Finding the Christmas spirit — even in holiday traffic

By Manila Bulletin

Published Dec 14, 2025 12:05 am

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very December, Metro Manila gears up for the familiar holiday rush: fuller roads, slower drives, and the chorus of horns echoing the season’s peak energy. Holiday traffic may test our patience, but this time of year also reminds us of what makes Christmas uniquely Filipino—our ability to bring warmth, cheer, and generosity into even the most challenging situations.

Yes, the congestion is predictable. Year after year, we brace for it, and year after year, it seems to grow tougher. Payday weekends merge with bonus season, malls brim with shoppers, and deliveries multiply by the hour. None of this comes as a surprise. And yet, our traffic responses still feel reactive—quick fixes rolled out like holiday decorations, just in time for the rush but never lasting long enough to create real change.

The truth is simple: holiday traffic is not tradition; it is the result of structural issues that have long needed attention. Our road network has not grown in proportion to the number of vehicles. Enforcement varies across local governments. Long-term planning often gives way to seasonal stopgaps. The MMDA reports around 450,000 vehicles on EDSA daily—far beyond the highway’s intended capacity. These pressures existed long before the first parol lit up the streets.

But Christmas is not the season for blame. It is the season for hope—and for all of us to do what we can, however small, to make our shared spaces more bearable, more cheerful, and more humane.

And there is much that individuals can do.

We can begin simply by practicing small courtesies on the road—gestures that lighten the load for everyone. Letting another car merge, avoiding the temptation to counterflow, keeping intersections open, parking responsibly, and following traffic rules even when enforcement officers aren’t around. These aren’t just good habits; they are acts of kindness, especially during the busiest time of year.

Pedestrians, too, play a role by keeping sidewalks clear and crossing responsibly, helping maintain a predictable, safer flow for all. Commuters and motorists can plan errands more wisely, carpool when possible, take P2P buses or trains, or choose non-peak hours for gift shopping.

These small choices may not erase gridlock, but they can prevent it from becoming the full-blown standstill we’ve all come to dread.

Still, the responsibility cannot fall solely on the public. Even with our best intentions, no amount of courtesy can replace long-term planning, continuous enforcement, and coordinated traffic management. Government must deliver solutions that last beyond the holiday season, addressing the long-standing gaps that make December feel like a yearly exam in patience.

But while we push for structural improvements, we can also choose to embrace the season with a bit more grace and generosity. After all, Christmas is about community. It is about sharing space—not just at home or at gatherings, but on the roads, in terminals, in parking lots, and along every crowded stretch of the city.

This year, instead of letting traffic dampen the spirit, we can meet it with the very values we celebrate during Christmas: patience, kindness, and goodwill. A courteous driver can change the tone of an entire intersection. A considerate pedestrian can make a commute safer. A small act of respect can ripple into a smoother, calmer journey for dozens of others.

Traffic may be predictable each year, but so is the Filipino capacity for cheerfulness and compassion. If anything, the holiday rush gives us daily opportunities to practice the very spirit of the season.

And that may be the sweetest Christmas gift we can give each other—no wrapping required.

Quo vadis?

By Dr. Florangel Rosario Braid

Published Dec 13, 2025 12:05 am | Updated Dec 12, 2025 06:26 pm

PAGBABAGO

This Latin phrase which means “Where are you going?” aptly describes the state we are in today. Are we in a state of impasse because of slow response or inaction on our expectations? I hope not, and that we must not stop striving till we reach our goal. Let me share my own thoughts based on my experiences while facing a major crisis in our nation’s history.

I am fortunate to have been involved in two initiatives toward drawing a blueprint for national development in the country.

The first is the 1987 Constitution where I was one of the 47 members of the body and chaired the article on General Provisions. It was here where we were forced to envision priorities and strategies that had guided legislation in our country for the past 39 years. I had to refer to it again following the recent crisis over the flood control mess which again brought up the need to implement new laws, among them an acceptable anti-dynasty law, a party-list system, and freedom of information.

As we know, the constitutional provisions of accountability and transparency in governance, among others, provided guidance in restructuring critical systems in budgeting and brought to light the inadequacy of our current systems in keeping track of critical processes such as monitoring implementation of large-scale projects, malpractices and unlawful expenditures.

