 15-18 category. All eyes will be on twins Mona and Lisa Sarines as they step up to the highly competitive 15-18 category after dominating the 11-14 class. They join a formidable field that includes Rafa Anciano, Alexie Gabi, Maven Pallasigui, Mena Dimaunahan, Samantha Abaya, Ysabel Lucido and Kendra Garingalao, setting the stage for a fierce and unpredictable showdown.

The boys’ 15-18 division promises an equally thrilling contest, with multi-titled standouts Patrick Tambalque and Shinichi Suzuki leading a deep roster of contenders, including Marc Nadales, Jose Jacobo Gomez, Jose Carlos Taruc, Tristan Padilla, Geoffrey Tan, Enzo Cham, Ramon Fabie and BenHur Bang-i.

Gonzaga

and collegiate ranks making their players readily available, along with the hard work of our coaches, we’re seeing immediate results.”

In the 2025 edition of the FIBA 3x3 Asia Cup, the Gilas Pilipinas 3x3 Men fell in the Qualifying Draw after a tough loss to India. It was the Gilas Pilipinas 3x3 Women who carried the fight for the Philippines, reaching the semifinals after upsetting Mongolia with only three players seeing action. Now, both teams have a shot at making the Final Four.

“Our priority was to add height to our teams this year and to focus on ball and player movement,” said SBP 3x3 Program Director Ryan Gregorio.

“Our teams are getting a lot of posi-

tive feedback from 3x3 experts here in Singapore with many of them telling us that our teams are a joy to watch.”

“We’re thankful to all our partners, as they play a huge role in what we’re accomplishing here. We thank Commissioner Willie Marcial, PBA Chairman Ricky Vargas, and PBA Vice Chairman Alfrancis Chua for opening the door for PBA players to join our pool, even with the ongoing Commissioner’s Cup and the UAAP as well, especially UP, Adamson, and Ateneo.

We also thank NLEX Governor Ronald Dulatre for the added boost that MPTC and NLEX have extended to our men’s program, and Strong Group Athletics for supporting our women’s program.”

JUNIOR tennis action shifts into high gear following the Holy Week break as the Palawan Pawnshop circuit launches a four-leg swing across the Visayas beginning Monday (April 6) with the Governor’s Cup Age Group Championships in Dumaguete City, Negros Oriental. The tournament marks another key stop in the premier grassroots tennis program, drawing not only the region’s top and rising talents but also standout players from across the country. Among them is Olongapo’s Ayl Gonzaga, who looks to further elevate her growing career by going for a rare double title in the girls’ 16- and 18-and-under divisions of this Group 2 event sanctioned by Philta and Universal Tennis Ranking (UTR). Fresh off a victory in the 16-and-U category in her hometown, Gonzaga enters the Dumaguete leg brimming with confidence but remains wary of a deep and determined field. Challenging her in the 16-and-U class are Isobel Alipo-On, Alexa Cruspero and Rousey Paliwag, all eager to derail her momentum at the NODSEP (Negros Oriental Sports Development Program) courts. Keen competition is also expected in the premier 18-and-U division, where Alipo-On and Cruspero double up alongside Christina Palomares, forming a formidable cast aiming to deny Gonzaga a sweep. Their participation underscores the tournament’s growing reputation as a proving ground for elite junior players.

MONDAY, APRIL 6, 2026 RIERA U. MALLARI, Editor

RANDY M. CALUAG, Asst. Editor

UST stays in Final 4 contention

UNIVERSITY of Santo Tomas averted a second-set collapse before sweeping the also-ran University of the East, 25-21, 26-24, 25-20, to stay firmly in the thick of the tight UAAP Season 88 Collegiate Women’s Volleyball Final Four race on Sunday afternoon at the UST Quadricentennial Pavilion.

With their fifth win in six outings, the Golden Tigresses momentarily seized solo third place with a 7-4 win-loss record, pending the result of the clash between defending champions National University Lady Bulldogs (7-3) and the Adamson University Lady Falcons (6-4) later at 5 p.m.

Beyond the steady production of Angge Poyos and Reg Jurado, UST once again drew strength from its home crowd on Easter Sunday. The Golden Tigresses have now won all their matches at the Quadricentennial Pavilion in Season 88, including an elimination-round sweep of the Lady Warriors and a second-round victory over the FEU Lady Tamaraws last Palm Sunday.

“Obviously, hindi pa ito [yung top form]. Nakita natin na marami pang need ayusin, especially unang-una ‘yung disiplina… Medyo nauulit siya, kaya disiplina, mental toughness, at emotional toughness. Lesson learned na kahit lamang ka, hindi ka pwede mag-relax. Kailangan tapusin talaga hanggang sa dulo,” Golden Tigresses assistant coach Lerma Giron said.

UST appeared headed for a comfortable twoset advantage after building a commanding 24-15 lead in the second set, but UE saved all nine set points — capped by three Khy Cepada attacks and a Sofia Arasan block — to knot the frame at 24-all.

The Golden Tigresses, however, quickly regained control, fending off the Lady Warriors’ late rally behind a crucial service error by Shania Olmoguez and an Avril Bron block to secure a 2-0 sets lead.

From there, UST stayed in the driver’s seat, racing to an early 13-10 advantage in the third set and never looking back. A 1-2 play by Cassie Carballo, a quick attack by Avril Bron, and Carballo’s game-winning ace sealed the straightsets victory in one hour and 41 minutes.

UST now looks to address its tendency to squander big set leads as the elimination round reaches the homestretch, especially with a rematch against Adamson looming on Saturday. The Tigresses lost to the Lady Falcons in straight sets in the first round.

By Randy M. Caluag

FILIPINO tennis player Alexandra Eala will begin her clay-court campaign this month, seeking to regain momentum in the 2026 Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) Tour after a mixed start to the season.

Eala is set to compete in a series of tournaments in Europe, beginning with the WTA 500 event, Linz Open from April 6 to 12. The tournament, officially known as the Upper Austria Ladies Linz, is being held on indoor clay courts for the first time in 2026 after previously being played on indoor hard courts.

