Manila Standard - 2026 May 6 - Wednesday

Hormuz clashes imperil fragile US-Iran truce

WORLD leaders on Tuesday piled pressure on Tehran to stick to diplomacy to end the Middle East war, after a salvo of attacks in the region left a ceasefire crumbling.

The scramble for more talks came after Iran and the United States traded fire over the strategic Strait of Hormuz, while US ally the United Arab Emirates reported Iranian attacks for the first time since the truce was declared nearly a month ago.

Diplomacy between Washington and Tehran has been deadlocked since the ceasefire, with the United States twice aborting plans for senior officials to attend talks in Pakistan.

Tehran has vowed not to surrender control over the Strait of Hormuz— the narrow waterway through which one-fifth of the world’s oil flowed before the United States and Israel attacked Iran on February 28.

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz implored Tehran to “return to the Next page

7.2% in ation in April at 3-year high; Peso power down by 27 cents

By Thony Rose Lesaca, Othel Campos and Vito Barcelo

HEADLINE inflation surged to a three-year high of 7.2 percent in April 2026 as rising food and transport costs pushed up consumer prices amid the ongoing tensions in the Middle East, the Philippine Statistics Authority reported Tuesday. Amid the rising inflation, the purchasing power of the peso has declined to its lowest in eight years, Philippine Statistics Authority chief Dennis Mapa said, adding that the value of P1 during the base year of 2018 is now equivalent to 73 centavos as of April 2026.

April’s inflation brought the average inflation for the first four months of the year to 3.9 percent.

Mapa said this marked the fastest

DOE open to lifting VAT on power to lower prices

Says further study needed by economic team, Congress

Balikatan test fires Typhon for first time

By Rex Espiritu

THE Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) on Tuesday confirmed the first firing of the United States’ Typhon Mid-Range Capability (MRC) System in the country since its arrival in April 2024.

According to the country’s Balikatan spokesperson Col. Dennis Hernandez, the system was used early

Tuesday morning to launch a Tomahawk Land Attack Missile from Tacloban Airport in Leyte, at approximately 12:12 a.m.

The missile hit its target more than 600 kilometers away within the grounds of Fort Magsaysay in Laur, Nueva Ecija, at around 1 a.m.

According to Hernandez, there are no plans for a Next page

Recto hits Leviste, accuses him of o ering poll bribes

EXECUTIVE Secretary Ralph Recto on Tuesday accused Batangas 1st District Rep. Leandro Leviste of attempting to offer massive payoffs to influence political outcomes, as their escalating dispute took a more serious turn. In a strongly worded statement, Recto alleged that Leviste offered PHP400 million during an initial meeting to help persuade a political rival to withdraw

By Maricel V. Cruz

By Alena Mae S. Flores and Ram Superable

THE Department of Energy said Tuesday it supports all proposals aimed at lowering electricity prices, including the possible reduction or elimination of the value-added tax on power.

“Our goal is clear: More affordable, stable, and reliable electricity for every Filipino,” Energy Secretary Sharon Garin said.

Garin said the DOE has been able to avoid a 7-peso-per-kilowatt-hour increase in electricity prices through the agency’s initiatives and its mandate to lower costs.

it can still change,” Justice committee chairperson Rep. Gerville Luistro of Batangas said Tuesday. She explained that the setup is both a matter of due process and a requirement under the

“The plenary vote may take place on May 11 but it can change,” said Luistro.

“They said that before the plenary vote, the House members should be provided with a copy of the committee report, the resolution and the articles of impeachment, most especially the articles of impeachment and the attached evidence,” Luistro, a

By Katrina Manubay and

No Hantavirus cases in PH despite cruise ship outbreak, says DOH

By Ram Superable

THE Philippines remains free of Hantavirus despite a recent outbreak on a cruise ship currently quarantined near Africa, the Department of Health announced on Tuesday.

Health Undersecretary Albert Do-

confirmed that 38 Filipino crew

She, however, acknowledged that removing VAT on power will require further study.

“The DOE will not decide on VAT removal. It is up to the economic managers and Congress because it has a broader impact on the economy. But VAT removal is not the only solution,” she said.

“While we are studying this, we will continue to work to lower electricity costs through increased supply and faster renewable energy rollout. We will do what will truly benefit the majority of Filipinos. We will do it responsibly and for the long term,” Garin added.

The Energy department said tax

7.2%...

pace of price growth since inflation hit 7.6 percent in March 2023, with the spike driven by faster price increases in both food and non-food indices.

Inflation for food and non-alcoholic beverages rose from 2.9 percent to 6.0 percent in April, while transport costs sharply accelerated to 21.4 percent from 9.9 percent in March. The increase was driven by faster rice inflation, as well as gasoline and diesel price growth.

Core inflation, which excludes selected food and energy items, also rose to 3.9 percent from 3.2 percent in March.

The Department of Economy, Planning and Development (DEPDev) said the government has ramped up efforts to cushion the impact of the prolonged Middle East conflict and ease the burden of rising inflation. “Amid the Middle East conflict disrupting fuel supply chains, the government is intensifying target-

lawyer, said in an interview.

“They should be given reasonable time to read and study the same before the plenary vote. That’s part of the due process we’ve studied,” she added. The justice panel unanimously approved on Monday in a 55-0 vote the committee report containing the consolidated articles of impeachment, based on the two complaints found to have probable cause on April 29. The report was routed to the Bills and Index and was expected to be included in the Committee on Rules’ agenda yesterday. Luistro said that once the Committee on Rules refers the articles of impeachment to the plenary — which she expects to be done during Tuesday’s session — copies will be transmitted to all 318 members, the

“According to the World Health Organization and the International Health Regulations, no illnesses have been reported. We have not received any adverse reports so far, and we remain

measures must be carefully evaluated by economic managers, particularly the Department of Finance, as well as Congress, to ensure that lower power costs are balanced with the government’s ability to deliver essential public services.

“The department stands ready to provide technical inputs on the energy sector impact of any proposed measure, in support of a whole-ofgovernment approach that protects both consumer welfare and fiscal sustainability,” the agency said.

The DOE added that affordability must also be pursued through sustained energy sector reforms, including efficient generation, improved grid reliability, stronger competition, and responsible energy use.

Meanwhile, at the Upper Chamber, Senator Risa Hontiveros pushed

ed interventions, particularly to temper upward price pressures on food, energy, and transport, while ensuring the continued stability of domestic supply,” said DEPDev Secretary Arsenio Balisacan.

The government also beefed up targeted measures to rein in rising food prices, Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. said.

The impact of food inflation, which rose to 6.1 percent in April -- more than double the 2.7 percent recorded in March, has been especially pronounced among lower-income families.

Data from the PSA showed rice as the main driver of the uptick, with prices rising 13.7 percent from 3.5 percent in the previous month.

Corn, fish, and vegetables also recorded faster price increases, while cereals accounted for more than half of the rise in food inflation, underscoring the sensitivity of staple goods to supply chain costs.

“Clearly, this price shock is a knee-jerk reaction to the surge in prices of petroleum products. We

Vice President as respondent, and the complainants.

“After it has been referred back to the plenary, the plenary should order, should direct the Secretary General to provide copies to all the House members,” Luistro said.

From that point on, they will have five days to read and study the document and its attachments, putting the plenary vote on track for May 11.

“So if that will happen today, then we have Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday.

I think five days is reasonable period for the House members to be able to read and study (the documents),” Luistro said.

“From my perspective as the justice chair, given the five-day period for the House members to study, I think by May 11, the plenary should be ready to vote,” she added.

Senior Deputy Majority Leader

leads among ABC classes with 63 percent, while Duterte has an edge in classes D and E, at 53 percent and 74 percent, respectively.

The face-to-face survey was conducted from February 27 to March 2, involving 1,200 respondents aged 18 and above, with a margin of error of ±2.8% at the 95% confidence level.

Duterte vs. Tulfo Meanwhile, Duterte and Sen. Raffy Tulfo are statistically tied in another hypothetical presidential matchup by Pulse Asia.

In a survey commissioned by the office of Sen. Juan Miguel Zubiri, results showed that Duterte and Tulfo each received 46-percent support, with only 7 percent undecided.

Support for Duterte and Tulfo is evenly split in NCR at 42 percent, but Tulfo has stronger backing

in close coordination with them,” he reported.

The ship is currently docked in the Atlantic Ocean and is strictly following international quarantine protocols after three passengers reportedly died from the virus.

The health agency clarified that the risk to the general public in the Philippines is extremely low because the disease is typically transmitted through contact with infected rodent waste.

Meanwhile, the Bureau of Quaran-

legislation aimed at removing VAT from monthly electricity bills for residential consumers using 150 kilowatt-hours or less.

She filed Senate Bill 2093, otherwise known as Kuryente Relief Act, to mitigate the impact of recent surges in utility costs on low and lower-middle-income families.

Hontiveros said this tax removal could reduce monthly electricity expenses by approximately P250 to P300 for households categorized as energy poor.

“It is only right for the government to expand its assistance from lowincome to middle-income households that are often not reached by subsidy programs. Many families will be able to save if we remove the VAT from the bills of households whose electricity consumption is not that large,” she said.

have ample supply for rice, poultry, meat, vegetables, and other commodities, but the cost of logistics and transport has propped up prices,” Tiu Laurel said.

To cushion these pressures, the DA, in coordination with other agencies, has reinstated dedicated food lanes, removed toll fees for agricultural trucks, and reduced port charges to speed up deliveries and lower logistics costs.

Fuel subsidies have also been rolled out to ease pressure along the food supply chain, even as the DA’s Agribusiness and Marketing Assistance Division stepped up market monitoring, conducting more frequent inspections to ensure retail prices remain within reasonable levels and to deter excessive markups.

For its part, a business group raised concern over the sharp acceleration in inflation.

Federation of Philippine Industries chairperson Elizabeth Lee said the latest inflation data reflect a widening squeeze on businesses already facing elevated input costs and weakening demand.

tine has heightened its monitoring activities following a direct order from President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. to track the status of the citizens on board.

Medical experts point out that the symptoms of the rare virus can be easily confused with other local diseases like dengue or leptospirosis due to common indicators like fever and body aches.

“Please do not be alarmed... we are more concerned about the prevalence of tuberculosis and the rapid transmission rate of HIV,” said Domingo.

The bill specifies that households meeting the 150-kWh threshold would receive the exemption automatically on their billing statements without needing to file an application.

Typical families of five in urban areas like Metro Manila often fall within this consumption range as they generally utilize only essential appliances, she said.

“Now that electricity rates are kicking upward, even middleincome families are struggling with power payments. Our tax and energy policies should be more fair and adapt to this concerning reality,” Hontiveros said.

Senator Imee Marcos, for her part, called for the amendment of the Electric Power Industry Reform Act (EPIRA), citing what she described as inflated charges imposed by Meralco.

Hormuz... From A1

negotiating table and stop holding the region and the world hostage,” echoing calls from French President Emmanuel Macron and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer.

Saudi Arabia, a key US ally whose energy infrastructure has been hit by Iran, joined the calls on Tuesday to de-escalate and called for “diplomatic efforts to reach a political solution.”

The United States on Monday said its forces had sunk at least six small Iranian ships, but the Islamic republic denied any combat vessels had been hit and accused Washington of killing five civilians on boats.

‘Dangerous escalation’

The UAE—a close US ally and key Arab partner of Israel—said it was targeted by a barrage of missiles and drones from Iran, calling the attacks “a dangerous escalation and an unacceptable transgression.”

A strike targeting an energy installation in the emirate of Fujairah injured three Indian nationals, UAE authorities said.

They said four cruise missiles were launched, with three successfully shot down and another falling into the sea.

Iran also fired drones at a tanker affiliated with the UAE’s state-owned oil giant ADNOC, authorities said.

Lorenz Defensor of Iloilo, a lawyer and member of the panel, also stressed that the impeachment process takes time for a reason.

As the constitutionally mandated body to initiate impeachment cases, the House must have all the facts on the allegations laid before it when the plenary votes, and that means the evidence cited by the complainants, the findings from the clarificatory hearings, and any official responses, rebuttals, or counter-evidence from the respondent.

“The impeachment process is inherently long because we must be given the opportunity to present the evidence so that we have sufficient basis to vote intelligently and also give the respondents, like the vice president, the opportunity, that if he wants to answer, he has the time and opportunity to answer,” Defensor explained.

in Balance Luzon at 72 percent. Meanwhile, Duterte’s highest support is in the Visayas at 64 percent and Mindanao at 90 percent, whereas Tulfo has only 32 percent and 9 percent in those regions.

By socioeconomic class, Tulfo’s support peaks among classes A, B, and C at 49 percent against Duterte at 29 percent, while Duterte narrowly leads in class D with 48 percent over Tulfo’s 47 percent.

Support for Duterte among class E is robust at 63 percent, compared to Tulfo’s 32 percent. ‘Please leave us alone’

Duterte in February announced her intention to run for president in 2028.

Meanwhile, Robredo said she is not interested in running for a national office in 2028 and plans to seek reelection as mayor of Naga.

Tulfo similarly said he has no plans to run for president or vice president now or in the future.

His brother Sen. Erwin Tulfo on Tuesday said

PCSO sends PTVs to Albay amid Mayon unrest

THE Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) has deployed additional Patient Transport Vehicles (PTVs) to Albay and Catanduanes to support ongoing emergency response efforts amid the continued unrest of Mayon Volcano.

The unit delivered to Albay comes as communities face the effects of ashfall and volcanic activity. A separate turnover for Catanduanes is scheduled as part of the agency’s continuing assistance rollout.