Now, we are again at a crossroad. The question on amending or merely implementing new laws as remedies have surfaced. While many including myself would disagree with Senator Lacson who recently stated that the Constitution has failed to serve national interest, we may have to think twice whether we need to amend the Constitution or shift to a parliamentary form of government and the like.

A reality that came out when I went through another review was that we had not truly taken advantage of the full strength of our Charter over past charters and over other Constitutions of the world. I am referring to the heart of the Constitution which is “social Justice.”

As former Supreme Court justice Reynato Puno pointed out, ours is not merely social justice in form like that of other countries, but one of “substance.” He meant that when we talk of social justice, it is not merely providing each man equal access and opportunity but in addition, providing him equal opportunity at the starting line. It means that there is considerable inequality in our society and therefore a boy from the hinterlands would find it difficult to compete with one from a family with adequate means at the starting line. This unique state provides our country a positive image of real democracy at work and could help us move forward.

Another area that could be re-examined is the priority we have given to our land resources. Despite being an archipelago, we have a Department of Agriculture but only a Bureau of Fisheries and thus, have given the former more resources. Today, we are still even in conflict over ownership of our own waters in the West Philippine Sea.

We are aware of our deficiencies but after the recent unpleasant mess, we shall perhaps be more motivated to turn these negatives just as long as we arrive at a consensus on where we ought to go and are confident support by the majority.

The other opportunity although limited, is having been a part of earlier initiatives on multi-sectoral consultations. This was 37 years ago when six of us, social scientists in economics, culture and communication, political science, public administration, and development studies, went around the country to gather what we described as “visions from below.”

We held focus group discussions with local government and nongovernment sectors, organized panel discussions on varied development issues with colleagues in the academe, government and business sectors. The need to focus on “the common good,” revitalization of indigenous cultural practices, creating spaces for greater participation of marginalized sectors, and decision-making based on an inclusive human development framework The two years of consultation yielded a comprehensive report, “The Philippines at the Crossroads: Some Visions for the Nation.”

Some of us who have had similar experiences could share their learnings on future directions. The difference between then and now is that while we need to act now, the outcome we desire can happen only within a time frame of two decades. Many are aware of the desired changes in the Constitution, laws to be amended and a radical restructuring of existing governance policies and practices.

It is now a matter of how we are able to sustain needed action so that we can reach our goal without getting sidetracked. It is identifying how each of us and each sector to which we belong can organize into a collective.

It means evaluating our current resources – advances in technology like artificial intelligence, and motivated human resources that can help us find the way towards 2045, at the rate of socio-political technological change, we are not able to imagine what to expect.

But we trust that the insights we have gathered over the years would help us navigate our way forward. (Florangel.braid@gmail.com)

TWICE to proceed with Hong Kong concerts

By Jonathan Hicap

Published Dec 4, 2025 12:19 pm

TWICE in Taiwan (X)

K-pop girl group TWICE will proceed with their two-day “This Is For” concert on Dec. 6 and 7 in Hong Kong, their agency announced on Dec. 4. 

“First and foremost, we would like to express our deepest condolences to the victims of the recent incident in Hong Kong, as well as to their families and loved ones. Our thoughts are with everyone affected,” JYP Entertainment said in a notice. 

It added, “Regarding the TWICE This Is For Hong Kong concerts scheduled for December 6 and 7, we held many discussions and gave careful consideration to whether it would be appropriate to proceed under such heartbreaking circumstances.”   

TWICE in Taiwan (X)

“Together with our concert promoter, Live Nation, we have been closely monitoring the situation. After thoughtful deliberation, we have decided to proceed with the concerts at Kai Tak Stadium in Hong Kong,” it said. 

The agency added, “Given the gravity of the situation, we will approach the performances with sincere respect and remembrance. We truly hope that these concerts can offer, even in a small way, comfort and strength to those finding their way forward after the tragedy. This hope guided our decision to move forward.”

“Once again, we express our deepest sorrow for the victims of this devastating incident and extend our heartfelt sympathies to their families and to all those affected. We sincerely hope for a swift and steady recovery,” it said. 

Fire hit the Wang Fuk Court in Tai Po District in Hong Kong on Nov. 26.     

The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region government announced that as of Dec. 3, 159 died in the fire. 

