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Stuff to Do (04/11/25)

Watch a horror film at Ayala Malls

AYALA MALLS Cinemas will host the exclusive theatrical release of the horror film The Demon Disorder. It is the directorial debut of special effects master Steven Boyle. The Australian horror movie follows three brothers who are reunited after the youngest is possessed by their deceased father. Originally premiered on the horror movie platform Shudder, it is now showing only at Ayala Malls.

Listen to Dylan Menor’s debut single

BRANCHING out from his career as an actor is Dylan Menor, who has just released his debut single, “Maghapon,” under Universal Records. Written by Alvin Serito of the band SunKissed Lola, the track is a serenade that starts calm and slow as it tells the story of someone drawn to another’s presence. Mr. Menor, managed by Stages Talents, has previously teased the song on fan meets and TV shows. “Maghapon” is out now on all digital music streaming platforms.

Watch action thriller G20 on Prime Video

ACADEMY Award-winning actress Viola Davis is the lead in a brand-new action thriller, where she plays US President Danielle Sutton who becomes the world’s last line of defense in an international crisis. G20, now streaming exclusively on Prime Video, centers on the former military veteran as she is thrust into a deadly siege by terrorists during a global summit in Cape Town. Directed by Patricia Riggen, the thriller is out now on Prime Video.

Listen to XG’s reworked single

HIP-HOP/R&B girl group XG has announced the release of their reworked single “IN THE RAIN” from their second mini album AWE. It is accompanied by a music video featuring the members dressed in sleek suits. The alternate take of the R&B-inspired track — which fuses the delicate sound of falling rain with gentle guitar melodies — injects electronic dance music elements. It is out now on all digital music streaming platforms.

Philippines rises in Social Progress Index

The Philippines went up two places to 86th out of 170 countries in the 2025 edition of the Global Social Progress Index by nonprofit organization Social Progress Imperative in partnership with global wealth manager AlTi Teidemann. It was the country’s best performance in six years or since it placed 85th in 2018. With an overall score of 67.34 out of 100 points, the Philippines’ score was above the global average of 64.02.

Philippines rises in Social Progress Index

How PSEi member stocks performed — April 10, 2025

Here’s a quick glance at how PSEi stocks fared on Thursday, April 10, 2025.

SWS: Voters will back champions of workers, food security, and healthcare

FILIPINOS line up for free food in Manila. — PHILIPPINE STAR/KRIZ JOHN ROSALES

NINE OF 10 Filipinos are likely to support candidates with a platform for jobs, healthcare, food security and education, according to a Social Weather Stations (SWS) survey.

The survey, which was commissioned by Stratbase ADR Institute, found that 92% of Filipinos would vote for candidates who would push for job creation, while 91% would support those who seek to improve the country’s healthcare system.

Filipino voters would also vote for candidates who seek to revitalize the agriculture industry to bolster food security (91%) and those committed to promoting equal access to education (90%).

“Many Filipinos still struggle with everyday needs,” Stratbase President Victor Andres C. Manhit said in a statement on Thursday. “People want jobs because having work means having income to support their families.”

“Healthcare remains a priority because getting sick is expensive, and many still can’t afford proper treatment,” he added.

He also said food security is a top concern because food prices keep going up, and families want to be sure that there is always food on the table. “Education is seen as the key to a better future, especially for the younger generation.”

Millions of Filipinos will pick a new set of congressmen, 12 of the 24-member Senate and thousands of local officials on May 12.

“With just over a month left before the May elections, candidates should take this survey seriously,” Mr. Manhit said. “They must show they understand the real needs of the people.”

Meanwhile, 89% of Filipinos said they would vote for candidates who advocate workers’ rights including migrant workers, while 86% would back political aspirants with plans to reduce poverty.

A good number of Filipinos (85%) said they would vote for candidates batting for cheaper basic goods and services. “When prices of goods and services rise, it affects everyone,” Mr. Manhit said.

Climate change mitigation, disaster preparedness and national security concerns in the South China Sea also ranked high in the survey, with 82% of Filipinos expressing support for candidates with concrete plans to address these issues.

About 79% of Filipinos would support political aspirants that advocate for stable electricity and green energy, according to the survey.

“Interestingly, traditional campaign issues such as the fight against illegal drugs and corruption did not rank among the top 10 advocacies that influence voter preference,” Stratbase said.

