Filipiñana, a tale of a teenage golf caddy, set for New York screening

By Kristel Satumbaga-Villar

Published Jul 17, 2026 08:13 pm

At A Glance

• The film explores a satirical take on post-colonial class divisions through the story of Isabel, a teenage golf caddy who develops an attraction to Dr. Palanca, the president of the country club where she works.

Promotional film poster. (IMDB)

A 2026 coming-of-age film centered on a 17-year-old “tee girl” -- now known as a golf caddy -- is scheduled to open at New York City’s historic Film Forum next month.

“Filipiñana”, the feature film debut of writer-director Rafael Manuel, has quietly garnered accolades on the international film festival circuit since premiering at the 2026 Sundance Film Festival earlier this year, where it won the Special Jury Award for Creative Vision in the World Cinema category. The film was also nominated for the festival's Grand Jury Prize for Dramatic Features.

In May, Manuel also received the New Directors Award at the San Francisco International Film Festival for the movie.

The film explores a satirical take on post-colonial class divisions through the story of Isabel, a teenage golf caddy who develops an attraction to Dr. Palanca, the president of the country club where she works. Her infatuation takes a dark turn as she uncovers the violence lurking beneath the club’s polished facade and discovers a disturbing connection between them rooted in the past.

Cebu Pacific leases jet, crew to Vietnam Airlines

 

BY LOGAN KAL-EL M. ZAPANTA

JULY 17, 2026

Cebu Pacific is bracing for the lean travel season in the Philippines by deploying one of its Airbus A320neo aircraft, complete with its pilots and cabin crew, to Vietnam Airlines under a short-term lease agreement.

This agreement leverages the Gokongwei-led budget carrier’s 100-aircraft fleet and opens a new revenue stream by deploying capacity to other airlines rather than launching or expanding its own routes during periods of softer demand in the Philippines.

Under a wet lease, the aircraft owner provides not only the plane but also the cockpit and cabin crew.

HOW TO RESPECT YOURSELF

 

Eldito

 · 

Coach & Trainer. Never lose sight of your goal 

(1) Stop seeking those who do not seek you.

(2) Stop begging.

(3) Stop saying more than necessary.

(4) When people disrespect you, confront them immediately.

(5) Don’t eat more of others' food than they eat of yours.

(6) Limit how often you visit certain people, especially if they don’t reciprocate.

(7) Invest in yourself. Treat yourself well.

(8) Stop gossiping about others.

(9) Think before you speak. 80% of how people perceive you is based on what comes out of your mouth.

(10) Always present yourself in the best possible way. Dress as you wish to be treated.

(11) Be a winner. Focus on your goals.

(12) Respect your time.

(13) Don’t stay in a relationship where you don’t feel respected and valued. Walk away.

(14) Learn to spend money on yourself. That’s how people will learn to spend on you.

(15) Be rare sometimes.

(16) Be more of a giver than a receiver.

(17) Don’t go where you’re not invited. And when you are invited, don’t overstay your welcome.

(18) Treat people exactly as they deserve.

(19) Unless they owe you money, two attempts to call are enough. If they value you, they’ll call back.

(20) Be good at what you do. Be the best.

Junior Tigresses complete elims sweep, secure top semis seed

 Nicole Pelaez shines for UST. (SSL)

By Manila Bulletin Newsroom

Published Jul 16, 2026 04:26 pm

University of Santo Tomas completed an elimination round sweep and locked the No. 1 seed in the semifinals after defeating erstwhile unbeaten St. John's Institute-Bacolod, 25-17, 25-23, in the 2026 Shakey's Juniors National Invitationals on Thursday, July 16, at the Playtime FilOil Arena in San Juan.

University of Santo Tomas completed an elimination round sweep and locked the No. 1 seed in the semifinals after defeating erstwhile unbeaten St. John’s Institute-Bacolod, 25-17, 25-23, in the 2026 Shakey’s Juniors National Invitationals on Thursday, July 16, at the Playtime FilOil Arena in San Juan.