Fixing firecracker industry: Be on the side of safety

By Manila Bulletin

Published Dec 10, 2025 12:05 am

Manufacturers and distributors, on the other hand, must understand that safety is not a bureaucratic hoop but a business imperative. An explosion does not merely injure workers—it destroys inventory, cripples operations, and permanently tarnishes the reputation of the industry. Companies must craft OSH policies tailored to the unique hazards of pyrotechnics work: chemical handling, heat exposure, combustible dust, storage protocols, and emergency procedures. Investments in proper ventilation, blast-resistant structures, personal protective equipment, and fire-suppression systems are moral obligations. Likewise, safety committees must be real, not symbolic—composed of empowered workers and managers who meet regularly, inspect actively, and intervene decisively.

Workers in the pyrotechnics sector also bear a shared responsibility. Compliance should be selective, especially in a field where one person’s shortcut endangers everyone. Workers must participate in training, report hazards without fear, and adhere to safety procedures even when production deadlines loom. But their ability to comply hinges on a culture of trust. They must be assured that reporting violations will not cost them their jobs, and that protective equipment will be provided, not deducted from their wages. Empowerment, not intimidation, is what turns workers into partners in prevention.

Citizens, too, play a role that is often overlooked. Every year, the demand for dangerously powerful—and often illegal—firecrackers pushes small manufacturers into unsafe, unregulated production. Consumers must reject products that are clearly unauthorized or suspiciously cheap, because bargain pyrotechnics often come at the cost of workers’ limbs or lives. Communities must also be vigilant—reporting unsafe factories, supporting local education efforts on firecracker safety, and favoring businesses known for compliance.

Ultimately, real safety cannot be enforced through fear—neither fear of explosions nor fear of corrupt inspectors. It is built on accountability, transparency, and shared responsibility. When the government regulates honestly, when businesses invest responsibly, when workers comply diligently, and when citizens choose conscientiously, the country can celebrate year-end traditions without sacrificing lives.

Davao travel agencies reveal major events in 2026

 THE Davao Travel Agencies Association unveiled travel events for 2026 during their year-end gathering dubbed ‘Class of 2025’ on Dec. 6 in Davao City. (Photo via Ivy Tejano)

By Ivy Tejano

Published Dec 8, 2025 10:17 pm

THE Davao Travel Agencies Association unveiled travel events for 2026 during their year-end gathering dubbed ‘Class of 2025’ on Dec. 6 in Davao City. (Photo via Ivy Tejano)

DAVAO CITY – The Davao Travel Agencies Association has unveiled a packed lineup of travel events for 2026, offering Mindanao travelers greater access to international destinations and major airfare and tour discounts.

The first event on the calendar is the Davao Mega Travel Sale, as announced by DTAA President Gian Carlo Caguiat, from Feb. 27 to March 1.

Long known for slashing prices on travel packages, Caguiat said the DMTS is expected to draw strong interest with its selection of high-demand “bucket list” destinations, including Turkey, Africa, Georgia, Brazil, Antarctica, and Morocco.

In June, Davao will host a travel milestone, as the Travel Tour Expo VisMin Edition, jointly organized by the DTAA and the Philippine Travel Agencies Association, will be held in the city for the first time.

Scheduled for June 5 to 7 at the SMX Convention Center in SM Lanang, Caguiat said the expo is expected to gather travel agents, operators, and airlines from across the Visayas and Mindanao.

The DTAA president said the two major events will showcase Mindanao’s position as a fast-growing tourism hub and strengthen Davao City’s role as a premier gateway for both leisure and business travel.

He added that the activities are poised to boost local tourism, stimulate business activity, and draw in thousands of visitors from outside the region.

“These are significant milestones for the industry,” Caguiat said, noting that the travel sale will expand next year with more partners and airlines on board.

“We are expecting 2026 to be a breakthrough year not only for Davao’s travel market but for the entire Mindanao region,” he added.

Caguiat urged DTAA members to give their 100 percent full support, emphasizing that the organization is preparing for its biggest year yet.

He said the TTE VisMin Edition could even rival its Manila counterpart, as it will directly cater to the concentrated market of the Visayas and Mindanao.

The announcements were made during the DTAA’s year-end gathering with the theme “Class of 2025” on Saturday evening, Dec. 6, at Lanang Business Park in Davao City.