PCSO General Manager Melquiades “Mel” Robles said the assistance is in line with the directive of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. to ensure a whole-of-government response to affected communities.

Albay Governor Noel E. Rosal and Catanduanes Governor Dr. Patrick Alain T. Azanza were present during the turnover.

Data from the Office of Civil Defense shows that 102,406 individuals across 87 barangays in the Bicol Region have been affected by the volcanic activity.

PCSO said the deployment is part of its efforts to strengthen local government capacity to provide immediate medical transport and emergency services. An earlier PTV was turned over to Albay in December 2025.

Local officials welcomed the additional support, citing the need for accessible and reliable medical transport during emergencies.

PCSO said it will continue to assist local government units nationwide as part of its disaster response efforts.

A senior Iranian military official did not deny the strikes but said the Islamic republic had “no pre-planned programme to attack the oil facilities in question.”

“What happened was the product of the US military’s adventurism to create a passage for ships to illegally pass through” the Strait of Hormuz, the official said, according to state television.

“The US military must be held accountable for it.”

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi—seen as a moderate in the clericrun state—said the clashes showed there was “no military solution to a political crisis” and pointed to Pakistan’s efforts to keep mediating.

“The US should be wary of being dragged back into quagmire by ill-wishers. So should the UAE. Project Freedom is Project Deadlock,” he wrote on X.

US flexes muscle in strait

US President Donald Trump has repeatedly demanded that Iran reopen the strait—which was open before the war and which Tehran considers a main point of leverage.

On Sunday, Trump announced what he called “Project Freedom” to guide ships from neutral countries out of the Gulf, saying it was a humanitarian effort to help stranded crews. AFP

ko ito (Even during our first meeting he had PHP400 million... I rejected it),” Recto said. He added that he also rejected a subsequent offer involving a larger amount, describing both as “insulting” and unacceptable.

Recto said he kept silent about the offers out of respect for Leviste’s mom, Sen. Loren Legarda.

“Alam ng nanay niya na hindi ko nagustuhan ang usapang ito, kaya’t humingi ng tawad sa akin,” he said. The allegations, which have not been independently verified, mark a sharp escalation in the ongoing public feud between the two Batangas politicians.

Recto issued the statement in response to accusations raised by Leviste

that neither of them has any intention of seeking higher office in 2028.

Speaking at the Senate Legacy Wall, Erwin reacted to Raffy’s reported statistical tie with Duterte.

“I hope that next time, our names will not be included among the potential candidates for president or vice president. Our actual plan is to remain here in the Senate,” Erwin said.

“We want some peace and quiet for now. The 2025 elections just ended, and we brothers were really battered by all the criticism and attacks... Please leave us alone,” he added.

He suggested that polling organizations should instead focus on other potential contenders from both the administration and the opposition who have already expressed interest in running.

The senator identified several potential candidates, including Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla and Sen. Risa Hontiveros, as more appropriate subjects for upcoming surveys.

in recent days, including claims related to fund distribution and political dealings in his province.

Beyond the bribery claims, Recto also accused Leviste of engaging in disinformation campaigns and pursuing personal interests, including alleged land acquisition efforts in Nasugbu. The conflict traces back to earlier policy disagreements, particularly over the administration’s stance against reducing value-added tax (VAT) on fuel, a position Recto previously defended due to concerns over revenue losses.

Recto also floated Leviste’s supposed ghost solar projects.

Leviste, founder of Solar Philippines, faces allegations of ghost solar projects, centering on 163 cancelled projects and potential PHP24-billion in penalties for failed, non-operational or abandoned solar initiatives. Recto...

second firing of Typhon, but he added that they may probably use it in the future if the Joint Pacific Multinational Readiness Center is conducted again, as well as in other scenarios.

Meanwhile, House Deputy Minority Leader and ACT Teachers party-list Rep. Antonio Tinio has since criticized the reported testing of an American mid-range missile as part of the US-Philippine bilateral Exercise Balikatan.

“The use of Tacloban Airport—a civilian facility—as a launch site for a US missile is an extremely alarming escalation. This is not a ‘routine exercise’; this is live-fire testing of an offensive weapon system on Philippine soil,” Tinio said.

LAB for All aid program set to benefit cops

By Vince Lopez

MORE than 2,000 police person-

nel and their families received free health and essential government services through the LAB for ALL (Laboratoryo, Konsulta, at Gamot Para sa Lahat) program led by First Lady Louise “Liza” Araneta-Marcos at Camp Crame on Tuesday, bringing vital support directly to the nation’s frontliners who dedicate their lives to public safety.

Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Juanito Victor Remulla joined the First Lady in the initiative, which aims to bring essential services closer to communities that often face barriers in accessing timely care and government assistance.

For many beneficiaries, the program meant immediate access to services that are usually difficult to secure due to cost, time, or availability. It is a direct response to the everyday realities faced by uniformed personnel and their families.

Around 20 partners from both the public and private sectors participated, delivering a full range of services including medical consultations, dental care, eye checkups, ECG, urinalysis, HIV testing, chest X-rays, ultrasound services, and distribution of medicines. Legal assistance, skills and business mentorship, free seedlings, and access to frontline government services were also provided, ensuring that support extended beyond healthcare to livelihood and legal needs.

In her message, the First Lady underscored the importance of caring for those who protect the nation.

DA ramps up efforts to curb prices

By Othel V. Campos

THE government is ramping up targeted measures to rein in rising food prices as an oil price shock triggered by the Middle East conflict spills over into the broader economy, driving up logistics and transport costs, Agriculture Secretary Francisco P. Tiu Laurel Jr. said.

Food inflation rose to 6.1 percent in April, more than double the 2.7 percent recorded in March, reflecting increasing pressure on household budgets.

The impact has been especially pronounced among lower-income

families, with inflation for the bottom 30 percent of households accelerating to 8.5 percent from 0.1 percent a year earlier.

Data from the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) showed rice as the

main driver of the uptick, with prices rising 13.7 percent from 3.5 percent in the previous month.

Corn, fish, and vegetables also recorded faster price increases, while cereals accounted for more than half of the rise in food inflation, underscoring the sensitivity of staple goods to supply chain costs.

Tiu Laurel said higher petroleum prices have pushed up transport and distribution costs, translating into elevated retail food prices despite adequate supply levels.

“Clearly, this price shock is a knee-jerk reaction to the surge in

Bataan freeport area expands investment landscape

THE Freeport Area of Bataan (FAB) functions as a regulated industrial and commercial hub built to accommodate export-oriented enterprises within a structured investment environment.

Managed by the Authority of the Freeport Area of Bataan (AFAB), it continues to evolve as a structured economic zone where infrastructure, governance, and private sector activity align to support sustained growth.

prices of petroleum products. We have ample supply for rice, poultry, meat, vegetables, and other commodities, but the cost of logistics and transport has propped up prices,” he said, noting that the government has already provided financial aid to agri-truckers to keep food prices affordable.

To cushion these pressures, the Department of Agriculture, in coordination with other agencies, has reinstated dedicated food lanes, removed toll fees for agricultural trucks, and reduced port charges to speed up deliveries and lower logistics costs.

IN BRIEF

PNP to implement 3-strike policy on gas-and-run cases

THE Philippine National Police (PNP) on Tuesday said it is intensifying its crackdown on fuel-related crimes, with PNP chief General Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. ordering the strict enforcement of a three-strike policy against police station commanders over gas-and-run incidents.

PNP spokesperson Brig. Gen. Randulf Tuaño said the directive came after a third incident was recorded along Mindanao Avenue in Barangay Bahay Toro, Quezon City.

Tuaño said the cases remain isolated, noting that out of more than 4,100 gasoline stations nationwide, the incidents do not reflect the overall peace and order situation. He added that fewer than 80 arrests have been made in connection with such cases, with three incidents recorded in Quezon City and another in the Visayas.

The Quezon City Police District is pursuing the suspect in the latest case, who fled after loading P1,500 worth of fuel, while station commanders have been warned they may face relief from their posts after repeated incidents in their areas. Vince Lopez

Human rights commission renews call vs. red-tagging

Under Administrator and CEO Hussein P. Pangandaman, development within the Freeport has taken on a more deliberate rhythm, anchored on strengthening existing assets while preparing space for future expansion. Instead of focusing solely on new builds, current efforts prioritize reactivating underutilized facilities through structured lease arrangements and targeted redevelopment, bringing idle assets back into productive use.

By Maricel V. Cruz

Parallel to this, AFAB’s expansion areas are now prepared to offer additional space for manufacturing, logistics, and commercial activity, with planning guided by readiness and alignment with investor demand. Energy infrastructure supports this growth through a diversified supply system.

THE Sandiganbayan Third Division on Tuesday began the trial of former Sen. Ramon Revilla Jr. over a malversation case involving an alleged ghost flood control project in Pandi, Bulacan. Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) records officer Jason Cruz took the witness stand to identify a logbook containing the

A 6-megawatt rooftop solar installation across 14 factory buildings provides daytime power and reduces transmission losses. This is supplemented by utility-scale solar supply in Mariveles and baseload geothermal energy from Leyte, ensuring stable and continuous industrial operations.

Beyond infrastructure, AFAB continues to engage with international and regional partners to refine operational practices within the Freeport. These exchanges, along with participation in logistics and investment forums, contribute to ongoing improvements in port systems, trade facilitation, and operational efficiency across the zone.

THE Commission on Human Rights (CHR) on Tuesday renewed its call to eliminate the practice of red-tagging, urging all branches of government to take urgent action to protect fundamental freedoms.

The CHR warned that red-tagging poses real risks, exposing individuals to threats, harassment, violence, and possible grave human rights violations such as arbitrary detention, enforced disappearances, and extrajudicial killings.

The commission cited findings from its 2025 National Inquiry on the Situation of Human Rights Defenders, which documented persistent labeling of individuals and groups as “communists,” “terrorists,” or “enemies of the state” without due process.

The inquiry found that journalists, lawyers, students, labor leaders, Indigenous Peoples, and community organizers are among those commonly affected, with the practice undermining rights to life, liberty, security, expression, and association. Rio N. Araja

WEDNESDAY, MAY 6, 2026

By Rex Espiritu

THE National Security Council (NSC)

on Tuesday expressed full support for Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. in opposing the resumption of nationallevel peace talks with the Communist Party of the Philippines, its armed wing the New People’s Army (NPA), and the National Democratic Front.

In a statement, National Security Adviser Eduardo Oban Jr. said renewed negotiations would not serve the interests of Filipinos and could instead revive what he described as a “weakened insurgency.”

Oban said previous peace talks had been used by the communist movement as a tactical instrument to regroup and rebuild, rather than as a genuine path toward reconciliation.

“For close to four decades, the Filipino people have paid the price of misplaced generosity,” Oban said, citing alleged continued involvement of insurgent groups in violence, extortion, and recruitment even during past negotiations.

Oban argued that reopening negotiations at this stage could undermine gains achieved through military operations, local governance efforts, and community-based peace-building initiatives across the country.

Economic managers back KALINGA Bill

By Maricel V. Cruz

IN BRIEF

CHR celebrates 19th year, focused on human rights

AS the Philippines confronts complex and overlapping social and economic challenges, the Commission on Human Rights (CHR) on Tuesday marked its 39th founding Anniversary with the theme “Komisyon sa mga Karapatang Pantao: Maaasahan sa Krisis at mga Hamon ng Panahon.”

Grounded in the belief that dignity belongs to all, the CHR underscored its role in advancing the full spectrum of rights, civil, political, economic, social and cultural, that matter both in moments of urgency and in the everyday lives of Filipinos.

“To translate this commitment into practice, recent initiatives reflect the CHR’s thrust to advance a human rights-based approach in policies and practices, particularly those carried out by the State as duty-bearer. This approach ensures equal access to rights for all and places the most marginalized at the center of action,” the CHR said in a statement. Rio N. Araja

LTFRB summons nine motorcycle taxi operators

THE Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) has issued a show cause order against nine motorcycle taxi platform providers (MTPPs) in relation to the ongoing investigation into discrepancies in the number of authorized ride-hailing services. The issuance of additional SCOs brought to 30 the total number of ride-hailing companies being investigated over the illegal onboarding of transport network vehicle services (TNVS) and motorcycle taxis in their respective online platforms.

Each of the TNCs and MTPPs has its own app where customers could book a ride and based on the existing rules and regulations, only motor vehicle units with authority to operate issued by the LTFRB should be included or boarded in all those apps. During the distribution of fuel subsidy, the transport network companies (TNCs) and MTPPs submitted lists of units exceeding the number of those authorized in the LTFRB database, triggering an all-out investigation. Rio N. Araja

Batangas tourism officials warn vs. online scammers

THE provincial government of Batangas has partnered with resort owners to combat rampant online booking scams that prey on tourists visiting the province. In a social media post Tuesday, the Provincial Tourism and Cultural Affairs Office (PTCAO) apprised travelers and business owners regarding syndicates using “too good to be true” offers to deceive the public. It also urged tourists to transact with

DepEd’s learning enhancement programs flagged

HOUSE Deputy Minority Leader

Antonio Tinio has raised serious concerns over the Department of Education’s newly issued guidelines for the rollout of the Academic Recovery and Accessible Learning (ARAL) Program and Summer Remediation Program (SRP) from May 6 to June 2, 2026.

Tinio of ACT Teachers party-list warned that the policy appeared to contradict DepEd’s earlier assurances to Congress that ARAL would be handled by hired tutors, not by already overburdened DepEd teachers.

“During budget deliberations, DepEd repeatedly assured Congress and the public that ARAL would be implemented by tutors—not by regular DepEd teachers,” Tinio said.

