NUNS, FEU-Diliman sweep pool play

 

By Manila Bulletin Newsroom

Published Apr 28, 2026 04:26 pm

Defending champion National University Nazareth School overpowered hapless Bethel Academy, 25-12, 25-12, to complete a sweep of Pool A in the Shakey's Girls Volleyball Invitational League (SGVIL) Rising Stars Cup Division 1 Monday, April 27, at the La Salle Green Hills Gym.

Defending champion National University Nazareth School overpowered hapless Bethel Academy, 25-12, 25-12, to complete a sweep of Pool A in the Shakey’s Girls Volleyball Invitational League (SGVIL) Rising Stars Cup Division 1 Monday, April 27, at the La Salle Green Hills Gym.

Raine Alonzo led the Lady Bullpups’ relentless charge for a 4-0 win-loss record as they built momentum heading into the knockout quarterfinals.

“Masaya po na nakapasok kami sa quarterfinals na walang talo. Lahat po pinaghirapan namin may kinalabasan,” said Alonzo, who scored all of eight of her points from attacks.

Bella Cruz added six markers while Jhayna Bulandres and Diza Berayo scored five each for NUNS, who will face St. John’s Institute in the Last 8 action erupting on Wednesday.

Far Eastern University-Diliman, likewise, dominated Pool C with a perfect 4-0 record following a 25-16, 25-18, victory over San Felipe Neri Catholic School.

The Baby Lady Tamaraws battle Pool B second seed Immaculada Conception College in the quarters.

Meanwhile, King’s Montessori claimed the last quarters seat in Pool A after eliminating inaugural champion California Academy, 25-17, 25-21, for a three-game winning run to close the pool stage of the country’s biggest grassroots volleyball league, backed by Shakey’s Pizza Parlor, Peri-Peri Charcoal Chicken, Potato Corner and R and B Milk Tea.

Sharina Lleses finished with 11 points for King’s Montessori, which rebounded from an opening day loss to NUNS and advanced to the knockout stage to face unbeaten University of Santo Tomas, which completed a sweep of Pool D after escaping upset-conscious Emilio Aguinaldo College, 25-18, 20-25, 15-9.

Rhose Almendralejo uncorked 14 points as last year’s runner-up Bacolod Tay Tung built momentum heading for the quarters with a 25-14, 25-13, win over erstwhile unbeaten Immaculada Conception College to emerge unscathed in Pool B after four starts.

De La Salle-Lipa finished its stint with 25-16, 25-23, mastery over winless University of the Philippines Integrated School for an even 2-2 record in Pool C.

In Division 2, Corpus Christi School finished Pool E with a perfect 5-0 slate following a 25-22, 25-19, over Miriam College.

Reigning champion Domuschola International School took the second quarters seat in Pool E by burying Miriam College, 25-12, 25-22, in the afternoon match of tournament backed by Smart Sports, PusoP.com, Solar Sports Free TV, Mikasa, Asics, Eurotel, Team Rebel Sports and Rigour Technology as technical partners.

Corpus Christi School faces St. Jude Parish School in the quarters while Domuschola International School clashes against undefeated University of Batangas.

St. Jude Parish School caught the last trip to the quarters in Pool G with a come-from-behind win over CCF-The Life Academy, 16-25, 25-14, 15-3, while La Salle Green Hills topped Poveda College, 18-25, 25-19, 17-15, for the final quarters seat in Pool F.

Immaculate Conception Academy ended its run on a positive note with a 25-18, 25-11, victory over Assumption Antipolo in Pool G.

SGVIL games are available live and on-demand via PusoP.com livestream and Solar Sports.

What the fuel crisis reveals about the Philippines

 

By Former Senator Atty. Joey D. Lina

Published Apr 28, 2026 12:05 am | Updated Apr 27, 2026 06:16 pm

FINDING ANSWERS

Two recent episodes of the Kapihan sa Manila Hotel spotlighted the Philippines’ response to the global oil crisis triggered by the US-Israel war on Iran.

One featured Sen. Rodante Marcoleta on fuel pricing accountability. The other guested Employers Confederation of the Philippines President Sergio Ortiz-Luis, Jr. on business survival and resilience, and Department of Agriculture Assistant Secretary and Spokesperson Arnel de Mesa on food security.

Both episodes converged on a single truth: the crisis driven by the closure and blockade of the Strait of Hormuz is exposing deep structural weaknesses the country can no longer ignore. The Philippines is now paying for long-standing policy gaps laid bare by global turmoil.

Sen. Marcoleta issued a blunt challenge: prove the numbers or return the profits. With high prices of fuel, the suspicion of overcharging resonates. He estimated that oil firms may be earning ₱2.7 to ₱3 billion in gross income daily since the crisis began.

He called for the identifying the exact point when replacement cost pricing was adopted, arguing that profits earned before that shift, while companies were still selling stock purchased at old, lower prices, could constitute unjust enrichment.

"If they used replacement cost pricing before it was warranted, they must refund the excess. That is the most practical and just solution," he said.

Fuel pricing is shaped by global benchmarks, freight, insurance, exchange rates, and replacement cost pricing—the practice of basing pump prices on the cost of replenishing supply rather than on existing stock. In volatile markets, this is standard.