She will then travel to Germany for the Stuttgart Open from April 13 to 19, where she is currently listed in the qualifying draw. Her April schedule concludes at the Madrid Open, a WTA 1000 event set from April 21 to May 3.

P12m prize pool makes 2026

Tour of Luzon richest in history

ARECORD-BREAKING

total prize pool of P12 million is set to elevate the 2026 MPTC Tour of Luzon to unprecedented heights, making it the richest cycling event in Philippine history.

The coveted yellow jersey winner at the end of the grueling 14-stage race will take home P1 million, while the top team will secure an even bigger reward of P2 million.

Tour Chief Organizer and CEO Arrey Perez said fans can expect an intense and closely fought competition from start to finish.

“Expect the battle for victory to rage on until the checkered flag waves,” Perez said on Easter

The 20-year-old reached a career-high ranking of world No. 29 in March, the highest by a Filipina in WTA history. She has since slipped to No. 45 following her campaign at the Miami Open, where she was unable to defend ranking points from her breakthrough run last year.

Despite the drop, Eala remains within reach of the top tier, with opportunities to improve her ranking during the claycourt swing.

Clay courts, known for slower conditions and longer rallies, demand consistency and tactical play. Eala, who relies on strong baseline exchanges, is expected to adjust as she builds form ahead of the European season’s key tournaments. Her performances this month, particularly in Madrid, could serve as an indicator of her readiness for the clay-court Grand Slam season.

Sunday. “With the peloton neck-and-neck, every pedal stroke counts, and only the strongest will claim the top spot.”

He added that the race is shaping up to be a thrilling spectacle. “It’s going to be tight and exciting all the way to the end. Get ready for a heart-stopping, adrenaline-fueled ride.”

The individual general classification champion will receive P1 million, while the runner-up will earn P500,000—a notable half-million gap that underscores the premium placed on winning.

A similar prize structure applies to the team competition. The champion squad will pocket P2 million, which is P500,000 more than the secondplace finisher in the race that begins in 25 days, on April 29, at CaSoBe in Calatagan.

“The goal is to be champions, both individual and team, because finishing second puts you miles behind in terms of cash prizes,” Perez said.

This year’s prize pool surpasses all previous

editions of the Tour, which traces its roots back to the historic Manila-Vigan Race in 1954. Previously, the richest edition was in 1995, when Renato Dolosa claimed P500,000 and a brand-new car after winning his second title.

“Surely this Tour of Luzon will be a battle,” said Dolosa, now a road race commissaire. “Look at the difference in prizes between the champion and the runner-up, that’s a lot to fight for to the end.” Dolosa went down in Tour history as a champion who didn’t win any stage in the 1992 Marlboro Tour and ruled only one—Cabanatuan City to Santiago City (Isabela)—in 1995.

The Marlboro Tour went on to hike the prize money to P500,000 for the individual champion in its last three years from 1996 to1998, after which the champion also got P500,000 in the summer sports spectacle’s Alberto Lina era. The pot hit P1 million in the inaugural edition of the Ronda Pilipinas.

14-man taekwondo team vies in world tourney

reigned in the 49kg division to end the country’s 28-year gold medal drought in Chuncheon, South Korea. Tasked to keep the fire burning in the biennial event are Chuck Aeron Alariao (-63kg) and Juan Victorio Ongsiako Yamat (-48kg) in the boys’ side, while the girls’ campaign will be spearheaded by the exciting duo of Rhiyanne Agatha Shat Cadilena (-46kg) and Felicity Jana Castel (-44kg).

PTA Grand Master Hong Sung-chon and Secretary-General Rocky Samson have the same belief the Filipino jins have what it takes to go toe-to-toe even

against the very best having trained long and hard for the event that has attracted more than 50 countries.

Other members of the PH team that will be headed by former Olympian Stephen Fernandez are Von Gabriel Polo Barbosa (-45kg), Jian Axl Khloe Liyad (-51kg), Matt Rejhan Lavestre (-55kg), Louis Andrei Lim (-59kg) and Von Ryan Romantico (-68kg) – all determined to become world champions like Mangin and Alex Borromeo (1996).

Also competing in the girls side are Ryzza Anne Shyreen Cadilena (-42kg), Cheska Paula Banawa (-49kg), Princess Sarah Grace Pascual (-52kg), EJ Gaa (-55kg), and Mary Heart Capulong (-63kg).

Backing the PH delegation that will leave on April 9 are Philippine Sports Commission, Philippine Olympic Committee and longtime supporter Milo.

Apart from the Koreans, players from France, US, Turkey, China, and Germany are also fancied to figure prominently in the week-long event.

TENNIS star Alex Eala and the Filipinas football team continued setting new milestones, while gymnast Eldrew Yulo started to make his mark in seniors play to headline a stellar campaign for Philippine bets in the last two months.

For their brilliance, Eala, the Filipinas and Eldrew Yulo bannered the Philippine Sportswriters Association’s monthly achievers roll for February and March 2026.

Eala fuelled her rise to a careerhigh 29 in the WTA rankings in midMarch with strong performances in well-attended WTA1000 tournaments in Dubai and Qatar, WTA500 in Abu Dhabi, a strong debut at Indian Wells, and a celebrated return at the Miami Open.

The 20-year-old phenom highlighted this two-month gig with a 6-1,7-6 (5) upset of Italian No. 8 Jasmine Paolini in the Round of 16 in Dubai and a Last16 finish in Indian Wells, considered as ‘the fifth Grand Slam.’ Deep into women’s month, the Filipinas went to work towards their goal of booking a return trip to the FIFA Women’s World Cup via the AFC Women’s Asian Cup pathway. And the Pinay booters cleared their path to next year’s global showpiece set in Brazil with a 2-0 victory over Uzbekistan in the Play-in of the Asian meet in Gold Coast,

March inflation seen topping 4%

By Thony Rose Lesaca

P47 billion

IN BRIEF

P3.1 billion

Foreign investment pledges

P22.4 billion BOI-approved projects in early 2026

Energy investment pledges

BOI: Investment pledges surged 338% in 2 months

By Othel V. Campos

THE Board of Investments (BOI) said it approved 35 projects worth P47 billion from January to February 2026, up 338 percent from the eight projects recorded in the same period last year.