“But the guidelines now explicitly

By Jessica M. Bacud

include DepEd teachers as possible ARAL tutors and even direct school heads to tap Master Teachers and highly proficient teachers. That is a clear backtrack,” he added.

Tinio also flagged operational issues that could undermine the program’s effectiveness, including orientation and capacity-building scheduled only days before implementation, and the expanding list of duties that may be assigned to tutors beyond academic remediation.

“ARAL is supposed to address learning gaps, but you cannot rush preparation, widen responsibilities, and then expect quality outcomes,” Tinio said. “This becomes another ‘program on paper’ if it is implemented through last-minute directives and unfunded expectations.”

Tinio urged DepEd and DBM to fully utilize and transparently account for the ARAL budget allocation secured during the 2026 budget process, including the P8.96 billion earmarked for hiring tutors and related implementation needs, to ensure that the program does not devolve into token incentives and unpaid or underpaid labor.

“We pushed for sufficient funding precisely so DepEd can hire enough dedicated tutors, provide materials and training, and pay people properly,” Tinio said.

He urged “DepEd must show, line by line, how the P8.96 billion will be used to support learners—and how tutors and teachers will be compensated fairly, including overload and overtime where applicable.”

THE country’s economic managers on Tuesday rallied behind the proposed KALINGA bill of Speaker Faustino Dy III and Majority Leader Ferdinand Alexander Marcos, backing it as a comprehensive and timely response to rising fuel prices and global market disruptions.

The expressions of support were made during a hearing by the House Ad Hoc Committee on Legislative Energy Action and Development (LEAD), led by Committee on Ways and Means chairman Marikina City Rep. Miro Quimbo, whereby agencies underscored the urgency of a coordinated national response to the energy-driven economic strain.

Filed by Dy and Marcos, House Bill 8834 aims to institutionalize the KALINGA Program, or the Komprehensibong Alalay sa Livelihood, Inflation, Negosyo at Goods Assistance. The measure is designed as a whole-of-government emergency response framework that ensures energy and essential goods supply security, delivers targeted and time-bound

fuel costs.

“The DBM supports the proposed KALINGA bill, which aims to address the national emergency caused by global market disruption from conflict in the Middle East, with energy security at risk and rising fuel prices affecting vulnerable communities,” Toledo said. He noted that the bill

OPINION

Senate impeachment trial close at hand

WITH the House Committee on Justice having finalized its report on the impeachment of Vice President Sara Duterte last Monday, it’s a foregone conclusion that this is likely to be approved by the House plenary in the coming days and sent to the Senate for the impeachment trial to begin.

The imminent trial marks a pivotal inflection point in contemporary Philippine politics. While impeachment has precedents in the country, the political context surrounding this particular episode involving Sara Duterte makes it unusually consequential, with implications that extend well into the 2028 electoral cycle and beyond.

The process will be a crucial test of the resilience and credibility of Constitutional mechanisms.

The House of Representatives plenary is expected to approve the committee report with ease, given the prevailing alignment of political blocs.

The real arena of contestation will be in the Senate, where impeachment trials historically blend legal reasoning with political calculus.

Senators will be under intense scrutiny, as their votes will not only determine Sara Duterte’s fate but also signal their political position ahead of 2028.

For Sara Duterte herself, the stakes are existential. A conviction would result in removal from office and disqualification from holding public office.

This would effectively end her prospects for a presidential run in 2028, a scenario that, until recently, was widely considered possible given her electoral base and the residual influence of the Duterte brand.

An acquittal, however, could strengthen her position. In the concrete Philippine political culture, surviving an impeachment trial can be considered as vindication, enabling her to claim persecution by political rivals and consolidate support among her base.

The broader Duterte political network, including former president Rodrigo Duterte, will also be directly affected.

The impeachment proceedings may accelerate the fragmentation or reconfiguration of this network. Allies may defect to other emerging coalitions if they perceive Duterte’s prospects as diminishing, while loyalists may double down, framing the process as part of a broader campaign against their faction. Either outcome reshapes coalition-building dynamics heading into 2028.

Just as significant is the impact on the current administration and its allies. Although President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. is not formally part of the impeachment process, the political implications are avoidable.

The case is widely interpreted through the lens of elite competition between the Marcos and Duterte camps, two alliances that unexpectedly united in 2022 but have since shown signs of severe strain.

The impeachment trial could formalize this rupture, transforming latent rivalry into open political rivalry.

If the Senate convicts Sara Duterte, the immediate effect is the removal of a major contender from the presidential race.

This would create a vacuum that other aspirants, potentially from both the Marcos-aligned bloc and opposition factions, will seek to fill. It could also weaken the Duterte machinery at the local level, as political clans could shift loyalties.

An acquittal in the Senate positions Sara Duterte as a formidable candidate for 2028. She would likely emerge with heightened visibility and a mobilized support base.

Senators who voted for acquittal may align with her camp, influencing the configuration of future coalitions. Conversely, those who supported conviction could face political backlash in constituencies sympathetic to Duterte.

The process will be a crucial test of the resilience and credibility of Constitutional mechanisms

If the trial extends deep into the electoral cycle, it risks overshadowing governance and policy discourse. Political energies may become consumed by factional maneuvering, reinforcing a personalitydriven political environment rather than issue-based competition.

Beyond electoral calculations, the impeachment process also raises structural questions about governance and institutional norms.

Frequent or highly politicized impeachment efforts can erode public trust if perceived as tools of partisan conflict rather than accountability.

Conversely, a process seen as fair and evidence-based could strengthen democratic institutions by demonstrating that even high-ranking officials cannot escape from the rule of law.

In the longer term, this episode may accelerate the evolution of Philippine political alignments away from the MarcosDuterte UniTeam that defined the 2022 elections.

New coalitions could emerge, potentially incorporating reform-oriented or technocratic elements, although the persistence of patronage politics makes such transitions uncertain.

The impending Senate trial of Sara Duterte is more than a legal proceeding; it is a defining political event that will shape leadership trajectories, alliance structures, and institutional credibility in the country.

Its ultimate impact on 2028 and beyond will depend not only on the verdict but also on how political actors as well as the public respond to the process.

(Email: ernhil@yahoo.com)

Choosing hope

IN HIS writing, Works and Days, Hesiod narrates the story of how the Greek gods gave the first woman, Pandora, a gift—a box. She was told to keep it closed. Curiosity led her to open it. Out came sickness, hardship, envy, and suffering that spread into the world. She closed the box, and one thing remained inside— hope. That is the story—simple, direct, and deeply familiar. And when you place it beside what we are going through today, it begins to feel less like a myth and more like a mirror.

We are already halfway through the year, and for many, it feels like very little has improved. The challenges that greeted us at the start remain present, and in some cases, they have grown heavier. Across the country, pressure builds from many directions at once. Fuel prices rise and pull everything with them. The cost of food follows. Public conversations grow more intense. Events beyond our borders shape realities at home. You hear it in everyday exchanges. You feel it in the choices people make. You see it in the quiet adjustments families carry just to keep things stable.

In that setting, one question naturally

comes forward: is there still hope?

The story itself offers an answer. Hope remained. It stayed within reach. Yet hope does not sit still. It asks to be lived. It asks to be carried forward in a way that shapes outcomes.

We carry hope forward in the way we decide, the way we act, and the way we serve

That begins when we recognize. Everything starts with clarity. People want their realities to be seen and understood.

When we recognize what is truly happening, we move past noise and focus on what matters. We see the worker managing rising costs, the small business adjusting to change, the family finding ways to provide.

Recognition anchors decisions on real conditions and gives direction to every next step.

Once we see clearly, the next step becomes natural: we respond. Hope grows

Fired for doing his job

AS Overall Deputy Ombudsman in 2017, Melchor Arthur Carandang took over an investigation into the alleged illgotten wealth of then-President Rodrigo Duterte. Carandang’s superior, then-Ombudsman Conchita Carpio Morales, had inhibited from the case because she was related by affinity to Duterte’s daughter.

As he stepped up to the task, Carandang requested the Anti-Money Laundering Council to investigate Duterte’s bank accounts. At that time, former Senator Antonio Trillanes IV had been calling the public’s attention to the bank holdings and challenging Mr. Duterte to waive his rights under the bank secrecy law if he was not hiding anything.

Eventually, Carandang affirmed Trillanes’ claims of ill-gotten wealth. In response, the Office of the President dismissed Carandang from office in July 2018. The OP said Carandang was administratively liable for graft and corruption and of betrayal of public trust. It claimed that it had disciplinary jurisdiction over a Deputy Ombudsman, and subsequently dismissed Carandang.

And in June 2019, the new Ombudsman, Samuel Martires, directed Carandang to cease and desist from performing his powers and functions as Overall Deputy Ombudsman. He declared the post vacant.

But in a decision dated January 26 this year and posted this month on its website, the Supreme Court voided the orders and ruled that the chief executive had neither disciplinary nor administrative authority over s deputy ombudsman.

Carandang could no longer be reinstated because his term had officially ended in 2020, but the Court set some

things right when it came to the former officials’ remuneration. It said he was entitled to his salaries corresponding to the period of his prevention and dismissal up to his term’s expiry, and to all of his retirement benefits effective upon the expiration of his term.

Whoever stops the independent constitutional body from doing its job raises questions

According to the Supreme Court, a president’s removal of a deputy ombudsman is unconstitutional because it violates the independence of the office. The jurisprudence cited by the Office of the President in justifying its move did not apply. In fact, the Court said, the OP wanted a reversal of the cited case to support its move against Carandang, Justice Filomena Singh, speaking for the Court, said: “There is no compelling reason for such a drastic turn, all the more so when the president’s own conduct was in issue, thereby underscoring the enduring need to shield the Office of

By Jose Antonio Goitia

IN THE echo chamber of social media, a single video can become the lens through which an entire Recently, General Nicolas Torre III pointed to the disturbing jeepney incident in Las Piñas—where a group of minors harassed passengers—as definitive proof of a declining state of public safety.

He argued that explanations are insufficient and called for leadership to be held accountable, even suggesting that those who cannot ensure safety should step down.

Accountability is, without question, a pillar of good governance. But accountability only carries weight when it is grounded in the full picture, rather than a snapshot of the most alarming moment.

The Anatomy of a Response

The Las Piñas incident was indeed troubling, but it was far from ignored.

Under the leadership of PNP Chief Jose Melencio C. Nartatez Jr., the police force acted with precision and speed. The minors involved were identified and turned over to the appropriate authorities. Most importantly, reports indicate no passengers were physically harmed. This is not the hallmark of a failing system; it is the hallmark of a system doing its job.

I have long maintained that we must never confuse a moment of disorder with a collapse of order. It is dangerously easy to lose perspec-

when it moves into action. It takes form in policies that meet real needs, in programs that reach communities, in decisions that create tangible impact.

Responding means acting with purpose and intention. It means using available resources to improve conditions step by step. Each response builds momentum. Each effort brings progress closer to everyday life. As action takes root, the work continues when we start to rebuild. Progress holds when effort continues with focus and consistency.

Rebuilding means strengthening what has been started, improving systems, and creating conditions that last. Over time, people begin to see results that endure.

the Ombudsman from shifting winds of political influence.”

She added: “It would be nothing short of a constitutional paradox, and a direct affront to accountability, if former President Duterte were allowed to sanction Carandang – one of the remaining officials explicitly empowered to hold government actors to account.”

We applaud the Supreme Court’s decisions. No official should be fired for doing his or her job, especially when that job has to do with ensuring that people elected to public office are honest and forthcoming at all times, that they serve only the Filipino people instead of themselves. And especially when the firing is committed by the same person being investigated. Accountability in public office remains a farfetched dream with only a few exceptions. This is a goal toward which the country has been moving –and a goal in which there has not been much success.

But if only through the Carandang decision, the Supreme Court takes a step to set things right. May the rest of our days be guided not only by the decision to do right by a conscientious public servant gravely wronged by an irate leader and his unthinking followers. May we also be reminded, as Justice Singh wrote, that “accountability cannot thrive where the independence of oversight bodies is merely aspirational.”

Indeed we have systems put in place by the Constitution that are designed to curb excesses, in this case executive overreach. We have laws that demand that public officials act in a manner expected of them as public servants, specifically to not unjustly enrich themselves at their constituents’ expense. We just need to make these laws work for the Filipino people -- swiftly, evenly, and consistently.

Truth over fear: Balancing accountability with perspective

tive when a viral video is looped indefinitely. However, one contained incident, no matter how unsettling, does not constitute a nationwide breakdown. To draw such a sweeping conclusion from a limited context isn’t just a misreading of the facts—it is a narrative that risks misleading the public for the sake of alarmism.

Let us choose a narrative of truth over fear

Defining Strength in Leadership General Torre’s call for leadership changes is a serious one, but fairness must be the arbiter of such demands. A nation’s security is not a binary state of “incident” or “no incident.”

A nation is not judged by the absence of incidents, but by the strength of its response when they occur.

True accountability cuts both ways.

It requires us to look at the data, the response times, and the preventative measures that don’t always make the evening news. Under Chief Nartatez Jr., the PNP has focused on the “quiet work.”

Strengthened police visibility in highrisk corridors.

Active coordination with local gov-

They experience stability. They gain confidence in the direction being taken. Trust grows when commitment is sustained. This progression—from seeing clearly, to acting deliberately, to sustaining progress—gives hope its full meaning. It becomes something lived, something shared, something that people can feel. I often return to a line from Fratelli Tutti, where Pope Francis speaks of hope as a longing for a life that finds fulfillment.

