Manila Bulletin - April 26, 2025

In this issue

Marcos, world leaders converge for Pope’s funeral

'Pope Jeep' back in spotlight as Filipinos mourn Pope Francis' passing

As the Catholic Church mourns the death of Pope Francis, the jeepney-inspired popemobile during his 2015 visit to the Philippines has drawn renewed attention from the public.

2 mins

EU election observers in PH: We observe, not to interfere

Observation, not interference, is the European Union (EU) election observation team's mission in the Philippines with the aim to \"improve democracy.\"

4 mins

Marcos, world leaders converge for Pope's funeral

Heads of state and royalty have started converging on Rome on Friday for the funeral of Pope Francis in the Vatican's St. Peter's Square amid tight security, but the group of poor people who will meet his casket in a small crosstown basilica are more in keeping with Francis' humble persona and disdain for pomp.

4 mins

Palace raises alarm over alleged poll interference; China denies interest in PH elections

Malacañang has expressed alarm over reports of possible Chinese interference in the upcoming 2025 midterm elections.

3 mins

Marcos OKs issuance of digital nomad visas

President Marcos has authorized the issuance of digital nomad visas to foreigners seeking to temporarily reside and work remotely in the Philippines.

2 mins

Major upgrades being eyed for OFW Hospital - DMW

The Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) is planning significant improvements to the Overseas Filipino Workers (OFW) Hospital in San Fernando, Pampanga as an increasing number of migrant workers and their families make use of its services.

2 mins

Palace confirms sacking of Antique principal over viral toga incident

Malacañang has confirmed that the principal, who was caught on video berating her students and parents during a graduation ceremony in Antique, has been removed from her post.

1 min

Apply early for travel clearances for minors going abroad - DSWD

The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) on Friday, April 25 urged parents and guardians to apply for travel clearances for minors planning to travel abroad, as the agency faces increased requests during the summer break.

1 min

'Vladimir, STOP!': Trump makes an all-caps callout but will Putin hear it?

Even in the realm of Donald Trump's long-preferred style of punch-through-the-static communication, this was quite something.

2 mins

A Thai police plane crashes in the sea, killing at least 5 on board

A small police plane crashed into the sea near a popular beach town in Thailand, killing at least five people on board, officials said.

1 min

Makati LGU opens Life Medical Center

The Makati City government on Thursday, April 24, formally opened the fully-operational Makati Life Medical Center (MLMC), an innovative public-private partnership (PPP) model that can transform how healthcare services are delivered in the Philippines.

1 min

Valenzuela LGU distributes 41 EVs to police, gov't offices

The Valenzuela City government took a major step toward sustainable urban mobility on Friday, April 25, with the official turnover of 41 electric vehicles (EVs) for use in police operations and various local government offices.

1 min

Yorme Isko says he answers to Manileños amid political debt to Lacunas

Manila mayoral bet Francisco “Isko Moreno” Domagoso on Thursday, April 24, said that he answers first to the residents of Manila before anyone else, adding that he is also indebted to them for his tenure as the former local chief executive of the city.

1 min

‘Vladimir, S'T}OP!: ‘Trump makes an all-caps callout but will Putin hear it?

Even in the realm of Donald Trump’s long-preferred style of punch-through-the-static communication, this was quite something.

2 mins

The People's Pope and the Filipino soul

Filipinos are deeply mourning the death of Pope Francis, More than a spiritual leader, he was a shepherd who embraced the margins, a reformer who challenged convention, and a father figure who taught the world the power of Mercy and Compassion—the very theme of his apostolic visit to the Philippines in January 2015.

2 mins

Dealing with 'hate speech' and 'hate spin

Hate speech has been with us since the beginning of time. It is shown in malicious distortions rooted in religious and ethic settings. It promotes division by amplifying disparities and fostering a perception of “us vs. them” according to Dr. Cherian George, professor of Hongkong Baptist University and recipient of the 2024 AMIC Asia Communication Award.

2 mins

Dealing with ‘hate speech’ and ‘hate spin’

Hate speech has been with us since the beginning of time. It is shown in malicious distortions rooted in religious and ethic settings. It promotes division by amplifying disparities and fostering a perception of “us vs. them” according to Dr. Cherian George, professor of Hongkong Baptist University and recipient of the 2024 AMIC Asia Communication Award.

2 mins

Go into the whole world and proclaim the gospel to every creature

Today’s Gospel passage is part of the canonical ending of the Gospel of Mark.

1 min

The People’s Pope and the Filipino soul

Filipinos are deeply mourning the death of Pope Francis, More than a spiritual leader, he was a shepherd who embraced the margins, a reformer who challenged convention, and a father figure who taught the world the power of Mercy and Compassion—the very theme of his apostolic visit to the Philippines in January 2015.

2 mins

Still sweet at 49

Traveling up in the air on a plane with journalists, Pope Francis was asked what he thought about same-sex unions. As the story goes, the Pope replied, without batting an eyelash, “Who am I to judge?”

1 min

Of many farewells

I do not mean for this to be a morbid piece, but I also wanted to share some of my reality out there. It is not an exaggeration when I say that since the end of January, I have known someone who has passed away, and it has been non-stop wake goings and novena masses. Truth be told, no loss is ever easy, most especially to those near and dear who were left behind, and it is also true that some losses hit harder than others. What I have come to realize after all these untimely deaths is that we tend to reflect on life, and think about a thing or two each time, regardless of our affinity to the deceased.