Anelli Manzanillo played clutch in the closing stretch of the second set, scoring four of her team’s 5-2 finishing blow as the Junior Tigresses emerged unscathed after six starts in the elims of the tournament backed by Shakey’s Pizza Parlor, Peri-Peri Charcoal Chicken, Potato Corner, and R and B Milk Tea.

UST, which ruled the Shakey’s Girls Volleyball Invitational League (SGVIL) Rising Stars Cup Division 1 a couple of months ago, will take on the fourth-seeded squad in the knockout Final Four on Friday at the same venue starting at 4 p.m.

Nicole Pelaez scored all her 10 points on attacks while Manzanillo finished with eight markers on four kills and four kill blocks to lead the Junior Tigresses, who have yet to drop a set in the weeklong competition supported by Jetour, Baic, Eurotel, Victory Liner Rent & Go, F2 Logistics, Summit Natural Drinking Water, PusoP.com and Smart Sports.

“Natutunan po namin sa preliminaries na ito kung paano po talaga ibigay yung best effort namin para makuha yung isang puntos,” Manzanillo said.

“Alam namin nag-training din yung ibang team so dapat maibigay din namin yung tamang galaw and best talaga na maibibigay namin na laro,” she added.

UST encountered tough opposition from the Falcons in the second set and trailed SJI-Bacolod, 20-21, after a Kristel Mirasol hit.

Manzanillo took matters into her own hands and scored back-to-back kills before Pelaez smashed an attack for a 23-21 UST advantage.

Eliz Menchavez committed an attack error that gave the Falcons a breather but Manzanillo answered with a kill block to put UST at match point, 24-22.

SJI-Bacolod saved a match point on an error by the Junior Tigresses before Manzanillo capped the one-hour, five-minute victory with a kill block against Caera Celis.

The semis-bound Falcons saw their four-game winning streak snapped heading into their final elims match against Guam-based guest team Pacific Volleyball Academy, Inc. later in the day.

Celis was limited to just seven points while Edz Escultura and Eileen Yanson logged in five markers each for SJI-Bacolod, which shot itself in the foot with 18 errors.

All games in the competition, backed by technical partners Philippine Sports Commission, Commission on Higher Education, Mikasa, Asics, Rigour Technology and Team Rebel Sports, are available live and on-demand via PusoP.com livestream and Solar Sports.

Learning from Singapore

By Manila Bulletin Newsroom

Published Jul 17, 2026 12:05 am | Updated Jul 16, 2026 05:16 pm

State visits and bilateral meetings are important, but they should never be judged by the warmth of diplomatic exchanges alone. Their true value lies in whether they improve the lives of ordinary people. President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.'s meeting with Singapore Prime Minister Lawrence Wong offers the Philippines more than another opportunity to strengthen diplomatic ties. It presents a timely reminder that meaningful partnerships must translate into meaningful progress.

Few countries offer lessons as compelling as Singapore. With a land area smaller than many Philippine provinces and virtually no significant natural resources, it transformed itself into one of the world's most prosperous, competitive, and well-governed nations. Its success did not happen overnight, nor was it a product of geography. It was built through visionary leadership, institutional integrity, policy continuity, meritocracy, and an unwavering commitment to efficiency and accountability.

The Philippines, by comparison, has no shortage of advantages. It is rich in natural resources, strategically located in the heart of Southeast Asia, and blessed with a young, talented, and resilient population. Yet these strengths have too often been undermined by inconsistent policies, bureaucratic inefficiency, political patronage, and missed opportunities. That reality makes closer cooperation with Singapore more than a diplomatic milestone. It makes it an opportunity to learn, adapt, and improve.

