Belen leads Team Heart in fourth-set surge to rule PVL All-Star

 

Team Heart's Bella Belen (PVL Images)

By Manila Bulletin Newsroom

CANDON, Ilocos Sur – Team Heart delivered a commanding performance in the fourth set to put away Team Hustle, 25-18, 18-25, 25-23, 25-17, in the PVL exhibition match of the 2026 Volleyball All-Star Showcase on Friday night, May 1, at a packed Candon City Arena here.

CANDON, Ilocos Sur – Team Heart delivered a commanding performance in the fourth set to put away Team Hustle, 25-18, 18-25, 25-23, 25-17, in the PVL exhibition match of the 2026 Volleyball All-Star Showcase on Friday night, May 1, at a packed Candon City Arena here.

Powered by MVP Bella Belen, Team Heart split the first two sets with Team Hustle in a tightly contested opening before finding another gear in the closing stages of the third set to seize momentum.

From there, Team Heart carried that energy into the fourth frame, racing to an early lead and never letting up to finally close out the match and secure the P100,000 top prize in a fitting finish to the showcase.  

“Ayun po, masaya po kami kasi nakapag-interact kami with the fans. So, parang sa part namin mas nakakatuwa na makita po yung fans na nage-enjoy,” said Belen.

A blistering 11-1 start in the fourth set set the tone for Team Heart, which had just edged the third frame. They maintained full control from there, reaching match point at 24-17 before sealing the win.

Adding to the All-Star atmosphere, the match featured several lighthearted twists, including a coach and a line judge taking service attempts, players rotating into line judging duties, and liberos testing their luck in attacking plays, embracing the event’s festive spirit.

On the final play, court assistant Jhyson Manzano—brought in by Alyssa Valdez—finished the match with a cross-court hit off a set from Jia De Guzman, with the ball deflecting off Kath Arado to cap the entertaining showcase.  

“Talagang sobrang happy kasi sobrang daming fans sa Candon,” said Team Heart head coach Rald Ricafort.

“Sobrang happy din nila kasi nakikita nila ‘yung iniidolo nilang players, kaya ako, na-overwhelm ako sa Candon kasi grabe ‘yung volleyball community dito. Parang hindi namin ine-expect na ganun ‘yung makikita namin sa arena,” he added.

Team Hustle settled for the runner-up finish and the P50,000 consolation prize.

In the side events, Team Power—fresh from its win in the Spikers’ Turf All-Star Game—kept its momentum, ruling the Infinite Volley Extravaganza Challenge behind Noel Kampton, Ysay Marasigan, Jayvee Sumagaysay, and fan Maria Ruzzel Rogel as they defeated Team Passion’s Jared Schnake, Nas Gwaza, Jau Umandal, and spectator Keen Malintad.

Meanwhile, Team Blue, composed of Kath Arado, Alyssa Eroa, John Pepito, and Rikko Marmeto, topped the Crosscourt Sniper Challenge after outlasting Team Yellow, which featured Dawn Catindig, Justine Jazareno, Vince Lorenzo, and Menard Guerrero.

ASEAN as a force for regional stability

 

By Manila Bulletin Newsroom

Published May 11, 2026 12:05 a

The 48th ASEAN Summit in Cebu has proven to be more than a ceremonial gathering of Southeast Asian leaders. Convened at a time of rising geopolitical tensions, economic uncertainty, maritime disputes, and the disruptive advance of artificial intelligence, the summit demonstrated ASEAN’s continuing relevance as a stabilizing force in the region. More importantly, it reaffirmed the bloc’s enduring commitment to dialogue, consensus-building, and collective resilience.

Among the summit’s most significant outcomes was the ASEAN Leaders’ Statement on the Middle East crisis. Faced with the serious repercussions of conflict in the Gulf region — particularly the disruption of energy supply routes and escalating fuel prices — ASEAN leaders adopted coordinated measures aimed at protecting regional economies and the welfare of ASEAN nationals working abroad. The statement underscored the urgent need for energy security, food security, and emergency coordination mechanisms.