Caguiat shared a reflective message for fellow travel agents. He likened their profession to multiple roles rolled into one, from caretakers to memory-makers.

“Travel agents are on-call memory makers,” Caguiat said. “We monitor our passengers around the clock." He emphasized that being a travel agent is more than a job, it’s a calling.

Arnold Vegafria says foreign backers want a Filipino to run Miss Universe

By Annalyn S. Jusay

Published Dec 7, 2025 10:38 pm

Could the next owner of Miss Universe be a Filipino? This question emerged as Arnold Vegafria of ALV Pageant Circle confirmed that he has been approached by several international investors urging him to take over the global pageant brand.

ALV Pageant Circle owner Arnold Vegafria (middle) with his Miss Grand International queens CJ Opiaza (2024) and Emma Mary Tiglao (2025)

"We have the network. We have the capacity. We have the capability. If Thailand can do it, the Philippines can do it even better," Arnold declared in an interview after the contract signing between Beauty&U Philippines and Miss Grand International 2025 Emma Mary Tiglao at Victoria Sports Tower in Quezon City.

"I know I can do it. I have the experience, and marami ring tumatawag sa akin na mga international investors that they're willing to support kung Philippines na lang ang mag-handle, na baka raw mabuti kung Filipino ang mag-handle. Kung ako ang pipiliin eh siguro pwede mo nang tanggapin, di ba? Kung iisipin ko, good opportunity ito sa akin, and good also for the country. (Many international investors have been calling me, saying they’re willing to support if the Philippines takes over, and that it might be better if a Filipino handles it. If I’m the one chosen, then maybe I can accept it, right? If I think about it, this is a good opportunity for me and also good for the country)," Arnold revealed.

MUO is currently co-owned by Raul Rocha Cantu, who is under investigation in Mexico for alleged drug, gun, and fuel trafficking, and Jakkaphong "Anne" Jakrajutatip, who has been served an arrest warrant for a fraud case in Thailand. Their legal entanglements have brought the future of MUO into question, especially after they expressed interest in selling their stakes and faced rigging allegations during the 2025 edition, when Mexico's Fatima Bosch was crowned.

Arnold heads the ALV Pageant Circle, which holds the Philippine franchises for Miss World, Mister World, Miss Grand International, and Miss Asia Pacific International. His organization delivered several major global crowns for the country in 2024 and 2025, including back-to-back victories at MGI and Face of Beauty International.

Arnold said he is interested in acquiring the Miss Universe franchise because it will also promote the Philippines as a global beauty and tourism destination. Pageantry, he noted, is one of the most affordable and far-reaching platforms to promote the country. He cited tourism videos produced by lovely candidates that introduce local places to global audiences.

Arnold Vegafria and Miss Grand International 2025 Emma Mary Tiglao with major sponsor Ralph Lim and Michael Rey Almazan of Hikari Skin Essentials

“Other countries use the pageant industry as their tourism. And here in our country, we have a lot that we can offer and showcase to the world,” he said.

Arnold also expressed hopes that the Philippine government would one day support pageantry the way it supports sports. “These beauty queens are also considered champions in their own field. Give them a little incentive, give them a grant, so that the pageant industry will grow and be respected.”

As for what it would mean to run Miss Universe itself, Arnold acknowledges the responsibility but remains enthusiastic. “Number one, it's a big responsibility. But it's good for our country that we can have one of the biggest, you know, pageant organizations,” he noted.

If he's given the chance to acquire MUO, Arnold acknowledged the complexities of handling another global brand while managing multiple franchises locally. However, he emphasized that he is willing to study the opportunity seriously if the doors open.

“It's a big responsibility, but it's good for our country, once in a lifetime. If we can grab it, we should," he closed.

Pantone announces its 2026 Color of the Year: Cloud Dancer

 

By John Legaspi

Published Dec 4, 2025 10:28 pm

Every December, the Pantone Color Institute leads the way in predicting the trending hue for the coming year. For 2026, it veers away from deep and vibrant tones as it announces Pantone 11-4201 Cloud Dancer as its top pick.

A lofty white described as “a symbol of calming influence in a society,” Cloud Dancer promotes deep calm and concentration, giving the mind space to drift and creativity to flourish, opening the door to new ideas.

