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.