1 min

Good night, Pope Francis

Pope Francis leaves in the same manner he first came out as the new pope in 2013, when he appeared at the central loggia of St. Peter’s wearing only the white papal cassock and greeting “good evening” in Italian. He immediately charmed Rome and the world by asking first for the people’s blessing before he would bless them for the first time as bishop of Rome and as pope.

3 mins

Faith not only in prayers, also in taking care of needs of the poor

It's been related that while Father (later Bishop) Fulton Sheen was giving a public lecture, explaining Jonah and his mission, a heckler from the audience harrased him to the point of being disrespectful.

3 mins

School feeding, farm education to secure Filipino students’ nutrition

Toensure Filipino students have access to nutritious meals and agricultural education, the Department of Education (DepEd) is enhancing its key initiatives on food security.

1 min

Cops file raps vs 2 vloggers in Cebu

Charges were filed against two vloggers who pulled off stunts for their social media content but caused public inconvenience and threatened public safety in Cebu province.

1 min

Cebuana remembers encounters with Pope

CEBU CITY — The world is mourning the death of Pope Francis but the passing of the well-loved pontiff cuts deeper for this Cebuana businesswoman.

2 mins

Razalan on the way out in Iloilo?

Police Col. Bayani Razalan is set to exit as the top cop of Iloilo province.

1 min

DOTr lauds Bacolod for e-jeep initiatives

The Department of Transportation (DOTr) fully support initiatives of this city under the public utility vehicle modernization program (PUVMP).

2 mins

Basilan town mayor, 9 others hurt in Zamboanga boat fire

A town mayor from Basilan province and nine others were injured when the speedboat they were riding caught fire shortly after leaving a private wharf in Barangay Baliwasan on Wednesday.

1 min

Eala: I'm proud of how I fought'

Alex Eala remained proud of her performance after yielding to reigning champion and world No. 2 Iga Swiatek of Poland, 6-4, 4-6, 2-6, in the second round of the Mutua Madrid Open in Spain Thursday night, April 24 (Manila time).

1 min

Thunder frustrate Grizzlies

Chet Holmgren scored all but one of his 24 points in the second half as the Oklahoma City Thunder rallied from a 29-point deficit after Ja Morant left the game with a hip injury and beat the Memphis Grizzlies, 114-108, on Thursday night, April 24, for a 3-0 lead in the first-round series.

1 min

Filipinos fight back

Standard Insurance tops Paoay-Vigan time trial

1 min

Crucial UAAP weekend

It's a crucial weekend for the protagonists of the UAAP women's volleyball semifinals.

1 min

Eala: ‘I’m proud of how I fought’

AlexEala remained proud of her performance after yielding to reigning champion and world No. 2 Iga Swiatek of Poland, 6-4, 4-6, 2-6, in the second round of the Mutua Madrid Open in Spain Thursday night, April 24 (Manila time).

1 min

Hotshots stake clean record in Zambo

For the first time in a long while, Zamboanga City will serve as a PBA battleground as Magnolia stakes its perfect slate against Phoenix in the first out-of-town game of the Season 49 Philippine Cup on Saturday, April 26..

1 min

Ayala targets profitability for smaller business units

Zobel-led Ayala Corporation, the country’s oldest conglomerate and among the most prestigious, is aiming to surpass its performance in 2024, its strongest year ever, by bringing its smaller and newer businesses to profitability in about two years.

3 mins

WB slashes growth forecasts for PH

Amid a looming global trade war, the World Bank slashed its 2025 and 2026 growth forecasts for the Philippines to levels that would bring two-year economic expansion to their slowest pace post-pandemic.

3 mins

Gov’t raises ₱300B in new bond offering

The national government has raised P300 billion from its 10-year benchmark fixed-rate treasury notes (FXTNs), driven by strong investor confidence and the resilience of the domestic creditors and investors despite global economic uncertainties.

1 min

Local oil prices climbing higher

Motorists will need to tighten their belts once more, as fuel prices are projected to increase by a peso next week.

1 min

Manila aims for 'best deal' in US

Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Secretary Cristina Roque is set to fly to the United States (US) next week, as Philippine trade and eco-nomic officials would meet with the Trump admin-istration to address the imposition of the currently paused tariffs.

2 mins

Another high for Mitsubishi sales

Mitsubishi Motors Philippines Corp. (MMPC) continues its strong growth momentum in 2024 by notching the second consecutive year of hitting record-high sales.

1 min

AC Health sets ambitious plan

AC Health, the healthcare arm of the Ayala Group, is targeting to grow into a $2-billion healthcare enterprise by 2035 by expanding its businesses through acquisitions and organic growth.

1 min

Strong start for BDO in 2025 despite economic headwinds

BDO Unibank, Inc. reported a net income of 19.7 billion in the first three months of 2025 from P18.5 billion last year, due to sustained performance across its core businesses.

1 min

Champions of change

Climate Reality PH inducts new leaders into global networks for climate action

4 mins

Renewing our commitment to the planet

Here’s what has arrived in the month of our shared home

2 mins

The Jordan double team: A review of 'Sinners'

After directing such blockbusters as Creed and the two Black Panther films, one might well wonder what Director Ryan Coogler would tackle as his next film project.

2 mins

There's no stopping Elizabeth Oropesa

Although veteran actress Elizabeth Oropesa did not attend the wake of National Artist and Superstar Nora Aunor, this does not imply she was not close to the multi-awarded star.

5 mins

Adobo for all

A flavorful journey through the Philippines' most beloved dish

1 min

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