Manila Bulletin - April 24, 2025

In this issue

Marcos, FL to attend Pope’s funeral

Marcos, FL to attend Pope's funeral

President Marcos and First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos are set to fly to the Vatican to attend the funeral of Pope Francis, Communications Undersecretary Claire Castro confirmed on Wednesday, April 23.

4 mins

Japan's PM to visit PH next week

Japanese Prime Minister Ishiba Shigeru is set to embark on an official visit to the Philippines on April 29 to 30, Malacañang confirmed.

1 min

AFP to test interoperability of NMESIS with BrahMos in Balikatan

As part of this year’s Balikatan Exercises, the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) will gauge how the United States Navy-Marine Expeditionary Ship Interdiction System (NMESIS) missile launcher will work with the newly-acquired BrahMos supersonic cruise missiles.

1 min

4 Filipina icons to receive Presidential Medal of Merit

President Marcos is set to confer the Presidential Medal of Merit on four iconic Filipino women—Gloria Romero, Nora Aunor, Pilita Corrales, and Margarita Fores—on May 4, Malacañang confirmed.

1 min

Gov't gets tough on reckless drivers

The national government has started flexing its muscles against errant motorists after the Land Transportation Office (LTO) suspended the driver’s license of a total of 671 motorists for involvement in road accidents and drug-related offenses during the Holy Week period alone.

2 mins

SC warns public vs fake judiciary orders, notices

The Supreme Court (SC) warned the public against rising incidents of fake orders, notices, issuances, and advisories purportedly issued by the courts and their offices in the judiciary.

1 min

Comelec online precinct finder goes live

The Commission on Elections (Comelec) announced on Wednesday, April 23, that its online precinct finder went live at 4 a.m. for voters to determine their registration status as well as their assigned Post or clustered precinct.

2 mins

Hot weather to continue; no relief expected in coming days - PAGASA

The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) on Wednesday, April 23 said the country will continue to experience hot weather, with little to no chance of significant rainfall over the next two to three days.

1 min

PH Pavilion a major draw at Osaka Expo 2025

More than 40,000 guests visited the Philippine Pavilion at the Expo 2025 Osaka within nine days of its opening, a turnout the Department of Tourism (DOT) hailed as a strong signal of growing international interest in the country's culture, creativity, and tourism appeal.

1 min

Marcos: Data as vital as electricity, water

President Marcos stressed that, in the digital age, data is becoming as vital as water and electricity, emphasizing the need to further the country's digital infrastructure.

1 min

End of an era

Days before last Tuesday the 22nd, I already had a headline for this little essay I was still going to write.

1 min

They gave him a piece of baked fish

Jesus appears to his disciples in Jerusalem. The disciples are startled and terrified, thinking that they are seeing a ghost.

3 mins

World Immunization Week: Protect every person from vaccine-preventable diseases

Vaccines are one of humanity's greatest achievements. Over the last 50 years, essential vaccines have saved at least 154 million lives. That's six lives a minute, every day, for five decades.

2 mins

Rekindling the reading habit in a scrolling world

In a world where attention spans are shrinking and screens dominate our leisure time, the quiet act of reading a book feels almost like a rebellion. When was the last time you, or someone you know, chose to read a book over Netflix or Facebook?

2 mins

Addressing learning gaps: DepEd to roll out 4 summer programs in May 2025

To support students' academic recovery, strengthen core skills, and address learning gaps, the Department of Education (DepEd) announced on Monday, April 21, the rollout of four nationwide summer programs focused on reading, math, science, and special education.

3 mins

Back-to-back massive fires hit 2 residential areas in Manila

Massive fires hit two residential areas in Tondo and Port Area in Manila on Wednesday morning, April 23.

1 min

QC bans disposables, single-use plastic in gov't offices

The Quezon City government has banned the use of disposables and single-use plastic (SUPs) bags, packaging, and cutlery within the Quezon City Hall compound and city government-run establishments to reduce plastic waste in the city.

1 min

Suspect in Antipolo bakery stabbing spree says victims plotted to kill him

The suspect in the murder of seven individuals, including two minors, inside a bakery in Barangay Cupang, Antipolo City on Tuesday, April 22, claimed that he killed the victims because they were allegedly plotting to kill him following a dispute regarding the bakery’s ownership.

1 min

US Treasury secretary says trade war with China is not ‘sustainable’

U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said in a Tuesday speech that the ongoing tariffs showdown against China is unsustainable and he expects a “de-escalation” in the trade war between the world’s two largest economies.

2 mins

Bells toll as Pope Francis' body is transferred to St. Peter's Basilica for 3 days of public viewing

The bells of St. Peter's tolled Wednesday as the body of Pope Francis was transferred from the Vatican hotel where he lived to the basilica, escorted by a procession of solemn cardinals and Swiss Guards.