Meanwhile, 79% of Filipinos said they favor politicians opposed to illegal drugs, while 71% would back candidates with a strong anti-corruption stance.

Mr. Manhit said voters should press candidates to reveal their plans for solving the issues highlighted by the SWS survey. “It’s not enough to make promises.”

SWS interviewed 1,800 Filipinos on March 15 to 20 for the poll, which had a 2% error margin. — Kenneth Christiane L. Basilio

BI to send more workers during Holy Week break

PHILIPPINE STAR/EDD GUMBAN

THE Bureau of Immigration (BI) will deploy 40 more workers to international airports nationwide amid an expected travel surge during the Holy Week, according to its spokesperson.

“We will be deploying an additional 40-plus immigration officers to augment our existing personnel and ensure that all our counters are fully staffed to serve the public,” Immigration spokesperson Dana Krizia M. Sandoval told a news briefing in Filipino on Thursday.

She also said the bureau had opened a dedicated wing for overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal 3 to streamline and expedite immigration processing. The new OFW wing can accommodate about 3,000 OFWs daily.

She advised passengers to arrive at the airport three to four hours before their flights to avoid delays.

Meanwhile, Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) Chairman Romando S. Artes will inspect bus terminals along the Epifanio De Los Santos Avenue (EDSA) from Cubao to the north in preparation for the Holy Week.

He will also check the readiness of agency personnel in traffic management and in providing assistance to commuters, the agency said in a statement.

The MMDA would likewise conduct random drug tests among drivers and conductors to ensure passenger safety.

Philippine President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr., earlier this week ordered the Department of Transportation and its attached agencies to carry out strict inspections of terminals, ports and airports to cut travel delays during the Lenten break next week.

He also ordered law enforcement agencies to tighten their watch on crime during the holiday break.

The Philippine National Police (PNP) on April 3 said more than 40,000 cops would be deployed nationwide to maintain peace and order on April 13 to 20.

Police regional offices were also ordered to conduct regular inspections and boost police presence in crowded places such as terminals, ports and transport hubs.

In a separate statement on Tuesday, the Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) said it expects passenger volume at the country’s seaports to increase 3.5% to 1.73 million next week from a year earlier.

The port regulator noted that for the first three weeks of March, it had logged 3.03 million passengers, or an average of 1.01 million passengers per week. This year, PPA expects passenger volume to increase 9.5% to 85.41 million from a year earlier.

The Holy Week, which commemorates the passion, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, is one of the most significant religious observances in the predominantly Catholic Philippines. It will start on April 13 during Palm Sunday and end on April 20 during Easter Sunday. — Chloe Mari A. Hufana

Nutrition institute says 39% of Filipino adults are obese

STOCK PHOTO | Image by Michal Jarmoluk from Pixabay

By Kenneth Christiane L. Basilio, Reporter

ABOUT four of 10 Filipinos aged 20 to 59 are obese, with obesity rates likely influenced by location and wealth, according to the Food and Nutrition Research Institute.

“Obesity and overweight are higher in urban areas and tend to increase in relation with wealth,” Mildred O. Guirindola, chief science research specialist at the institute, an agency attached to the Department of Science and Technology, told a stakeholder meeting in Mandaluyong City on Thursday.

She said 35% of Filipino male adults are grossly overweight, compared with 45% of their female counterparts.

Obesity is a medical condition characterized by excessive fat accumulation that poses a health risk, according to the World Health Organization.

Government data showed that 44% of Filipinos in urban areas are obese compared with 35% of those in the countryside.

The institute said 53% of the wealthiest adult Filipinos are obese, with obesity rates steadily declining among lower income groups — down to 25% among the poorest. It added that 35% of poor Filipinos are obese, compared with 40% from the middle class and 44% from the wealthy.

Filipinos in urban communities are more obese likely due to their easy access to junk food and fast-food restaurants, with rich people having the resources to spend more on cholesterol-rich foods and alcoholic beverages, Vicente Y. Belizario, Jr., former dean of the University of the Philippines College of Public Health, said in an interview.

Obesity contributes to 0.7% to 2.8% of nation’s total healthcare spending, according to a separate presentation by the Epidemiological Burden and Cost of Obesity project, which is studying the costs of obesity in the Philippines.

The Philippine government may be spending about P200 billion yearly to address obesity and obesity-linked diseases such as heart disease and diabetes, Madeleine de Rosas-Valera, project leader of the obesity research group, said in an interview.