The two leaders’ commitment to deepen collaboration in trade, artificial intelligence, investments, healthcare, and social development reflects the priorities of a rapidly changing global economy. These are not simply fashionable topics. They are the foundations of future competitiveness. Singapore has demonstrated how digital transformation, efficient governance, and a predictable investment climate can attract global businesses while improving public services. The Philippines should study these successes with humility and apply them with determination.

Yet no memorandum of understanding, however promising, can substitute for political will. Stronger ties with Singapore will amount to little if agreements remain on paper or become casualties of bureaucratic inertia. The challenge before the Marcos administration is clear: convert diplomacy into measurable reforms. That means streamlining regulations, digitalizing government services, improving infrastructure, strengthening institutions, and ensuring that investments create quality jobs and inclusive growth.

The responsibility does not end in Malacañan. Every level of government has a stake in this national undertaking. Governors, mayors, city and municipal councils, and even barangay officials must foster a culture of transparency, professionalism, and service. Investors judge a country not only by its national policies but also by how efficiently permits are issued, how fairly regulations are enforced, and how responsive local governments are to the needs of businesses and communities.

The private sector must likewise rise to the occasion. Philippine companies should pursue innovation instead of complacency, invest in technology instead of shortcuts, and compete on quality instead of convenience. Partnerships with Singaporean enterprises should become avenues for knowledge transfer, workforce development, and higher standards of corporate governance.

Finally, every Filipino has a role beyond expecting the government to act. Progress requires citizens who value integrity, embrace continuous learning, support lawful and ethical practices, and demand accountability from those in power. National transformation is not achieved by leaders alone but by a society that shares responsibility for its future.

The Philippines has much to learn from Singapore, but admiration is not a development strategy. Action is. If this renewed partnership inspires reforms that strengthen governance, accelerate innovation, and expand opportunities for all, then this diplomatic engagement will be remembered not for the speeches delivered in Singapore, but for the progress realized in every Filipino community.

Are we up for the challenge? Yes, the Filipino can only if we are willing to adapt and embrace change.

Sarangani measure to fast-track earthquake rehab

 

GOV. Rogelio Pacquiao leads a recent PDRRMC meeting. (Sarangani PIO) 

By Keith Bacongco

Published Jul 16, 2026 05:44 pm

DAVAO CITY – The provincial government of Sarangani is crafting a measure to hasten rehabilitation efforts in

communities hit by the June 8 earthquake.

Gov. Rogelio Pacquiao said the provincial government is preparing a comprehensive package of interventions in the recovery phase.

Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Officer (PDRRMO) Rene Punzalan endorsed before the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (PDRRMC) a package of interventions for inclusion in the Supplemental Annual Investment Program (SAIP) No. 3 for CY 2026 and the Annual Investment Program (AIP) 2027.

The package includes the provision of humanitarian assistance to displaced families, cash-for-work program, construction of temporary learning spaces for schools, emergency shelter assistance for families whose homes were destroyed, and the formulation of the province’s comprehensive Earthquake Rehabilitation and Recovery Plan.

The PDRRMO said 47 were killed, three persons missing, and 262 injured from the earthquake. The tremor also affected 175,181 families, with 2,513 families still in evacuation centers.

The earthquake damaged 41,682 houses, of which 33,924 were partially damaged, and 7,758 were totally destroyed.

PDRRMO also reported damage to provincial roads reaching 3,900-linear meters.

Among the most heavily-affected towns in the province were Glan and Malapatan.

Pacquiao emphasized that rehabilitation efforts require a whole-of-government approach as well as a sustained collaboration among national agencies, local government units, development partners, and other stakeholders.

“We will rebuild what was lost, but we will build a stronger Sarangani,” the governor said.

Pacquiao said that the province's long-term recovery and rebuilding efforts should be strategic, well-coordinated, and responsive to the needs of affected communities.

The governor revealed that he has approved the reprogramming of portions of the unexpended Local Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Fund (LDRRMF) for 2021, 2022, 2024, and 2025 to accelerate early recovery interventions for earthquake-affected families and communities.