“At this time of transformation, when we are reimagining our future and our place in the world, Pantone 11-4201 Cloud Dancer is a discrete white hue offering a promise of clarity,” said Leatrice Eiseman, executive director of Pantone Color Institute. “The cacophony that surrounds us has become overwhelming, making it harder to hear the voices of our inner selves. A conscious statement of simplification, Cloud Dancer enhances our focus, providing release from the distraction of external influences."

According to the Color Institute, Cloud Dancer “invites a space where function and feeling intertwine to build atmospheres of serenity and spaciousness, providing a refuge of visual cleanliness that inspires well-being and lightness.”

In selecting the Color of the Year, Pantone’s global team of experts studies color influences from various fields such as the film and fashion industries, travel destinations, design trends, and socio-economic conditions. More recently, they have also considered new technologies, materials, textures, and social media, among other factors, to determine the perfect hue for each year.

Yearender: YouTube reveals top 10 music videos in PH for 2025

By Jonathan Hicap

Published Dec 4, 2025 09:27 am

YouTube revealed the top 10 music videos in the Philippines in 2025, showcasing diverse songs that captured the country’s attention throughout the year. 

Filipino rapper Skusta Clee earned the No. 1 spot with his viral song “Kalimutan Ka,” which was uploaded on YouTube on Feb. 14 this year. The music video has garnered 126.99 million views on YouTube as of this writing.

Other OPM songs also made it to the top 10.  Earl Agustin’s “Tibok” ranked No. 4; Nateman’s “IMMA FLIRT” ft. Lucky at No. 5; Ryouji’s “b4 i let u go” ft. CK YG at No. 6; Guddhist Gunatita’s “Sulitin” at No. 9; and Supafly’s “Puff Me Up” at No. 10.   

"KPop Demon Hunters" (Netflix)

YouTube released its Global Culture & Trends Report for 2025 (YouTube blog)

Skusta Clee (Screenshot from YouTube)

The unique trend this year is the massive success of Sony Pictures Animation's “KPop Demon Hunters.”

Four videos from the film ranked in the top 10 in the Philippines, indicating a rising interest in music connected to animated narratives and the global appeal of K-pop-inspired sounds.

“Golden” (826.18 million views on YouTube to date) garnered second place while “Soda Pop” is at No. 3; “How It's Done” at No. 7; and “Your Idol” at No. 8.

The ranking is “based on in-country views of official music videos that debuted in 2025. Excluding live performance videos and art track videos,” according to the YouTube Global Culture & Trends Report 2025.   

The Top 10 Music Videos on YouTube in the Philippines in 2025: 

1. Kalimutan Ka - Skusta Clee

2. Golden (KPop Demon Hunters) - Sony Pictures Animation          

3. Soda Pop (KPop Demon Hunters) - Sony Pictures Animation

4. Tibok - Earl Agustin

5. IMMA FLIRT - Nateman ft. Lucky

6. b4 i let u go - Ryouji ft. CK YG

7. How It's Done (KPop Demon Hunters) - Sony Pictures Animation          

8. Your Idol (KPop Demon Hunters) - Sony Pictures Animation          

9. SULITIN - Guddhist Gunatita          

10. PUFF ME UP - SUPAFLY ft. Gat Putch, Gaspari, OG Cry, Ghoti scale, Sica

Davao City councilor warns vs fake resort social media pages

By Ivy Tejano

Published Dec 3, 2025 10:24 pm

BONGUYAN (FB)

DAVAO CITY – A Davao City councilor has warned over a growing number of fraudulent Facebook pages posing as legitimate resorts, rest houses, and function venues and urged the people to be more cautious during the holidays.

Public Works and Highways Committee chairperson Jessica Bonguyan said scammers are exploiting the holiday rush by creating fake pages that imitate well-known resorts and event venues.

She noted that these Facebook pages used copied photos, branding, and enticing “holiday promos” to lure victims into sending payments to personal bank accounts.

“These scams are getting more advanced, made to look real, updated, and believable.”

Bonguyan revealed that she herself encountered an attempted scam involving a resort promotion that initially appeared legitimate.

She said she decided to verify the offer through the resort’s official page, where she learned that the account she had been interacting with was fake.

“Had I not taken that extra step, I would have been another victim,” she said, encouraging Davaoeños and tourists to observe strict precautions when making online reservations.