Lawmaker accuses China of backing Senate bets

BW FILE PHOTO

A PHILIPPINE lawmaker on Thursday alleged that China is backing certain senatorial candidates in this year’s midterm elections, pointing to those who have remained silent on the country’s sea dispute with Beijing.

“It is not far-fetched to think that China is supporting candidates opposing the administration in the Senate,” Zambales Rep. Jefferson F. Khonghun said in a statement in Filipino.

“If we recall, those candidates are also silent or siding with China on every issue concerning the West Philippine Sea,” he added, referring to parts of the South China Sea that fall within Manila’s exclusive economic zone.

The Chinese Embassy in Manila did not immediately reply to a Viber message seeking comment.

The Philippines and China have been embroiled in a maritime row over competing claims on Spratly Islands and Scarborough Shoal, among other sea features in the South China Sea.

Philippine and Chinese forces have repeatedly sparred in the waterway as Beijing asserts sovereignty over almost the entire sea, seen as a vital global trade and security route that is also believed to be rich in undersea gas and oil deposits.

“What China is doing is not mere interference. It is a systematic campaign to make our leaders subservient while seizing our territory,” said Mr. Khonghun.

His accusation comes as over 69 million Filipinos prepare to elect a new set of congressmen, 12 of the 24-member Senate, and thousands of local officials on May 12, in an election viewed as a referendum on the Marcos administration.

The midterm polls will also take place amid a bitter feud between President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. and the Dutertes, whose patriarch, former President Rodrigo R. Duterte, fostered closer ties with Beijing.

The Marcos-Duterte alliance publicly unraveled last year, entangling them in a political quarrel marked by escalating tit-for-tat exchanges over the dismantling of Mr. Duterte’s pro-China foreign policy and investigations into his signature anti-drug campaign.

Mr. Khonghun said Filipinos should shun not only “pro-China” candidates but also social media personalities echoing “Beijing’s agenda.”

The Philippine Coast Guard told a House of Representatives hearing on Tuesday that they had seen an uptick in disinformation campaigns disparaging the country’s South China Sea claim. It has compiled a report covering the past two years and came up with a framework of how disinformation against Manila’s claim spread. — Kenneth Christiane L. Basilio

2nd Filipino killed in Myanmar found

MEMBERS of the Chinese Red Cross International Emergency Response Team work at a collapsed residential building following the earthquake, in Mandalay, Myanmar on March 31, 2025. — CHINA DAILY VIA REUTERS

THE Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) on Thursday said the second missing Filipino killed in the 7.7-magnitude Myanmar earthquake has been found.

In a statement, the DFA said that its Embassy in Yangon confirmed “the positive identification of the remains of a second confirmed Filipino victim of the powerful 7.7 earthquake which hit Myanmar last March 28.”

“The family of the deceased Filipino has been informed. They have requested media to respect their privacy in this very difficult time,” the agency added, noting no further details will be provided.

The DFA said it is unable to provide any further details, out of respect for the victim’s family.

“We continue to hope for the best for the remaining two Filipinos still unaccounted for in Mandalay, Myanmar,” it added.

The DFA on Wednesday confirmed the first Filipino casualty after the devastating Myanmar quake.

A 7.7-magnitude quake struck Myanmar and parts of Thailand on March 28, crippling major infrastructure like airports, bridges and highways and killing more than 3,000 people. The recent quake is considered to be one of the biggest in the last century.

The Philippines sent a 91-member humanitarian aid team, composed of army and air force soldiers and people from the Office of Civil Defense, Bureau of Fire Protection to assist earthquake victims in Myanmar.

Separately, the DFA said that a second batch of overseas Filipinos were relocated from Mandalay to Yangon last April 6. A total of 14 Filipinos were transported by the embassy and “currently billeted at a secure accredited lodging facility.” — Adrian H. Halili

PHL Village Hotel demolition set

SAN MIGUEL-LED New NAIA Infra Corp. (NNIC) is set to demolish the Philippine Village Hotel for its planned construction of a new terminal to accommodate the growing passenger volume at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA).

“By April 21, we will demolish the Philippine Village Hotel for the construction of Terminal 5. It will be finished maybe within two to three years’ time,” NNIC General Manager Angelito A. Alvarez said in a media briefing on Thursday.