2 mins

Man accused of stealing clothes mauled to death

A 22-year-old man passed away in a hospital on Monday, April 21, hours after he was allegedly mauled by two relatives who accused him of theft on Sunday night, April 20 in Purok Marapara 1, Barangay Bata here.

1 min

80-year-old mayoral candidate found dead

ZAMBOANGA CITY - A mayoral candidate and head of a militia group was found dead inside his residence in Barangay Guiwan here on Tuesday, April 22.

1 min

Foreigner in Bacolod Good Friday crash posts P60,000 bail

Police released a 37-year-old Indian national involved in a Good Friday accident in Barangay Alangilan here on Tuesday, April 22.

1 min

87 poll gun ban violators nabbed in N. Mindanao

Police apprehended 87 Commission on Elections (Comelec) gun ban violators in Northern Mindanao in 100 days.

1 min

Final Four complete

University of Santo Tomas booted University of the Philippines out of semifinal contention with a rousing 25-20, 25-21, 25-18 win to complete the Final Four cast of the UAAP Season 87 women’s volleyball tournament at Mall of Asia Arena Wednesday, April 23.

1 min

Taekwondo summer program under way

It's summertime and the Philippine Taekwondo Association is once again holding its traditional SMART/MVP Sports Foundation Taekwondo Summer Program all over the country.

1 min

Lakers even series vs Wolves

Luka Doncic had 31 points, 12 rebounds and nine assists, and the Los Angeles Lakers fought back to even their first-round series with the Minnesota Timberwolves with a 94-85 victory in Game 2 on Tuesday night, April 22.

1 min

Cycling fever grips Luzon and beyond

ToL invades Ilocos roads in brutal 190km opener

2 mins

PAL seeks Seattle route extension

Flag carrier Philippine Airlines (PAL) is seeking approval from the United States (US) government to extend its flight operations between Manila and Seattle, as Asia’s oldest airline moves to strengthen its presence in the North American market.

2 mins

Poverty-reduction gains at risk-WB

While the Philippines has made strides in reducing poverty, uncertainties wrought by the looming global trade war may reverse some gains, according to the World Bank.

3 mins

PH seen driving wind energy growth

The Global Wind Energy Council (GWEC), an international wind industry association, has identified the Philippines as one of the top markets to watch for wind energy growth.

1 min

Risk and return

In business school, one of the fundamental lessons is that the greater the risk you undertake, the higher the return you should anticipate. Government-issued bills, notes, and bonds represent essentially sovereign risk and are typically regarded as the safest instruments in the market, consequently offering the lowest interest rates.

2 mins

PAL names new president, COO

Flag carrier Philippine Airlines (PAL) has appointed British national and veteran airline industry executive Richard Nuttall as its new president effective May 29, 2025, in line with the airline’s commitment for a bolder push in the international market.

1 min

ACEN raising P30B

To fuel expansion and bolster its finances, ACEN Corp., Ayala Corp.’s renewable energy (RE) unit, plans to raise fresh capital through a stock rights offering (SRO).

1 min

PH pursues stronger US trade

Despite the United States (US) imposing temporarily suspended tariffs, members of the Marcos Cabinet expressed confidence that trade relations between Manila and Washington will be more robust ahead of their upcoming high-level meeting.

1 min

Eton Properties profit plunges

Eton Properties Philippines Inc. (EPPI), the real estate arm of the Lucio Tan Group, reported a 71-percent drop in net income to P213 million last year, from P746 million in 2023, mainly due to a one-time gain in the previous year.

1 min

Making automotive history fun

Hyundai's Motorstudio museums

3 mins

Jaime's tiny cabin in the forest: Only if you can afford the time

Time is an expensive resource and it can also give the simplest of joys the experience of being isolated in the middle of a forest in a simple A-frame cabin with enough urban conveniences for a good sleep.

3 mins

1621's 'Sapulso'

I first met the P-pop group 1621BC, composed of JM, JC, Pan, Win, Migz, and DJ, when I hosted the Appreciation Night of the Multimedia Press Society (MMPRESS) last year. (kinilig ako ha!) I immediately noticed their unique talent and style during their performance. (gusto ko na nga sila iuwi that night!)

1 min

Ruffa Gutierrez on raising daughters Lorin & Venice

Former beauty queen Ruffa Gutierrez, who successfully transitioned into the world of acting, beams with pride as she reflects on her daughters, Venice and Lorin Gabriella Bektas.

5 mins

A scenic sip and snap

7-Eleven in Albay becomes a trending hotspot with majestic Mayon backdrop

1 min

10 destinations in Bangkok you can visit through rail

A handy guide for exploring one of the most visited cities in the world by public transportation

4 mins

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