Foreign investments led the growth, surging 943.4 percent to P3.1 billion from P300 million a year earlier as international interest in the country strengthened.

Department of Trade and Industry Secretary and BOI chairman Ma. Cristina Roque said the performance reflects sustained confidence in the country’s investment climate and strong support for priority sectors.

“The strong increase in BOI-approved projects reflects growing investor confidence in the Philippines and the continued inflow of highvalue investments that support our economic priorities. Notably, the significant investments in renewable energy will play a crucial role in strengthening our energy security while accelerating the transition to a more sustainable and resilient energy future,” Roque said.

The energy sector, including renewable energy, dominated approvals with P22.4 billion, accounting for 47.7 percent of the total.

Other major contributors included accommodation and food service activities at P7.6 billion, real estate and mass housing at P6.4 billion, manufacturing at P5.3 billion and transportation and storage at P3 billion.

Singapore emerged as the top source of foreign capital at P1.8 billion, or 55.2 percent of foreign totals, led by Intramuros Solar Energy Corp. China followed with P500 million, while Canada, Australia and the United States each contributed approximately P200 million.

Central Luzon led with P21.5 billion in investments, followed by Central Visayas with P8.2 billion and the National Capital Region with P4.5 billion. The Ilocos Region and MIMAROPA recorded P3.7 billion and P2.9 billion, respectively.

Monthly data showed that January approvals reached P10.5 billion. In February, the BOI approved P36.5 billion across 21 projects, a 27.2 percent increase from P28.7 billion in the same month in 2025. Renewable energy accounted for P20.4 billion of the February total.

By Darwin G Amojelar

ABOITIZ InfraCapital Inc. (AIC) said over the weekend it finished a series of upgrades to the airside facilities at Laguindingan International Airport (LIA) to improve safety and operational reliability, the company said Sunday. The enhancements to the restricted

HILIPPINE inflation likely accelerated in March 2026 as surging global oil prices and rising food costs pushed consumer prices higher, according to economists polled by Manila Standard.

Four of seven economists surveyed expect inflation to have breached the upper band of the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas’ (BSP) 2 percent to 4 percent target range. The uptick follows a 13-month high of 2.4 percent seen in February, which brought the twomonth average to 2.2 percent.

Security Bank chief economist Angelo Taningco provided the highest forecast at 4.4 percent, citing sharp hikes in gasoline and diesel prices alongside increased electricity rates.

Taningco said stronger food inflation in rice, fish and vegetables as well as the steep peso depreciation could have also contributed to higher

inflation during the month.

Metrobank chief economist Nicholas Mapa estimated that inflation settled at 4.3 percent, while two other analysts penciled in 4.2 percent.

Reyes Tacandong & Co. senior adviser Jonathan Ravelas said March inflation was likely led by higher food inflation–particularly rice prices and protein costs–as well as higher transport costs amid rising oil prices.

Union Bank of the Philippines chief economist Ruben Carlo Asuncion attributed his 4.2-percent forecast to unfavorable base effects and tighter domestic supply conditions.

Asuncion said transport and utility

costs could have also contributed to upward price pressures due to global oil price movements, while core inflation remains relatively stable.

Bank of the Philippine Islands lead economist Emilio Neri Jr. predicted a 3.9-percent rate, noting a sustained increase in rice prices and the “sharper-than-expected” pass-through from surging oil prices.

Rizal Commercial Banking Corp. chief economist Michael Ricafort expects inflation to have stayed within the target range at 3.7 percent in March before potentially rising to 5 percent in April.

Philippine Institute for Development Studies senior research fellow John Paolo Rivera said the rate could settle at the upper end of the BSP target depending on how fuel prices evolve.

Rivera said the main drivers for this outlook included the recent surge in oil prices, which feeds into transport, electricity and logistics costs.

THE Aurora Pacific Economic Zone and Freeport Authority (APECO) is pushing for the declaration of the proposed P4.7-billion Casiguran International Seaport as a national priority to advance plans for a large-scale port and ecozone expansion in Aurora.

APECO president and chief executive Gil Taway said the agency is not seeking immediate funding support but is asking the government to grant priority status to meet requirements set by prospective foreign partners, including firms from South Korea, Europe and the United States.

“We just want the government to declare it as a national priority,”

Taway said, noting that such recognition is critical for ongoing engagements with international stakeholders, including those linked to the Port of Antwerp.

The proposed international seaport is undergoing a feasibility study led by South Korean infrastructure firm Yooshin Engineering Corp. and Philippine-based investment firm Lordsbridge Resources Corp.

Yooshin is updating the project’s technical, financial, environmental and social studies, while Lordsbridge is coordinating funding and investor engagement. Both firms are potential investors in the development.

The Casiguran seaport is envi-

sioned as a modern international maritime hub designed to attract manufacturing investments and serve as a gateway for Pacific trade.

Taway said the project is positioned to tap into an estimated $960 billion trade volume between European economies and Pacific Rim countries, with the goal of encouraging European firms to relocate manufacturing operations to the Philippines.

APECO is mulling a massive expansion of the project’s coverage area, which is expected to exceed the size of the Port of Busan through expansion into areas such as Dikadi, Dinalungan, Dinasag and Kasiguran.

Othel V. Campos

more reliable flights and an overall better airport experience,” AIC vice-president and head of airports Rafael Aboitiz said.

DMCI Mining expects to ship a record 3.2 million tons of nickel ore in 2026, with the start of its Palawan operations and robust demand from Indonesia.

The company said in a statement it aims to produce 1.2 million tons from its Palawan mine and 2 million tons from its Zambales site. The combined volume would exceed the output of the previous year, which totaled just under 2 million tons.

DMCI Mining president Tulsi Das Reyes said the company completed its first Palawan shipment of about 52,000 to 55,000 tons last month. The cargo was primarily bound for Indonesia, where demand for low-grade nickel remains high.

Reyes said Palawan ore is highly competitive because of its low moisture and high nickel and iron content. “Our buyers described it as a ‘jackpot’ for quality,” Reyes said.