NNIC is composed of SMC; RMM Asian Logistics, Inc.; RLW Aviation Development, Inc.; and Incheon International Airport Corp., the operator of South Korea’s main international airport.

In 2024, NNIC said it is coordinating with the Transportation department, the local government of Pasay, and Manila International Airport Authority to resolve all issues to demolish the abandoned Philippine Village Hotel.

NNIC has earlier announced its plan to build a new terminal building as part of its commitment to decongest the airport.

Mr. Alvarez said the NAIA’s private operator is now preparing and has outlined its plan for the expected increased passenger volume this year.

“The airport’s capacity is designed for about 32 million and 34 million passengers per annum. In 2024, we carried about 51 million passengers, this year our target is 54 million,” Mr. Alvarez said. “Just imagine the congestion in our terminals.” 

The NNIC has also shelved its planned renovation of the NAIA’s Terminal 4 due to hazard issues, Mr. Alvarez said, adding that the private operator will instead pursue its plan to build Terminal 5.

“For our Terminal 4, the old terminal, we will not be pursuing the plan anymore due to hazards and obstacles… It was just demolished, and we will not be constructing an additional structure, instead we will build Terminal 4’s replacement in the [location of] the previous International Cargo Terminal,” he said.

To recall, NNIC has closed Terminal 4 of NAIA since Nov. 6 last year to improve the terminal’s overall infrastructure and passenger flow.

“So, in the next three months, we will be coordinating with government agencies, cargo and bonded warehouse operators and relocate them in a new temporary facility to convert the new terminal,” Mr. Alvarez said, adding that it is hoping to relocate the domestic flights of AirAsia Philippines’ and some of Cebu Pacific flights in the replacement site of Terminal 4.

In October last year, NNIC said it will reopen Terminal 4 in February 2025. It has relocated all airlines operating from Terminal 4 to Terminal 2. — Ashley Erika O. Jose

PRC, CHED sign circular for teachers

PRESIDENT Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. witnessed the signing of a circular at Malacañan Palace on Thursday between Professional Regulation Commission Chairperson Charito A. Zamora and Commission on Higher Education Chairperson J. Prospero E. de Vera III to align the board licensure exam for teachers with the teacher education curriculum. — NOEL B. PABALATE/PPA POOL

THE Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) and the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) on Thursday signed a joint memorandum circular aimed at aligning the Board Licensure Examination for Professional Teachers (BLEPT) with the current CHED Teacher Education Curriculum, set to begin in September 2025.

Under the new policy, licensure examinations for teachers will now be administered according to specific fields of specialization, reflecting CHED’s updated program standards and guidelines.

For Elementary Education, separate examinations will be held for Early Childhood Education and Special Needs Education; while aspiring teachers for Secondary Education will undergo distinct assessments based on their respective fields, which include English, Filipino, Mathematics, Science, Social Studies, Values Education, Technology and Livelihood Education, Technical-Vocational Teacher Education, Physical Education, and Culture and Arts Education.

The initiative stemmed from President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr.’s directive following a March 2025 meeting with the Second Congressional Commission on Education (EDCOM 2), where he underscored the urgent need to reform teacher education and licensure to address persistent gaps in learning outcomes and teaching quality.

“We need to make sure that the assessment of our aspiring teachers reflects their specializations,” EDCOM 2 Co-Chairperson Sherwin T. Gatchalian said in a separate statement. “Implementing specialized versions of the LEPT is one step to address teacher-subject mismatch, which will eventually help us improve the quality of instruction in our schools.”

According to EDCOM 2’s findings, nearly two-thirds (62%) of high school teachers in the country are assigned to teach subjects outside their college majors.

This mismatch is partly due to how the current BLEPT structure fails to assess specific teacher specializations.

Data from the March 2024 BLEPT showed that graduates from key programs such as MAPEH (34.1%), Technical Livelihood and Technical and Vocational Education (33.2%), and Early Childhood Education (42.1%) posted significantly lower passing rates compared to the overall average of 62.9%—highlighting the exam’s misalignment with the actual curriculum.

The joint circular introduces specialized licensure exams starting in September 2025.

“By September 2025, we will endeavor to have specialized exams for teacher education programs, including early childhood and special needs education. This provides an additional layer of quality assurance, ensuring that the Department of Education can effectively seek out not just any licensed individual but specifically those who are rightly qualified,” said PRC Chairperson Charito A. Zamora in a statement.

