Lady Falcons outclass Tigresses anew, bolster semis bid

 Adamson repeats over UST to boost its Final Four bid. (UAAP Media)

By Mark Rey Montejo

After two games, it appeared that Shai Nitura and Adamson had already identified the vulnerabilities of the University of Santo Tomas.

It was a tighter battle this time, but the outcome remained the same as Nitura and the Lady Falcons reaffirmed their mastery with a 27-25, 25-20, 26-24 win over the Golden Tigresses to boost their Final Four return bid in the UAAP Season 88 women’s volleyball tournament Saturday, April 11.

With a decent crowd inside the FilOil EcoOil Centre in San Juan City, Adamson, steered by Nitura and Frances Mordi, showed grace under pressure after unleashing timely counters to overcome UST’s late rally, especially in the third, to improve to 7-5.

Adamson tied the España-based squad in the standings where they stay within the Top Four race. Far Eastern University, which clashes with UST on Sunday, April 19, is still at No. 5 with a 6-5 card.

In the battle of former Rookie of the Year winners and this year’s MVP contenders, Nitura took the spotlight with a statline of 19 points, 10 excellent digs, and 14 excellent receptions, while Poyos led UST with 15 points, five digs, and 12 receptions in a losing effort.

Also impressive for the JP Yude-mentored crew was Mordi who tallied 18 points, five digs, and 11 receptions. Lhouriz Tuddao and MJ Aseo added eight and six points, respectively, while Fhei Sagaysay unloaded 21 excellent sets on top of seven points and seven digs.

Reg Jurado aided Poyos offensively with nine points that came with nine digs, while Avril Bron and Jonna Perdido conspired for 15 points.

Meanwhile, UST kept its poise as it withstood Adamson’s early surge and carved out a hard-earned 32-30, 18-25, 25-18, 25-17 win to secure its fourth straight semis appearance.

The Golden Spikers struggled to find their rhythm early despite prevailing in a tightly contested opening set. But behind Josh Ybañez and second-string setter Joshua Avila, UST regrouped in the third and fourth, where they seized enough separation they preserved to hold off a determined Soaring Falcons side.

UST’s 8-4 card is good for the No. 3 spot, joining Far Eastern University (10-1) and reigning champion National University (9-2) in the semis. One semis spot is left with either Ateneo (7-5) or De La Salle (5-7) taking the precious ticket depending on the results of their next games.

Why the PCC must act on oil prices now

 

By Manila Bulletin

At a time when global instability is driving fuel prices upward and ordinary Filipinos are forced to stretch already thin budgets, the warning from Economic Secretary Arsenio Balisacan should not be ignored. His candid invocation of “Economics 101” during a House hearing cut through layers of technical language and political caution: In markets dominated by only a few major players, coordination, implicit or explicit, becomes dangerously easy. And where coordination thrives, the line between competition and collusion can blur.

The Philippine oil industry, governed by the Downstream Oil Deregulation Law of 1998, was built on the promise that deregulation would unleash competition and deliver lower prices. Decades later, that promise rings hollow. Weekly price adjustments move almost in lockstep across companies, creating the widespread perception, fair or not, that competition is more illusion than reality.

Balisacan stopped short of making a definitive accusation, but his logic was unmistakable, something that was not lost on House Legislative Energy Action Development (LEAD) Council presiding officer Marikina City Rep. Miro Quimbo, who had asked him to repeat it for clarity. A highly concentrated market structure creates fertile ground for cartel-like behavior, Balisacan explained. He even pointed to the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries as an example of how coordination among a few dominant players can shape outcomes. The implication for the Philippines is troubling. If similar dynamics are at play locally, then the burden of proof, and action, falls squarely on regulators.

Yet the Department of Energy is structurally limited. Its mandate under deregulation prevents it from directly controlling prices. It can monitor, it can explain, it can appeal—but it cannot intervene decisively when market behavior raises red flags. This leaves a dangerous gap at a time when decisive oversight is most needed.

That gap must be filled by the Philippine Competition Commission (PCC).

The PCC was created precisely for moments like this—to ensure that markets remain fair, competitive, and free from abuse. It has the legal authority, investigative tools, and independence to determine whether parallel pricing behavior is the natural outcome of global cost pressures or the product of anti-competitive coordination. And if violations are found, it has the power to prosecute and penalize those responsible.

We should not dismiss this simply as a technical or economic issue. This is a moral one. Every peso added to fuel costs ripples through the economy, raising transport fares, inflating food prices, and eroding the purchasing power of millions. For jeepney drivers, delivery workers, and minimum-wage earners, these increases are existential. To exploit such vulnerability, whether deliberately or through indifference, is to deepen inequality and hardship. So, let’s not widen the economic and social gaps.