Bonguyan stressed that no one is immune to these scams, emphasizing that fraudsters are strategic and highly skilled at imitating real businesses. “When in doubt, stop and verify,” she added.

She reminded everyone to verify the authenticity of pages, contact establishments through their official websites or verified phone numbers, be wary of offers that seem “too good to be true,” and scrutinize payment instructions, mainly when deposits are directed to personal accounts.

The councilor called on the public to stay alert throughout the Christmas season, saying that scammers often thrive when people are rushing to secure bookings for their families.

“Awareness is our strongest defense,” she said. “We must encourage our constituents to be discerning and deliberate when engaging in online transactions.”

Bonguyan moved to pass a resolution urging heightened public vigilance against online resort booking scams.

Here's what went down during Blackpink's 'Deadline' concert in Bulacan

From high-energy anthems to intimate solos, Blackpink delivered a show that showcased both growth and gratitude

By John Legaspi

Published Dec 1, 2025 05:25 pm

It started with a countdown. And as the numbers came close to the end, all I could think about was: after years of listening to their songs and writing about their journey, I’m about to witness Blackpink perform live. When Rosé, Lisa, Jisoo, and Jennie emerged onstage with their anthem “Kill This Love” in the background, the Philippine Arena wasn’t just filled with pink twinkling lights, but with pure joy and a celebration of how music moves people and transcends language—and I couldn’t believe I was part of that moment.

Blackpink members Rosé, Lisa, Jisoo, and Jennie send hearts to Blinks.

Pre-concert excitement

This is the third time South Korean girl group Blackpink has included the Philippines as one of its stops for their world tour, the first one in 2019 with “In Your Area,” followed by “Born Pink” in 2023. Like their last show, the “Deadline” World Tour was a two-day event, much to the delight of Filipino Blinks. I was lucky enough to be part of the first day of the concert on Nov. 22, 2025.

That day, the Philippine Arena in Bulacan was dressed in pink and black courtesy of the creative ensembles of fans. Despite the heat, everyone was all smiles, checking out their looks and applying makeup while sitting on the grassy lawns. Their giddiness was hard to hide, which eased my nerves as it was my first time attending their concert—and doing it alone.

Purchasing Blackpink merch made easier with Maya Black Visa Credit Card and Pink Glitter Edition Maya Visa Card

Visa and Maya’s photobooths

Visa and Maya’s photobooths

When the gates opened, some ran as fast as they could to get into the arena. Others, like myself, took time to check out the different booths in the venue. Visa and Maya set up various booths where Blinks could take snaps of their “Deadline” weekend and score a Vee bag charm after. I also made sure to visit the merchandise stall outside the arena and got a shirt, which I easily purchased with my Maya Visa card.

An ocean of pink hearts lit up the Philippine Arena.

Inside the arena, fans gathered to take photos and share stories and laughter. The perfect pregame, of course, was listening to Blackpink’s hits, which were played in the arena, hyping up everyone’s energy. Come 6 p.m., everyone in my section was seated, phones ready, and light sticks glowing, creating a sea of pink hearts. Then the lights dimmed and the countdown began.

Special moments on stage

Blackpink kicked off the concert’s Act 1 on a high note with hits such as “Kill This Love,” “Pink Venom,” and “How You Like That.” Flames, pyrotechnics, smoke machines, graphic backgrounds, and laser lights added spectacle to their performance.

Act 1 of the ‘Deadline’ concert featured many of Blackpink’s iconic anthems.

Act 2 put the spotlight on Jisoo and Lisa, as they performed their solo hits like “Earthquake” and “Your Love” for the former, and “Thunder” and “When I'm With You” for the latter.

The girls gathered again onstage for Act 3. It started with some of Blackpink’s fiercer, high-energy hits. But for me, the highlight of the act was their performance of “Stay” and “Lovesick Girls,” which presented a softer side of the members, somehow setting the tone for the upcoming moments.

Blackpink members sharing a moment onstage.

Jennie took the stage on her own to begin Act 4 with her “Starlight” and “Like Jennie” performances. Rosé’s solo set was more stripped down. Before taking the stage, she tried a Filipino snack, turon, and gave it a thumbs up. Perhaps the most vulnerable part of the concert was when Rosé powered through her “Number One Girl” with the help of Filipino Blinks. The singer confessed to being sick the night before and not having the confidence to be onstage.