The company said it is prioritizing spot contracts over long-term agreements to maintain flexibility during volatile market prices. Lower-grade nickel recently experienced a price surge, fetching $10 to $15 more than previous valuations.

“If we signed a long term contract, the rise in prices in the parts 45 days, we would have never predicted. I think we would have been shorted if we didn’t do what we were doing,” Reyes said.

DMCI Mining invested about P1 billion in its Palawan operations to cover exploration, heavy equipment and infrastructure. Reyes said he expects the company to recoup this investment within two to three years. Jenniffer B. Austria

TRADE FAIR. Philippine exporters showcase their products at the Ambiente 2026 trade fair, held Feb. 6-10 in Frankfurt, Germany. The delegation, organized by the Center for International Trade Expositions and Missions under its DESIGNPhilippines program, generated $7.08 million in sales, a 4.1% increase from $6.8 million in 2025.

PSEi seen moving sideways ahead of inflation report

By Jenniffer B. Austria

PHILIPPINE shares are expected to move sideways this week as investors look to macroeconomic data and global developments for fresh direction.

Analysts said investors are awaiting the release of Philippine inflation and unemployment figures for March, as well as minutes from the latest US Federal Reserve policy meeting. Developments in the Middle East also remain a critical factor that could sway market sentiment. The outlook remains

cautiously optimistic, with traders advised to remain selective and vigilant amid lingering uncertainties.

Last week, the local market ended the first trading day of April on a positive note. The benchmark Philippine Stock Exchange index climbed 49.74 points, or 0.84 percent, to close at 5,998.68—just shy of the crucial 6,000 level.

The rebound was largely attributed to an upbeat tone in global markets as U.S. equities rallied on hopes of easing tensions in the Middle East.

Foreign investors, however, remained net sellers with outflows at P3.46 billion. Average value turnover reached P8.7 billion, up from the previous week’s average of P7.6 billion.

Financial markets were closed Thursday and Friday in observance of Holy Week.

IN 2023, I wrote a column about the “working” woman and how society perceives its meaning. The reflection was prompted by a news article I read about a 63-year-old woman who won the lottery, with the headline describing her as “a woman who has never worked in her life.”

But in reality, she had spent her entire life in caregiving and household work.

At that time, I joined many female policymakers, researchers, and community workers in advocating that society recognize caregiving and household work as real work. The International Labour Organization has already taken steps to include it in formal definitions. So why is it still difficult for society to do the same?

You would think we would do better in 2026. But between the comments made by the husband of a member a popular dance group and a congressman about a female celebrity, this past Women’s Month has been one of the more difficult ones for me personally, and I am sure for many women as well.

What added to this was when I read a thesis paper about “working women.” I always get excited when students take on these topics. However, that excitement was short-lived when I saw the scope of their study. Homemakers, informal workers, and entrepreneurs were excluded from their definition of working women.

I had to pause. I felt a sense of disappointment but I knew that I have to step back and view the paper from a formative perspective. These are students, I told myself. There was likely no ill intention. But it is also my role as an educator to correct this.

This recent experience reveals something deeper. It shows how society has ingrained a narrow view of women’s work through education, the family, and even institutions that are supposed to shape values. And this is where the problem becomes more complex.

In my research, I have spent time understanding how women navigate work and non-work domains, and how they build pathways toward what we call “flourishing.” One thing is clear. Women exercise agency. They reflect, they adjust, they make decisions that align with what

Globe joins Meta, SoftBank to build mega subsea cable

By Darwin G. Amojelar

GLOBE Telecom Inc. has partnered with a global consortium to build the Candle Cable System, a major subsea network aimed at boosting connectivity throughout Southeast and East Asia. The Ayala-led telecommunications firm is working alongside key industry players, including Meta, SoftBank Corp., IPS Inc., TM, PT XL Axiata Tbk and NEC Corp.

The group is building an 8,000-kilometer, 24-fiber-pair submarine cable system linking Japan, Taiwan, the Philippines, Indonesia, Malaysia and Singapore. The system is expected to begin operations in 2028 and will provide up to 570 terabits per second of total capacity, placing it among the highest-capacity systems in the region.

Globe joins the consortium as both an investor and landing party. The cable will be delivered to Globe’s Nasugbu Cable Landing Station in Batangas, complementing the Philippine landing in Baler. Together, the West and East coast landings strengthen national resilience against typhoons, earthquakes and other natural hazards, reducing single points of failure.

Confronting how we see women and the systems around them

matters to them.

But agency does not exist in a vacuum.

A woman can choose. She can reframe what success means. She can reorganize her roles. But her ability to act on those choices depends heavily on the structures around her. If workplace systems are rigid, flexibility becomes a privilege rather than a norm. If caregiving is not recognized as work, then time spent on it is seen as absence rather than contribution. If cultural expectations remain fixed, then women continue to carry invisible responsibilities without corresponding support.

Women are not passive recipients of circumstance. They think, they decide, they act.

We often celebrate women’s resilience. We highlight stories of women who seem to be able to “do it all.” But there is a risk in overemphasizing agency without examining the conditions that enable or constrain it. Because the reality is that agency is only as strong as the environment allows it to be.

A woman may want to pursue meaningful work while caring for her family. But if policies penalize flexibility, she is forced to choose. A woman may want to take on leadership roles. But if organizational cultures still operate on outdated expectations, she is required to overextend just to be seen as capable. These limitations are not only built into policies and systems, but also in how we define and recognize work itself. If society continues to define “work” narrowly, then entire forms of labor remain invisible. And when something is invisible, it is easier to dismiss, undervalue, and exclude from policy conversations. This is why the issue is not just about correcting definitions in textbooks or student papers. It is about confronting the assumptions that we continue to pass on. When students exclude homemakers or informal workers from their definition

of “working women,” they are not simply making a technical mistake. They are reflecting what they have learned from the world around them. And as future leaders and policymakers, our students must not carry these assumptions forward. They must recognize the full range of women’s work and contribute to building systems that value it.