This collective response reflects a growing realization that ASEAN can no longer remain a passive observer of external crises. What happens in the Middle East directly affects Southeast Asia through oil prices, inflation, supply-chain disruptions, and migrant worker vulnerabilities. The Cebu summit thus highlighted the strategic value of regional solidarity in cushioning external shocks.

Equally consequential was the endorsement of the ASEAN Maritime Center to be established in the Philippines. This initiative elevates maritime cooperation into a more institutionalized and coordinated framework. It also strengthens ASEAN’s capacity to address pressing concerns involving maritime security, environmental protection, disaster response, and the blue economy.

At a time when tensions persist in the South China Sea and global sea lanes remain vulnerable to disruption, the establishment of the Maritime Center sends a subtle but unmistakable signal. ASEAN recognizes that safeguarding freedom of navigation and maritime stability is essential to regional prosperity and peace. The Philippines deserves credit for championing this initiative and positioning itself at the forefront of regional maritime cooperation.

Another landmark development was the Cebu Protocol amending the ASEAN Charter, the first such amendment since the Charter’s adoption in 2007. The amendment facilitates the fuller integration of Timor-Leste into ASEAN and symbolizes the organization’s institutional evolution.

Far from being a mere technical revision, the Charter amendment demonstrates ASEAN’s willingness to adapt to changing regional realities. Institutions that refuse to evolve eventually become irrelevant. By opening the door wider for Timor-Leste and adjusting ASEAN’s structures accordingly, the bloc affirms that inclusivity and reform are necessary for long-term cohesion.

The summit likewise highlighted ASEAN’s continuing role as a platform for preventive diplomacy. The quiet mediation efforts involving Thailand and Cambodia over their border dispute illustrated ASEAN’s preference for dialogue over confrontation. While the tensions between the two neighbors remain unresolved, the willingness of both parties to engage in confidence-building measures under ASEAN auspices represents a constructive step toward de-escalation.

This diplomatic approach may lack the dramatic flair of power politics, but it remains one of ASEAN’s greatest strengths. The ASEAN Way — patient consultation and consensus-building — continues to provide a valuable mechanism for preserving regional stability.

Finally, the Cebu summit recognized the growing intersection between security and artificial intelligence. As AI rapidly transforms economies, communications, governance, and even warfare, ASEAN leaders acknowledged the need for common principles and cooperative frameworks to ensure that emerging technologies serve humanity rather than undermine democratic institutions and social stability.

The Cebu Summit may not have produced sweeping headlines or instant solutions. Yet its outcomes reflect something equally important: ASEAN’s determination to remain united, adaptive, and strategically relevant amid a volatile global landscape. In an increasingly fragmented world, that alone is a meaningful achievement.

Mothers: The hands that hold the world

By Manila Bulletin Newsroom

Published May 10, 2026 12:05 am

Today, as families around the world celebrate Mother's Day, we should be reminded that behind every well-knitted family, every strong society, every faithful generation, and every hopeful future stands the quiet strength of a mother. Long before the world created ceremonies and greetings for mothers, the Bible had already established the sacredness of motherhood. In Genesis 3:20, Eve was called “the mother of all living,” a title that reveals motherhood not merely as a biological function, but as a divine calling tied to the continuation of life itself.

The Scriptures portray mothers as builders of character, guardians of faith, and teachers of wisdom. They are not only caretakers of homes but caretakers of souls. In 1 Samuel 1:23, Hannah’s devotion to her child reflects the sacrificial commitment of a mother who nurtures with patience and purpose. Proverbs 31 paints the portrait of a woman whose strength, diligence, wisdom, and compassion shape the destiny of her family. The biblical mother rises early, provides for her household, teaches with kindness, and leads by example. Her influence often reaches far beyond what the world can measure.

Yet motherhood is not an easy calling. Behind every smile may be a hidden exhaustion, a silent sacrifice, and countless prayers whispered in the darkness of night. Mothers carry burdens that are rarely seen. They endure worry, pain, and uncertainty while continuing to give love without condition. This is why the Bible repeatedly calls families and communities to honor them. Respect for mothers is a spiritual and moral responsibility. The commandment to “honor your father and your mother” remains one of the clearest instructions God gives to humanity.