The reprogramming of the fund will be utilized to sustain the support for learners through the Department of Education and assist communities affected by a recent typhoon.

HAPPY MOMENTS

 

Happy moments are the little sparks of joy that light up our lives. Whether it’s the quiet peace of waking up to the perfect cup of coffee, the thrill of sharing inside jokes with friends, or finally curling up with a good book, these everyday treasures are what make life beautiful.

We all chase happiness in life.

But as we may already know: happiness, per se, is not permanent.

Certain moments can bring happiness.

And the more of those moments we have in our days, the better our life generally is.

There is one perception we have to change about happiness.

We should never chase it.

We find happiness. And we make happiness.

I truly believe that our life is more content if we enjoy simple moments of happiness.

In this article, I wanted to list a couple of simple moments of happiness that many of us may experience.

Some may be funny. Others may resonate with you a lot.

One thing is for sure: many of these do not require a lot of money.

In fact, most of those don’t need money at all.

What they require is for you to be more present and more mindful in your life.

To appreciate these tiny moments that contain more happiness than you might think.

So here comes my list of simple moments of tiny happiness that we may find in our daily lives:

When you find that song you’ve been looking for a long time

A few calm minutes of watching the sunset

The first kiss at the end of a wonderful date

Waking up next to someone you are in love with

Sitting on a plane and looking outside of the window during take-off

The moment you walk outside from an airport terminal at your destination

The first bite of a food you’ve been craving for a long time.

The first free breath through your nose after being cold

Stopping at a highway rest area on a dewy dawn after a long night of driving

The first dip in the sea on a vacation

When you get food unstuck from your teeth

How do you express happiness at work? A smile, a nod of approval, or even a high-five can all communicate your happiness to others. Non-verbal cues like these can complement your words and help reinforce your message. Additionally, showing gratitude and acknowledging the contributions of others can also convey your happiness.

Expressing happiness professionally can be as simple as using the right words and phrases. When you want to say you are happy professionally, there are several ways to do so effectively. One way is to use positive and enthusiastic language. For example, instead of simply saying “I’m happy,” you can say “I’m absolutely thrilled!” or “I couldn’t be happier about this!” These phrases convey a genuine sense of joy and enthusiasm.

Another way to express happiness professionally is through body language. A smile, a nod of approval, or even a high-five can all communicate your happiness to others. Non-verbal cues like these can complement your words and help reinforce your message.

Additionally, showing gratitude and acknowledging the contributions of others can also convey your happiness. When someone helps you or achieves success, express your appreciation and congratulate them. This not only shows your own happiness but also fosters a positive and supportive work environment.

From time to time I love silence. I love quietness. – Do you observe that we live in a really frightful, loud world? At every corner of our daily life are innumerable chances of being covered up with sometimes unbearable din and noise. The loud outcry gives me the needle. We don’t have nerves of steel forever.

I am not really a fan of going out at night. If you ask me how to spend a lovely evening after a hectic and stressful and, especially, noisy day – plain and simple.

The nicest occurrence is the silence, the intimate taciturnity, which can even “weld” people or partners together. It might sound just like an idiomatic expression, but believe me; not being forced to talk is great! No, I don’t mean that we have nothing to say to each other any more – or, he or she won’t listen to a special reason… . I am talking about a deep understanding between people, who are together and are able to share time in quiet and silent happiness.

After a long and strenuous day, it is a real big comfort to sit and lean back, read all the (old!) newspapers and magazines from the last days and weeks while enjoying a glass of wine and a handful of peanuts. A crossword puzzle is easier to solve while having a “silent” radio program in the background, instead of a “roars to hell” television show.

Try it. It’s indeed relaxing after traffic woes, the heat and dust of the day, telephones’ ringing, machine rattling, meetings and never ending discussions. Why should we talk right now?