“This alignment of the LEPT with the teacher education curriculum ensures that our educators are not just qualified but are deeply knowledgeable in their specific fields. This is a big step towards providing the quality education that our students deserve,” said EDCOM 2 Co-Chairperson Rep. Roman T. Romulo.

The reform is also a precursor to broader legislative changes. Pending in both chambers of Congress are proposed amendments to Republic Act No. 7836, or the Teacher Professionalization Act of 1994.

House Bill 9979 passed the House on March 19, 2024. In the Senate, similar bills by Mr. Gatchalian, Lorna Regina B. Legarda, and Emmanuel Joel J. Villanueva are currently under review. — Chloe Mari A. Hufana

DoTr orders probe of PAL emergency landing

REUTERS

THE Department of Transportation (DoTr) said it had ordered the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) and the Civil Aeronautics Board (CAB) to investigate the emergency landing of the Philippine Airlines (PAL) flight bound for Los Angeles at Haneda Airport after reports of smoke in the cabin.

“We will have to look at what happened there. I already instructed CAAP and the Civil Aeronautics Board to already look at what happened and to see also what actions are taken by PAL,” Transportation Secretary Vivencio B. Dizon said in a media briefing on Thursday.

In a statement, PAL said all 359 passengers and 18 crew aboard the Boeing 777 aircraft have safely disembarked the aircraft. The flag carrier has assured that its ground operations staff at Tokyo Haneda Airport will provide full support, including meals, baggage assistance and arranging of alternative flights to all affected passengers.

PR102 was bound for Los Angeles, when the flight was diverted to Tokyo Haneda Airport after initial reports of smoke coming out of the cabin’s air-conditioning units.

According to PAL, the flight landed at Haneda at 3:30 a.m. local time but was only assigned a disembarkation gate at 10 a.m.

“Philippine Airlines prioritizes safety above all else and is fully cooperating with the relevant airport and aviation authorities,” PAL said in a statement.

CAB had issued a show cause order against PAL due to reports that no ground personnel or transport support was provided to passengers.

“We received a report on Flight PR102 (Manila-Los Angeles) this morning, which was diverted to Haneda Airport due to smoke in the cabin and cockpit. Upon landing, it was noted that no ground personnel or transport support were available to assist the passengers,” CAB Executive Director Carmelo L. Arcilla said.

As provided for under the Air Passenger Bill of Rights, passengers are entitled to timely assistance, accommodation and information during delays, cancellation and diversions.

Meanwhile, PAL has also announced on Thursday the reopening of its aviation school through a strategic partnership with Australian-based training institution Airways Aviation Academy (AAA).

“We want to be assured of a steady pipeline of pilots who will meet our needs in line with our expansion plans for the future,” PAL President and Chief Operating Officer Stanley K. Ng said.

To recall, PAL has suspended the operations of its aviation school in 2020 due to the pandemic.

PAL said its decision to revive its pilot training program is in line with the growing demand for skilled aviators and to support its fleet and route expansion plans. — Ashley Erika O. Jose

House backs daycare initiative

Kindergarten students engage in art activities during class in Marikina classes, Aug. 25, 2022. — PHILIPPINE STAR/WALTER BOLLOZOS

THE House of Representatives pledged support to President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr.’s thrust to construct and develop daycares in impoverished areas by ensuring necessary funding allocation, Speaker Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez said on Thursday.

Mr. Marcos last week directed city and municipal governments to build about 328 child development centers in low-income areas across the Philippines to boost the learning of young Filipinos, signing a circular that ordered the earmarking of about P1 billion to back his initiative.

“We have no other aim but to support the President,” Mr. Romualdez said in a statement in Filipino. “Wherever there is a need, that is where we allocate the funds. If the issue is a lack of facilities for children aged 0 to 4, then that is what we will address.”

The Philippine Congress is vested with the power to review the budget proposed by the Executive and reallocate government spending as lawmakers see fit. It is the House that conducts an initial review and deliberation of the budget, forwarding it to the Senate for further evaluation before being sent to the President for approval.

A 2022 World Bank report showed that nine of 10 Filipinos are unable to read and understand age-appropriate text at age 10.

“We still have much to fix in our education system, but this marks the beginning of broader reforms,” said Mr. Romualdez. — Kenneth Christiane L. Basilio

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