So what must we understand? First, that women’s agency is real. Women are not passive recipients of circumstance. They think, they decide, they act. They continuously negotiate their roles across work, family, and personal life. But second, and just as important, that agency alone is not enough. If we want women to truly flourish, then we need to look beyond individual effort. We need to examine the systems we have built, the policies we enforce, and the cultural expectations we continue to uphold. Are we creating environments where women can exercise their agency meaningfully? Or are we placing the burden on them to adjust within structures that have not changed?

Recognizing caregiving as work is one step. But it cannot stop there. We need workplaces that allow real flexibility without penalty. We need education that reflects the full spectrum of women’s contributions. We need public discourse that moves beyond outdated narratives. Until structures shift, agency will always have limits. And if we are serious about advancing women’s well-being, then we cannot keep asking women to stretch themselves further just to fit into systems that refuse to evolve.

Dr. Jessica Jaye Ranieses is an Associate Professor in the Department of Decision Sciences and Innovation at De La Salle University, the President of the Philippine Academy of Management, and Co-Chair of the PRME Working Group on Global Women and Leadership. She can be contacted at jessica.ranieses@dlsu. edu.ph.

The perspectives shared in this piece are solely the author’s and do not necessarily represent the official views of De La Salle University, its faculty, or its administration.

REAL ESTATE

Areza Estate gains new momentum with Lipa diversion road

AREZA, a sprawling estate developed by Ayala Land Inc (ALI) in Lipa City, Batangas, is now more connected than ever. ALI said the opening Section 1 of the Lipa City–Mataas na Kahoy Diversion Road is expected to spur new commercial and institutional growth along a key corridor in Batangas, improving acce

The 4.35 kilometer road is expected to spark commercial and institutional growth along this key corridor.

For Areza, this means easier access to neighboring communities, emerging business districts, and major transport networks. Shops, offices, and leisure areas within the estate now feel more within reach, and residents can enjoy a lifestyle where daily errands, work, and recreation are closer to home.

Beyond convenience, the diversion road positions Areza near important public infrastructure, including the future Lipa City Hall. The estate sits at the heart of a corridor that is emerging as a hub for civic, commercial, and institutional activity. The combination of connectivity and nearby government facilities is expected to attract more investment and accelerate development in the area.

Government officials highlighted the project’s broader impact during the opening ceremony, emphasizing its role in supporting mobility, economic activity, and regional growth.

Lipa City itself is experiencing

rapid growth. Its population has increased by more than 70 percent over the last two decades, driven by the expansion of manufacturing, logistics, and service industries. As the city diversifies beyond its industrial roots, strategic infrastructure projects like the diversion road play a critical role in shaping development patterns, land use, and access to new economic opportunities.

For residents of Areza, the new road is more than a convenience— it is a gateway to a better lifestyle. Shorter commutes, easier access to work, and improved connectivity to commercial and institutional hubs make daily life smoother. For investors and developers, the corridor enhances the estate’s value, making it an attractive location for mixed use, retail, and residential projects.

The Lipa City–Mataas na Kahoy Diversion Road is transforming Areza into a truly connected community. It shows how thoughtful infrastructure can create opportunities, improve quality of life, and strengthen Batangas as a rising urban center.

Housing’s

LIMA Estate makes life better in Batangas

for industry-based learning.

LIMA Estate in Lipa City and Malvar, Batangas is a community designed to make life easier, more convenient and more meaningful. Across hundreds of hectares, homes, workplaces, schools, shops and leisure spaces are all connected, allowing people to live, work and grow without the stress of long commutes.

Developed by Aboitiz Land Inc., LIMA Estate sets itself apart by having a different approach in development. Instead of starting with houses, the developer established offices, factories and business hubs first, giving residents stable employment close to home.

This reduces travel time, lowers costs and gives families more control over their days. Housing follows naturally, creating vibrant neighborhoods that feel alive and connected rather than empty or temporary.

“By building and operating economic estates, we anchor development on sustained job creation—real, measurable demand that allows us to plan communities with greater clarity and confidence. Housing, then, is not speculative—it is responsive,” Aboitiz Land said.

The development, however, acknowledges that jobs alone are not enough to sustain a community.

“If people are to stay, grow and build their lives in place, there must also be a clear pathway for progression— where skills, income, and

opportunity evolve over time, and this is where education becomes essential,” it said.

With this in mind, a 10-hectare Batangas State University – LIMA Campus, located within LIMA Estate’s Industrial Hub, is also being planned to serve as the Philippines’ first learning hub

The school is designed to advance the next generation of engineering education and strengthen the country’s position in Southeast Asia’s innovation landscape.

Life at LIMA Estate is designed for convenience.

Shops, restaurants and recreation areas are within walking distance of homes, while parks and public spaces encourage social interaction and community building.

Modern transport links make the surrounding region accessible without the daily grind of long commutes. Residents spend less time traveling and more time on work, family, and personal pursuits.

The estate also supports long-term growth and financial stability. Renters can move into homeownership, employees can advance

in their careers and some residents can start businesses serving the local community. This allows families to put down roots while contributing to the district’s economic ecosystem. By combining jobs, education, housing and daily conveniences, LIMA Estate creates continuity and encourages residents to stay and grow in one place. Communities thrive when opportunity, learning and daily life come together. LIMA Estate reduces the stress of modern living by making jobs, education and essential services accessible within the district.

“The challenge ahead is not simply to build more housing. It is to build environments where people can access opportunity, grow their capabilities, and improve their lives over time,” it said Jenniffer B. Austria

inconvenient truth: People gravitate toward Metro Manila

By Roy Amado Golez Jr. Director of Research, Consultancy, and Valuation at Leechiu Property Consultants

CONCLUSION

MEANWHILE, looking solely at the market data for Metro Manila condominiums, where developers have been most active in recent decades, tells us the other side of the story. In 2025, upper-middle and upscale projects account for more than two-thirds of unsold residential condominium inventory in Metro Manila, while demand in the middle-income segment has been declining since 2023. Absorption of the current Metro Manila condominium inventory is estimated at a little over four years. And yet, the country’s housing backlog consists primarily of socialized housing needs.

There is a clear mismatch: too much supply where demand is low, too little where demand is highest. But we know that the fix isn’t simply more units—it’s more of the right units, reasonably financed and delivered where households actually want to live.

