Manila Bulletin - April 14, 2025

In this issue

Holy Week exodus begins; Over 3M seaport, airport passengers expected
PH Pavilion wows crowd on first day of Osaka 2025 Expo
Overseas voting commences for 1.3M registered Filipinos

Overseas voting commences for 1.3M registered Filipinos

The month-long overseas absentee voting for overseas Filipinos commenced on Sunday, April 13, with the Commission on Elections (Comelec) officially ending the test voting period for Registered Overseas Voters (ROVS) enrolled in the Online Voting and Counting System (OVCS) one minute before midnight.

2 mins

Holy Week exodus begins

Over 3M seaport, airport passengers expected

6 mins

PH Pavilion wows crowd on first day of Osaka 2025 Expo

The Philippine Pavilion instantly became one of the crowd favorites at the opening of the Expo 2025 Osaka in Japan on Sunday, April 13, over its unique presentation that blended traditional craftsmanship with tech-powered storytelling.

3 mins

Marcos urges perseverance through tribulations in Holy Week message

President Marcos has called on Filipinos to remain resilient and optimistic amid adversity as the country commemorates Holy Week.

2 mins

SWS: Self-rated poverty slightly rises in March

The percentage of Filipino families who consider themselves “mahirap” or poor slightly increased to 52 percent in March, equivalent to around 14.4 million households, based on the Stratbase-Social Weather Stations (SWS) survey conducted from March 15 to 20.

1 min

Año, Waltz hold talks on PH-US security alliance

Afio and US National Security Advisor Mike Waltz exchanged views on the regional security challenges, particularly in the South China Sea, as well as the West Philippine Sea (WPS), which continues to be central in Southeast Asian regional affairs amid growing maritime tensions.

1 min

PH humanitarian team returning from ‘successful’ Myanmar mission

The Philippine Inter-Agency Humanitarian Contingent (PIAHC) is scheduled to return to the country on Monday, April 14, after providing essential support to victims in Myanmar, which was devastated by a magnitude 7.7 earthquake two weeks ago.

3 mins

Iran, US envoys hold 1st negotiation over Tehran's nuclear program

Iran and the United States will hold more negotiations next week over Tehran's rapidly advancing nuclear program, Iranian state television reported Saturday at the end of the first round of talks between the two countries since President Donald Trump returned to the White House.

2 mins

Japanese leader hopes for global unity in divided world

Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba, speaking at Saturday's opening ceremony for the Osaka expo, expressed his hope that the event will help restore global unity in a world plagued by conflicts and trade wars.

2 mins

Central Myanmar shaken by new quake in one of the biggest aftershocks since March 28 temblor

A magnitude 5.5 earthquake struck on Sunday morning near Meiktila, a small city in central Myanmar, according to the U.S. Geological Survey.

1 min

Israel cuts off Gaza's southern city of Rafah, vows to ‘vigorously’ expand in the territory

Israel announced Saturday it had completed construction of a new security corridor cutting off the southern city of Rafah from the rest of Gaza, and the military said it would soon expand \"vigorously\" in most of the small coastal territory.

2 mins

Let her keep this for the day of my burial

Today’s Gospel passage tells of the anointing of Jesus’ feet by Mary of Bethany.

2 mins

Holy week in the Philippines: A blend of faith, tradition, and modern challenges

Holy Week holds immense significance in our predominantly Catholic country, where the week serves as a time for reflection, repentance, and renewal.

2 mins

Ensuring a bright, no-brownout summer

With summer temperatures soaring and power consumption peaking, the Department of Energy’s (DOE) recent assurance of no brownouts this season comes as a welcome relief.

2 mins

Trump’s China tariff shocks US importers

Rick Woldenberg thought he had come up with a sure-fire plan to protect his Chicago-area educational toy company from President Donald Trump’s massive new taxes on Chinese imports.

5 mins

Still in the game: A senior citizen's reflections

As I edge closer to my 68th birthday, I find myself reflecting on the years gone by with gratitude and renewed hope. I am semi-retired — no longer engaged in the day-to-day operations of an office, yet, performing advisory roles in several financial organizations and social enterprises. I proudly wear my graying hair and laugh lines as badges of a life well-lived, a life still full of purpose. In a country like ours, where respect for elders is deeply woven into the fabric of society, I look forward to embracing the future with open arms and a grateful heart.

3 mins

BTA on final stretch of transition

The newly reconstituted Bangsamoro Transition Authority (BTA) convened its inaugural session on April 8, facing the critical task of completing remaining deliverables to ensure a smooth transition leading up to the first Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao's (BARMM) parliamentary elections this October.