Yet it is also where the problem begins.

Applied too early, replacement pricing allows firms to pass on higher costs before they are actually incurred. Consumers pay more now for costs that may come later. It might be legal, but it can edge into opportunism.

This is why Marcoleta’s challenge matters. Not because it proves wrongdoing, but because it forces a question that regulators have failed to answer clearly: are Filipinos paying fair prices?

He urged the Department of Energy to fulfill its mandate under RA 8479, the Oil Deregulation Law, to monitor and publish pricing data. "Wala pong nagmo-monitor (no one monitors)," he said. "If you cannot determine the precise point of replacement cost adoption, abuse becomes possible, and may already have occurred."

Sen. Marcoleta is right to call for transparency. Open the books. Audit pricing timelines. Explain the system in plain terms. If abuse occurred, act. If not, prove it.

But even as this transparency issue unfolds, another crisis is tightening—one that cannot be simply fixed by a pricing formula.

The government insists there is no food shortage. But the more urgent reality is this: food is becoming harder to afford. A full market means little if families cannot buy what they need.

At the other Kapihan episode, the ECOP head and the DA official outlined the chain reaction. Fuel underpins every stage of food production—irrigation, harvesting, transport. When fuel price rises, everything follows.

Add rising fertilizer costs and the looming threat of El Niño. The DA has called it a “three-shock” scenario. It is already evident in higher vegetable prices and strained supply chains.

Farmers are squeezed. Consumers are squeezed. The system tightens at both ends. Government responses—fuel subsidies, transport support, financial aid—are necessary. But they are stopgaps. They ease pressure without fixing the structure.

Beyond agriculture, micro and small enterprises are also under strain. Fuel price hikes erode already thin margins. Unlike large firms, they have little capacity to absorb shocks. As costs rise, closures and job losses become real risks.

Calls for stronger interventions like fuel tax relief, stricter monitoring, and tighter oversight are growing. These are not radical proposals but are emergency responses. Yet they all confront the same underlying constraint: structural dependence.

The Philippines relies heavily on imported fuel, leaving it exposed to shocks it cannot control. The disruption of the Strait of Hormuz makes this clear. The country absorbs the shock—but does not shape it. It is a recurring problem.

For years, energy diversification has lagged. Renewable investments remain low. Regulatory bottlenecks persist. Long-term planning yields to short-term fixes. And so each global disruption triggers the same cycle—price spikes, public anger, reactive policy.

That cycle is no longer sustainable. Energy independence is not an abstract goal. It is an economic safeguard. Accelerating renewable energy, modernizing infrastructure, and streamlining approvals are now urgent priorities.

Equally important is communication. Without clear explanations, technical issues become political flashpoints. Every price increase invites suspicion. Trust erodes.

And those who suffer most are those least able to absorb the shock: farmers, fisherfolk, small entrepreneurs. They are already paying the price.

If this crisis is to mean anything, it must force change, greater transparency, faster reform, and policies that protect the most vulnerable.

Because while the Strait of Hormuz is beyond the country’s control, the response to its consequences is not. And for millions of Filipinos on the brink of deeper poverty, that response can make all the difference. (finding.lina@yahoo.com)

MUPH 2026 reveals Top 10 semifinalists

 

By Annalyn S. Jusay

Published Apr 27, 2026 10:47 am | Updated Apr 27, 2026 01:07 pm

(L-R) Gems of Misamis Occidental Erica Jean Cadayday (Health), Trexy Paris Roxas (Agriculture), Nicole Borromeo (Asenso Ambassadress of Goodwill), Jacqueline Aluning (Social Services), and Clarissa Westram (Education)

The race for the Miss Universe Philippines 2026 crown just got more exciting as the first 10 semifinalists of the national pageant were unveiled during the Fashion Show and 3rd Elimination Night staged in Oroquieta City, Misamis Occidental over the weekend.

The "Top 10 Reveal" showcased Misamis Occidental as the host of the much-awaited pre-pageant activity. It's the final stop before the coronation night on May 2 at the MOA Arena in Pasay City where Ahtisa Manalo will crown her successor.

The event opened with all 51 MUPH delegates in Bench swimwear. Miss Pampanga, Allyson Hetland, was selected as Miss Bench Body. This was followed by a fashion show featuring traditional fabric creations by local talents from ORA Fashion Designers which showcased the best of Mindanaoan artistry and craftsmanship.

The Top 10 Reveal

Ten delegates secured early spots in the semifinals after topping the third round of online swimsuit voting conducted through the Maya app from April 19 to 25.

They are: Alicia Buendia (Rizal/Filipino Society of Southern California), Ella Evangelista (Quezon Province/Filipino Society of Australia), Cherieze Cacayorin (Ilocos Norte/Filipino Society of Hawaii), Jenrose Javier (Sultan Kudarat), Donna Rein Nuguid (Pangasinan), Jencel Caña (Cavite), Alexandria Colmenares (Negros Occidental), Lyneree Montero-Yodong (Mountain Province), Chrystel Mae Correos (Tandag City), and Jayka Munsayac (San Jose, Negros Oriental/Filipino Society of Bellevue, Washington).