That longing is present today. It lives in every Filipino who continues to move forward, who continues to work, who continues to believe that things can improve through shared effort. The story of Pandora leaves us with something steady and certain. Hope re-

ernment units (LGUs). Consistent tactical operations against street-level crime. These efforts rarely go viral, but they are the bedrock of community security. Peace and order are not maintained by loud rhetoric, but by discipline, consistency, and the quiet vigilance of those who serve.

Proportion Over Provocations

Criticism is a vital component of a healthy democracy; it keeps our institutions sharp and our leaders focused. However, when criticism loses its sense of proportion, it ceases to be a tool for improvement and becomes a tool for fear.

“Accountability demands truth, not selective outrage.”

Sowing fear among the populace serves no one. While we must continue to question and push our institutions to be better, we must also recognize the hard, daily work being done by the PNP under Chief Nartatez.

Let us choose a narrative of truth over fear.

Let us demand accountability that is informed by the whole reality, ensuring that our pursuit of justice doesn’t come at the cost of the public’s peace of mind.

(The writer holds Juris Doctor, PhD degrees and is Chairman Emeritus of Alyansa ng Bantay sa Kapayapaan at Demokrasya, People’s Alliance for Democracy and Reforms, Liga Independencia Pilipinas, and the Filipinos Do Not Yield Movement).

mained. It was kept. And that is where we stand today, with a clear view of our reality and a real sense of what we can still build for tomorrow. Hope is here, and it takes shape in the way we act each day. It grows when we recognize clearly, when we respond with purpose, and when we rebuild with commitment. These are lived choices. They guide decisions in governance, shape action in communities, and define how we carry ourselves in our own daily responsibilities. We carry hope forward in the way we decide, the way we act, and the way we serve. And in doing so, we are choosing hope—again and again—in the concrete work of building a better path for all.

by order of the Israeli army, at Martyrs’ Square in central Beirut on April 30, 2026. A Israeli army spokesperson called for the evacuation of eight southern villages ahead of planned military action there. Shortly after the ceasefire began on April 17, Israel declared a so-called ‘Yellow Line,’ a strip of Lebanese territory about 10 kms deep along the border, where it has been operating and demolishing villages. AFP

‘Spreading much like wildfire’: Fiji grapples with HIV cases

SUVA, Fiji—As evening falls in Fi-

ji’s capital, a steady stream of people approaches a makeshift clinic that is a first line of defense against one of the world’s fastest-growing HIV epidemics.

In the South Pacific nation—a popular tourist destination of just under a million people—there were over 2,000 new HIV cases recorded last year, a 26 percent increase from 2024. The government has declared an HIV outbreak and described it as a national crisis.

“It’s spreading like wildfire,” Siteri Dinawai, 46, who came to be tested, told AFP. The Moonlight Clinic, a converted minibus parked in a suburban cul-de-

sac in Suva, is part of a push to bring testing into neighborhoods.

Volunteers from the Survival Advocacy Network—a group supporting sex workers—and Rainbow Pride Fiji, which works with LGBTQ+ communities, are on hand to speak to those who may be reluctant. Ana Fofole and her team at Medical Services Pacific, which runs the clinic, hand out condoms as part of their awareness drive and test for syphilis and hepatitis B.

“We don’t just turn up anywhere— we have to do it the right way,” says Fofole.

Irinieta Foi, 45, is among those Medical Services Pacific hopes to reach by bringing testing into neighborhoods. AFP

Ukraine pressures Russia with own truce

KYIV—Ukraine piled pressure on Russia Tuesday after announcing its own truce in response to Russia’s demand for a ceasefire to coincide with its annual World War II Victory Day commemorations.

Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said that holding a ceasefire between May 8-9 so Moscow could mark the celebration was “not serious”, and hit back with his own truce starting midnight (2100 GMT) on Tuesday.

Russia has threatened a “massive missile strike” on Kyiv if Ukraine

Lai says Taiwan has ‘right to lock with the world’

TAIPEI—Taiwanese President Lai

Ching-te said Tuesday the democratic island has the “right to engage with the world,” after he returned from a trip to Africa that Taipei has accused Beijing of trying to derail.

Taiwan said China applied “intense pressure” to Seychelles, Mauritius and Madagascar to revoke overflight permits for Lai’s original trip to Eswatini—Taipei’s only ally in Africa —which had been scheduled for April 22-26.

China claims Taiwan is part of its territory and opposes the selfgoverned island’s participation in international organizations and exchanges with other countries.

“Taiwanese people are people of the world; Taiwanese people have the right to engage with the world,” Lai told reporters at Taipei’s international airport after his flight home on the Eswatini king’s plane.

Lai flew on the king’s aircraft to Eswatini on Saturday.

“We will not shrink back because of suppression,” Lai said, flanked by Eswatini Deputy Prime Minister Thulisile Dladla who had flown to Taiwan with him and his delegation.

“Mutual visits between heads of state should be the most ordinary thing, just like when we go out to visit friends, and are a basic right of every country.”

The United States slammed China’s “intimidation campaign” after Lai’s trip was delayed. The remarks were rejected by China’s foreign minister as “baseless accusations.” AFP

violates its Victory Day ceasefire.

The quarrelling between the two sides comes with a lull in US-led diplomatic efforts to end the war, as Washington shifts its focus to conflict in the Middle East.

Russian strikes killed nine people across Ukraine on Monday, according to Ukrainian officials, while a

Ukrainian drone crashed into a highrise building in an upscale Moscow neighborhood overnight.

“In accordance with a decision of the Supreme Commander-in-Chief of the Russian Armed Forces, Vladimir Putin, a ceasefire has been declared from May 8–9, 2026... We hope that the Ukrainian side will follow suit,” the Russian defence ministry said in a post on state-backed messaging service MAX.

“If the Kyiv regime attempts to implement its criminal plans to disrupt the celebration of the 81st anniversary of Victory in the Great Patriotic War,

the Russian Armed Forces will launch a retaliatory, massive missile strike on the centre of Kyiv,” it added.

“We warn the civilian population of Kyiv and employees of foreign diplomatic missions of the need to leave the city promptly.”

Russia marks World War II Victory Day each year with a massive military parade through Red Square.

“As of today, there has been no official appeal to Ukraine regarding the modality of a cessation of hostilities that is being claimed on Russian social media,” Zelensky said in a post on X.

“We believe that human life is far more valuable than any anniversary ‘celebration’. In this regard, we are announcing a ceasefire regime starting at 00:00 on the night of May 5–6,” he added.

He did not specify how long the ceasefire would last.

Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiga also condemned Moscow’s truce, saying: “Peace cannot wait until ‘parades’ and ‘celebrations’”. “If Moscow is prepared to end hostilities, it can do so already tomorrow night,” Sybiga posted on X on Monday. AFP

Trouble in paradise: Colombia tourist jewel hit by violence

SIERRA NEVADA DE SANTA

MARTA, Colombia—With snowcapped mountains sweeping down to the turquoise waters of the Caribbean, Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta National Park is one of the jewels in Colombia’s tourism crown.

But the picture-postcard views mask a more sinister reality.

Armed groups call the shots in this corner of paradise, holding local businesses to ransom and terrorizing Indigenous communities.

The signing of a peace deal ending a half-century of war between the Colombian state and the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) rebel group in 2016 thrust a country long stalked by drug lords and guerrillas onto the global tourism stage.

Each day thousands of visitors pile into the area to hike through pristine jungle to white-sand beaches or to

Colombia’s mountaintop Lost City, which predates Peru’s Machu Picchu. Few of them notice the men in camouflage watching from a distance. These are the Self-Defense Forces of the Sierra Nevada, a group of former paramilitaries who control cocaine trafficking routes in the region and also illegally mine for gold. Extortion is also a big revenue spinner for the “Conquistadores,” as ACSN members are often dubbed, who demand a percentage of the earnings of hotels, tour bus companies and local Indigenous groups, whose hand-woven hammocks and bags are snapped up by visitors.

“We are afraid and anxious about the future,” Atanasio Moscote, governor of the Kogui Indigenous people, told AFP high up in Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta National Park, which the Kogui consider “the heart of the world.” AFP

Canada boisterous separatists submit bid to force Alberta independence vote

EDMONTON, Canada—Alberta separatists submitted stacks of boxes to election officials on Monday (Tuesday, Manila time), which they said contained the signatures of more than 300,000 supporters, enough names to force an independence referendum in Canada’s oil-rich province.

A boisterous crowd of several hundred waved the blue provincial flag on a bright, clear day, cheering as separatist leader Mitch Sylvestre delivered the petitions to Elections Alberta.

“We’re not like the rest of Canada,” Sylvestre told AFP.

“We’re 100 percent conservative.

We’re being ruled by Liberals who don’t think like us.”

“They’re trying to shut down our industry,” he said, referring to the lucrative provincial oil sector.

The pro-independence camp in the western province of five million people had existed on the margins for decades, but the movement has gathered pace in recent months and is closer than ever to triggering a vote.

Polls put separatist support at roughly 30 percent, but even if the federalist side wins a prospective referendum, leaders on both sides say the process has left Canada

China fireworks factory blast kills 21, hurts 61

permanently changed.

Standing outside the provincial legislature on a grey Sunday evening, former Alberta deputy premier and activist for the federalist side, Thomas Lukaszuk, told AFP he now struggles to look at the blue provincial flag that fluttered behind him, saying it has been co-opted by separatists.

“It stands for something that most of us Albertans and Canadians don’t stand for. It’s a form of treason,” said Lukaszuk, who moved to Canada as a child when his family sought refuge from communist Poland. Lukaszuk, who is spearheading

BEIJING—A giant explosion at a fireworks factory in central China killed at least 21 people and injured 61, state media said on Tuesday. The explosion occurred at around 4:43 pm on Monday at the Liuyang Huasheng Fireworks Manufacturing and Display Company in Liuyang, Hunan province, state broadcaster CCTV said. Videos on social media from Monday showed continuous explosions accompanied by a vast cloud of smoke rising high into the air in a rural area surrounded by mountains.

Drone footage from CCTV taken a day later showed a swathe of smoldering debris where buildings had stood, with rescue workers and excavators scouring the rubble.

Smoke continued to rise from some buildings left standing, many of them with their roofs blown off. The central government had sent experts to guide rescue efforts, while more than 480 rescuers had been urgently dispatched to the site for search-and-rescue operations, CCTV reported. They had established a 3-kilometer control zone around the site and evacuated people nearby. Police had apprehended the company’s management while investigations into the cause of the accident continue, CCTV said.

Chinese President Xi Jinping had called for “all-out efforts” to treat the injured and search for missing persons, and for those responsible to be held accountable, state news agency Xinhua reported Tuesday. Liuyang is a

Alberta’s Forever Canadian campaign, said the ongoing separatist movement has been helped by a rightwing premier, Danielle Smith, who has sought closer ties with President Donald Trump’s Republican Party. Tacit support from Washington, including several State Department meetings, has also helped, he said.

“The separatists are not elected members. They’re just citizens of Canada residing in Alberta, and they actually formed delegations and are received by the highest levels of US administration. That must be very empowering to them,” he told AFP. AFP

Yoko says Oh no to ‘John

“It was crazy. I have

SPORTS

NLEX’s Bolick named PBA’s best for week

ROBERT Bolick served as a vital cog as smooth-running NLEX rolled to the top and bagged the coveted twice-to-beat advantage with a pair of smashing victories.

In a tough duel with Rain or Shine, Bolick fired 30 points, including 18 in the third that fueled the Road Warriors’ fightback from as many as 14 points the previous quarter, and helped seal their thrilling 92-90 win by feeding JB Bahio’s last-gasp game-winner.

Three nights later, the all-around guard joined forces with Schonny Winston in seizing control against Converge with a 28-18 third-quarter assault en route to a 100-81 romp that assured NLEX of Top 4 at 9-2.

For his standout performance highlighted by averages of 25.5 points (50 percent field goal clip and 38-percent marksmanship from the three-point line), eight assists, 4.5 rebounds and two steals, Bolick earned the PBA Press Corps’ Player of the Week award for the period April 28 to May 3. He beat the likes of Phoenix’s Ricci Rivero, San Miguel’s Don Trollano and teammate Winston en route to his second POW citation in the Commissioner’s Cup.

Bolick joined Rain or Shine’s Adrian Nocum as the only two-time winner in the mid-season conference. Overall, it was his third POW win of Season 50, becoming only the third to cop at least three after four-time winner Juan Gomez de Liaño of Converge and threetime recipient CJay Perez of SMB.

More than his big-time buckets in the clutch, the cager out of San Beda has been putting his playmaking skills in the import-flavored competition.

This was most evident in his set up of Bahio’s winning short-range jumper against ROS last April 29 as well as his earlier delivery to Ljay Gonzales for the buzzer-beating triple in their 104-101 overtime squeaker over Meralco just 12 nights before.

“Tiwala naman ako sa lahat ng teammates ko,” said Bolick of giving his open teammates leather instead of going for the kill himself.

Delos Santos rips world junior record, grabs 2 golds in Egypt

By Randy M. Caluag

ALBERT Ian Delos Santos set a new world junior record on his way to securing two gold medals for the Philippines at the IWF World Junior Championships on Tuesday in Ismailia, Egypt.

Competing in the men’s 71kg category, Delos Santos delivered a dominant performance in the clean & jerk, lifting 187kg to claim the gold and shatter the previous world junior mark. His combined total of 326kg earned him a second gold medal for the overall title.

clean & jerk of 105kg.