3 mins

Rep. Duterte makes surprise appearance at campaign rally

Davao City Rep. Paolo Z. Duterte surprised his supporters on Friday night, April 11, at the Hugpong sa Tawong Lungsod campaign rally at Royal Valley, Bangkal in Barangay Talomo Proper and reaffirmed his commitment to his re-election bid.

3 mins

Richard Gomez slams Kerwin Espinosa

CEBUCITY — Rolan Kerwin Espinosa has pointed to politics as the motive behind the recent attempt on his life.

1 min

Lover’s quarrel results in accident, death

A lover's quarrel in Barangay Doyong, Calasiao, Pangasinan ended in an accident and death of a minor on Friday night, April 11.

1 min

Kanlaon-hit LGUs to get addt'l ₱63-M cash assistance from OP

Local government units (LGUs) affected by the eruption of Kanlaon Volcano in Negros Island will soon receive P63 million in additional financial assistance from the Office of the President (OP).

1 min

Alyansa bet Abby Binay gets Garcia, One Cebu support

Alyansa Para sa Bagong Pilipinas senatorial candidate Makati City Mayor Abby Binay has gained the coveted endorsement of One Cebu party headed by Cebu Gov. Gwendolyn Garcia.

1 min

Mcllroy nears Masters glory

AUGUSTA (AP) - The greatest start in the 91-year history of the Masters wasn't enough for Rory McIlroy.

1 min

The Angels have arrived

They came prepared. Over the last five months of intense battle, the Petro Gazz Angels slowly built their team chemistry, polished their skills and toughened their mental resolve to reach the pivotal finals in the Premier Volleyball League All-Filipino Conference.

2 mins

Popovici stays ahead

Constantin Popovici was all business while Rhiannan Iffland came back roaring on the second day of the 2025 Red Bull Cliff Diving World Series Saturday, April 12.

1 min

McIlroy nears Masters glory

The greatest start in the 91-year history of the Masters wasn't enough for Rory McIlroy.

1 min

BSP: Rate cuts to spur growth potential

Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) Governor Eli M. Remolona Jr. is optimistic that the resumption of monetary policy easing will help narrow the gap between the economy’s subpar output growth and its full potential.

3 mins

PH motorcycle sales surge 10%

The Philippines’ motorcycle industry is on an upward trajectory, with sales surging in the first quarter of the year, fueled by consumers’ growing appetite for a more affordable mode of transport as the economy maintains stable growth.

2 mins

PGOLD trims capex, still aims for growth

Lucio Co-led grocery retailer Puregold Price Club Inc. is reducing its capital expenditures to P6.35 billion this year from the P8.1 billion it alloted in 2024 although it expects to grow consolidated revenues by six percent to eight percent in 2025.

1 min

Limited progress for PH tourism expected

The Philippine tourism and hotel industry continued to face challenges in 2024, and these difficulties are seen to persist this year, primarily due to global economic headwinds and slower recovery in key international markets such as South Korea and China.

1 min

Meralco, EDF explore local nuclear power

Manila Electric Company (Meralco) announced that it has partnered with a state-owned French electric utility firm to explore whether nuclear energy is a viable option in the Philippines.

1 min

HONOR launches the Magic7 Pro

HONOR has launched the Magic7 Pro. HONOR gives all of us a little wink that their newest phone is priced \"only\" at P59,999.

3 mins

Samsung announces their Bespoke AI, appliances powered by AI

Samsung has announced its new Bespoke Al appliances. As thename suggest, these appliances have Al integration that would allow them to learn your patterns and preferences over time. It's also a way, as Samsung puts it, to simplify lifestyle.

2 mins

Digital fasting: Reclaiming presence, faith, and family this Holy Week

In a culture where constant connectivity is king, the idea of digital fasting might seem both strange and intimidating.

3 mins

David Licauco shows funny side in new film

Pambansang Ginoo David Licauco is set to dazzle audiences as he transitions from the drama world to the vibrant comedy realm in the highly anticipated film \"Samahan ng mga Makasalanan,\" which will be shown in cinemas beginning Black Saturday.

5 mins

Boss Toyo marks 44th birthday with latest song

YouTube star Boss Toyo, whose real name is Jayson Luzadas, candidly explained why he withdrew from running in the upcoming midterm election.

2 mins

'Minecraft' soundtrack added to US National Recording Registry

US Library of Congress adds new inductees to its audio collection

1 min

Rosscapili's tribute to Mother Earth at ArtExpo New York

How one Filipino artist brings nature, memory, and gratitude to life through mixed media

4 mins

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