Feeling safe and secure, inseparable, indestructible with peace in our minds and our surroundings, this is what we really mean to each other, understanding without words. At home, somewhere in the garden, at a beach – there are many wonderful places. And, suddenly out of the blue from the bottom of our heart and from the depth of comfort and ease, we might be able to speak about things, which couldn’t be discussed earlier. A good talk grows – but without compulsion or constraint or obligation, desperate or being forced.

Try it, and it might feel like walking hand-in-hand on a lonely sand beach, such as “once upon a time” with our first partner. And, unexpectedly: we become silent again AND thankful for it.

We really seldom take a break. We spend too much time in this terrible and frightful loud world…

What are some German customs and habits that seem weird to foreigners?

 

Symon Jemčenko

 

Knows German

Instead of clapping, German students greet their lecturer in the auditorium by hitting their palms on the surface of their desks. This is said to be done for the sake of time efficiency, as to clap a person would need to put the pen down first.

Germans don’t usually dip their fries, but put the sauce on top, which I personally dislike because it makes things rather messy.

Germans are usually quiet and reserved in their daily lives, but once a while they gather for a party or a trip and make so much noise that any other person would become deaf in those circumstances.

For many Germans eating is not a way of getting pleasure, but simply a source of calories, so they will bite a sandwich, a hotdog or drink a protein cocktail and seriously call it “lunch”.

In many German public toilets visitors of all genders are obliged to use the facility in a sitting position, so that it wouldn’t need to be cleaned.

In the German countryside fruit trees located on agricultural parcels are considered legal property of their owners, so even if all the fruit fall down and rot, others still have no right to gather them for themselves. On the other hand, if a tree branch protrudes over a fence of a private house, people walking down the street have right to pluck some fruit for themselves.

In Germany teenagers are legally obliged to drive their bicycles on public roads or specially designed bike lanes, but not on sidewalks, where only small children can cycle.

Some smaller German railway stations are locked for the night in order to prevent drunks from sleeping inside, so people need to wait for their trains in the street.

In Germany it is normal for one person to perform several functions on their job. For example, if there are two employees in a shop, both will take turns working at the cash desk or unloading the goods, so that no one does the same task all the time.

Germans seem to be obsessed with stories of crime and violence, with every bookstrore having a wide array of crime and detective novels, and primetimes of TV channels being filled with crime investigation series.

German women rarely dress in a fashionable way or use makeup, and in everyday circumstances could be barely distinguishable from men in terms of clothing.

In Germany it is regarded as impolite to publicly discuss wages and money in general. The size of a person’s salary is considered to be a private affair and shouldn’t be boasted about.

Many Germans have their own garden plots with small houses, but it is forbidden to live there on a constant basis, and the plots aren’t normally used to grow any products, and serve exclusively as places of relaxation.

German tap water is not very different in quality from bottled mineral water, although many people still prefer to drink the latter just in case

Singlife marathon eyes 6,000 runners in Davao debut

RunRio, along with Singlife and Kinetix Sports, officially launched the Singlife Davao Marathon, presented by SM Supermalls, at SMX Convention Center in Davao City on Wednesday, July 15, inviting runners from across the Philippines and abroad to take part in the race on Aug. 15. (Photo via Ivy Tejano)

By Ivy Tejano

DAVAO CITY – The Singlife Davao Marathon presented by SM Supermalls is expecting 4,000 to 6,000 local and foreign runners when the race debuts at SM Lanang in Davao City on Aug. 15 in celebration of the Kadayawan Festival.

Speaking at the media launch at SMX Convention Center in Davao on Wednesday, RunRio Inc. president and chief executive officer Coach Rio dela Cruz said the event aims to promote sports tourism and highlight the city during its festival.

Dela Cruz said the Davao race is the fifth leg of the 2026 Singlife Philippine Marathon Majors, a nationwide marathon series modeled after the World Marathon Majors. He added that the organizers hope to attract local and international runners.