Children, therefore, have a sacred duty that extends far beyond offering flowers or greetings once a year. True honor is shown through gratitude, obedience, kindness, and lifelong care. Children must learn to speak gently to their mothers, listen to their counsel, and support them in times of weakness just as they were once supported in childhood. A mother who spent years sacrificing for her children should never feel abandoned when age, sickness, or hardship comes. The measure of a society’s moral health can often be seen in how its children treat their mothers.

Husbands also carry a profound responsibility. A godly husband does not take a mother’s labor for granted. He protects, values, encourages, and stands beside her as a partner in raising a family. The biblical vision of marriage is one of mutual love, respect, and shared responsibility. Mothers flourish where husbands offer emotional support, spiritual leadership, and faithful companionship. Appreciation should not be seasonal; it should be woven into daily life.

Government and society likewise have roles that cannot be ignored. A nation that claims to value family must create conditions where mothers are protected, respected, and supported. Policies that promote maternal health, education, decent work opportunities, and family welfare are not merely acts of charity. These are investments in the future of humanity. Communities, churches, schools, and workplaces should become places where mothers are encouraged rather than neglected.

Therefore, this Mother's Day may we look beyond celebrations and remember the deeper truth Scripture teaches: mothers are among God’s greatest gifts to humanity. Their hands rock the cradles, and they also shape nations. Their prayers strengthen generations. Their love reflects the enduring compassion of God Himself. Therefore, to honor mothers is righteousness, gratitude, and justice.

Confronting the expanding drought crisis in Luzon

 

By Manila Bulletin Newsroom

Published Apr 27, 2026 12:05 am | Updated Apr 26, 2026 03:59 pm

The latest report from Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration that drought conditions now grip 25 provinces across Luzon should sound a resounding alarm far beyond the agricultural sector. It is not merely a matter of failed rains or depleted reservoirs. It is a deepening crisis that cuts into the very fabric of Filipino life, threatening food security, livelihood, and the fragile resilience of communities already burdened by a national energy emergency.

For farmers, drought is an unforgiving adversary. Crops wither before harvest, irrigation systems run dry, and debts mount as yields diminish. In provinces dependent on rice and corn production, the lack of water translates directly into lost income and heightened food prices. The ripple effects are swift. Reduced water supply drives inflation, placing further strain on households already grappling with elevated electricity and transport costs.

Fisherfolk, too, are not spared. Prolonged dry spells alter water salinity and temperature in inland and coastal ecosystems, disrupting fish breeding cycles and reducing catch volumes. As fuel prices remain volatile due to global uncertainties, fewer fish in the nets mean deeper losses for small-scale operators who can ill afford another economic shock.

At the center of this unfolding hardship is the “common tao” — families who must stretch limited incomes to cover rising food and energy expenses. The convergence of drought and energy constraints forms a perfect storm, eroding purchasing power and amplifying vulnerabilities, particularly in rural and peri-urban communities.

Government response must therefore be both immediate and strategic. Emergency measures should prioritize the delivery of water through mobile tankers and the rehabilitation of critical irrigation systems in affected provinces. The National Irrigation Administration must accelerate desilting operations and repair damaged canals to maximize whatever limited water supply remains.

Equally urgent is the expansion of targeted financial assistance. Rather than broad, unfocused subsidies, support must be calibrated. Crop insurance payouts should be expedited, and concessional credit must be extended to farmers and fisherfolk to enable replanting and recovery. The Department of Agriculture can lead in distributing drought-resistant seed varieties and promoting climate-resilient farming techniques such as drip irrigation and crop diversification.

Water management, however, cannot remain reactive. The present crisis underscores the need for a more integrated, forward-looking approach. Investments in rainwater harvesting, small farm reservoirs, and watershed rehabilitation must be scaled up. Local government units, working alongside national agencies, should institutionalize water conservation measures and community-based resource management systems.