The Philippine delegation saw further action in the Group B sessions, where athletes are awaiting final rankings pending the completion of the top-seeded Group A contests.

In the women’s 58kg class, Rosalinda Faustino placed third in Group B with a total lift of 185kg. Faustino recorded a best snatch of 80kg and a

Despite finishing fifth in the snatch with a best lift of 139kg, the 71kg standout recovered in the second half of the competition to outpace the field.

In the men’s 65kg category, Prince David Tarro finished fourth in Group B. Tarro managed a snatch of 125kg and a clean & jerk of 150kg for a 275kg total. Final placements for both Faus tino and Tarro will be determined later this week once all lifters in their respective weight classes have competed.

Bugna nails another 3-title romp in Bagong Pilipinas netfest

KATHLYN Bugna delivered another commanding performance, sweeping three titles in the Bagong Pilipinas Age-Group Tennis Championships at the Rizal Memorial Tennis Center last Monday to reinforce her growing reputation as one of the country’s brightest young prospects.

Fresh from a similar three-title romp in last month’s Bagong Pilipinas Juniors Age-Group Championships in Roxas City, Capiz, the Batang Onay/RSB standout carried her red-hot form into Manila with authority. She overwhelmed Francine Wong, 6-0, 6-2, to capture the girls’ 16-and-under singles crown, then followed it up with a clinical 6-3, 6-0 victory over Chiara Bate in the 18-and-U finals.

Unfazed by the step up in competition, Bugna also ruled the 18-and-U doubles event, teaming up with Tori Deocampo to defeat Jana Bermejo and Khalilah Imalay, 8-4, and complete yet another three-title sweep.

Her sustained dominance across multiple age divisions underscores not only her versatility and composure, but also her readiness for higher-level competition. More importantly, it highlights the success of the Bagong Pilipinas circuit as a vital talent-search platform, providing promising players like Bugna with consistent exposure, high-level match play, and a pathway for long-term development under the Philippine Sports Commission’s grassroots program.

On the boys’ side, Miguel Lagac III matched Bug-

na’s feat to share MVP honors in the Group 2 tournament sanctioned by Philta and Universal Tennis and part of the nationwide circuit initiated by Palawan Pawnshop president/CEO Bobby Castro. The Quezon City ace dominated Nicholas Andal, 6-0, 6-1, in the 16-and-U finals before turning back Yñigo Naredo, 6-4, 6-2, to secure the 18-and-U title.

Other champions also made their mark in the tournament presented by Dunlop and supported by ICON Golf and Sports and Palawan Group of Companies, further emphasizing the depth of emerging talent nationwide. San Pedro City’s Tyronne Caro outlasted Jairus Peralta, 6-4, 7-6(5), to clinch the boys’ 14-andU crown, while Wong bounced back from her loss to Bugna with a 6-3, 6-3 win over Michaela Suarez in the girls’ 14-and-U finals.

Raven Licayan of Cavite edged Noel Zoleta, 6-4, 3-6, 6-2, to claim the boys’ 12-and-under title, and Iloilo’s Kate Chavez dominated Ellythia Comia, 6-1, 6-1, for the girls’ counterpart.

In doubles play, Naredo and Cristiano Calingasan nipped Gavin Kraut and Tristan Licayan, 8-6, in the boys’ 18-and-U finals. Jaynelle Castro and Athena Liwag cruised past Teresinha Calingasan and Chavez, 8-3, to win the girls’ 14-and-U title, while Peralta and Jan Caleb Villeno overwhelmed Caro and Raven Licayan, 8-1, in the boys’ 14-and-U division.

Lago eyes record-tying sweep with dominant start at JPGT Pueblo

CAGAYAN DE ORO—Ethan Lago moved within striking distance of a record-tying four-leg sweep in the ICTSI Junior PGT Visayas-Mindanao Series, firing an even-par 72 in sweltering heat and light winds to build a commanding seven-stroke lead after the opening round of the Pueblo de Oro JPGT Championship here on Tuesday.

Lago recovered from a shaky backside start with a three-birdie surge over the first four holes at the front nine of the Pueblo de Oro layout. Despite closing with two bogeys, he assembled a 35-37 card to seize control heading into the final round of the 36-hole tournament in the boys’ 7-10 division.

Lucas Revilleza, who finished runner-up to Lago in the first three legs at Mactan, Alta Vista and Del Monte, struggled to a 79 marred by a double bogey on No. 9 as he shared second place

with Stephen Clementer, who also carded a seven-over card after a late miscue on the same hole.

Lago leaned on his superb driving and putting to once again dominate the field, eyeing yet another victory. He expressed confidence heading into the final round, vowing to stay aggressive.

“I’ll try to make more birdies, or at least pars, in the final round,” said Lago, who is aiming for a fourth straight leg title in the Visayas-Mindanao Series and a coveted berth in the grand finals.

A victory by Lago would match Jamie Barnes’ four-leg sweep of the Vis-Min Series last year with the rising Davao star also expected to compete in the final two legs in Bacolod and Negros Occidental next month.

In the girls’ 7-10 division, Soleil Molde and Avery Go set up a head-to-head

duel between leg champions. Molde, coming off a dominant win at Del Mon te, shot a 78 to take a one-stroke lead over Go, who birdied the final hole for a 79. Francesca Hojia stood at third with a 90, setting the stage for a Molde-Go showdown in the final round.

South Cotabato’s Jared Saban de livered the day’s most impressive per formance in the boys’ 11-14 category, carding a seven-under 65 highlighted by a four-birdie run starting at No. 14. Seeking redemption after a playoff loss to Ken Guillermo at Del Monte, Saban built a seven-shot cushion over Ralph Batican, who matched par 72, with Mico Woo posting a 75 for third and Guillermo struggling to a 76.

Despite Saban’s big lead, the unpre dictable Pueblo layout leaves the door open for Batican, Guillermo and Woo to mount a final-round charge.

Karate Youth League hosting sound investment for tourism, sport

A SOUND investment for local tourism and the sport of karate that will pay off dividends immediately and beyond.

This was how Karate ng Pilipinas Sports Federation Inc. president Ricky Lim described the country’s hosting of the Karate One Youth League pr esented by the Philippine Sports Commission set May 14 to 17 at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.

“This tournament will be a huge boost for local tourism,” said Lim, who revealed that over 1,000 promising karatekas from 58 countries worldwide are seeing action in the four-day meet sanctioned by the World Karate Federation.

Among those fielding huge contingents are Australia with 78, Saudi Arabia, 40; Malaysia, 47; New Zealand, 39, Kazakhstan, 27; US and Uzbekistan, 19; and, of course, the Philippines with 201 athletes from all over the country, according to the karate chief.

He pointed out that since “our participants are children, we expect most of their parents to tag along, meaning that we can expect at least double the foreign and local tourists to come to Manila for the competition.

“In fact, the Malaysian youth team was set to arrive yesterday so they can train with our young local karatekas.” Lim said that this was outside of the officials of the WKF, led by WKF president Anthony Espinos of Spain, and Asian Karate Federation who will preside and officiate in the meet also backed by the Philippine Olympic Committee, SM Group of Companies, Milo and Lanson’s Place.

Given the metropolitan outlook and famed hospitality of Filipinos, who are generally fluent in English “, we can expect our foreign visitors to use the opportunity to sample the culture, food, sights and sounds of Manila and outside of it,” he added.

WEDNESDAY, MAY 6, 2026

RIERA U. MALLARI, Editor

RANDY M. CALUAG, Asst. Editor

EDGARD HILARIO, Asst. Editor

Oh Nikita: Russian confident to win it all with 7 stages left

By Riera U. Mallari

PAGUDPUD, Ilocos Norte (Powered by PLDT Home)—

With seven stages still to race, Nikita Shulchenko is already speaking like a man certain the Tour is his to lose.

Fresh from a dominant ride in the first individual time trial of the 2026 MPTC Tour of Luzon, the Russian yellow jersey holder did more than widen his overall lead Tuesday, he sent a message that the most decisive stages ahead, particularly -

Shulchenko said. “The mountain climb in the next stages is good for me. I can protect this jersey there.”

Rome tilt offers Eala chance to regain rhythm

By Jeremiah Sevilla

ALEXANDRA Eala launches her Italian Open 2026 campaign against Magdalena Frech of Poland in the first round on Wednesday at the Foro Italico in Rome. The world No. 42 Eala takes on the No. 45 Frech in the Round of 128 of the tournament also known as the Internazionali BNL d’Italia at a yet to be determined schedule, although the match is expected to take place late afternoon or early evening Manila time. Eala, who recently climbed two rungs up in the official Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) singles rankings while posting a careerhigh No. 88 in the doubles, is eager to break her early exit curse in the clay court swing after failing to move past the second round in her last three tournaments.

Eala crashed out in the Round of 64 of the WTA 1000 Madrid Open, losing to Belgium’s Elise Mertens, 2-6, 1-6, following a 6-3, 6-3 victory against Russia’s Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova in the opening round. Likewise, Eala and her partner Zeynep Sonmez of Turkey yielded to eventual winners Katerina Siniakova of Czech Republic and Taylor Townsend of the USA, 1-6, 5-7, in the

LCW UAE Cycling Team camp.

His teammate Yousef Ibraheim Alrefai, who finished second in the stage 49 seconds back, now trails Shulchen ko by 1:38 overall after seven stages with an aggregate time of 19:31:20.

Shulchenko, last off the ramp, scorched the 22.9-kilometer mostly flat course in 30 minutes and 0.06 seconds to stretch his advantage after seven stages. But for the 26-year-old campaigner, the time trial was merely part of a bigger picture.

“Of course, yes. I believe I can win,”

THE GenSan Warriors blitzed the Iloilo United Royals in the third quarter and went on to tally a runaway 12068 victory on Monday, sharing the lead in the SportsPlus (MPBL) Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League 2026 Season at the Pasay Astrodome. Barely ahead, 47-42, the Warriors clustered 20 points, 7 by Joshua Fontanilla, to pull away and climb to 5-0, the same as the Caloocan Batang Kankaloo in the round-robin elimination phase of the 28-team tournament. Hesed Gabo posted the tournament’s first triple-double (17 points, 11 rebounds, 10 assists) and added 2 steals to earn the SportsPlus best player honors over Mark Cruz, who topscored with 23, 19 in the fourth quarter, plus 2 rebounds and 2 assists. Fontanilla finished with 13 points, 6 assists, 3 rebounds and 2 steals, followed by Eloie Tan with 12 points, 3 rebounds, 3 assists and 2 steals, JM Versoza with 10 points and 8 rebounds, and Anton Eusebio with 10 points and 5 rebounds.

Iloilo, which absorbed its fourth loss in five starts, drew 15 points from Levi Hernandez, 13 from Jasper Longalong, and 10 from Art Aquino.

He spoke with the assurance of experience as he recalled winning a 13-stage race in Russia in 2024 with a decisive performance in the mountains, while riding for the national team, proof, he believes, that the Tour’s most feared terrain suits him perfectly.

“I’m a champion in Russia in multiday races. I won in the mountains before,” he added.

The performance also underscored the growing confidence inside the

“We made it again today with a stage win. I guess we got four of the seven stages. So far, we’re doing our best. We are the best here in this Tour. And we’ll do our best in the next stages. Seven done and seven to go. We did so good today. We feel better day-by-day and we’ll keep fighting and we we’ll show what we can do,” said Alrefai.

La Salle seeks redemption, eyes to derail NU ‘3-peat’

DE LA SALLE University is not only seeking to deny National University’s three-peat bid in the UAAP Season 88 collegiate women’s volleyball tournament, but also to exorcise the ghost of its Finals heartbreak 12 years ago.

Meeting for the fourth time in the last five seasons, the Lady Spikers, coming off a two-week break, are looking to sustain their perfect 14-match run against the Lady Bulldogs, who are eyeing to extend their dynastic reign.

Overwhelming favorites in UAAP Season 77 (2014–15) after completing an undefeated double-round elimination run, La Salle was poised for a four-peat armed with a thrice-to-beat advantage under an old league format. However, Ateneo pulled off the improbable, staging a breakthrough under first-year coach Tai Bundit and phenom Alyssa Valdez.

Coach Ramil de Jesus’ long-time as-

sistant Noel Orcullo, however, is not in the mood to revisit those painful memories as the 12-time champions face NU in the 5 p.m. opener at the SM Mall of Asia Arena.

“‘Yung nightmare namin nu’ng Season 76, talagang ayaw na naming maulit. Itong nangyari ngayon na nagwaiting kami for championship, siguro talagang pagta-trabahuhan namin nang husto. Kumbaga, ‘yung pokus talaga hindi namin aalisin, kung ano ‘yung inumpisahan namin, kung ano ‘yung goal namin doon kami. Hindi kami bibitaw bawat isa kung ano ‘yung goal ng coach, goal ng players; doon kami. Kung paano namin binuo ito, kung paano namin inumpisahan, ganoon din namin tatapusin,” Orcullo said.

The difference now is that the Lady Spikers were only rewarded an outright berth in the league’s biggest stage, as the Finals is a best-of-three series with no

additional incentive, unlike the thriceto-beat advantage in the past.

Angel Canino, who was RookieMVP when La Salle won its most re cent championship in 2023 (Season 85), stressed the importance of discipline, cohesion, and in-game adjustments.