“We took a little break, but now we are back,” Rosé said. “I must say, sometimes, I forget how to do things live. Some days, I don’t feel like Blackpink… But as we are rising, and you guys are cheering for us, it reminded me. You guys made me feel like Blackpink.”

Act 5 brought the girls back to the stage to perform their latest hits.

That was one of the many moments of the evening when Filipino Blinks were able to show love and support to Blackpink. Sometimes, it is not about them hitting every note or executing every move flawlessly onstage. Rosé, Jisoo, Lisa, and Jennie have touched their hearts beyond music, inspiring fans with their authenticity, resilience, and passion.

Act 5 was a party with their “Jump” song. In these last moments, the members took time to acknowledge the crowd, looking at the unique and quirky signboards, getting closer to fans, and waving as high as they could to make everyone feel seen. And when everyone thought it was over, the girls returned to the stage to give everyone a proper goodbye and thank you with “See U Later.”

Back together, stronger than ever

The “Deadline” World Tour was a special moment for Blinks as it marked the reunion of the four members after briefly pursuing solo paths. Each act of the concert was woven together with short videos of the girls on a road trip, from the urban jungle and Las Vegas to the Wild West. Throughout the concert, Blackpink also took fans on an emotional ride—one that reminded everyone of the power of music and coming together, no matter the situation.

Jennie, Rosé, Lisa, and Jisoo taking a bow and bidding Blinks farewell.

The Philippine Arena glowed in pink to celebrate the success of the ‘Deadline’ concert’s Day 1.

The concert’s first show in Bulacan was a shared space and moment filled with cheers, chants, and moments of pure bliss, proving that the bond between Blackpink and their fans remains unshakable—and I’m sure nobody can kill that love.

National Reading Month: Put a book in a child's hand

By Manila Bulletin

Published Nov 20, 2025 12:01 am | Updated Nov 19, 2025 05:24 pm

Reading is not just a classroom requirement. It is the bedrock of learning, the gateway to knowledge, and the spark that ignites imagination and critical thinking. Every child who learns to read gains the power to understand the world—and the confidence to shape it. Without this skill, everything else in education collapses.

Yet in the Philippines, reading has quietly slipped into the background of daily life. In buses, parks, terminals, or even in the comfort of our homes, it is rare to see someone absorbed in a book or magazine. We scroll endlessly, but seldom read deeply. We absorb fragments of information, but rarely seek understanding. Ask a friend what book they last finished, and the silence that follows is not just awkward—it's alarming.

Because while we look away, a crisis is unfolding.

According to the Philippine Statistics Authority, 18.9 million Filipinos aged 10 to 64 are classified as functionally illiterate – they can read, write, and compute but struggle with comprehension, regardless of their educational attainment. That is not a statistic—it is a national emergency. Add to that the sobering findings of PISA 2022 and a World Bank study: over 75 percent of Filipino students are low performers in reading, math, science, and creative thinking. And that 91 percent of our 10-year-olds cannot understand age-appropriate text.

These are children sitting in our classrooms, dreaming our dreams for them—yet struggling to read the very words meant to help them succeed.

The government is racing against time. DepEd has rolled out targeted interventions: the Bawat Bata Makababasa program, the nationwide Literacy Remediation Program, and the ARAL initiative. It has called for full and sustained funding to repair the foundations of learning. The Tara, Basa! tutoring program, now benefitting more than 348,000 Filipinos, brings college students into classrooms to rescue struggling readers—while giving the youth a chance to serve and earn. The DSWD is even pushing for legislation to secure the program’s long-term future.

There are bright spots—proof that change is possible. In Norzagaray, Bulacan, a community refused to accept that poor reading outcomes were inevitable. With Project BRIGHT, the town attacked illiteracy head-on. Today, 60.73 percent of their early graders read at grade level, compared to the national average of 47.74 percent. Teachers used play, storytelling, one-on-one tutoring, and consistent monitoring. The local government invested in books, incentives, and materials. They showed what can be achieved when a community believes that every child must—and can—learn to read.

But if we are honest, the problem goes deeper than government programs.