At the household level, practical coping mechanisms can make a difference. Families can adopt water-saving practices, shift to less water-intensive food consumption where feasible, and participate in community efforts to safeguard local water sources. These small but collective actions help build resilience from the ground up.

Beyond immediate relief, this drought episode is a stark reminder of the accelerating impact of climate variability. It calls for stronger alignment between climate adaptation policies and economic planning. The integration of renewable energy solutions in rural areas, for instance, can ease dependence on strained power systems while supporting agricultural productivity.

Ultimately, the challenge demands a whole-of-society response. National government, local units, the private sector, and communities must act in concert, guided by both urgency and foresight. The cost of inaction — or delayed action — will not only be measured in economic losses but in the diminished well-being of millions of Filipinos.

The fields may be parched today, but with decisive and coordinated effort, the nation can still weather this dry spell and emerge more resilient in the face of future crises.

Panic buying amid war: Oil shock drives sari-sari stockpiling surge—Packworks

 

By Manila Bulletin Newsroom

Published Apr 23, 2026 10:53 am

Sari-sari stores recorded a 90-percent surge in sales in March as rising global oil prices triggered widespread stockpiling among micro-retailers and households, according to homegrown tech startup Packworks.

In a statement on Thursday, April 23, Packworks said that based on over one million transactions via its Sari.PH Pro app, gross merchandise value (GMV) across its network of 300,000 stores reached ₱3.73 billion in March, up from ₱1.97 billion in February.

The sharpest spike occurred on March 21, when GMV surged by 265 percent following announcements of double-digit fuel price hikes last March 17, prompting store owners to preemptively stock up ahead of expected increases in logistics and retail costs.  Packworks quoted a sari-sari store owner from Uson town in Masbate province as saying: “Nag-stock up kami dahil natatakot kaming maubusan ng paninda at magkaroon ng delay sa delivery mula sa mga supplier.”  

Packworks noted that in some areas, delivery lead times have stretched to three weeks, pushing retailers to shift toward bulk purchasing of fast-moving goods.

Average basket sizes rose significantly, expanding from ₱337 to ₱1,097 in February to ₱597 to ₱1,560 in March, while transaction volumes increased by only 17 percent, indicating fewer but larger purchases per visit.

“With growing uncertainty and rising oil and commodity prices, our data suggests that sari-sari store owners are proactively adjusting their purchasing strategies. Larger basket sizes and increased inventory levels indicate a shift toward preparedness for potential supply disruptions and rising costs,” said Packworks chief data officer Andoy Montiel.  

Regionally, Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR) posted the highest increase in basket size at 101.7 percent (₱773 to ₱1,560), followed by National Capital Region (NCR) at 85 percent (₱396 to ₱733), and Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) at 80.2 percent (₱495 to ₱892).

Top-selling categories included cigarettes, detergent, gin, powdered coffee, and chips and dips. Cigarettes led with an increase of around ₱234 million, followed by detergent at ₱116 million, gin at ₱66 million, powdered coffee at about ₱55 million, and chips and dips at ₱45 million. Other essentials such as soda, biscuits, powdered milk, and canned goods also posted gains.

“As the backbone of local communities, sari-sari stores continue to demonstrate resilience in times of disruption. However, they remain highly vulnerable to price fluctuations and logistical challenges, highlighting the need for continued support,” said Packworks chief platform officer Hubert Yap.

Teachers, the hands that shape a nation

 

By Manila Bulletin Newsroom

Published Apr 17, 2026 12:05 am | Updated Apr 16, 2026 06:15 pm

When President Marcos described the decades-long wait for teacher promotions as “unfair,” he did more than acknowledge a bureaucratic flaw. He was underscoring a deeper reality about how the nation has long undervalued those who build its future. The passage of Republic Act No. 12288, "Career Progression System for Public School Teachers and School Leaders Act, signals a step in the right direction. But reforms on paper are only the beginning. Sustained support for teachers must remain a national priority, not a passing policy trend.