Miss Universe PH 2026 Top 10 Finalists voted via Maya App

The remaining semifinalists will be named on May 2. Ten more candidates will be selected by the panel of judges, alongside five wild card picks and five brand awardees, completing a semifinal lineup of 30 candidates for the finals.

Gems of Misamis Occidental

One of the evening’s highlights was the announcement of the “Gems of Misamis Occidental,” with Nicole Borromeo of Cebu Province topping the list as Asenso Ambassadress of Goodwill for the Province.

The four other Gems were Trexy Paris Roxas of Iligan City as Asenso Ambassadress for Agriculture, Clarissa Westram of Cotabato for Education, Jacqueline Aluning of Nueva Vizcaya (Filipino Society of Washington) for Social Services, and Erica Jean Cadayday of Camiguin for Health.

The awardees are expected to support and promote the province’s priority programs in their respective sectors.

The fashion show and the Top 10 Reveal in Misamis Occidental underscores MUPH efforts to bring its major events to the regions while showcasing local destinations on a national scale.

Cebu Pacific turns cautious on hitting 30M passengers in ’26

 

BY LOGAN KAL-EL M. ZAPANTA

APRIL 28, 2026

Cebu Pacific chair Lance Gokongwei and CEO Mike Szucs during the inauguration of the airline's new training facility in Parañaque on Monday. —LOGAN KAL-EL M. ZAPANTA

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Cebu Pacific has turned more cautious about hitting its target of carrying 30 million passengers this year, as soaring fuel prices linked to the Middle East crisis threaten to dampen travel demand and inflate operating costs.

In an interview with reporters on Monday, Cebu Pacific CEO Mike Szucs said the airline would have to reassess its growth outlook after initially projecting passenger volume to rise from a record 26.9 million in 2025 to about 30 million in 2026.

“Well, I think we have to review [that],” Szucs said on the sidelines of the inauguration of Cebu Pacific’s flagship training facility in Parañaque. “We need to wait and see how that comes through.”

Malaria breitet sich wieder stärker aus – KI entschlüsselt den Tarnmechanismus des Parasiten

 

Stand:28.04.2026, 16:00 Uhr

Von: Eva Schmitt

Die Malaria-Fälle steigen wieder. Ein Parasit mit vielen Varianten entgeht der Abwehr. KI soll gefährliche Verläufe nun besser sichtbar machen.

Hamburg – Wer sich mit Malaria infiziert, spürt meist nach einigen Tagen bis Wochen zuerst Fieber, Schüttelfrost, Kopf- und Gliederschmerzen. Doch während der Körper gegen die Krankheit kämpft, dringt der gefährlichste Malariaerreger in rote Blutkörperchen ein, verändert ihre Oberfläche und kann sie an den Wänden kleinster Gefäße festkleben lassen.   

In vielen Regionen bleibt die Mücke der wichtigste Überträger von Malaria und erschwert die Eindämmung der Krankheit. ©  IMAGO / YAY Images

Dadurch entgeht der Parasit der Immunabwehr – und das kann gefährlich werden. Bei manchen Menschen bleibt die Infektion vergleichsweise mild, bei anderen stören die verklebten Blutzellen den Blutfluss, im schlimmsten Fall auch im Gehirn. Forscher am Bernhard-Nocht-Institut für Tropenmedizin in Hamburg untersuchen nun, welche Tarnmechanismen dahinterstecken und wie KI helfen kann, gefährliche Verläufe früher zu erkennen.   

Erreger nutzt Tarnmechanismus: Wie Malaria den Blutfilter des Körpers umgeht

Der gefährlichste Malariaerreger, Plasmodium falciparum, nutzt eine besonders wirksame Strategie: Er schleust Eiweiße in infizierte rote Blutkörperchen ein, die deren Oberfläche verändern. Diese Proteine heißen PfEMP1 und sorgen dafür, dass sich die Zellen an den Wänden kleiner Gefäße festsetzen können.

Für den Körper wird das gefährlich, weil die Milz normalerweise auffällige oder beschädigte Blutzellen aus dem Blut filtert. Bleiben infizierte Zellen jedoch in feinen Gefäßen hängen, entgehen sie diesem Kontrollsystem – und können zugleich den Blutfluss stören.   

Hinzu kommt, dass der Parasit sein Erscheinungsbild immer wieder verändert. In seinem Erbgut liegen rund 60 Varianten dieser Oberflächenproteine bereit, von denen er jeweils nur eine nutzt und später wechseln kann. Die Immunabwehr muss sich dadurch ständig neu einstellen, was eine dauerhafte Bekämpfung erschwert.

Ob Malaria mild oder lebensgefährlich verläuft, hängt von Proteinen ab

„Uns interessiert besonders, warum manche Infektionen mild verlaufen, während andere lebensbedrohlich werden“, sagt Dr. Anna Bachmann vom Bernhard-Nocht-Institut. Entscheidend seien dabei die unterschiedlichen PfEMP1-Varianten, denn einige sorgen dafür, dass infizierte Zellen besonders stark an Gefäßwänden haften.