Comelec extends overseas online voting to May 10
THE Commission on Elections
(Comelec) has extended for three days the enrollment period for overseas Filipino voters who want to cast their votes in the May 2025 midterm elections via the Online Voting and Counting System (OVCS).
In Minute Resolution No. 25-0544, the Comelec en banc said the deadline of enrollment for those who would like to vote online has been moved from its original date of May 7 to May 10.
“The Commission resolves to approve the request of the Office for Overseas Voting (OFOV)... to extend the prevoting enrollment period from 07 May 2025 to 10 May 2025, 11:59 PM (Philippine time),” it said. The poll body said this is to encourage more Filipino voters abroad to enroll in the system, noting the “multiple requests” for extension it received from various Filipino communities abroad.
As of May 3, the total number of OVCS pre-voting enrollees was at 134,474.
“Said number represents only 11.01% of the total registered overseas voters falling under OVCS Posts (1,220,942),” the Comelec said.
Interested parties are encouraged to visit the link https://ov.comelec.gov.ph/enroll to enroll.
The Comelec earlier said pre-voting enrollment is necessary to allow an overseas voter to cast his/her vote under the OVCS. The enrollment period for the OVCS started on March 20, 2025.
Court grants Taguig authority over EMBO public facilities
By Joel E. Zurbano
ATAGUIG City court has issued a Temporary Restraining Order (TRO) requiring the Makati City government to stop obstructing access to and possession of government-owned facilities in the enlisted men’s barrio (EMBO) barangays.
Regional Trial Court Executive Judge Loralie Cruz Datahan issued the TRO on Monday, May 5, enforcing the Supreme Court’s final and executory decision that confirmed Barangays Cembo, South Cembo, Comembo, East Rembo, West
Rembo, Pembo (including Rizal), Pitogo, Post Proper Northside, and Post Proper Southside—collectively known as the EMBOs—are under Taguig’s jurisdiction.
In response, Makati City Administrator Claro Certeza said the city
Brigade and their U.S. Armed Forces counterparts gather for a group photo at the culmination of the Air eld Damage Repair (ADR) and Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) training at various areas
LTO chief suspends license of rider over road rage incident
By Rio N. Araja
LAND Transportation Office chief Vigor Mendoza II yesterday suspended for 90 days the driver’s license of Yanna MotoVlog over her involvement in a road rage incident in Zambales. He directed her to surrender her license and bring her motor bike to the LTO on May 8.
“We imposed a 90-day preventive suspension on her driver’s license as part of the ongoing investigation into the incident. In the light of her absence during the hearing, we mandated her, through her legal counsel, to surrender her driver’s license. That is for her own good,” he said.
LTO-Intelligence and Investigation Division chief Renante Melitante ordered Yanna’s lawyer to surrender her driver’s license
tomorrow at 10 a.m. at the LTO Quezon City.
Yanna Motovlog sent a letter to the LTO apologizing not only to the driver of the pickup and his family as well as to all the people affected by her behavior.
She said she is ready to accept the sanctions to be imposed by the LTO.
The river of the prickup narrated during the hearing that he was supposed to let the incident go but was surprised and was forced to confront Yanna when the group of riders appeared to have waited for him.
It was when he confronted the motorcycle rider that he found out that the rider was a female, the driver said.
The LTO said the motor bike that Yanna Motovlog was riding at the time of the incident was not registered under her name.
PAGASA monitoring two LPAs in Visayas and west of Bataan
THE Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) is monitoring two low-pressure areas that have been causing rainy weather in some parts of the country. An LPA was monitored 190 kilometers east northeast of Borongan City, Eastern Samar on Tuesday at 3 p.m., it said.
The weather bureau said the first LPA has triggered cloudy skies with scattered rains and thunderstorms in the Visayas and Caraga in northern Mindanao. On the other hand, the easterlies are also bringing cloudy skies with scattered rains and thunderstorms over Caraga and partly cloudy to
government will seek the reversal of the TRO.
“Makati shall avail of all legal remedies, whether criminal, civil or administrative, to uphold its rights and hold Taguig and its irresponsible leaders accountable,” Certeza said in a statement yesterday.
The Makati official said Taguig has consistently invoked the Supreme Court decision to commit unlawful acts. He reiterated that the Supreme Court decision was about jurisdiction, not ownership over lots.
“Hindi sinabi ng Korte Suprema na ang mga lupa at struktura na binili,
tinayo at ginagamit ng Makati ay binibigay sa Taguig,” he said.
“Taguig had two years to improve the health services in the EMBOs. They had two years to build their own health centers. But they did not. Makati expressed willingness to sit down and have a dialog with Taguig, but they refused,” he said.
The Order prohibits the Makati local government and its agents from denying Taguig entry to use the properties and facilities in these barangays. It also prevents them from interfering with Taguig’s exclusive possession and operation of these public properties.
ENVIRONMENT VOTE. Representatives of leading environmental groups mark up a giant ballot to ‘vote’ for the most pressing issues surrounding the climate crisis and environment during a short program held in the Quezon Memorial Circle. The groups include the Ecowaste Coalition, Greenpeace Philippines, PANGISDA Pilipinas, Health Care Without Harm, Community Legal Help and Public Interest Center (C-HELP), Mother Earth Foundation, Interfacing Development Interventions for Sustainability (IDIS), BAN Toxics, and Break Free from Plastic (BFFP). Greenpeace
COMRADES-IN-ARMS. Philippine Army engineers from the 53rd Engineer ‘Visayas Builders’
in Cebu.
Hamas says no point in further Gaza ceasefire talks with Israel
GAZA CITY, Palestinian Territories – A senior Hamas official said Tuesday the group was no longer interested in truce talks with Israel and urged the international community to halt Israel’s “hunger war” against Gaza.
“There is no sense in engaging in talks or considering new ceasefire proposals as long as the hunger war and extermination war continue in the Gaza Strip,” Basem Naim told AFP.
He said the world must pressure the government of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to end the “crimes of hunger, thirst, and killings” in Gaza.
In Beijing, China said it opposed Israel’s military actions in Gaza, after its armed forces said expanded operations in the territory would include displacing “most” of its population.
“China is highly concerned about the
current Palestine-Israel situation,” foreign ministry spokesman Lin Jian said, adding: “We oppose Israel’s ongoing military actions in Gaza, and hopes all parties continuously and effectively implement the ceasefire agreement.”
The comments by Naim, a Hamas political bureau member and former Gaza health minister, came a day after Israel’s military said expanded operations in Gaza would include displacing “most” of its population.
They come a day after Israel said its security cabinet approved the military’s plan for expanded operations, which an
Israeli official said would entail “the conquest of the Gaza Strip and the holding of the territories.”
Nearly all of the territory’s inhabitants have been displaced, often multiple times, since the start of the war sparked by Hamas’s Oct. 7, 2023 attack on Israel.
Gaza has been under total Israeli blockade since March 2 and faces a severe humanitarian crisis.
Israel’s military resumed its offensive on the Gaza Strip on March 18, ending a two-month truce.
The spokesperson for Gaza’s civil defence agency, Mahmud Bassal, said Tuesday that three Palestinians including a little girl were killed in Israeli dawn attacks on different areas of Gaza.
A UN spokesman said Monday Secretary-General Antonio Guterres was “alarmed” by the Israeli plan that “will inevitably lead to countless more civilians killed and the further destruction of
Gaza.”