And that last point touches on an inconvenient truth: even as development expands beyond Metro Manila, people will keep coming back

because this is where the population gravitates toward. The jobs are here. The employers are here. The higher wages, the industries, the networks remain anchored in the capital region.

Housing alone won’t reshape migration patterns. Relocating families without sustainable employment nearby only pushes them into longer commutes or drives them to move back. Metro Manila remains the country’s economic center of gravity, and any housing strategy has to account for that reality.

Which is why the next phase of reform needs an urban‑affordable strategy that matches the ambition of 4PH’s national rollout. We need far more low-cost units built within Metro Manila itself—not just on the periphery, and not exclusively as high‑rises priced beyond the reach of the families they’re meant to serve.

One practical solution is modular or container-type micro-housing, adapted into compact, self-contained homes. These units are fast to build, low‑maintenance, and fit naturally into the kinds of spaces Metro Manila actually has available: small irregular lots, brownfield sites, transport-adjacent parcels, and unused pockets within larger estates. Crucially, they can be offered under a rental model—giving workers a way to live near their jobs without taking on long-term

amortization they can’t yet afford. Another option is low-rise walk-up developments, which eliminate elevator costs from construction and keep potential selling prices of each unit on the lower end of the range.

Other cities around the world already use modular units as livable starter homes for workers. In Metro Manila, the same approach could offer a scalable way to house people near their source of income instead of miles away from it. The principle is simple: housing supply should follow the jobs.

Narrowing the housing gap requires not just more units, but smarter coordination, modern construction methods, and sustained investment where demand is high. If the reforms underway in early 2026 continue gaining traction, the country may finally be moving from merely acknowledging the housing crisis to actually resolving it. The building blocks are falling into place. Quicker approvals, realistic financing and pricing, diversified delivery models— including rental housing under 4PH, which DHSUD has begun exploring in partnership with LGUs. Rental housing may seem like a temporary fix, but giving more families access to decent housing within the city, even through a short-term arrangement, is a meaningful step

toward improving their quality of life.

DHSUD’s 8-Point Agenda reinforces this direction by focusing on:

• Expanding delivery modalities and streamline processes

• Making cooperation between and across agencies more efficient and effective

• Strengthening coordination and communication between stakeholders

• Minimizing corruption

These measures can meaningfully address the needs of families who need homes but cannot realistically afford them without assistance—if applied effectively. But the inconvenient truth remains: housing succeeds only when it aligns with where people actually want to work and live. There will always be growth outside Metro Manila, but the capital region will remain the focal point—the place where Filipinos return to for opportunity. That means building more affordable homes inside the city, including through rental models, not hours away from its job centers. By evolving past older strategies and aligning reforms with the needs of Filipino families, DHSUD is charting a more realistic and sustainable path to addressing the housing crisis.

MONDAY, APRIL 6, 2026

lifeandshow.manilastandard@gmail.com

NICKIE WANG, Editor

ANGELICA VILLANUEVA, Writer

JASPER VALDEZ, Writer

Donny Pangilinan someone special to Belle Mariano

By Jasper Valdez

BELLE Mariano is getting candid about Donny Pangilinan, describing the actor as someone deeply important in both her life and career.

Speaking on the podcast Oh My Gan!, Belle reflected on how her connection with Donny has changed over the years, both on and off screen.

“I would say he is a person I can call

whenever I’m feeling down. Talagang he is a blessing, not just to me but also to our supporters,” Belle said.

Belle also said she remains open to more projects with Donny, including their upcoming film Tayo sa Wakas

“Of course, I want to, and I’m always open to, working with Donny,” she said.

She added that their bond has grown far from where it began. “Noong una, nahihiya akong kausapin siya (but) we are so close now. He is the person I can confide in. He is someone accountable. He is a blessing in a way na I wouldn’t be here without him too, and our supporters too. DonBelle is not DonBelle without Donny. So, he really is a blessing. With our connection, we are really close. Ano naman kami, open naman. He is really someone special to me.”

Summer’s must-see horror

WHEN grief meets superstition, terror follows in Rosario, the latest horror film from writerdirector Roni S. Benaid, opening in cinemas April 22.

Produced by Viva Films, Rosario draws on Filipino customs surrounding death. In tradition, a rosary is placed inside a coffin to guide the departed toward heaven, but it must be cut before burial. Forgetting this step unleashes a chain of death—a curse that soon haunts Beth and her family.

Beth, portrayed by Aubrey Caraan, is a loving sibling forced to confront loss and buried family truths after her mother dies. She reaches out to her estranged sister, Ave (Yumi Garcia), and together they must face the deadly consequences of a forgotten ritual.

The family’s deeply religious and superstitious aunt, Anne (Suzette Ranillo), places the rosary in the deceased’s hands, unknowingly setting off a series of unexplainable tragedies. Beth races against time with her siblings to stop the curse before it claims them all.

trying to keep everyone grounded; and Bernadette Allyson and Rose Van Ginkel in key supporting roles. Benaid, known for Poon Mary Cherry Chua Marita, and Nanay, Tatay, said engaging Filipino audiences poses its own challenge. Mahirap takutin ang mga Pinoy,” he said. “They’ll say, ‘Huh, daya lang ‘yan. Hindi naman totoo.’” In a genre that depends on immersion, local viewers often question what they see before tension has time to settle. And for Benaid, the

solution isn’t to push harder but to ask audiences to let go.

“When you enter the cinema, just switch that off, even for a while,” he said. “Let yourself be pulled into the story. Hayaan n’yo lang magsimmer. Hopefully, you bring the fear with you after.”

With Rosario, Benaid leans into a narrative rooted in Filipino superstition and ritual. A grieving family forgets a crucial burial tradition—cutting the rosary placed inside the coffin—which sets off a chain of unexplainable and deadly events.

Other cast members include Lance Carr as Caleb, Beth’s past lover who returns to help break the chain; Meg Imperial as Magda, the strong-willed eldest sibling; Jairus Aquino as James, the caring brother Ex-‘Tawag Ng Tanghalan’ contestant advances on ‘Britain’s

THE trending all-female dance group of the noontime show It’s Showtime Dolls, has released its first extended play (EP), ZoomBaby Dolls lection celebrating movement and selflove. The seven-member group— Dela Cruz, Chole Florendo, Johaira Moris, Juby Sabino, Jelai Ahamil, Eriel Reyes, and Ina Ortega from the show’s segments and Sexy Babe. The members share a passion for performing.