“In terms of character din talaga, ‘yung kumpyansa siguro ng mga bata na di namin kailangan hingin saka nila, na willing talaga nila ibigay lahat, kasi nandito sila sa team and knowing as seniors na gusto din nilang magcontribute at may kumpyansa sila sa sarili, ano na kami, may kumpyansa na kami na kayang lumaban and siguro ta laga mapapagkatiwalaan ‘yung bawa’t isa ngayong season na ‘to and ‘yung hinihingi ni coach na puso na pagiging fighter, I think na-instill ni coach ‘yun sa mga bata. Kaya ‘yun ‘yung malaking pagbabago talaga this season,” Canino said.

TRECE MARTIRES, Cavite – Georgina Handog and Race Manhit refused to be rattled by early and late challenges, delivering composed, pressure-tested performances to capture the 11-14 titles in the ICTSI Sherwood Hills Junior PGT Championship on Tuesday and vault themselves back into contention for the Elite Junior Finals. On a demanding Sherwood Hills layout that exposed even the slightest lapse, both Handog and Manhit absorbed threats from a determined field but never lost their footing. Instead, they steadied themselves at the turn, tightened their games and capitalized as their closest pursuers faltered down the stretch.

Manhit shrugged off a costly double bogey on No. 14 and mounted a gritty comeback, battling back from a one-shot deficit with a clutch birdie on the par-3 16th. The two-shot swing proved decisive, as Javie Bautista stumbled with a bogey, then the duo matched pars over

the final two holes, enabling Manhit to seal a thrilling one-stroke victory with a 149 total after a 78.

Bautista mounted a remarkable comeback, erasing a six-shot deficit and even taking the lead with a birdie on the 15th. But the pressure told on the next hole when he hit his tee shot into the hazard. He managed to salvage a bogey with a one-chip, one-putt effort, but ultimately signed for a 73 and a 150 total.

Ryuji Suzuki fired a 71 to tie Malarayat leg winner Chan Ahn, who shot a 72, for third at 151. Summit Point titlist Vito Sarines briefly threatened with a birdie on No. 8 but unraveled with four bogeys and a double bogey over the next five holes, limping home with a 77 for fifth at 152.

“I didn’t expect to win because I knew my opponents were really strong,” said Manhit, 13, who delivered a clutch 6-iron tee shot on No. 16 that landed just 10 feet from the cup, setting up a birdie.

BUSINESS

Megaworld now controls 48% of Iloilo office market

By Alena Mae S. Flores

ILOILO

CITY—Megaworld

Corp is reinforcing its leadership in Western Visayas, capturing a 48-percent market share in Iloilo’s office sector as developers pivot toward regional hubs.

Data from Colliers International show the property developer’s dominance is fueled by sustained demand within its 72-hectare Iloilo Business Park.

The township hosts 13 office developments with a combined gross leasable area exceeding 205,000 square meters, including the province’s first LEED Gold-certified buildings, Enterprise One and Enterprise Two.

“This is primarily driven by the high occupancy of our office buildings within the Iloilo Business Park,” Megaworld Global Offices head Francis Roxas said.

“While we have been catering to top BPO tenants through our leasing portfolio, we also recognize the strong demand from investors and businesses who want to own their office space,” said Roxas

The company is responding to the demand by introducing an “officefor-sale” model through the 19-story International Corporate Plaza (ICP).

The project offers more than 300 units designed for law offices, medical clinics and design studios. Since its launch, about 65 percent of the building has been sold, with property values appreciating 43 percent to about P231,000 per square meter.

Colliers Research director Joey Bondoc said developers are increasingly looking outside Metro Manila, where vacancy levels remain steady at 19 percent.

“Even as new office buildings are completed, vacancy is holding firm at 19 percent,” Bondoc said.

“Developers have been limiting launches in Metro Manila but have been aggressive in launching new projects outside the capital region,” he said.

Bondoc said Megaworld is assisting occupants in securing large-scale spaces as global capability centers expand into regional markets.

Megaworld’s existing office developments in Iloilo maintain an occupancy rate of nearly 85 percent, surpassing the industry average of 80 percent.

DBM ANNIVERSARY. Department of Budget and Management (DBM) Secretary Rolando Toledo wraps up the celebration of the agency’s 90th founding anniversary on April 30, 2026, with the theme ‘DBM @ 90: Sound Budgeting for Stronger NationBuilding.’ The week-long celebration highlighted the agency’s rich history and milestones, honoring the leaders who spearheaded and shaped the DBM’s transformation from a Commission into a full-fledged department, guided by the principle of sound budgeting that ensures every peso delivers real impact for every Filipino.

ED Council updates MRT 7 project

THE Economy and Development Council on Tuesday approved refinements to the Metro Rail Transit 7 project and adjusted the terms for a fleet of fast patrol crafts on Tuesday.

Department of Economy, Planning and Development Secretary Arsenio Balisacan said the council, chaired by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., updated the MRT-7 technical specifications to resolve implementation delays. The rail project is now more than 85 percent complete and is scheduled to begin operations by 2027.

Once operational, the MRT7 is expected to reduce travel time between Quezon City and Bulacan from three hours to 35 minutes. The line will serve an estimated 850,000 passengers daily.

“The approval of the refinements

A J-lay Flowline End Terminal (FLET) is carefully lowered from the Audacia pipelay vessel and precisely installed on the seabed at a depth of 690 meters. The FLET serves as a critical connection point between subsea flowlines and production infrastructure, marking a key milestone in the integration of the Malampaya Phase 4 subsea system and enabling the safe and efficient transport of natural gas.

for MRT-7 implementation marks a critical step forward in finally delivering this long-overdue project,” Balisacan said.

“By addressing its current challenges, we are now in a stronger position to push toward its completion,” he said.

The council also modified the Department of Transportation and Philippine Coast Guard plan to acquire 40 fast patrol crafts.

The P31.8-billion project, funded by an official development assistance loan from France, required cost and timeline adjustments due to foreign exchange fluctuations and finalized

financing arrangements.

The patrol crafts are intended to boost maritime law enforcement against smuggling and illegal activities while improving disaster response and search-and-rescue capabilities.

“As we continuously face global uncertainties that persistently challenge our economy, we

Malampaya Phase 4 starts subsea pipelaying to secure gas supply

By Alena Mae S. Flores

MALAMPAYA Phase 4 (MP4) is advancing with subsea pipelaying and offshore construction in northwest Palawan to integrate new gas resources into the national energy grid, operator Prime Energy Resources Development B.V. said Tuesday.

The current phase follows a successful drilling campaign under the government’s extension of Service Contract 38 (SC 38). The campaign confirmed two new gas resources intended to bolster the energy security of the Philippines.

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. confirmed the successful drilling and testing of the Malampaya East-1 well in January and the Camago-3 well in March. Both wells are expected to sustain production from the Malampaya gas field.

Prime Energy said subsea pipeline

works have made substantial progress in parallel with these developments. The project marks the first time since 2000 that offshore pipes are being installed in deep water within the Philippines.

Offshore construction vessel Audacia completed the installation of the Malampaya East and Camago flowlines. These lines will connect the new wells to the existing production system to transport indigenous natural gas.

The Fortitude offshore construction vessel also installed key subsea infrastructure, including flowline end terminations, foundations and protective mattresses. In a technical milestone, 30-meter piles were driven into the seabed at a depth of about 1,100 meters using advanced hydraulic hammering technology.

“Recent milestones from drilling to subsea installation reflect the steady

advancement of Malampaya Phase 4 toward full system integration,” Prime Energy said. The SC 38 consortium is led by Prime Energy and includes UC38 LLC, Prime Oil & Gas Inc., and PNOC Exploration Corp. The project remains on track to deliver first gas by the fourth quarter of 2026. Once completed, MP4 is expected to extend the productive life of the Malampaya field by an estimated 6 years. Upcoming works include the installation of umbilicals for power and hydraulic control. The next major stage involves commissioning and hook-up, including flowline pressure testing and the installation of subsea jumpers to connect the wells to the main manifold.

Prime Energy is a subsidiary of Prime Infra, the infrastructure arm of businessman Enrique Razon Jr.

consider this a crucial project in strengthening the country’s maritime security, disaster response, and law enforcement capabilities,” Balisacan said.

Balisacan said the approvals reflect the government’s effort to ensure major infrastructure delivers high economic and social returns through efficient implementation.

TUESDAY, MAY 5, 2026

Agri stakeholders warn of food crisis

Stocks drop on hot inflation, ME tensions

By Jenniffer B. Austria

Campos

PHILIPPINE stocks tumbled

The downturn followed news that the April consumer price index jumped 7.1 percent, marking a three-year high.

investors monitored the Strait of Hormuz, a critical waterway for global energy supplies.

0.11 percent, respectively.

Tuesday after April inflation data exceeded expectations, triggering concerns over further interest rate hikes, while escalating tensions between the US and Iran weighed on regional sentiment.

HILIPPINE agriculture stakeholders warned of looming food crisis as farmers and fisherfolk hesitate to begin the May planting season due fuel prices and insufficient government intervention.

AB Capital Securities said the surge “sharply beat estimates and reinforced fears of more hawkish Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas and further rate hikes.”

Bank of the Philippine Islands lead economist Emilio Neri Jr. noted that while core inflation remains below 4 percent, risks of second-round effects are mounting.

representatives said during a Department of Agriculture public consul27 that many producers are delaying planting until the government urgent rescue plan. High petroleum prices have raised logistics, post-harvest costs to unsustainable levels, creating conditions stakedescribed as worse than those seen during the COVID-19 pandemic. four weeks are critical for farmers deciding on whether to plant or participant said. leaders said that while other ASEAN nations have already implementmeasures,

The benchmark Philippine Stock Exchange index shed 44.08 points, or 0.74 percent, to finish at 5,898.08, erasing gains from a positive morning session. The broader all-shares index fell 12.21 points, or 0.37 percent, to 3,337.40.

He cited elevated oil prices, potential wage increases and transport fare adjustments as primary concerns.

Regional markets also felt the pressure as a fragile ceasefire between the US and Iran appeared to buckle. Equities in Hong Kong, Singapore, Mumbai and Bangkok retreated as

The geopolitical friction intensified after US President Donald Trump announced “Project Freedom,” a mission intended to escort neutral ships out of the Gulf.

Tensions spiked further following reports of naval skirmishes and a missile strike on an energy installation in the United Arab Emirates.

“The response from Tehran has been equally clear, signalling that any proximity to its strategic perimeter will be met with force,” SPI Asset Management Stephen Innes said.

In Manila, sectoral performance remained mixed. Mining and oil stocks led the decline with a 2.07 percent drop, while the financial sector fell 1.75 percent. Property and industrial indices managed slight gains of 0.19 percent and

BEAUTY TRAINING. Graduates of the first batch of the Ricky Reyes Learning Institute, in partnership with the Asia-Pacific Hairdressers and Cosmetologists Association (APHCA), are recognized during their graduation ceremony, in Anonas, Quezon City. The program, led by Ricky Reyes, provided trainees with internationally reviewed and validated instruction in first aid, sanitation and cleanliness, customer relations, beauty culture and care, child and adult caregiving and special performing arts. Norman Cruz

Despite the broader sell-off, foreign investors remained net buyers with inflows totaling P36 million. Value turnover for the session reached P4.6 billion.

The Philippine peso remained largely stable, closing at 61.55 against the US dollar, compared to 61.56 on Monday.

Global oil prices saw a slight retreat Tuesday but maintained most of the significant gains from the previous session. West Texas Intermediate fell more than 2 percent to hover just below $104, while Brent shed more than 1 percent to trade around $113.

Wells Fargo Investment Institute Darrell Cronk warned that even if the immediate crisis is contained, energy markets and industrial activity would likely require time to normalize.

METROPOLITAN Bank & Trust Co. reported a net income of P12.6 billion in the first quarter of 2026, boosted by a surge in lending activity, better margins and higher fee-based earnings. The lender’s net interest income climbed 13.6 percent to P33.4 billion as its

improved by 12 basis points to 3.7

the

closure on

Gross

panded 9.2

year-on-year, supported by an 8.6 percent rise in corporate and commercial lending and an 11.2 percent jump in consumer loans. “Our first quarter results underscore the resilience of Metrobank’s core businesses and the consistency of our execution,” Metrobank president Fabian Dee said. “With strong capitalization, solid asset quality and healthy buffers, we remain well-positioned to manage risks while continuing to support the growth and funding needs of our customers,” he said. Total consolidated assets rose 8.3 percent to P3.8 trillion, maintaining Metrobank’s position as the second-largest private universal bank in the Philippines. Total equity increased 5.1 percent to P396.4 billion. Total deposits reached P2.6 trillion, with low-cost current and savings accounts growing 8.4 percent to represent 59.2 percent of the total. The bank reported a loan-to-deposit ratio of 76.6 percent. Fee and trust income rose 11.8 percent to P5.1 billion, which mitigated the impact of weaker trading gains caused by market volatility. Meanwhile, operating expenses increased 9.8 percent to P21.1 billion, a rise the bank attributed to higher transaction-related taxes and technology investments. These costs resulted in a cost-to-income ratio of 52.5 percent. The bank said it maintained stable asset quality with

Cebu shows resilience, readiness for ASEAN Summit 2026

By Minerva Newman

CEBU CITY—Almost a year after a powerful earthquake tested its foundations, Cebu is set to rise on the regional stage when it hosts the ASEAN Summit 2026 this week—with the “Queen City of the South” positioning itself as proof that beauty, business, and resilience can thrive together.

“ASEAN will see that the Queen City of the South is as beautiful as ever—and stronger. We rebuilt schools, churches, and markets faster because the government and private sector moved as one. That’s the Cebuano spirit we want ASEAN to experience,” said Cebu City Mayor Nestor Archival.