The truth is painful: many Filipino adults do not read either. We cannot expect children to love reading when the adults in their lives do not model that love. A child who never sees a parent pick up a book will grow up thinking books do not matter. And when adults stop reading, they stop growing—intellectually, emotionally, and professionally. We lose our ability to question, to innovate, to dream bigger dreams.

This National Reading Month, we must confront this crisis with courage and conviction. Reading is not the responsibility of teachers alone. It is a collective task—of families, communities, and leaders. Read to your child. Give them books. Bring them to libraries. Ask them what stories they love. And most of all, let them see you reading.

We owe it to our children to build a culture where reading is not a chore but a cherished habit, not an afterthought but a daily act of hope.

If we want a future where Filipino children can dream boldly and achieve fully, we must start with the simplest, most powerful act: Put a book in a child’s hand. And put the love of reading in their heart.

They will smash you to the ground

 

By Manila Bulletin

Published Nov 20, 2025 12:01 am | Updated Nov 19, 2025 05:29 pm

REFLECTIONS TODAY

Arriving at the spot where he has a beautiful sight of the city of Jerusalem, Jesus cries instead of rejoicing. He laments over the destruction of the city, for not recognizing the time of his visitation.

His presence there is his visitation. He is there to announce the good news of salvation, but the residents would not listen. Instead, they will kill him, as he predicted three times. He also predicts that the city will severely be punished.

Historically, it happened in AD 70 when the Romans besieged the city and destroyed the Temple for harboring the rebels. There was no way to rebuild it and to return to its pristine beauty. In Hebrew, the word “visitation” is paqad.

When God visits his people or some individuals, it is either to announce that something good will happen, like in the case of Sarah, who was soon to conceive a son, or to announce destruction, like God visiting the iniquities… up to the fourth generation (Ex 34:7).

We, Christians, must be attentive to God’s coming into our lives. He comes to us as a poor man, through the events of daily life, through his Word and the sacraments. Let us not ignore his presence when we encounter him. To us who welcome him and ask for mercy, he brings salvation; to the unresponsive and indifferent, destruction.

First Reading • 1 Mc 2:15-29

The officers of the king in charge of enforcing the apostasy came to the city of Modein to organize the sacrifices. Many of Israel joined them, but Mattathias and his sons gathered in a group apart. Then the officers of the king addressed Mattathias:

“You are a leader, an honorable and great man in this city, supported by sons and kin. Come now, be the first to obey the king’s command, as all the Gentiles and the men of Judah and those who are left in Jerusalem have done. Then you and your sons shall be numbered among the King’s Friends, and shall be enriched with silver and gold and many gifts.” But Mattathias answered in a loud voice:

“Although all the Gentiles in the king’s realm obey him, so that each forsakes the religion of his fathers and consents to the king’s orders, yet I and my sons and my kin will keep to the covenant of our fathers. God forbid that we should forsake the law and the commandments. We will not obey the words of the king nor depart from our religion in the slightest degree.”

As he finished saying these words, a certain Jew came forward in the sight of all to offer sacrifice on the altar in Modein according to the king’s order. When Mattathias saw him, he was filled with zeal; his heart was moved and his just fury was aroused; he sprang forward and killed him upon the altar.

At the same time, he also killed the messenger of the king who was forcing them to sacrifice, and he tore down the altar. Thus he showed his zeal for the law, just as Phinehas did with Zimri, son of Salu.

Then Mattathias went through the city shouting, “Let everyone who is zealous for the law and who stands by the covenant follow after me!” Thereupon he fled to the mountains with his sons, leaving behind in the city all their possessions. Many who sought to live according to righteousness and religious custom went out into the desert to settle there.

Responsorial Psalm • Ps 50

“To the upright I will show the saving power of God.”

Gospel • Luke 19:41-44

or Matthew 12:46-50]

As Jesus drew near Jerusalem, he saw the city and wept over it, saying, “If this day you only knew what makes for peace—but now it is hidden from your eyes.

For the days are coming upon you when your enemies will raise a palisade against you; they will encircle you and hem you in on all sides.

They will smash you to the ground and your children within you, and they will not leave one stone upon another within you because you did not recognize the time of your visitation.”

Source: “365 Days with the Lord 2025,” St. Paul’s, 7708 St. Paul Rd., SAV, Makati City (Phils.); Tel.: 632-895-9701; E-mail: publishing@stpauls.ph; Website: http://www.stpauls.ph.