Released under StarPop, the EP is inspired by fitness routines, daily glowups, and feel-good moments, aiming to encourage listeners to embrace wellness and enjoy life.

By Angelica Villanueva

FILIPINA singer Kristel Herrera is moving to the next round of Britain’s Got Talent after earning four “yeses” during the latest episode of the popular reality talent show.

Herrera, who is based in Halifax, West Yorkshire, performed “Run to You” by Whitney Houston, delivering a vocal performance that drew praise from both the judges and the audience.

Judges KSI, Amanda Holden, Alesha Dixon, and Stacey Solomon, who filled in for head judge Simon Cowell, also gave a standing ovation for her performance.

“That was sensational. Absolutely outstanding. Like, your technique was 10 out of 10,” Alesha said. Amanda added she was “blown away” by Kristel’s performance, noting her transformation onstage.

“What I find extraordinary is how sort of little and shrunk you are. And when you sang, you turned into a complete diva, baby,” she stated.

Kristel is advancing to the next round as she competes for a spot in the live semifinals, set to begin April 26 at 7:00 p.m. (April 27 in Manila) in the United Kingdom. Fellow Filipino singer Matty Juniosa previously secured a Golden

Kristel Herrera earns four ‘yeses’ for her outstanding performance of ‘Run to You’

LIFE & SHOWBIZ

Sari-sari store stories that keep a nation moving

By Nickie Wang

PUREGOLD has released “Pangalan,” the final installment of its Sari-Sari Stories series, paying tribute to neighborhood stores that sustain daily life, small businesses, and community connections across the Philippines.

F ollowing previous entries “Ways,”

“The Sign,” and “The Witness,” the film expands the conversation from nostalgia to economic relevance, showing how sari-sari stores serve as accessible retail touchpoints, community anchors, and entry-level enterprises that support household incomes.

Sari-sari stores operate as last-mile commerce points, responding to everyday consumer needs with proximity, familiarity, and flexible purchasing options. Their resilience has allowed them to remain relevant even as the retail landscape evolves.

Affairs in co-production with Brightburn Entertainment, the film won six major awards at the Metro Manila Film Festival, including Best Picture, Best Actor for Dennis Trillo, and Best Supporting Actor for Ruru Madrid Directed by Zig Dulay and written by Ricky Lee and Angeli Atienza, the film tells the story of a prisoner and a guard locked in a psychological battle of goodness and redemption.

Kapuso Mo Jessica Soho secured two finalist spots. “Stolen Coastline” was recognized in the Environment & Ecology category for examining coastal erosion linked to reclamation projects that threaten local livelihoods. The episode “Unbound” was cited in Health/Medical Information for its portrayal of a teenager’s struggle with men -

Araullo Specials ‘Baby

tal health and path to recovery.

and ‘Golden

The Atom Araullo Specials also claimed two finalist positions. “Baby Makers” was named a finalist in Social Issues, exploring the underground world of illegal surrogacy, while “Golden Tree” competed in Environment & Ecology, investigating the illegal trade of Agarwood (Lapnisan), one of the world’s most expensive natural raw materials.

Reporter’s Notebook was shortlisted in Documentary: National Affairs for “Asia’s Scam Cities,” covering organized crime hubs and the harsh conditions faced by trafficked workers.

I-Witness earned two entries. “Embalmer on Wheels” was recognized in Community Portraits for highlighting local life and labor, while “Garbage Drivers” was shortlisted in Heroes for showcasing individuals finding hope and survival under challenging conditions.

Rounding out the finalists, Broken Roads, Broken Promises, hosted by Dingdong Dantes, was recognized in Documentary: Human Concerns for exposing the human cost of anomalous infrastructure projects and calling attention to corruption’s impact on safety and dignity.

at

will be

The film emphasizes the social role of these stores, portraying them as trusted spaces where people turn for essentials, connection, and reliability. It presents the store as tanungan (place to ask questions), tambayan (hangout), and takbuhan (place to turn to in need).

“Pangalan” features Jhoanna Robles, Stell Ajero, and Skusta Clee, whose personal stories mirror the deep familiarity of sari-sari stores in Filipino life and add cultural relevance to a message rooted in enterprise, accessibility, and community retail.

Puregold said the series underscores the economic and social importance of small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) and community-based retail, reflecting the realities of everyday consumption.

The release comes ahead of the annual Puregold Tindahan Ni Aling Puring Sari-Sari Store Convention in May, which gathers store owners, entrepreneurs, and partner suppliers and reinforces Puregold’s commitment to MSME development and grassroots commerce.

The full video is available at https://www.youtube.com/ watch?v=EAE7m6Ts2ew

Japan’s Kyoto celebrates arrival of spring

AGAINST a backdrop of blooming cherry blossoms, a group of geishas elegantly shuffle onto a stage in Japan’s Kyoto city to begin a centuriesold performance celebrating the arrival of spring.

Dressed in sky blue kimonos emblazoned with flowers, the dancers twist and twirl in unison in front of hundreds of spectators eager to see the annual “Miyako Odori” in the nation’s spectacular ancient capital.

Geishas, known as geikos in Kyoto, and apprentices called maikos have been donning elaborate costumes and fluttering fans since the Miyako Odori—or “capital city dance”—first started in 1872.

“Just as cherry blossoms bloom when spring approaches, the Miyako Odori is a spring tradition in Kyoto,” Kyoko Sugiura, head of the Yasaka Nyokoba Gakuen, a school for geishas in Kyoto’s Gion district, told AFP

In Japanese, the word geisha means “person of the arts”, and can refer to a woman or man trained in traditional Japanese performing arts.

In the popular imagination geishas are often confused with courtesans, but their work as trained masters of refined old art forms does not involve selling sex.

Their performances are usually small and private and take place at high-class establishments that operate a no firsttime customer policy.