The powerful 6.9 magnitude temblor that hit Cebu on Sept. 30, 2025 killed at least 79 people and injured 1,271 others. Tens of thousands of homes and public property, including centuries-old churches, were damaged.

Local leaders say the recovery has become part of Cebu’s pitch to visitors and investors: “As beautiful as ever” after the quake.

The Cebu Provincial government, the cities of Cebu City, Mandaue and Lapu-lapu, national agencies and the Cebu Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCCI) are aligning

to welcome ASEAN ministers, business leaders, and journalists.

Delegates are set to tour the newly reinforced Basilica Minore del Santo Niño, Fort San Pedro, and upgraded port facilities at Cebu International Port—all symbols of a city that preserved heritage while modernizing. Engineers and urban planners from Japan and Singapore who assisted in post-quake retrofitting will join a resilience forum.

“We are capable,” said Cebu Governor Pamela Baricuatro emphasizing the importance of cooperation among government agencies, local government units, and the public in demonstrating Cebu’s capability as an international host.

When asked what to showcase to ASEAN delegates, Baricuatro cited lechon as a top choice, saying it reflects the province’s rich food heritage and hospitality.

“This is a momentous event. Cebu is featured among all the 82 provinces. Cebu has been chosen. That alone will inspire us to do our best, and let’s be hospitable to our guests. If there are delegates, give them a smile. Give them the warmest Cebuano welcome,” said the governor.

Cebu City Mayor Nestor Archival cited security as the top priority, adding that maintaining cleanliness and smooth traffic flow is equally crucial.

Archival has ordered a massive cleanup drive and infrastructure improvements to present the city

as a model of urban discipline ahead of the ASEAN Tourism Forum. Mandaue City Mayor Thadeo Ouano Jr. cited ongoing infrastructure upgrades, including road asphalting, improved street lighting, and solar installations along key transit routes.

Cebu’s might: Trade, tech, and creatives

Under the theme “ASEAN: Connected, Resilient, Creative,” Cebu’s agenda leans into its economic strengths. The province contributes roughly six percent to national GDP and anchors the Visayas trade corridor.

Trade and logistics: With Cebu International Container Port (CICP) expansion and the Metro Cebu Expressway gaining ground, Cebu will showcase itself as a transshipment hub. A ministerial meeting on ASEAN supply chain integration is slated at NUSTAR Convention Center. Creative industries: Home to game development studios, animators, and BPO-backed design firms, Cebu will host the ASEAN Creative Economy Dialogue that aims to position Cebuano talent as the region’s go-to for outsourcing and original IP. Turn to B6

All systems go for PH hosting of 48th ASEAN Summit

By Charles Dantes and Katrina Manubay

THE Philippines is all set to host the 48th Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit and Related Meetings in Cebu on May 6 to 8, the ASEAN National Organizing Council (NOC) said Tuesday during the opening of the International Media Center (IMC).

The IMC will serve as the central hub for local and foreign media covering the high-level ASEAN meetings across various parts of Cebu.

ASEAN NOC Director-General Ma. Hellen De La Vega said the summit proper will open on May 8, preceded by a series of ASEAN senior officials meetings from May 6 to 7. President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., together with leaders of Brunei Darussalam, Indonesia and Malaysia, will also meet for the Special Brunei Darussalam-Indonesia-Malaysia-

East ASEAN Growth Area (BIMP-EAGA) Summit in

on May 7.

In a press conference at the IMC at Mactan World Museum, De La Vega said the Philippines is also

“ready for any contingency” ahead of a tropical cyclone forecast to enter the Philippine Area of Responsibility on May 9 or 10. De La Vega said austerity measures are in place to keep the ASEAN summit hosting practical, but the Philippines expects a fruitful meeting among the attending leaders, who will focus on key deliverables on energy, economic and food security, among others.

“As we carry out our international commitment, we continue to be mindful of our place in the scheme of things,” she said.

“The unprecedented realities remind us that our preparations must continue to strike a prudent balance—one that upholds the high standards expected of the ASEAN Chairship, while ensuring that national and natural resources are utilized responsibly, sustainably, compassionately, and accountable for our people’s needs,” she added.

Presidential Communications

Office Acting Secretary Dave Gomez, for his part, assured the agency’s full support to enable timely reporting and seamless coverage.

“This International Media Center is more than just a workspace. It is a strategic hub designed to support and empower your crucial role in covering one of the most significant regional gatherings this year,” Gomez said during the opening ceremony in Lapu-Lapu City.

The center features workstations, high-speed internet, briefing rooms, and technical support services, alongside an International Broadcast Center equipped with broadcast booths, live reporting positions and a centralized master control room for signal distribution to accredited media organizations.

Gomez said the government established the facility to ease logistical challenges faced by journalists covering high-level summits, including tight deadlines and rapidly evolving schedules.

“The purpose of this center is straightforward: to help you get the story out,” he said.

The media center will also host regular briefings and provide access to official documents, statements and updates, supported by liaison officers assisting with accreditation, scheduling and logistics.

The IMC is expecting an estimated 800 to 1,000 local and international media.

Cebu shows...

“From furniture to film, Cebu creates,” says CCCI President, Regan Rex King. MSMEs and tourism: Post-quake tourism rebounded to 95% of pre-quake arrivals by fourth quarter of 2025, driven by Mactan-Cebu International Airport Terminal 2 and new direct flights. A showcase on “Disaster-Resilient Tourism” will highlight how small resorts and tour operators bounced back, according to DOT-7 regional director Gelena Impas. Security, infrastructure ready The Philippine National Police Region (PNP-7) and AFP Central Command confirmed full security deployment, citing Cebu’s track record hosting APEC 2015 and ASEAN 2017 meetings. Mactan-Cebu International Airport (MCIA) has completed its ASEAN Fast Lane for delegates, while hotels from SRP to Mactan have been accredited under

From B5 DOT’s “ASEAN-Ready” program. Road upgrades along S. Osmeña Blvd. and the Cebu-Cordova Link Expressway (CCLEX) will ease delegate movement. “We’ve stresstested our traffic and emergency response systems since the quake. We’re ready,” said Office of Civil Defense (OCD-7) regional director, Joel Mamon. For Cebuano business leaders, the summit is more than pageantry. The Philippines is pushing to cut its $2.3-billion pharmaceutical trade deficit and grow local manufacturing-goals where Cebu’s PEZA zones and planned “Pharmazones” play a role. ASEAN meetings here will also tackle healthcare supply chains, a nod to lessons from both the pandemic and the 2025 quake.

“Hosting ASEAN is Cebu’s chance to show we’re not just a tourist spot. We’re a manufacturing base, a creative hub, and a model for bouncing back,” said a Cebuano businessman.

‘More

reasons to come back’

Clark redefines itself for new generation of tourists

expectedly rich in insight.

By Peter Paul Duran

CLARK, Pampanga

-- Clark has always been easy to pass through.

For years, it has served as a gateway. It is efficient, accessible, and reliably along the way when the need for a pitstop arises on trips to the many tourism destinations in Northern Luzon.

But that role is beginning to shift. Not abruptly, but deliberately—shaped by a growing mix of experiences that now give travelers a reason to pause, stay, and return.

Over lunch, in between stories, side remarks, and quiet observations, Clark Development Corporation (CDC) President Agnes Devanadera offered glimpses into how the destination is evolving.

Lunch at Consuelo by Chef Vince Garcia was sumptuous, filling, and un-

“Food here in Pampanga is not just a recipe. It’s heritage. May kuwento ‘yan,” Devanadera said as Manila Standard, led by Publisher Rolando Estabillo, and two other national outlets sat with the amiable CDC chief inside a private room at the Barn House in Parade Grounds.

The menu reflected the restaurant’s grounding in Filipino and Kapampangan cuisine, presented with a level of refinement that did not take away from its familiarity.

Beyond the meal itself, the setting underscored a larger shift in Clark’s tourism direction.

Spaces like Consuelo are not built just for dining, but for experience.

No longer defined by access alone, this is true for the entire Freeport. Experiences and stories are being built around it—connected not just to the food of the province, but to its culture, its people, and the growing sense of place it now offers.

“We want to provide more reasons for people to come back,” Devanadera said, referring to the steady developments taking shape across the Freeport.

That idea runs parallel to how Clark has been positioning itself in recent years. Known primarily for its international airport and accessibility, the destination is now building layers around that strength, turning convenience into a more complete experience.

This becomes clear when traveling to the more familiar scenic routes and destinations in the north. Now, there are more reasons to stay and make Clark part of the itinerary or even the itinerary itself.

Today, Clark connects to 22 destinations with more than 300 weekly flights, supported by major road networks such as NLEX, SCTEX, and TPLEX. Within the Freeport, most places are just minutes apart, allowing movement to feel seamless.

But Clark is no longer just about getting in and out.

That shift is becoming more visible.

Spaces are being shaped not only for visitors passing through, but for those who choose to linger.

Pampanga has long been known as the culinary capital of the Philippines. Official or unofficial, Kapampangan cuisine has always carried that reputation, continuing to draw people in. But as Devanadera pointed out, another layer is emerging.

“Clark is becoming a coffee capital,” she said, referring to the growing number of cafés across the area, now numbering more than 40.

It is a shift that reflects a broader change. Clark is becoming a place where people do not just arrive and leave, but stay, explore, and return.

That identity is also rooted in culture.

“Nakakaproud ang mga homegrown ng Pampanga,” Devanadera said, speaking about the artists, musicians, and creatives who continue to shape the region’s identity. At one point, she added with enthusiasm, “Ako na yung unang fan ng Kapampangan,” referring to the local music and arts scene.

This focus on local talent is not incidental. It is part of how Clark is building its character, alongside its infrastructure. Events like the Aurora Music Festival,

held just days after the lunch, reinforce this direction. The two-day event drew around 80,000 attendees per day, turning Clark into a space not just for gatherings, but for shared experiences rooted in culture and creativity.

To understand the depth of this rise, one only has to look back.

“Pinatubo devastated this area, but look at it now,” Devanadera remarked.

Today, Clark stands as proof of how far it has come. From destruction to development, it has steadily rebuilt itself into a destination that continues to expand in both scale and purpose.

That transformation is now being recognized globally. Clark was named Asia’s Leading Meetings and Conference Destination for 2025, strengthening its position in the MICE sector. It also remains the only destination in the Philippines that is part of the International Congress and Convention Association, placing it among key global players in business events.

Yet even as Clark grows on the international stage, its strength lies in how it continues to build from within.

More than a cooking showdown for modern moms

By Lyschelle Joy Armijo

AS Mother’s Day approaches, Clash of Kawali 2026 Mother’s Day Edition by Manila Standard is set to offer more than just a test of culinary skills. It becomes a space where motherhood in its many forms is recognized, celebrated, and shared.

Happening this Saturday at Luxent Hotel, the event will bring together four pairs of mothers and their children. Each duo will step into the kitchen not only as competitors, but as partners navigating time, teamwork, and connection.

Among the participants are Julie Ann Gallaron Mantac and her son Jhayden Ralph Mantac, the Escuadros, Reylen P. Castro with her daughter Esther C. Florentino, and Erica Yu-Bonifacio with her son Ayji Landen Yu-Bonifacio. While the competition will test their creativity and coordination, many of them are entering with a different goal in mind: to create meaningful memories.

For Tess Escuadro, joining the contest is about embracing a new dynamic with her child.

“This is our first time to join this kind of contest and we are both excited because we both love to cook, even simple recipes. That day, I’m not just a mama—I’m his teammate. I get to guide him and witness his growing confidence. In this event, we hope to create forever memories—laughter,

simple mistakes, patience, love, and most of all, teamwork.”

Her words reflect the evolving role of modern mothers, who often balance responsibilities at home, work, and personal passions. In the middle of these demands, opportunities to slow down and connect with their children become even more meaningful.

For Reylen P. Castro, the competition serves as a simple yet valuable bonding moment ahead of Mother’s Day.

“Bonding na rin namin yun before Mother’s Day. Mamimili kami sa market, matututunan niya yung mga products na gagamitin namin, tapos matututo siya talagang magluto. Hindi kami nag-a-aim manalo—we just want to enjoy the moment na magkasama kami.”

Her perspective highlights a familiar Filipino truth: pagkain and pamilya are deeply connected. In many homes, the kitchen is more than a place to cook—it is where lessons are passed down and relationships are strengthened.

As the day of the competition draws near, Clash of Kawali promises not only a lively showdown, but a meaningful reminder of what motherhood looks like today—resilient, nurturing, and ever-evolving. Even before the first dish is served, one thing is already clear.

This is why Clash of Kawali matters.

WEDNESDAY, MAY 6, 2026

lifeandshow.manilastandard@gmail.com

NICKIE WANG, Editor

ANGELICA VILLANUEVA, Writer

JASPER VALDEZ, Writer

UNIS member Elisia Parmisano expressed hope that the group will one day perform at major international festivals, including global stages such as Coachella.

The 17-year-old main vocalist of the K-pop girl group was in Manila on vacation and met members of the local entertainment press for the first time since joining the act.

“We want to expand our exposure and perform on the world stage,” the teen idol told Manila Standard Entertainment. “It would be an honor for us to perform at something like Coachella, when the right time comes.”

On the growing visibility of Filipino talent abroad, she shared that she feels both pride and a sense of responsibility as one of the faces of Pinoy pride on the international stage.

“It’s really something to be proud of,” she said in Filipino and English. “Together with other Filipino artists performing globally, we’re able to open doors, especially for younger dreamers. I hope more Filipinos will have the opportunity to stand on the global stage.” Looking back, she said her child-

How UNIS’ Elisia Parmisano carries Pinoy pride on her sleeves

hood goal was simple: to make people happy. That mindset, she added, still anchors her work today as a performer.