"Since this is our first Davao leg, we are promoting it heavily and hope to attract 4,000 to 6,000 local and international runners and participants from other parts of the Philippines," Dela Cruz told reporters and content creators in a press conference.

He said the marathon is scheduled a day before the opening of the Kadayawan Festival, allowing participants to kick off one of the country's biggest festivals with an unforgettable race before joining Davao City's vibrant cultural celebrations.

Inspired by the Tokyo, London, and Boston marathons, Dela Cruz said the Philippine Marathon Majors was created to provide Filipino runners with an international-standard racing experience without traveling abroad and promoting the host cities.

The first four legs were held in Makati, Iloilo, Manila, and Cebu. According to RunRio, the Makati race attracted nearly 13,000 runners, while the Manila race drew about 25,000 participants, making it the largest event in the series so far.

Dela Cruz said all races follow the standards of the Philippine Athletics Track and Field Association (PATAFA) and World Athletics, allowing elite runners to use their results for official records and qualification for international competitions.

The Davao Marathon will offer 42-kilometer, 21-kilometer, 10-kilometer, and five-kilometer race categories, catering to both seasoned marathoners and first-time runners, the organizers said, while inviting everyone to join the event.

Dela Cruz said the full marathon will start and finish at SM Lanang, passing through Cabaguio Avenue, Leon Garcia Street, Quezon Boulevard, the Bucana Coastal Road, Bago Aplaya, and Dumoy before returning to the starting point.

"To ensure fair competition, RFID timing systems, wrist tags, and visual race officials will be deployed to prevent bib transfers and course cutting," he said. "We'll have medical teams, ambulances, hydration stations, policemen, and radio-equipped marshals."

As the official title sponsor, Singlife Philippines chief executive officer Lester Cruz assured that every registered participant will receive accident and life insurance coverage before, during, and after the race.

Cruz said Singlife continues its commitment to promoting healthier lifestyles through running while providing every registered participant with complimentary insurance coverage included in their race registration.

"The Singlife Philippine Marathon Majors is about creating meaningful race experiences that go beyond the finish line. In Davao, participants can celebrate both their personal achievement and the spirit of Kadayawan," Cruz said.

Kenneth Sai, president of Kinetix Sports, said the event aims not only to support marathon runners but also to encourage greater awareness among Filipinos of the benefits of running and an active lifestyle.

RunRio is exploring partnerships with airlines to help reduce travel costs for participants and has started coordinating with hotels that will offer discounted accommodation rates for runners visiting Davao City.

Dela Cruz said previous marathon legs generated economic activity for host cities through increased hotel bookings, restaurant visits, and tourism spending, an impact the marathon organizers hope to replicate in Davao.

Bohol preps for Sandugo festival

 

By Calvin Cordova

Published Jul 15, 2026 05:23 pm

CEBU CITY – Preparations for the Sandugo sa Bohol 2026 are in full swing.

A total of nine municipalities will compete in the Street Dancing and Grand Showdown competition on July 26 at the CPG Complex in Tagbilaran City.

To ensure the success of the festival, the province’s Center for Culture and Arts Development recently convened to discuss preparations.

CCAD head Emerson Pinos presided over the meeting, which gathered representatives from the provincial and national government agencies, the city government of Tagbilaran, participating local government units, and other key stakeholders.

Operational and logistical concerns, including safety and security measures, traffic and road closure plans, venue setup, and the order of performances for the competing contingents were tackled in the meeting.

Vying for the coveted “Festival of Festivals” championship this year are Alburquerque, Loay, Maribojoc, Antequera, Valencia, Dimiao, Ubay, Catigbian, and Talibon.

Headed by Gov. Aris Aumentado, the provincial government has allocated P1 million for each participating municipality as subsidy.

The festival highlights the province's diverse traditions while fostering camaraderie among its municipalities.

The holding of the festival also reinforces Bohol's identity as the country's first United Nations, Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization.