Manila Bulletin - April 23, 2025

In this issue

Pope Francis suffered a stroke, heart failure - Vatican doctor

Historic first: Three Filipino cardinals to join papal conclave to elect new pope

Nine seen as contenders, including PH's Tagle

7 mins

Pope Francis in rainswept Tacloban: He came for Yolanda survivors no matter the danger

Ten years ago, on Jan. 17, a day like no other, Pope Francis, the leader of the 1.4-billion Catholic faithful, descended from his plane at the Daniel Z. Romualdez Airport in Tacloban City, ground zero of Super Typhoon Yolanda, and brought light, hope, mercy, compassion, and above all, love.

1 min

Comelec begins shipping of ballots for May 2025 polls

The Commission on Elections (Comelec) started on Tuesday, April 22, the deployment of the first batch of official ballots for the May 2025 national and local elections, with deliveries beginning in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM).

2 mins

Pope Francis suffered a stroke, heart failure — Vatican doctor

The Vatican said Pope Francis, who died Monday at the age of 88, suffered a stroke which led to a coma and his heart to fail, as he recovered from a five-week hospitalization for double pneumonia.

5 mins

VP Duterte’s lawyers confident of winning impeachment case

Vice President Sara Duterte said on Tuesday, April 22, her lawyers had told her that they were confident in winning the impeachment case that has been levelled against her before the Senate. The trial set to begin in July.

1 min

More LGU officials back Senate bids of Villar, Binay

lyansa para sa Bagong Pilipinas senatorial candidates Las Piñas City lone district Rep. Camille Villar and Makati City Mayor Abby Binay have gained more endorsements at the local government unit (LGUs) level some three weeks before the mid-term polls.

1 min

Marcos signs PH Islamic Burial Act

President Marcos has signed into law, the Philippine Islamic Burial Act, which mandates the proper and immediate burial of Filipino Muslims in accordance with Islamic rites.

1 min

Estrada seeks highest honors for Nora Aunor, Pilita Corrales

Two resolutions seeking to honor the life and achievements of National Artist for Film and Broadcast Arts Nora Aunor, and Asia's Queen of Songs, Pilita Corrales, have been filed in the Senate.

1 min

7 ways SM Supermalls is making Earth Day, every day

SM Supermalls continues to champion the mindset that sustainability isn't just a one-day commitment-it's a lifestyle. In celebration of Earth Day 2025, SM invites everyone to be part of simple, everyday actions that make a big difference for the planet. Through innovative programs, eco-friendly infrastructure, and community engagement, SM's malls have become leading platforms for greener living.

1 min

Aboitiz Renewables protects critical water sources, plants trees

Generating power from renewable energy sources cannot exist in isolation from nature. In the case of hydropower plants, they rely on a water flow that is regulated by a forest with a thriving ecosystem and healthy soil. Without the ecology, even the most advanced clean energy systems cannot be reliable, efficient, or sustained.

3 mins

Apex Mining's green good housekeeping: environmental sustainability beyond tree planting

As a responsible mining company, Apex Mining effectively manages and mitigates its impact to the environment.

2 mins

Beyond technical benchmarks, Earth Day is about culture and leadership

Each year, Earth Day serves as a global reminder of our shared responsibility to care for the planet.

2 mins

Jesus himself drew near and walked with them

Today's Gospel passage narrates the story of the two disciples who walk to Emmaus. As they walk, Jesus draws near and walks with them.

2 mins

Pope Francis: An epitome of compassion, humility, service, unwavering faith

Compassionate, humble, inspiring, peace-loving, and steadfast in faith.

2 mins

What are the church's rites for the death of a pope and the election of a new one?

The death of a pope starts a centuriesold ritual involving sacred oaths by the cardinals elect-

5 mins

Timely and comprehensive budget release: A proactive strategy

Assalamu alaikum wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatuh. I hope everyone had a restful and peaceful long holiday, ready to face new challenges and opportunities.

3 mins

Why online voting isn't worth the gamble

The United Kingdom, despite being a highly connected society with widespread internet access and advanced cybersecurity infrastructure, explicitly prohibits online voting. British voters still physically mark their choices on paper ballots, a practice that might seem outdated in our digital age, yet one that the UK government firmly believes ensures the highest standards of electoral integrity. This choice underscores an essential truth: the convenience of digital technology should never compromise the fundamental principle of secure, reliable, and verifiable democratic elections.

2 mins

Korean shot dead in Angeles City

A Korean was shot dead here on Easter Sunday.

1 min

Grief over Pope's passing spreads across PH

Roman Catholic archdioceses across the country mourned the death of Pope Francis on Easter Monday.

5 mins

94 quakes logged at Bulusan Volcano

The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) recorded 98 earthquakes at Bulusan Volcano in Sorsogon from 3 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Monday, April 21.

1 min

Here come the Tropa

Grand Slam-seeking TNT opens All-Filipino bid

2 mins

One final push for semis bonus

De La Salle University and University of Santo Tomas make one final push for the precious twice-to-beat semis advantage as the UAAP Season 87 women's volleyball tournament returns to action after a long Holy Week break on Wednesday, April 23, at the Mall of Asia Arena.

1 min

Pistons end playoffs losing skid

Cade Cunningham wasn’t thinking about himself after the first postseason victory of his career. His focus was on all the Detroit fans who stuck by the Pistons during 17 years since the last one.

2 mins

IMF slashes PH growth outlook

The Philippines’ economic growth would fall below expectations in the next two years as the threat of a global trade war intensifies, according to the International Monetary Fund (IMF).

3 mins

Pop Mart eyes expansion in Philippines

Chinese designer toy giant Pop Mart International Group is eyeing expansion in the Philippines as part of its broader push into Southeast Asia, according to the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI).

1 min

NFA exceeds rice buffer stock target

The National Food Administration (NFA) said it has built up a buffer stock of 7.17 million 50-kilo bags of milled rice across its network of storage facilities, the agency's highest inventory level since 2020.

2 mins

5.1M add'l jobs doable by 2040-World Bank

The World Bank believes that an additional 5.1 million jobs can be created in the Philippines during the next 15 years if the country fast-tracks reforms conducive to labor market growth and enhancement.

1 min

Moody’s flags declining UnionBank asset quality

Debt watcher Moody’s Ratings has downgraded Union Bank of the Philippines’ (UnionBank) credit ratings, citing deteriorating asset quality following rapid growth in retail lending and rising problem loan ratios.

1 min

IMF slashes PH growth outlook

Even easing consumer prices would not help much, as the sluggish growth forecasts for 2025 and 2026 would be supported by within-target headline inflation, estimated by the IMF to average 2.6 percent this year and 2.9 percent next year.

1 min

AGI cuts capex as earnings drop

Alliance Global Group Inc. (AGI), the investment holding company of tycoon Dr. Andrew Tan, is cutting capital expenditures (capex) for 2025 following a decline in earnings in 2024.

1 min

A quiet shout for charity

Inclusivity shines at Hand and Heart Foundation and Discovery Primea's art auction

1 min

Sailing to summer in style

Luxury retailer Rustan’s kicks off the season of heat with a cruise-inspired party

1 min

Nora Aunor finally laid to rest

National Artist and Superstar Nora Aunor was laid to rest after a state funeral at the Libingan ng mga Bayani in Taguig City on April 22, as family, friends, and supporters gathered to bid their final farewells.

2 mins

OPM icon Hajji Alejandro passes away at 70

OPM icon Hajji Alejandro has passed away following a battle with colon cancer. He was 70.

1 min

Gladys Reyes has soft spot for her brother PJ

This coming May 17, celebrated teleserye and movie villain Gladys Reyes will join \"Beauty Knows No Boundaries,\" Asia’s first pageant for individuals with diverse needs.

2 mins

How escapism is detrimental to your health

Proper ways to cope with troubling times

4 mins

Learning about the effects of myo-inositol

Will this supplement be the solution to all acne breakouts?

2 mins

Have we recovered from the pandemic yet?

A look back at how COVID-19 shook the world five years ago

4 mins

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