“My biggest dream was really to make people happy,” she chimed.

“Now that I’m here doing what I love, it feels fulfilling. I’m proud not just of myself but of the people who support me.”

Elisia also spoke about joining the group and adapting to its multinational setup, saying shared goals helped bridge cultural differences.

“What really united us was our shared dream. Even if we come from different cultures, our passion brought us together. In a group, you have to move as one,” Elisa explained.

She noted that the group performs in multiple languages and is open to exploring Filipino music in the future.

“We did a cover of a Filipino song before, and if the opportunity comes, we’d love to do a Tagalog song.”

Elisia also named actress Marian Rivera and singer Regine Velasquez as her artistic inspirations.

She began acting at age eight and later trained as a K-pop trainee in South Korea at 13. As part of UNIS,

Crime drama heads for release with ensemble cast

formed through SBS’s Universe Ticket, she said her Filipino identity plays a key role in her artistry.

“I think Filipinos are really dedicated and loyal to their work,” she said. “We’re also brave when it comes to taking risks. Even auditioning in another country, I carried that Filipino courage with me.”

She also pointed to Filipino warmth and friendliness as traits that stand out internationally.

“There’s a charm in how friendly Filipinos are. We’re always happy, always bright. In a good way, we don’t go unnoticed.”

Beyond training, she said her performance style is influenced by Filipino icons and family traditions.

“Singing with feelings is something I learned at home. It’s not just about the voice, but putting your heart into it.”

While she continues individual activities, she emphasized her focus remains on the group’s growth and future opportunities.

“I would be super glad to take new opportunities if they come,” she expressed. “We’re always looking forward to what’s ahead for us.”

A CRIME drama series inspired by global hits such as Narcos is set for release this year.

Titled Drug War: A Conspiracy of Silence, the project comes as Filipino creators continue to expand into internationally focused storytelling.

The limited series, now in the final stages of post-production, is executive produced by Emmy Award-winning producers from KC Global Media in collaboration with Rein Entertainment, the company behind the awardwinning series Bagman

The story follows a guilt-stricken priest, played by Ian Veneracion, who teams up with a troubled policewoman portrayed by Jane Oineza to investigate the death of his missing protégé, played by Harvey Bautista

Their inquiry draws them into a web of competing loyalties, raising questions about justice, faith, and personal conviction.

The cast also includes Romnick Sarmenta, Yayo Aguila, Lotlot de Leon, and John Arcilla, who won the Volpi Cup for best actor at the Venice Film Festival. The series is written and directed by Shugo Praico

Producers said the project aims to deliver a character-driven portrayal of the drug war within a Filipino context, as local studios seek to produce stories with broader international appeal.

Troubled pop star pleads to reduced charge in reckless driving case

BRITNEY Spears on Monday admitted reckless driving involving alcohol under a plea deal that lets her avoid jail.

The “Toxic” singer was arrested in March after police saw her driving erratically on a freeway in Ventura County near Los Angeles. She had originally faced a DUI charge but accepted a reduced charge of reckless driving involving alcohol, drugs or both.

A Ventura court sentenced the 44-year-old to 12 months’ probation, her lawyer Michael Goldstein said.

“She’s going to do well, and we all root for Britney,” Goldstein told reporters, adding that the deal helps close the case. As part of the agreement, Spears must complete a substance abuse program and meet with mental health professionals. She is also required to have a valid prescription for any medication in her possession.

Prosecutors did not disclose what substances were involved, and her lawyer declined to comment.

Ventura County District Attorney Erik Nasarenko said the plea deal followed standard practice for firsttime DUI-related cases with no injuries or crash, citing her cooperation and willingness to seek treatment.

The case marks another legal milestone in a turbulent career that saw Spears rise to

conservatorship that

SHOWBIZ

By Nickie Wang

THERE’S an Eraserheads documentary, and audiences can

soon “Netflix and Chill” about it.

Eraserheads: Combo On The Run will debut globally on Netflix on May 30, reaching viewers in more than 190 countries.

The streaming release will feature a reworked cut of the film with previously unseen footage, additional material, and a refined edit to expand the band’s story while maintaining its original structure.

Director-producer Maria Diane

Ventura described the global rollout as “incredibly humbling,” saying the release offers a chance to share the band’s legacy and Filipino story with viewers worldwide. She said audiences have responded to the film on a personal level, citing themes of healing and national pride.

Ventura said the updated version was developed to make the film more accessible to international viewers by adding context on the cultural backdrop that shaped the band’s rise.

She said the changes were intended to refine, rather than alter, the original

Iconic Pinoy band docu goes global on Netflix Streaming

narrative.

“The re-edit was not about changing the story but about refining how it’s told,” Ventura shared. “We want to make sure the emotional throughline remains strong while shaping it in a way that feels more expansive and accessible.”

The documentary traces the history and influence of the Eraserheads in Philippine pop culture while exploring themes of friendship, conflict, identity, and reconciliation. It aims to present a story that resonates across cultures and generations.

in

Top five moments from the Met Gala

The Met Gala transformed New York’s Metropolitan Museum of Art into a glittering charity runway, drawing A-list actors, musicians, athletes, artists and designers for fashion’s most watched night.

Here are five standout moments: Queen Bey

As arrivals stretched on, anticipation built for Beyonce’s entrance. When she finally arrived, she delivered a showstopper.

She wore a diamond skeleton gown with skin-toned mesh beneath, bejeweled bones extending to her fingertips, designed by Olivier Rousteing. A feathered coat and intricate headpiece completed the look.

Jay-Z joined her in a black tux and tails, while Blue Ivy Carter wore a strapless cream dress with a voluminous train and matching jacket.

“It feels surreal because my daughter’s here,” Beyonce told Vogue.

Saint Laurent everywhere

Designer Anthony Vaccarello, a co-leader of the host committee, had his imprint across the carpet.

Zoe Kravitz, Kate Moss, and Connor Storrie all wore Saint Laurent, while Doja Cat appeared in a draped latex gown with a waist-high slit.

Singer Rose opted for a strapless black dress with a high slit and a large bird brooch.

Music divas meet K-pop

Icons Madonna, Cher, Stevie Nicks, and Rihanna shared the spotlight with K-pop stars including Blackpink’s Jennie, Rose, Lisa, and Jisoo Madonna wore a Saint Laurent slip dress with a cape and towering ship hat. Cher chose a leatherand-lace Burberry look, while Nicks appeared in deep blue with a matching top hat.

EJAE, known for “Golden,” wore a Swarovski silver column dress with Korean binyeo hairpins.

‘Heated Rivalry’ stars on fire Connor Storrie and Hudson Williams, breakout stars of Heated Rivalry, drew attention again.

Storrie wore a black Saint Laurent suit with a trailing dotted shirt detail. Williams appeared in a pale blue Balenciaga suit with a cropped jacket and bare chest, finished with a flowing black train.

Pure whimsy

Embracing the “Fashion is Art” theme, several guests went bold.

Gwendoline Christie wore a red Giles Deacon gown with feathered hat details. Naomi Osaka debuted in a Robert Wun look, revealing a red crystal-studded gown underneath a white coat.

Rihanna returned in a sculptural silver Maison Margiela gown with an Art Deco headpiece.

NARNIA: The Magician’s Nephew will debut on the big screen on Feb. 12, 2027, and arrive on Netflix on April 2. The platform had initially planned to release the production in IMAX this November — a month before it landed on the streaming service.

Netflix, whose business model relies on continuous at-home viewing, has previously released films on the big screen. Last year, K-Pop Demon Hunters , which won two Oscars, enjoyed a successful theatrical run in select cinemas two months after its premiere on the platform.

Ben Platt wore a suit inspired by A Sunday on La Grande Jatte, while Heidi Klum appeared as a marble-like statue in a sculpted white gown. AFP

Amid industry concerns sparked by its interest in acquiring Warner Bros. Discovery, Netflix CEO Ted Sarandos noted he was willing to honor the 45-day theatrical window that the storied studio had traditionally reserved. In March, after Netflix withdrew from a bidding war with Paramount, Sarandos met with theater owners in a meeting that yielded nothing concrete, but was described as “constructive.”

Narnia: The Magician’s Nephew is an adaptation of the novel The Magician’s Nephew by C.S. Lewis, first published in 1955. The film is directed by Greta

Gerwig , who also oversaw the smash hits Barbie and Little Women and welcomed Netflix’s scheduling decision.

“Working with Netflix to bring this film to life has been extraordinary and IMAX continues to be an incredible partner,” she added. “I cannot wait for people to see the film in theaters on Feb. 12 and on Netflix on April 2,” she said. Young actors David McKenna

and

the

WEDNESDAY, MAY 6, 2026

lifeandshow.manilastandard@gmail.com

NICKIE WANG,

Editor

ANGELICA VILLANUEVA,

JASPER VALDEZ,

Writer

Writer

By Angelica Villanueva

FOR many office workers and commuters in Makati, the Paseo de Roxas underpass has become part of their daily routine. Now, that familiar route has taken on a different atmosphere as a massive new mural fills the tunnel with scenes of culture, environmental advocacy, and everyday Filipino resilience.

Unveiled by Security Bank as a tribute to its decade-long partnership with MUFG Bank, the mural reimagines one of the city’s busiest pedestrian corridors through the lens of community, resilience, and environmental responsibility.

Filipino artist and environmental advocate A.G. Saño, together with a team of 16 artists, spent several months creating the large-scale artwork that now spans the underpass.

For Saño, the mural is designed to make sustainability feel less abstract and more connected to daily life.

“Public spaces like this are where people from all walks of life cross paths every day. Through this mural, we wanted to reflect how people, the environment, and shared responsibility are connected through real experiences shaped by collaboration,” Saño said.

The artwork moves through different themes tied to social development and sustainability. One section illustrates how individuals react to disasters and strive to restore their communities, while another highlights renewable energy, featuring images of children advocating for solar power beneath a large sun shaped like a mandala.

Saño also pays tribute to teachers in the southern Philippines, whom he described as resilient figures serving communities in difficult conditions.

“My team had been doing a lot of projects and missions in the southern Philippines. And we wanted to pay trib-

Immersive mural of community and change LIFE

Public art takes over Paseo de Roxas underpass

ute to the amazing, resilient teachers who we also consider as heroes for our children, for our learners,” Saño said. Elsewhere in the tunnel, indigenous craftsmanship, entrepreneurship, food sustainability, and cultural heritage appear alongside references to the United Nations Sustainable Develop-

ment Goals. Cherry blossoms scattered across the underpass symbolize the partnership between Filipinos and Japanese communities over the past decade.

The mural builds on the site’s earlier 2019 installation, “Art in Defense of Mother Nature,” while introducing a new visual direction centered on the “3Ps” of sustain-

ability—people, planet, and prosperity. “This mural is our way of honoring a decade of partnership with MUFG. It reflects not only what we have built together, but how we have chosen to build it—with a shared commitment to responsibility, long-term value, and meaningful impact beyond bank-

ing,” said Victor Lee Meng Teck, president and CEO of Security Bank. For the thousands who pass through the underpass daily, the artwork now functions as both a public gallery and a quiet reminder of the stories, communities, and shared responsibilities moving alongside city life.

Heritage Without Borders 2026 calls for stronger heritage protection in PH

HERITAGE advocates, conservators, museum curators, academics, government officials, and cultural workers gathered in Quezon City for a conference focused on strengthening heritage protection in the Philippines through conservation, policy enforcement, and public engagement.

The one-day conference on April 20 was followed by a five-day lecture series on painting conservation at the National Library of the Philippines from April 21 to 25.

Organized by Sanfo 101 with Art Conservation Education of the Netherlands, the National Library of the Philippines, and the Quezon City Tourism Department, the program provided a platform to discuss preserving cultural property amid environmental and human-made threats.

Participants included conservators, museum professionals, and heritage advocates, highlighting concerns over the protection of monuments, historic sites, and cultural collections.

Quezon City Councilor Tany Joe L. Calalay opened the conference, while Sanfo 101 founder Pearle R. Saprid welcomed delegates.

Saprid cited her experience seeing the Gomburza Monument in Padre Burgos vandalized years after its creation by her father, sculptor Solomon Saprid, saying heritage protection should extend beyond nationally recognized works to include community memory.

“Heritage is not only about the celebrated monuments that make it to the national registry,” Saprid said in prepared remarks. “It

is also about the countless works, the overlooked collections, and the families who hold the memory of artists in their hearts.”

Speakers included Gemma Cruz Araneta, Kate Seymour of Art Conservation Education and chair of the ICOM-CC Directory Board, representatives of ICOM Philippines, architect Ysa Peñas, and lawyer Evecar Cruz-Ferrer

Sessions tackled disaster preparedness, conservation practice, heritage law, and the protection of historic sites. An open forum highlighted calls for stronger enforcement and wider public awareness.

Organizers said better coordination among institutions is needed to safeguard cultural assets.

From April 21 to 24, Seymour led lectures at the National Library on painting conservation techniques, including dry cleaning, aqueous cleaning, solvent strategies, and gel and emulsion methods.

A workshop allowed participants to apply the techniques, followed by a museum case study on April 25 in Quezon City.

The program emphasized conservation methods suited to the Philippines’ tropical conditions and the exchange of international best practices.

Organizers said conservation should be treated as a civic responsibility requiring education, institutional support, and public participation.

Sanfo 101 is an art conservation training center in the Philippines focused on restoring paintings, wood, paper, ceramics, and textiles through hands-on methods.