Teachers are not merely employees within our education system. They are, in fact, the architects of society itself. Every engineer who designs bridges, every doctor who saves lives, every entrepreneur who drives economic growth, and every leader who shapes policy begins their journey under the guidance of a teacher. Remove teachers from the equation, and the entire structure of national development collapses. Their influence is not confined to classrooms, it ripples across industries, institutions, and generations.

Yet for all their importance, teachers have often been asked to give more than they receive. Behind every lesson delivered is a quiet, unseen labor: hours spent crafting lesson plans, nights dedicated to mastering new teaching methods, and weekends sacrificed to ensure students do not fall behind. In many parts of the country, teaching is not just intellectually demanding, it is physically taxing. Some educators travel long distances, trekking through rough terrain or crossing rivers, just to reach remote schools where their presence can mean the difference between opportunity and neglect.

The Expanded Career Progression system recognizes that teachers deserve more than gratitude. They equally deserve growth. By offering clearer pathways—whether in classroom instruction or school administration—it addresses a long-standing frustration: the stagnation that has driven many talented educators away from the profession. A system that rewards competence, dedication, and innovation is essential not only for retaining teachers but for attracting the next generation to the field.

But career progression alone cannot carry the weight of reform. Support must be holistic. Competitive compensation, continuous professional development, access to modern resources, and improved working conditions are necessities they so deserved. If the nation expects teachers to produce globally competitive graduates, it must also provide them with the tools and environment to succeed.

There is also a cultural dimension that policy cannot legislate; it is respect for teachers that must be deeply ingrained in society. Too often, their contributions are acknowledged only during ceremonies or commemorations, while their daily struggles remain overlooked. A genuine culture of respect means listening to their concerns, involving them in decision-making, and recognizing their expertise as professionals.

The stakes are high. Education is not a short-term investment; it is a generational one. The quality of today’s teaching will determine the competence of tomorrow’s workforce and the integrity of future leadership. In this sense, supporting teachers is not simply about improving schools; it is about securing the nation’s trajectory.

It is easy to celebrate innovation, infrastructure, and economic growth. These are outcomes of a foundation that was developed. But at the root of every national achievement is a teacher who once stood before a student and made learning possible.

If the country is serious about shaping its future, it must remain equally serious about those who shape its people. Policies like the ECP system are promising, but they must be sustained, expanded, and matched with unwavering commitment. Because in the end, nation-building does not begin in boardrooms or government halls; it begins in classrooms, in the steady hands of teachers who carry the weight of tomorrow.

This is why we have to honor our teachers by equipping and supporting them every step of the way.

Ancient seafarers' story of love, identity, and belonging takes center stage in this ballet

 

Ballet Philippines to close its 56th season with 'Paglalakbay: 

The Journey of the Sea People'

By Manila Bulletin Newsroom

Published Apr 9, 2026 10:54 pm

Ballet Philippines successfully concluded the world premiere run of "Paglalakbay: The Journey of the Sea People," a full-length original Filipino ballet that captivated audiences from April 10 to 12, 2026, at The Theatre at Solaire. The production marked a defining close to the company’s 56th season and a bold step in championing Filipino narratives on the classical stage.

Inspired by the Austronesian Migration, “Paglalakbay” tells an epic yet intimate story of movement, identity, and belonging. It follows ancient seafarers in search of a new home, centering on Ama and Kaman in Batanes, whose love endures trials of loss, transformation, and renewal, reflecting a timeless search for home across generations.

Choreographed by artistic director Mikhail Martynyuk, with a libretto by Sheree Chua and music by Ronald Vincenzo Khaw de Leon, the ballet reimagines classical technique through a distinctly Filipino lens.

“Academic technique is a form, not a style,” Mikhail shared. “In ‘Paglalakbay,’ choreographic language becomes the main narrator,” grounding movement in the forces of wind, land, and sea.

For Sheree, the work is both cultural and deeply personal. “Migration is often framed as displacement, but it can also be expansion,” she said. “This ballet becomes both historical and intimate.”