“That’s why it is often thought of as a very exclusive world,” Sugiura said.

“But the Miyako Odori is a one-hour show in which geisha and maiko have the opportunity to showcase the arts they practice daily,” she said. “Anyone and everyone with a ticket can enjoy the show.”

The Miyako Odori began soon after Kyoto hosted Japan’s first national expo—an effort to revitalize the western city following the relocation of

the capital to Tokyo in 1869. The format of the performance has not changed much, Sugiura explained, although the music and dance moves are sometimes switched up.

Maria Superata, a geisha expert who has worked with them as an interpreter, explained that the show “combines all of the traditional performing arts that you can see in Japan.”

“For example, elements from kabuki (classical Japanese theatre), elements from traditional dance. So they have to act, they have to sing, they have to play the instruments, everything all in one,” she said. “That’s why it’s so special.”

But the number of geishas, who once made a living through performing for Japan’s wealthy elite, is in decline.

Superata said that fewer young Japanese want a life that demands huge discipline and comes with a strict practice schedule.

“Nowadays, young Japanese people... are not very interested that much in traditional art and in kimono.” AFP

C4 LIFE

MONDAY, APRIL 6, 2026

lifeandshow.manilastandard@gmail.com

NICKIE WANG, Editor

ANGELICA VILLANUEVA, Writer

JASPER VALDEZ, Writer

Michelin Tausug chef Miggy Moreno takes over Marriott Café kitchen

THE first thing that greets you at Marriott Café is the aroma—deep, spiced, and inviting. It draws you in, rich with layers

IBELONG to a group of former airline and travel agency managers who continue to bond through events that allow us to reminisce about the glory days of travel. A few months ago, we decided we needed to do another trip. I suggested a visit to Zamboanga, and since most of the group members have not yet been there, my suggestion immediately got the green light.

Unfortunately for me, some urgent office obligations eventually prevented me from making the trip. Nevertheless, the group shared with me their fun itinerary, prepared with the help of Zamboanga’s Tourism Officer, Sarita Sebastian. I decided to write about the attractions the group visited, based on what I saw during my previous trips to the city.

Their first stop was at the Sadik Grand Mosque. Set on a 50-hectare complex, it was designed to become one of the largest in Southeast Asia. It has grand, colorful domes, impressively tall minarets, Arabic calligraphy on its walls, and massive prayer halls that can accommodate as many as 45,000 worshippers. Definitely an Instagrammable structure, this mosque banners Zamboanga’s deep Islamic roots. Although he could not join the group, Zamboanga Mayor Khymer Olaso nevertheless hosted dinner for them at Craft Kitchen. Serving Asian specialties, this is one of the newer foodie destinations in the city and was renovated from an old heritage house. Aside from the main dining area, it also has a cool and breezy al fresco section. The restaurant’s interiors are beautifully designed, and its exterior is profuse with colorful blooms, living up to the city’s former tag as the “City of Flowers.”

Sulu, and Tawi-Tawi) served in a setting that feels warm and familiar.

The spread unfolds like a journey. Tiyula itum, a black beef soup enriched by burnt coconut, carries a deep, rounded flavor. Tinuanan offers brightness with pomelo and mango, adding contrast to the richer dishes. Beef kurma brings gentle spice, while sambal istah delivers crisp textures layered with bold sauce.

Each dish adds a new dimension, creating a vivid sense of place.

Chef Moreno, who leads Michelin Bib Gourmand restaurants Palm Grill and Cabel, presents recipes shaped by heritage and tradition. The grilled chicken, kyun-

ing, infused with turmeric and citrus, carries warmth and familiarity. The dessert selection, bang bang sug, offers a range of Tausug delicacies that round out the experience with gentle sweetness.

The dinner forms part of Marriott’s Sinagtala program, which highlights regional Filipino cuisines.

“Famsgiving” centers on shared meals and meaningful connections, bringing people together over dishes rooted in culture and memory.

During the launch, Chef Moreno presented a piece of Yakan fabric to the hotel’s director of culinary, Meik Brammer, symbolizing a shared commitment

Vamos a Zamboanga hermosa

visitors to practice proper waste disposal and eco-friendly protocols.

Of course, a visit to Zamboanga will never be complete without Pasonanca Park in the itinerary. This natural park features the iconic 1965 tree house, several freshwater swimming pools, a butterfly garden, and my late mother-in-law’s Jardin de Maria Clara Lobre-

On their second day, the group sailed to the famous Grande Sta. Cruz Island, popular as an eco-tourism destination for its unique pink sand beach, which is the result of pulverized red organ-pipe corals mixed with white sand. Aside from swimming and enjoying the sandbar, the island also has mangrove tours, vinta boat rides, and snorkeling in an area filled with nonstinging jellyfish. To preserve the island’s environmental balance, the

gat, which features her favorite orchids and roses. The park also has Boy Scouts camping wigwams and a museum honoring the history and culture of the city.

Another colorful destination in the group’s itinerary was the Masjid Al-Islamia, popularly known as the Rainbow Mosque. The original mosque was painted white and green, but the attractive colors were repainted after the Marawi Siege in

2017 to signify a call for peace and unity. The many colors on its dome represent the city residents who, in spite of their varied traditions and religious beliefs, have managed to live together peacefully.

My favorite every time I visit Zamboanga is the Yakan Weaving Village, simply because it has so many beautifully woven items I can buy. The Yakan tribe is considered among the finest weavers in the country. Aside from men’s and ladies’ apparel, they also weave necklaces, bags, wallets, table runners, and placemats. An interesting section is the Weaving Station, where these beautiful products are skillfully crafted before your very eyes.

Another relatively new attraction in Zamboanga is Once Islas, an eco-cultural destination consisting of, as the name implies, 11 islands. However, only four of these islands are open to the public for swimming, snorkeling, or simply soaking in the sun. The islands are a showcase of nature’s wonders—powdery white sands, attractive limestone formations, interesting rock formations shaped by wind and waves, and amazing coves. All these make for an exciting

how their trip was, the group chorused, “Vamos otra vez a Zamboanga!” For feedback, I’m at bobzozobrado@gmail.com