The oil industry, for its part, must also reflect. Profit is not inherently unjust, but profit divorced from social responsibility, especially during a crisis, invites public outrage and regulatory backlash. These companies do not operate in a vacuum; they exist because of the very consumers now bearing the brunt of rising costs. Moderation, transparency, and genuine competition are not acts of charity, they are social obligations.

The moment calls for vigilance and courage. The PCC must act swiftly to investigate patterns, scrutinize pricing behavior, and, if warranted, bring cases forward without hesitation. At the same time, oil companies must recognize that public trust is as vital as profit margins. Social responsibility must always be paramount.

When markets fail to protect the people, institutions must rise to the occasion. The Filipino public deserves nothing less.

PHILIPPINES IS ON FIRE

As of 10:00AM, April 12, 2026

Hot, humid weather is currently prevailing across the Philippines, driven by a ridge of a high-pressure area (HPA).

This system Brings warm, dry, and stable air, restricting cloud formation and increasing temperatures, often resulting in dangerous heat indices between 42°C and 51°C in certain areas.

The temperatures in the Philippines area are increasing due to man-made global warming.

All reactions:

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4 dead as cargo truck crashes into gym in Davao City

 

By Keith Bacongco

FOUR persons were killed in a horrific accident in Barangay Marilog, Davao City on Saturday. (Iroy Wrecker the Rescuer)

DAVAO CITY – Four persons were killed after a cargo truck crashed into a gymnasium in Barangay Marilog here on Saturday morning, April 11.

The Davao City Police Office said a tire of the 10-wheel truck reportedly burst and the driver lost control of the vehicle. The truck hit the gymnasium where an activity was ongoing.

The driver, helper, and two bystanders died on the spot. Their identities are pending verification as of posting time.

The truck hit several parked vehicles before it turned upside down in front of the barangay hall.

Photos and videos online showed the partially damaged gymnasium on the Bukidnon-Davao Highway. The steep and winding sections of the road is an accident-prone area.

'Pantropiko' to the world: BINI conquers Coachella

 

By Robert Requintina

Published Apr 12, 2026 08:48 am

ABS-CBN’s girl group BINI made history as the first Filipino act to perform at the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival, taking the stage on Friday, April 10, in the United States — a landmark moment for OPM and Philippine music on the world stage.

BINI (Images courtesy of ABS-CBN/Coachella)

They performed 10 songs during their 45-minute set at the Mojave stage of the festival, held in Indio, California, which drew music fans from all over the world.

BINI opened with “Shagidi,” then moved through “Zero Pressure” and “Out Of My Head.” They brought the crowd to their feet with Filipino favorites “Karera” and “Salamin, Salamin,” before delivering “Blink Twice” and “Cherry on Top.” The set also featured the live debut of new track “Blush,” followed by “Bikini,” and a rousing finale with “Pantropiko.”

Throughout the set, members Aiah, Colet, Maloi, Gwen, Stacey, Mikha, Jhoanna, and Sheena took moments to express their gratitude for the chance to represent the Philippines on one of music’s grandest stages.

“We are so grateful to be here to represent the Philippines on a global stage and to share with you guys our music,” said Aiah.

“Being here with all of you has been the sweetest ‘cherry on top’ of our journey so far,” shared Maloi.

Fan support flooded in before, during, and after the performance, which was livestreamed live on the official Coachella YouTube channel.

#BINI_CoachellaWk1 shot to the top of worldwide trending topics on X, topping charts in the Philippines and the United Arab Emirates, reaching #2 in Canada and Singapore, #5 in Australia, and #6 in both Puerto Rico and the United States.

Several other BINI-related topics also trended, including Pinoy Pride, BINICHELLA, Mojave, Walo, Blink Twice, Salamin Salamin, Karera, Zero Pressure, Cherry on Top, Shagidi, and Pantropiko. The headline “BINI Makes History as First All-Filipino Act at Coachella 2026” further trended under X’s Today’s News section.  

Back home, fans — known as Blooms — gathered for watch parties across Metro Manila and surrounding cities, organized by the fan group BLOOM Philippines.

BINI is set to return to the Coachella stage for their second weekend performance on Saturday, April 18 (PHT).

Catch a replay of BINI's performance on the Coachella YouTube channel. For the latest updates, follow BINI on Facebook, X (Twitter), Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube, or visit bini.abs-cbn.com. Join the BINI superfan community on WeVerse — available on the website or via the WeVerse app.