“Gaza is, and must remain, an integral part of a future Palestinian state,” Farhan Haq said. The Israeli decision comes as the UN and aid organizations have repeatedly warned of the humanitarian catastrophe on the ground, with famine again looming. On Monday, a senior Israeli security official said that “a central component of the plan is a large-scale evacuation of the entire Gazan population from the fighting zones... to areas in southern Gaza”.
Military spokesman Effie Defrin said the planned offensive will include “moving most of the population of the Gaza Strip... to protect them”.
French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot in a radio interview on Tuesday called Israel’s plan for a Gaza offensive “unacceptable”, and said its government was “in violation of humanitarian law”. AFP
reservists for the offensive. The Israeli decision comes as the UN and aid organizations have repeatedly
ground, with famine again looming. AFP
Former VP Pence warns Trump’s tariffs could lead to US shortages
WASHINGTON, DC – Former US vice president Mike Monday (Tuesday in Manila) criticized the Trump administration’s policy on tariffs and said potential shortages could lead Americans to “demand a different approach” from the White House.
In a primetime interview with CNN, Pence discussed a range of topics, and criticized his former boss for pardoning nearly all the rioters who had been prosecuted for storming the US Capitol on January 6, 2021.
In his second term, Donald Trump has imposed wide-ranging tariffs on almost all US trading partners, claiming that other countries adopt “unfair” practices and that Washington needs to achieve trade balance with every country.
Pence served as vice president to Trump in his first term, but notably broke with the Republican billionaire over Trump’s claims that the 2020 election was rigged.
Pence said he had “concerns” that Trump’s tariff policies were “essentially new industrial policy that will result in inflation, that will harm consumers and that will ultimately harm the American economy.”
The former VP appeared to disagree with Trump on the Russia-Ukraine war, saying that Russian President Vladimir Putin “only understands power.” AFP
Trump, Carney set for high-stakes meeting today
WASHINGTON, DC – Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney meets Donald Trump on Tuesday (Wednesday Manila time) for the first time since he won reelection on a pledge to stand up to the US president’s tariffs and threats to annex the United States’ northern neighbor.
The 60-year-old Liberal Party leader has said that things cannot be the same with the United States under Trump, and warned not to expect any immediate agreements from the meeting at the White House.
Trump has sparked a major trade war
with Canada, which counts the United States as its main ally and trading partner, while repeatedly making extraordinary calls for Canada to become the 51st US state.
Republican Trump called Carney a “very nice gentleman” after they spoke last week but said on Monday that he was “not sure” what Carney wanted to talk about.
“He’s coming to see me. I’m not sure what he wants to see me about, but I guess he wants to make a deal. Everybody does,” Trump told reporters in the Oval Office.
Trump is set to welcome Carney at 11:30 am (11.30 pm Manila time), followed by lunch and then a meeting in the Oval Office.
Trump slapped general tariffs of 25 percent on Canada and Mexico and sector-specific levies on autos, some of which have been suspended pending negotiations. He has also imposed similar duties on steel and aluminum.
Carney has vowed to remake Canada’s ties with the United States in perhaps its biggest political and economic shift since World War II. AFP
Pulitzers honor coverage of wars in Gaza, Sudan
NEW YORK – Coverage of the wars in Gaza and Sudan, and the attempted assassination of US President Donald Trump, dominated the Pulitzer Prizes announced Monday (Tuesday Manila time) at Columbia University in New York. Considered one of the most prestigious awards in US journalism, the Pulitzers also recognize literature, drama and music.
The core issues of the 2024 US presidential campaign took center stage at the awards, which recognized coverage of Trump and his bloodied ear after a July 13 assassination attempt, as well as the loss of abortion rights for women in the United States.
The Washington Post staff won in the category of breaking news reporting for the paper’s “urgent and illuminating” coverage of the gunshot that wounded Trump during a rally in Pennsylvania.
The prize for public service reporting went to ProPublica’s reporting on the deterioration of US women’s access to abortion and reproductive health care, which profiled pregnant
attributing it to a lack of care under the state’s restrictive abortion laws.
Her death was later discussed by presidential candidate Kamala Harris, who blamed the rollback of women’s rights on the Supreme Court and its conservative majority.
Reuters news agency won in the
Macron to host Syrian president’s European visit
PARIS – French President Emmanuel Macron will host Syrian counterpart Ahmed al-Sharaa Wednesday for the former Islamist rebel’s first European visit, the French presidency told AFP. Macron will “reiterate France’s support for the construction of a new Syria, a free, stable, sovereign Syria that respects all components of Syrian society”, the presidency said Tuesday.
“This meeting is part of France’s historic commitment to the Syrian people who aspire to peace and democracy,” it added.
During the meeting, Macron will emphasize “his demands on the Syrian government, primarily the stabilization of the region, including Lebanon, and the fight against terrorism,” the presidency said.
Macron had first invited Syria’s new interim leader to visit France in February after Islamist-led forces toppled longtime ruler Bashar al-Assad late last year. AFP
Merz to launch govt in turbulent times
BERLIN – Germany’s conservative leader Friedrich Merz is set to be sworn in as chancellor on Tuesday with a mission to revive the ailing economy and boost the diplomatic standing of the EU’s most populous country.
DARTS FROM EVERYWHERE. US Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (DNY) speaks during a press conference on social security in front of the US Capitol on Tuesday (Manila time) in Washington, DC. Democratic members of Congress spoke about how President Donald Trump’s and Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency’s cuts are impacting social security. The press conference coincided with the rimetime interview with CNN by former vice president Mike Pence criticizing his former boss on a wide range of topics. AFP
As US President Donald Trump has upended long-standing security and trade ties and reached out to Russia to end the Ukraine war, Merz has vowed to strengthen Berlin’s role in Europe as it responds to increasingly turbulent times.
“Germany is back on track,” the 69-yearold confidently said in a message to Trump weeks ago after his CDU/CSU alliance agreed to jointly rule Germany with the centre-left Social Democrats (SPD) of outgoing Chancellor Olaf Scholz. But he faces a mountain of challenges from day one, including the rapid rise of the far-right and anti-immigration Alternative for Germany (AfD) party, which took second place in February’s election and has won strong support from Washington. AFP
Flight restrictions were introduced at four airports in Moscow, Russian news agencies reported, citing the Federal Air Transport Agency -- though traffic at the city’s main Sheremetyevo airport remained largely unaffected. Airports were also affected in other cities including Volgograd and Nizhny Novgorod. In a post on Telegram, Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin said debris had fallen on a major avenue in southern Moscow but there was “no damage or casualties” in the city. AFP
NEW OFFENSIVE. Israeli troops deploy at a position near Israel’s border with the Gaza Strip, on Monday. Israel’s security Cabinet approved the expansion of military operations in Gaza including the ‘conquest’ of the Palestinian territory, an official said after the army called up tens of thousands of
warned of the humanitarian catastrophe on the
IN BRIEF
BuCor aims to utilize lands for agriculture
BUREAU of Corrections director gen-
eral Gregorio Pio Catapang Jr. has met with Bureau of Plant Industry (BPI) chief Glen Panganiban in a bid to enhance the agency’s commitment to support the government’s food security program by transforming its vacant lots into productive agricultural spaces and engage inmates in “meaningful work.” Catapang sought Panganiban’s expertise on suitable plants for BuCor’s vast lands.
“We have massive resources of vacant lots in our operating and prison farms nationwide that we really intend to develop and this initiative presents a dual opportunity: enhancing productivity while also aiding rehabilitation, offering a pathway for inmates to reintegrate into society post-release with newfound skills and experience,” Catapang said. The scheme aims to integrate persons deprived of liberty into this transformative process. By involving inmates as manpower, BuCor not only provides them with valuable skills, but also fosters a sense of purpose and contribution to society, Catapang added.
Bataan Freeport Area hosts gala labor event
THE Freeport Area of Bataan (FAB) on Saturday held a post-Labor Day celebration for its workers in collaboration with multiple locators.
Dubbed “FABonggang Selebrasyon para sa Araw ng Manggagawa,” the event featured live music, fun games, and exciting prizes for the FAB employees. The affair kicked off with performance by the band Bad Mesa, followed by OPM rock band Siakol who energized the crowd. Workers also enjoyed interactive games such as Pera o Kahon, FAB Quiz Showdown, and FABingo, with many walking away with great prizes.
Butch Gunio
OCD boosts disaster readiness capability
THE Office of Civil Defense (OCD) has bolstered its disaster preparedness and response capabilities with the unveiling of new vehicles under its ongoing motor vehicle re-fleeting program. A ceremonial blessing for the newly acquired vehicles took place on May 3, led by military priest Lt. Col. Roel Isip. The event was attended by director Caesar Agnir Jr. of the OCD Disaster Preparedness Service, highlighting the agency’s commitment to operational readiness. Earlier this week, Assistant Secretary Bernardo Rafaelito Alejandro IV, Civil Defense deputy administrator, oversaw the completion of the second year of the ambitious five-year program. Running from 2024 to 2028, the initiative aims to modernize the OCD’s mobility fleet to ensure swift and efficient disaster response. The program, managed by the Administrative and Financial Management Service through the General Services Division, delivered significant milestones in its first two years. Rex Espiritu
Taguig cops nab lone suspect in daring bank robbery drama
By Vince Lopez
THE Taguig City police on Monday foiled a daring one-man bank robbery-holdup drama with the arrest of the suspect and recovery of over P7 million in cold cash taken from the bank’s safe.
Initial investigation showed that the 54-year-old suspect whose identity was not immediately disclosed entered the bank at the Veterans compound in Barangay Western Bicutan posing as a regular client.
He then requested to use the restroom, but came out moments later brandishing a loaded 9mm pistol.
The gunman held a 35-year-old female employee at gunpoint while ordering another worker to open the vault.
He instructed the bank’s loan processor to put the money, amounting to P7,464,800, into his camouflage bac pack.
Amid the heist, another female employee discreetly activated an alarm
system that silently sent distress signals to the local police. Law enforcers from Substation 2 reacted swiftly, arrested the suspect, and recovered the loot.
The police also confiscated the suspect’s gun, a 9mm Armscor pistol with nine live bullets.
Criminal charges are now being readied against the gunman, notably robbery-holdup and serious illegal detention for taking hostages.
Southern Police District acting chief Brig. Gen. Joseph Arguelles lauded the Taguig policemen who responded to the incident.
“This successful arrest highlights
the vigilance of the institution’s staff and the rapid, coordinated response of Taguig Police Substation 2. Their professionalism prevented what could have been a far more dangerous situation,” Arguelles said.
National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) director Maj. Gen. Anthony Aberin also commended the alertness and professionalism of the responding team.
“The fast and efficient response of our police officers is a testament to their readiness and dedication to duty. This is how the law is enforced—fast, efficient and without hesitation,” Aberin said.
PCG poised to deploy trained K9s to MRT-3, LRT stations
THE Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) will deploy K9 units to Metro Rail Transit-3 (MRT-3) and Light Rail Transit (LRT) stations to ensure public safety while avoiding long lines at X-ray scanners at the facility.
PCG public affairs chief Commo. Algier Ricafrente gave assurance that they have enough
trained canines to meet the requirements set by the MRT and LRT stations.
Currently, the PCG has 600 trained canines nationwide.
According to Ricafrente, “the PCG has a dog breeding program and in-house training to respond to the increased need for
trained canines.”
He also said the PCG will not volunteer if they feel that they cannot meet the needs of the country’s train stations.
Bomb-sniffing and drug-sniffing dogs will be deployed initially to the elevated rail facilities. Vince Lopez
CHED accredits QC center for children
By Rio N. Araja
THE Quezon City government on Tuesday announced that its Kabahagi Center for Children with Disabilities is now officially accredited by the Commission on Higher Education as a training facility for physical therapy and occupational therapy.
The Kabahagi Center is the first and only local government-run facility in the country to receive such distinction for community-based learning experience for students.
“We are honored by this recognition, which underscores our city’s unwavering commitment to building an inclusive and accessible future,” Mayor Joy Belmonte said.
“Through the Kabahagi Center, we not only empower families and improve children’s lives. We also help shape a new generation of health professionals grounded on service and compassion,” she added.
The milestone affirms that Kabahagi Center’s rehabilitation services meet CHED’s rigorous stand-
PH, US troops hold combat search, rescue exercise
By Rex Espiritu
THE Philippine Air Force (PAF) has showcased its Combat Search and Rescue (CSAR) capabilities during this year’s “Balikatan” exercise, the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) announced on Tuesday. The training, conducted April 28 to 30 off the coast of Iba, Zambales, featured the PAF’s 505th Search and Rescue Group working closely with their American counterparts.
The participants carried out realistic CSAR operations simulating the recovery of downed aircrew in hostile maritime conditions.
“Utilizing Bell 205A and Super Huey helicopters, PAF personnel performed helocast insertions and hoist extractions, with aerial security. A US C-130J located the survivor and deployed a survival kit, enabling a seamless joint response,” the AFP said.
The exercise also featured a United States Marine Corps V-22 Osprey conducting a parallel CSAR
mission, emphasizing interoperability between allied forces.
Following the simulated rescue, the PAF’s S7 aeromedical team provided inflight medical care operation before transferring the patient to ground medical personnel at Clark Air Base.
According to the AFP, these complex drills sharpened both nations’ readiness for life-saving missions in contested environments and the vital role of the 505th SRG in national and allied operations.
ards, qualifying it as a premier learning ground for future therapy professionals.
With this accreditation, the center is poised to broaden its reach and deepen its impact on indigent children with disabilities and their families.
The CHED accreditation follows a string of national recognitions earned by the center in recent months.
In March, Kabahagi was awarded first place in the 2024 Gelia Castillo Award for Research in Social Innovations in Health by the Department of Science and Technology–Philippine Council for Health Research and Development.
Its winning initiative, “Rehabilitation for All: FlexiCoaching as a Sustainable Model for Universal Access to Disability Care,” offers a groundbreaking 10-session coaching module that equips parents and caregivers with essential therapy techniques in physical, occupational, or speech therapy, allowing them to actively support their children’s development from home.
RITE OF PASSAGE. More than 200 young boys from Barangay Buenavista 2 in General Trias City, Cavite undergo free circumcision—traditionally viewed as a ritual of passage from boyhood to manhood—under the auspices of the city health o ce. Dennis Abrina
UTOPIAN WALKWAY. A virtually utopian 600-meter walkway across the Pasig River connecting the Plaza Mexico, Maestranza Esplanade, and the refurbished Fort Santiago
Power rates likely unchanged in May on stable supply margin
By Alena Mae S. Flores
THE Independent Electricity Market
Operator of the Philippines (IEMOP) expects spot market power rates in May 2025 to remain around April’s level of P4 to P5 per kilowatt-hour on sufficient power supply.
IEMOP vice president for trading operations Isidro Cacho said April’s price trend was “around P4 something, not yet at P5.”
“For May, given the ample margin that we are seeing in the market, we see the same level of pricing at P4 to P5,” he said.
Cacho expressed hope that no unplanned outages would affect this projection. “But given the plan, the maintenance [of power plants] has
Puregold reported higher Q1 profit
DOTr wants to retain motorcycle taxis
AUB sustains robust net income growth
already been planned, we see stable prices for the next six months,” he said.
“Hopefully, we maintain that level of supply margin all throughout the year, not only in May or June, but hopefully it will be bigger as we go throughout the year. There are many more RE coming in that will boost the supply,” Cacho said.
He said IEMOP forecasts a “more stable market, more ample supply, and generally stable prices” after the election season.
IEMOP reported that for the April 2025 billing period, the country’s overall power supply increased to 21,345 megawatts, an 8.8-percent rise from March.
PH banks continue to expand, become more inclusive—BSP
By Darwin G. Amojelar
THE Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) said Filipinos are benefiting from a continuously expanding financial system, as highlighted in its report on the Philippine Financial System for the second half of 2024.
It said the continued expansion in key balance sheet and income accounts enables BSP-supervised financial institutions (BSFIs) to continuously deliver essential financial services to businesses and
households, including marginalized sectors, promoting economic growth.
Data from the BSP showed that as of December 2024, the total assets of the Philippine banking system, which constituted 83.2 percent of the total
financial system, grew by 9.0 percent year-on-year to P27.4 trillion.
This increased asset level aligns with the country’s strong macroeconomic fundamentals and the upbeat outlook of the industry, enabling banks to expand their loan and investment portfolios, the BSP said. It said the expansion in bank operations is also supported by a wider network and a growth in electronic platforms—with the number of bank offices reaching 13,384, including 474 head offices and 12,910 branches and branch-lite units.
Bank lending also grew at a faster pace due to improved economic
DICT, Comelec roll out digital command center
THE Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT), through the Cybercrime Investigation and Coordinating Center (CICC), and the Commission on Elections (Comelec) rolled out a 24/7 threat monitoring center to safeguard the integrity of the upcoming midterm elections.
The digital command post will operate in real-time to detect, disrupt and dismantle online misinformation and disinformation, ensuring a clean and honest election as directed by President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. Spearheaded by the CICC and
Comelec’s Task Force Katotohanan, Katapatan, at Katarungan sa Halalan (Task Force KKK sa Halalan), the center, which was operationalized in just two days by CICC and assistant secretary Renato Paraiso, proves the government can act with urgency, unity and grit when truth is on the line, the DICT said.
“This center is our commitment to the Filipino people. A promise that in a time of digital deception, the government will stand as a guardian of truth and transparency,” DICT
Secretary Henry Aguda said.
Comelec chairman George
Erwin Garcia said the center would help resolve the massive wave of misinformation that floods the cyberspace in the critical days leading up to the 2025 midterm polls:
“The misinformation is really massive, just using one word and then the connected information on the internet [and] social media, like that, all of our countrymen can see it,” he said. From fake claims like “No National ID, No Vote” to AI-generated deepfake videos, the digital war room is built to protect the integrity of the elections. Darwin G. Amojelar
Low inflation to boost economy, says Go
By Othel V. Campos
SECRETARY Frederick Go, the Special Assistant to the President for Investment and Economic Affairs, said the low inflation, which hit a nearly a five-year low of 1.4 percent in April 2025, will support economic growth this year.
“This will provide welcome relief for Filipino households. This should have positive effects on the real GDP growth of our country,” Go said.
Go said the reaffirmation of the Philippines’ investment-grade credit rating by Fitch Ratings is also a strong vote of confidence in the economic trajectory. “Fitch’s affirmation of the
Philippines’ BBB investment-grade rating with a stable outlook reflects confidence in our macroeconomic stability, sound policies and ongoing reforms, including measures to enhance governance and attract private investment,” Go said.
“It is noteworthy that Fitch also recognizes the advantage presented by relatively lower US tariffs, which presents opportunities for our export sector,” he said.
Fitch Ratings maintained the Philippines’ long-term foreigncurrency issuer default rating at “BBB” with a stable outlook, citing the country’s strong medium-term growth prospects and success in controlling inflation.
conditions and strong domestic demand amid an optimistic outlook.
Total loans grew by 10.6 percent to P15.3 trillion in December 2024, serving businesses and households, including the marginalized sectors. The solid performance of banks, including trust and foreign currency deposit unit operations, as well as non-banks is bolstered by a wider network and growing electronic platforms, the BSP said.
P27.4 trillion
13,384
P15.3 trillion Bank assets as of end-2024
Total banking offices as of end2024 Bank loans as of end-2024
By Jenniffer B. Austria
THE Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) said Tuesday it launched six new digital platforms and a modern data center as part of its efforts to improve the ease of doing business in the Philippines.
SEC chairman Emilio Aquino said during the launch the new programs, which represent the commission’s fourth wave of digital initiatives, are designed to help serve the public faster, more securely, and more efficiently.
“Over the past few years, the SEC has committed to pursue innovation, in line with the thrust of the Marcos administration to go digital for more efficient delivery of services to the public,” Aquino said.
“Our push for digitalization—a core component of sustainability— allows us to fulfill our mandate under the Ease of Doing Business Act. By relying on technology, the SEC makes its services easier, faster and more secure, thereby satisfying the demand for a more efficient system aligned with local and international regulatory standards,” he said.
SUBWAY SUBSTATION. Department of Transportation Secretary Vince Dizon (left) and Valenzuela City Mayor
Wes Gatchalian, along with officials from Mitsubishi Corp., lead the groundbreaking ceremony for Bulk Supply
Substation 1 of the Metro Manila Subway Project (MMSP). The substation will serve as the ‘backbone’ of the energy supply for the entire subway line. Once completed, it is expected to provide faster journeys for commuters, allowing them to spend more time with their families or engage in other activities previously dedicated to commuting.
Source: DOTr’s Facebook page
DEBT STRATEGY.
National Treasurer
Sharon Almanza (left) and Department of Finance
Undersecretary Domini Velasquez (right) meet with Director General Davide Iacovoni of Italy’s Public Debt Office at the sidelines of the ADB’s 58th Annual Meetings in Milan. The engagement facilitated exchange of views on government debt strategy, economic reforms and investment plans. The meeting also
AUB logs 34% profit growth to P3.1b
By Jenniffer B. Austria
AThe bank remains cautiously optimistic over the near term given the concerns about the growth of the global economy amid the threat of trade war.
“We have managed to sustain the
By Alena Mae S. Flores
OIL refiner Petron Corp. said Tuesday its net income reached P4.03 billion in the first quarter of 2025, up from P3.9 billion in the same period in 2024, sustaining last year’s level of performance despite continued volatility in the international market.
“We continue to operate in a volatile and unpredictable market. As we navigate through these setbacks, we remain committed to enhancing our efficiency and strengthening our performance to sustain our market leadership and further our role as a nation-builder,” said Petron president and chief executive Ramon Ang in a statement
Consolidated revenues reached P194.38 billion, a 14.6 percent decline from the previous year’s P227.64 billion due to lower prices and limited trading volumes entered by Petron’s Singapore operations.
Petron said the international oil market absorbed the initial impact of the imposition of US tariffs on major trade partners, persisting geopolitical tensions in the Middle East and the announcement by the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries and its allies of their plans to unwind voluntary production cuts.
It said the benchmark Dubai crude, used as pricing benchmark by oil refiners, dropped to $72 per barrel in March from $80 per barrel closing the first-quarter with an average of $75 per barrel, which was 5 percent lower than the same period last year.
growth in our profitability since the pandemic, thanks to our robust core business and digital partnerships,” said AUB president Manuel Gomez.
“While we are confident of our performance, we remain cautiously
optimistic about the near-term outlook for the global economy due to the ongoing trade wars, the potential disruption in global supply chains, the projected slowdown in many major economies, and the growing geopolitical tension in some parts of the world. We will continue to adjust our sails to navigate this global turmoil and remain agile,” said Gomez.
The group’s first-quarter results marked the 17th consecutive quarter of double-digit profit growth for the bank since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020.
The bank’s strong first-quarter
performance was on the back of a 34-percent expansion in its loan portfolio, which reached P252.6 billion. This was supported by enhanced asset quality, with the nonperforming loan (NPL) ratio improving to 0.35 percent from 0.47 percent a year ago. Loan loss provisions fell 15 percent to P66.0 million, and the NPL coverage ratio improved to 119.8 percent. AUB also reported solid core banking metrics, with return on equity (ROE) rising to 22.3 percent and return on assets (ROA) improving to 3.4 percent, both higher than the previous year’s level.
expense on deposits. Total deposits increased 9 percent to P308.1 billion. Net interest income reached P4.3 billion, up 8 percent year-on-year, while the bank maintained a healthy net interest margin of 5.1 percent. Non-interest income rose 81 percent to P1.3 billion, driven by gains from trading, foreign exchange and strong performance in fee-based businesses such as AUB PayMate, HelloMoney, credit cards, remittances, trust operations and branch transactions.
LOPEZ Group-led First Gen Corp. on Tuesday reported a 4-percent decrease in attributable recurring net income for the first quarter to $77 million (P4.49 billion) from $81 million (P4.52 billion) in the same quarter in 2024 due to lower volumes sold by its natural gas and geothermal platforms.
First Gen said in a disclosure to the Philippine Stock Exchange that Energy Development Corp. (EDC) geothermal portfolio produced lower recurring net income.
First NatGas Power Corp., the owner of the 420-megawatt San Gabriel natural gas-fired power plant,
also continued to experience a drop in revenues as its power supply agreement with Meralco expired last February 2024.
First Gen said its revenues posted a slight 2-percent decline to $583 million (P33.8 billion) in the first quarter from $596 million (P33.3 billion) in 2024 as a result of lower volumes of electricity sold from its natural gas and geothermal platforms.
Hydroelectric power plants had a better start in 2025 as the rains from the previous year enabled higher power production.
“First Gen’s portfolio of power
Skyro hits 1m loan milestone in PH
mance. Consolidated revenues rose 6 percent year-on-year to P43.6
ALI said in a disclosure to
exchange. Property development revenues increased 11 percent to P27.8 billion, supported by strong sales of
offerings and
and industrial lots. Residential revenues grew 3 percent to P22 billion, while commercial and industrial lot revenues more than doubled to P5.7 billion on strong sales at Arca South in Taguig City. Reservation sales rose 4 percent year-on-year to P36.2 billion. Sales take-up of premium residential project went up 4 percent to P20.7 billion, while commercial and industrial lot take-up more than tripled to P4.9 billion. These gains helped offset a decline in reservation sales of core residential segment, which contributed P10.5 billion to total sales, the company said. ALI launched four new projects worth P12.6 billion in the first three months of 2025. All these projects were located outside Metro Manila, with 90 percent from the premium segment. Jenniffer B. Austria
plants are available for dispatch as the country experiences this punishing heat. We have been hard at work in making sure that the vital resources our Company provides are able to deliver, especially during these coming local elections,” First Gen president and chief operating officer Francis Giles Puno said.
The natural gas portfolio accounted for 66 percent of First Gen’s total consolidated revenues, 30 percent came from EDC’s geothermal, wind, and solar plants while the remaining 4 percent came from the hydro power plants.
The natural gas power plants reported a 7-percent increase in recurring earnings for the first quarter to $46 million (P2.7 billion) from $43 million (P2.4 billion) in the first quarter of 2024.
The 1,000-MW Santa Rita power plant, 500-MW San Lorenzo power plant and the 97-MW Avion
SKYRO, a fast-growing Philippine fintech firm, said Tuesday it disbursed about P11 billion in total loan value across more than 1 million loans since its introduction to the Philippines in 2022. Skyro said it has partnerships with over 1,500 offline merchants, more than 100 online retailers, at least 5,000 point-of-sale locations and 13 brand partners, including major retailers such as Abenson, Robinsons Appliances, EMCOR, Puregold and Western Appliances. The fintech firm also secured credit facilities with Sterling Bank and PBCOM to support its continued growth this year. Additionally, Skyro has expanded its reach through collaborations with PalawanPay and 7-Eleven, aiming to make loan applications more accessible to Filipino consumers.
“Skyro remains committed to providing happiness, hope, and financial support to Filipinos by expanding and strengthening partnerships that align with Skyro’s vision of a more inclusive financial ecosystem in the country,” said Skyro co-founder and co-chief executive Nasim Aliev.
Talino, RCBC launch ‘proptech’ solution
TALINO Venture Studios said it teamed up with Rizal Commercial Banking Corp. (RCBC)
“We
“Bahai
There’s a sweet way to preserve culinary heritage in La Union
BEYOND its beautiful beaches and surfing spots, La Union is also home to rich culinary traditions that reflect colorful history and vibrant culture. For generations, distinct flavors and unique food customs have bound communities together, who share not only palate preferences, but also values, norms, and a deep sense of identity.
Because of global cultural homogenization, however, some of these culinary traditions are beginning to become stale. And it is the goal of the Provincial Government of La Union (PGLU) to keep these food customs alive, and that they do not go out of taste especially for the young generation.
One of these culinary traditions is the production of pulitipot, a sweet local delicacy made of cooked sugarcane juice. In barangay Pangpang in Bacnotan town, locals continue to produce the delicacy despite decreasing demand through time.
In April 21-24, 2025, the PGLU brought about 60 youth leaders in the community for a hands-on experience in pulitipot-making. This is part of the PGLU’s School of Living Traditions, a flagship program bannered by
Governor Raphaelle Veronica “Rafy” Ortega-David. The activity is dubbed ‘Pulitipot ti Puli’ (the latter is Iloko for lineage or ancestry). “It aims to preserve La Union’s intangible cultural heritage and ensure that this craft is passed on to the new generation,” said Julius Manabat, officer-in-charge of the La Union Provincial Tourism Office (LUPTO), the program implementer.
Mayor Salceda: HEART 4S program fits whole Albay 3rd district
POLANGUI, Albay—Mayor Ray-
mond Adrian Salceda of this town has assured his HEART 4S program that has propelled the impressive transformation of his municipality over the last several years, will be the same strategy he will use to push the growth of Albay’s 3rd Congressional District, if elected in the upcoming May 12 elections.
Mayor Salceda also sits as president of the League of Municipalities of the Philippines (LMP)-Albay Chapter. He is the son of Albay 2nd District Rep. Joey Sarte Salceda, who ends his term as Congressman in June and is now running for Albay governor, a position he held from 2007 to 2016.
HEART stands for H-Health, EEducation, A-Agriculture, R-Rural Infrastructure, and T-Tourism, Trade and Transportation; while 4S stands for Social Services, Senior Citizens and Solo Parents, Small and Micro Enterprises, and Sports and Youth Development.
Mayor Salceda is following the footsteps of his father, Rep. Joey Sarte Salceda, who also ends his chairmanship of the strategic House Ways and Means Committee in June. Both Salcedas now lead surveys of Pulse Asia and SWS in the province.
In a media interview over the weekend, Mayor Salceda explained that his HEART 4S development plan focuses, among others, on health for all ages, health of the communities, and all health needs.
“We strived hard and Polangui became the first town in the country to have a Responsible Parenthood and Reproductive Health Care Center with preventive health care programs, such as promotion of healthful habits and diets, vaccinations, hygiene, preventing communicable diseases, and innovative approaches to address mental health issues in the community,” he stressed.
The youth participants had a sweet time trying their hands in cooking pulitipot, mostly through traditional ways.
“We experienced the whole production process — from planting and harvesting sugarcane, grinding the stalks to extract juice, up to cooking the product,” said Ayla Fae Medriano.
Another participant underscored the values instilled in them by the activity. “The process is not easy — it
shared how he learned this culinary practice from his grandfather. “He taught me this when I was just 15. Since then, pulitipot-making has been one the sources of income of our family,” he said.
Another pioneer, Noel Cariaso, recollects how this tradition became a sustainable livelihood.
“I’ve been doing this since 1989. For over 30 years, it has been a source of income during the months of May to December. It’s a good livelihood — all it takes is effort and perseverance,” Cariaso said.
Learning from these local knowledge experts, the youth participants are now inspired to take action to keep indigenous flavors in the minds and palates of the younger generation.
takes patience, focus and endurance,” Jenelle Fabros shared.
Aside from pulitipot, the youth participants also learned the process of preparing other sugarcane-based delicacies like patupat and sinakob.
But what they enjoyed the most was the chance to talk with, and tap into the wisdom of, the elders who have been keeping this tradition alive.
One of them, Bibiano Narceda,
“I am thankful to PGLU for this opportunity, and we are excited to share these stories in school and at home,” said Joshua Romm Partible.
Governor Rafy Ortega-David underscores the youth’s vital role in the preservation of culture and heritage.
“We believe that culture is more than just a memory of the past — it is a living legacy, continuously celebrated, preserved, and strengthened for a brighter future of the province,” she said.
Pielle Malapit crowned Binibining Paltok 2025 in celebration of
beauty and youth engagement
BARANGAY Paltok, Quezon City recently celebrated its annual Binibining Paltok pageant, showcasing the beauty, grace, and talent of its young women. Emerging victorious was Pielle Malapit, who was crowned Binibining Paltok 2025 during the vibrant event.
The pageant also recognized Patricia Edulan as the 1st Runner Up and Jairyn Gabon as the 2nd Runner Up, both of whom impressed the audience and judges with their poise and talent.
The winners and other contestants were also recognized for their outstanding performances in various categories:
• Jairyn Gabon received special awards for Best in Talent, Best in Funwear, and Miss Photogenic.
• Patricia Edulan was awarded Best in National Costume, Best in Talent, and was named Darling of the Crowd.
• Pielle Malapit was recognized for Best in Summer Wear.
left:
The successful event was spearheaded by the Sangguniang Kabataan ng Barangay Paltok, under the leadership of SK
who were commended for fostering a platform that celebrates the youth and community spirit.
Chairwoman Jane Cleverly Aguilar and Binibining Paltok 2025 Pielle Malapit
A pivotal moment of the evening was the question and answer portion, where candidates articulated their views on relevant social issues. The winning question posed to the finalists was: “Kung ikaw ang magiging Binibining Paltok 2025. Paano mo hihikayatin ang mga kabataan na bumoto nang tama?”
(If you were to become Binibining Paltok 2025, how would you encourage the youth to vote correctly?)
Pielle Malapit’s winning answer resonated deeply with the audience and judges. She stated, “I believe―if I will be crowned as Binibining Paltok 2025―I will use this opportunity to use my voice and the essence of my initiative [to educate] that will benefit not only our era, but the future of our community.” Her response highlighted the importance of using her platform to educate and empower the youth to make informed decisions during elections.
The Binibining Paltok 2025 pageant not only celebrated the beauty and talent within the barangay but also underscored the importance of youth engagement and responsible citizenship.
‘Boboto for Equality’: LGBTQI push community agenda for 2025 polls
By Erika Sinaking
LESBIAN, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and intersex (LGBTQI+) community gathered at Liwasang Diokno, Commission on Human Rights, challenging 2025 candidates to back their Community Agenda for Inclusive Governance.
A coalition of LGBTQI on Saturday, May 3, called on national and local hopefuls in the 2025 midterm elections to adopt a 6-point Community Agenda and to amplify the community’s long-standing call for the passage of the SOGIESC Bill and leadership that champions inclusive policy.
“We are sending a clear message: equality must no longer be postponed,” said Jap Ignacio, Executive
Director of Babaylanes, Inc. “Vote for equality. Elect leaders who have a track record of advancing human rights and who will stand with us.”
The Agenda highlights six key pillars: Trabaho, Edukasyon, Bayan, Komunidad, Kalusugan, and Media, which outline systemic reforms needed to fully include and protect
LGBTQI Filipinos in all aspects of society. According to Ignacio, the LGBTQI Community Agenda highlights longstanding demands that remain largely unaddressed. “Our livelihood and safety continue to be undermined by systemic discrimination. The delay in legislation underscores the urgency of
implementing this agenda,” he said. The first pillar, Trabaho, calls for equal opportunities in employment through inclusive hiring policies and the expansion of RA 10911 to cover SOGIESC. Advocates raised concerns over the widespread discrimination, harassment, and job insecurity faced by LGBTQI workers, issues that often force individuals to conceal their identities.
In Edukasyon, the Agenda pushes for the integration of SOGIESC awareness into the national curriculum and mandates training for teachers and school officials. “Schools should be spaces of safety and dignity, not fear,” the Agenda states, noting the frequent bullying and lack of institutional protection for LGBTQI students.
‘I BELONG’. I Belong, Yesterday’s Tomorrow Today, featuring exhibits from Smithsonian Institution comes to Manila. The much awaited construction phase of the “I BELONG“ Yesterday’s Tomorrow Today Museum featuring exhibits from the Smithsonian Institution has formalized its agreement with the Filinvest Malls at the Filinvest City Alabang, Muntinlupa city. The I Belong museum will be located at the 4th level of the Festival Mall and is slated to open in August 2025. Present during the signing ceremony are: (left to right) Jonathan Pauig, vice president MAVEROSIE Eventologist; Frederick Alegre, chairman and chief executive officer of Elevenaldec Management Consultancy; Yvette Dizon, deputy general manager of Festival Malls, and Azl Narvaez, vice president and head of strategic lease for Filinvest Malls.
Chairwoman Jane Cleverly Aguilar,
SK
From
1st Runner Up Patricia Edulan, Malapit and 2nd Runner Up Jairyn Gabon
Filipino artists honor motherhood in ARTablado’s twin exhibits
By
ROBINSONS Land’s ARTablado platform is presenting two exhibitions in Metro Manila that center on motherhood and the natural world, in time for Mother’s Day. The shows run until May 15 at Robinsons Galleria in Quezon City and Robinsons Antipolo.
At Robinsons Galleria, artist and biodiversity advocate Bing Famoso offers Hoya de Filipinas: A Tribute to Mothers featuring works inspired by May traditions and native flora. The Hoya flower, a small endemic bloom, takes central focus in her latest series.
“May has always been a sacred month for me—a time of flowers, faith, and deep love for mothers,” said Famoso, who began painting in 2016 when her daughter left for college. “Painting became my therapy, and in many ways, it still is.” She now uses her work to raise awareness about the country’s endangered plant species and teaches environmental education to children through art. “These species are disappearing, and if I can give them a spotlight through my canvases, then I know I’m doing something right,” she said.
Calling ARTablado “a rare gem,” Famoso said, “It champions Filipino artistry and gives space for real stories to unfold on canvas.”
In Antipolo, All About Her features mother-and-daughter artists Maria Cristina Arroyo and Christelle Arroyo. Their paintings focus on women, family, and nature. “The ‘Her’ in
S N A P S H O T
INDEPENDENT senatorial candidate Bam Aquino drew support from actor Piolo Pascual and other celebrities during a campaign motorcade across several areas in Metro Manila over the weekend.
Pascual joined Aquino in stops that included Mandaluyong and Cubao in Quezon City, becoming the latest public figure to endorse the candidate. Actresses Iza Calzado and Bea Binene also accompanied Aquino in Mandaluyong, Quezon City, and Valenzuela. Before the motorcade began, Pascual, Calzado, and Binene posed with Aquino showing the No. 5 hand sign, representing Aquino’s ballot number.
Earlier in the day, Aquino toured Muntinlupa, Las Piñas, and Pasay with Binene and a group of influencers, including Kerwin King, Zion Aguirre, Gabe Pineda, Niño San Jose, Andrea Guevarra, Andrei Hermida, and Damien Villaflor
Bing Famoso continues her floral homage to mothers
our exhibit title is the artist,” said Maria Cristina. “A woman who has hopes, dreams, inspirations, beliefs, and faith that are all rooted in love.”
She said she often paints flowers because they were her late daughter Michelle’s favorite subject. Christelle, meanwhile, said her mother was her first teacher in art. “She used to make handmade cards that would be sold in bookstores,” she recalled.
Christelle began painting during therapy sessions with Michelle, who had cancer. “She was supposed to join an exhibit in 2009, but sadly, she did not make it. I joined the exhibit in her place,” she said. “Art became my healing, my voice, my tribute.”
Michelle’s artworks are also included in the exhibit. “That means the world to us,” Maria Cristina said. “We are thankful to Artablado for giving space to artists from all walks of life.” Since its launch in 2020, ARTablado has supported over 800 artists through exhibitions across the country.
Piolo Pascual, local celebrities join Metro Manila motorcade
IN THE wake of the reports that Disney was set to lose 100 million US$ with the latest live-action Snow White (2025, directed by Marc Webb), some were more enthusiastic than others. Those who were more vocal in their schadenfreude are those who disdain the “woke” direction of Disney films as of late.
You may have encountered these people whining about a Black Ariel in The Little Mermaid (2023, directed by Rob Marshall). They think this is pandering to the inclusive politics of liberal Hollywood. They accuse wokeness as a means of shoving an agenda down their conservative throats.
It was initially a Black mermaid; now, they are angry over a Latina portraying Snow White. They claim that in the original, her name reflected her pale skin. This was recast as her name for being born on a snowy day in the live-action.
But that is just the tip of their grievance. At the time leading up to the movie’s production, Rachel Zegler spoke adamantly against the coy, fragile portrayal of the 1937 Snow White. She spoke of updating Snow White, who is assertive and progressive. A non-weak Snow White is a bridge too far for those against wokeness. It all has the markings of white supremacist misogyny when they idealize beauty as quiet, submissive, and white. Zegler even pushed more buttons for being anti-Zionist, calling for a ceasefire in Palestine. Again, she was pilloried for this.
All this anger targeting young women who speak their minds is a correction against wokeness. You can see this in the latest US elections, when young people who were usually assigned to progressive politics have slipshodly voted for Trump. There is a rise in the demand for “traditional wives.”
Then you see this disturbing trend of people like Andrew Tate calling for the death of wokeness and a return to traditional alpha male values. It is no surprise that Tate and his brother are accused of sex trafficking of minors and assault.
“Woke” is an African American vernacular for being aware that the system has been set for you to fail or to go through difficulty in a framework of white supremacy. Woke then entered academia, wherein there are calls for restorative justice or being mindful of intersectionality (that is, identity politics are markers of your privileges and limitations; case in point, African American women with “natural hair” are seen as less than adequate; ergo, there is a need for straight hair as weaves or extensions to be considered desirable).
There is a massive blowback from conservatives who think wokeness, which includes diversity, equality, and inclusion, is a tenet of the decline of their dominant identity. They favor the old ways. After all, that is why they are called “conservatives”; they want to conserve their ways. To welcome those who are not like them would mean the end of their dominance. Wokeness means to wake up. Conservatives do not want to wake up from their dreamland where they rule.
They think wokeness is destroying their culture. They want to return to what makes their cultures and stories great again: a white Little Mermaid and a weak Snow White. They claim this is to stick to the “original.”
I hope they do not think Disney products are the “original.” Do they know how the original Snow White and Little Mermaid ended? That is one thing about wokeness; it requires empathy and deep thinking, and many critics of wokeness are not precisely known for their broad thinking. You may reach Chong Ardivilla at kartunistatonto@gmail.com or chonggo.bsky.social
Nickie Wang
Maria Cristina Arroyo’s ‘Wildflower Symphony’ captures the vibrancy of nature
Mother-daughter artists Maria Cristina (leftmost) and Christelle Arroyo exhibit their shared love for flowers and family at ARTablado Antipolo
In ‘Ang Mag-Ina at ang Hoya Odorata,’
Primer Chong Ardivilla
Senate hopeful Bam Aquino (second from the left) draws star power as Piolo Pascual, Iza Calzado, and Bea Binene join his Metro Manila campaign motorcade
Artist Bing Famoso shares how painting became her therapy as she honors mothers and endangered Philippine flora at ARTablado
WEDNESDAY, MAY 7,
NICKIE WANG,
NICKIE WANG,
VILLANUEVA,
ANGELICA VILLANUEVA,
JASPER VALDEZ,
VALDEZ,
From ashes to art
How designer Shirley Dy finds art in tragedy
By Angelica Villanueva
THIRTY years ago, the eruption of Mount Pinatubo blanketed Central Luzon in ash and uncertainty about how to start again.
For Shirley Dy, it was the beginning of a bold, unexpected, yet creative journey—transforming volcanic ruin into globally recognized design. Recalling the first time she stared down the aftermath of the eruption on her husband’s devastated farmland, Shirley decided to rise again from the tragedy brought by the natural calamity.
“I said, let me create something from this to something. Nobody believed me,” said Shirley.
Now known for her elegant and minimalist furniture and accessories made from volcanic ash, Shirley shared that she didn’t start in design. A business graduate and former financial analyst at
Glazing Life
Equitable Bank, she left the corporate world in the mid-1980s to pursue fashion, with no formal training in art or design.
“The hardest part was convincing my boss. I had no fine arts background. I told her: I’m not a fashion designer. I’m a good clothes designer. There’s a difference,” she shared.
Her emphasis on designing for the wearer, not for trends, won her six months to prove herself. She needed only three. Within a year, Shirley was outselling her colleagues, many of whom held degrees from the country’s top universities. It wasn’t long before she founded her own brand and spent five years in fashion before stepping
WHEN a friend decides to pursue a dream— to take the vision and hope they have carried quietly in their heart and try to bring it into the world—it stirs something in me.
I feel a deep and unwavering urge to stand beside them, not because I have all the answers, nor because I can promise them success, but because I know how brave it is to try—with all the fears and uncertainties and, in truth, how lonely that road can sometimes be.
Supporting a friend’s dream isn’t always glamorous. It rarely involves dramatic speeches or Instagram-worthy moments. More often, it’s in the quiet gestures—helping them rehearse their pitch for the nth time, staying up late to listen to their doubts, sending them a job posting that matches their passion, or texting “You’ve got this” just before a big interview. Or, in my case, writing about their triumphs. There are few things more fulfilling than witnessing someone you care about step boldly
away to start a family.
Motherhood didn’t dim her entrepreneurial spark. Instead, it pivoted her focus to “hard lines”—furniture, home accessories, and sculptural objects.
“When you design clothes, you’re only responsible for the person wearing them. But with home design, it’s the whole family—the father, the mother, and the kids. That’s a bigger challenge,” Shirley explained.
The 1991 Pinatubo eruption changed everything again.
“There was ash everywhere. My first thought was, what can I do with this?” she recalled.
While the rest of the region looked to clean up, Shirley experimented. She sculpted, refined, and shaped ash into décor, but she knew that the market wasn’t ready for designs like hers.
“For four years, nobody wanted to talk to me. They didn’t think it had commercial value,” Shirley said.
Then came a break when a major French catalog featured her ash-based work. From that moment, her pieces gained international traction, placing her on the global design map.
Three decades later, her vision has grown into Destonos, a brand that redefines sculptural furniture. Its inaugural collection, launched this year, reflects Shirley’s core philosophy: that design is not just about form, but about meaning.
Destonos makes its debut with a powerful introduction to sculptural furniture—an evocative collection shaped by ash, spirit, and time. Rooted in reverence for nature, each piece transforms the raw chaos of volcanic ash into meditative expressions of beauty and memory.
“What was once chaos is now sculpture. What was destruction now becomes design,” Shirley said.
Gathered from the provinces of
Of friendship and mental health
toward their dreams.
I know a journalist friend, Dexter Matilla who pursued his artistic dream and is now part of a group exhibit titled Art Forward, ongoing until June 15 at Mateo’s Restaurant Cafe and at Ilustrado Restaurant. The exhibit is a fundraising activity to support the initiative of the Philippine General Hospital Medical Foundation to provide public healthcare to indigent Filipinos. In 2020, at the height of the pandemic,
Dexter decided to start painting, putting into practice what he learned from his conversations with both local and international artists.
I’ve known Dexter for a long time. We started together in media, covering arts and culture beats, chasing deadlines, attending gallery openings, and sitting through countless indie film screenings side by side. Those early years were filled with long hours and quiet camaraderie—the kind that forms when two people grow through the same challenges together.
And now, Dexter is exploring something new—something more personal that stretches beyond the newsroom and into new territory. At first, he was reluctant to share his artworks. He admitted he was afraid we
understand, or
enough to evolve?
Another friend navigated uncertainties with quiet determination and pursued her brand of filmmaking.
Bettina Someros-Ching, whom I met during her time at Conrad Manila, made her directorial debut with 20/80, a short film championing authentic disability representation. After moving to California before the pandemic and marrying Steven Ching, the couple brought this personal, culturally grounded story to life.
Pampanga, Zambales, and Bataan, the volcanic ash becomes more than just material—it becomes a metaphor.
“In every fragment of ash, there’s a trace of story, of land reshaped, of people who rebuilt, and of spirit that endured,” she continued.
The pieces are tactile mementos of the natural world, fused with sculptural elegance, deep texture, and minimalist form. Their presence invites not just admiration, but reflection. They speak the language of collective memory and quiet transformation.
“Every shape we cast, every texture we preserve, is a quiet homage to time itself. The hands of our craftsmen carry the gestures of those who came before, merging generations of regional knowledge with contemporary vision,” added Douglas Dy, Shirley’s co-founder and husband.
“Design isn’t about expressing yourself. An artist creates for themselves. A designer creates for others,” Shirley added.
She follows a strict “two-element” rule in her work—whether form and finish or texture and detail.
“You need people to understand it immediately. If someone has to think too hard about a piece, the message is gone,” she said.
Today, Shirley’s work stands as a testament to resilience, reinvention, and radical creativity rooted in Filipino identity. She credits a younger, more global-minded generation for her growing success at home.
“Before, the Philippines wasn’t ready for me. But millennials and Gen Z, they get it,” Shirley said.
Known for his behind-the-camera work, Steven made his acting debut in the film, drawing from his experience with vision impairment and mental health. His character faces three surreal psychological challenges, each with only 20 seconds to survive.
“This was the most vulnerable I’ve ever been in my creative life. I wanted to show that our inner battles are real—and that we have the power to take ownership over them,” shared Steven.
The short film was created by a Californiabased production team, featuring the talents and perspectives of several Filipino filmmakers and bringing emotional depth and cultural nuance to the psychological thriller.
Bettina shared recently that their film is a finalist for Best Awareness Campaign at the Easterseals Disability Film Challenge, an annual competition that celebrates and empowers filmmakers with disabilities and their allies. The awards night will be held at Sony Pictures Studios in LA.
“We are proud to be the only Filipino representation this year, raising our flag on an international stage,” she said.
Participants had five days to write, shoot, and deliver an original short film aimed at changing perceptions of disabilities. Key Filipino creatives included Aaron Anil Ahkter as assistant cameraman, Polo Miguel Dela Cruz for the original score, and Kevin Yu for the film’s visual identity.
While the broader crew included professionals from across California, the presence of Filipino talent behind the scenes helped shape 20/80’s authenticity, emotion, and voice.
“We wanted to prove that Filipino filmmakers can tell big stories—emotional, psychological, and cinematic. This challenge gave us the chance to do that and represent our community with pride,” said Bettina. Now live online, 20/80 is part of a worldwide awareness campaign. Watch the film here: https://www.youtube.com/ watch?v=ai29mLxbQgc.
and
of their inclusive short film, created for the Easterseals Disability
Glaiza
Filipino-American filmmakers capture a dramatic coastal scene during the first shoot day of ‘20/80’ in California’s Montaña de Oro State Park
The cast
crew celebrate the wrap
Film Challenge
Director Bettina Someros-Ching guides actor and co-writer Steven Ching (center) during a key emotional scene for ‘20/80’
Destonos showcases volcanic ash transformed into meditative sculptural furniture inspired by nature’s quiet resilience
Destonos pieces invite reflection amid nature’s raw beauty
Destonos founder Shirley Dy redefines Filipino design by turning ash and memory into timeless sculptural forms