The production’s immersive design, led by Leeroy New, brought Batanes to life onstage, drawing from the team’s firsthand cultural immersion with local communities. This experience stemmed from Ballet Philippines’ Ballet Brigade outreach in Batanes, where artists engaged with over 200 locals.

“‘Paglalakbay’ was a bold investment for the company,” said Ballet Philippines president Kathleen Liechtenstein. “It reflects our belief that local indigenous stories deserve the grand scale and artistic rigor of the classical stage.”

Praised for its powerful storytelling and cultural resonance, “Paglalakbay” reinforces Ballet Philippines’ continuing mission: to bring Filipino stories to the forefront—epic, resilient, and universally human.

For more information on Ballet Philippines and its upcoming productions, visit www.ballet.ph

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Philippine Book Festival 2026 shows what happens when Filipino books find their readers

 

By Manila Bulletin Newsroom

Published Mar 24, 2026 10:58 pm

The National Book Development Board (NBDB) successfully concluded the 4th Philippine Book Festival (PBF), where more than 100 publishers and nearly 39,000 visitors gathered for the country’s largest and most spirited celebration of Filipino books, authors, illustrators, and readers, surpassing PBF 2025’s retail sales figures in the process.

The strong turnout affirmed what the NBDB has long believed: Filipino readers are eager not only for greater access to locally published books but also for meaningful opportunities to meet the writers, illustrators, and creators behind the stories they love.

The festival was formally opened by NBDB Executive Director Charisse Aquino-Tugade and Department of Education Secretary Edgardo “Sonny “ Angara, who stayed well beyond the opening program to walk the venue, speak with publishers, and engage with authors, illustrators, performers, and visitors—a gesture that left little doubt about the depth of his support for the festival and the industry it serves. National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) Chair Eric Zerrudo, along with Ilokano author Faye Flores

Melegrito and Mindanawon poet Gerald Galindez, added a moment of unexpected beauty to the proceedings by delivering a live reading of Galindez’s “Kung Ang Libro Ay Dagat” in Hiligaynon, Ilokano, and Maguindanao, respectively, a fitting invocation for a festival built on the conviction that every language of the archipelago has stories worth telling.

ED Charisse Aquino-Tugade with NBA awardees

John Jack Wigley & Charlson Ong

Atom Araullo

Where Readers and Creators Met

At Bahay Ilustrador, illustration and visual storytelling workshops gave aspiring artists and curious visitors a rare window into the creative process. Several artists, including Beth Parrocha, Danielle Florendo, Randy Valiente, and Jerome Suplemento, led sessions that drew participants who arrived simply to observe but left with creative outputs, new skills, and in many cases, a clearer sense of what they might one day create themselves.

Meanwhile, the long queues at Lugar Lagdaan offered a telling snapshot of the connection between Filipino readers and authors they admire. Book lovers waited patiently for the chance to meet their favorite writers, have books signed, and share brief but heartfelt conversations about how certain stories had shaped their reading lives. Many went on to purchase additional titles and merchandise, a show of support that extended well beyond the page.

Among those who drew the longest lines were National Artist for Film and Broadcast Arts Ricky Lee, historian Ambeth Ocampo, and fictionist Jose “Butch” Dalisay, each of whom took time not only to sign books but to speak directly to readers, encouraging them to tell their own stories through writing. Popular Wattpad author Jonaxx drew her own devoted crowd, with readers—known as “Jonaxx Stories Lovers”— purchasing books and merchandise in a show of loyalty that needed no book signing to keep it going. Authors Rolando Vivo Jr. and Ron Canimo each marked the festival with the launch of their latest titles at the Umpukan area, followed by signing activities at their respective booths.

For publishers and creators, the festival provided an invaluable platform to connect with the broader reading community. Komiket President and Co-Founder Paolo Herras noted that bringing together publishers, authors, readers, book clubs, book evaluators, and librarians in one venue creates a uniquely meaningful experience for everyone involved. Several publishers echoed this sentiment and expressed hope that initiatives like the PBF will continue to expand opportunities for creators and their audiences to find each other.

Festival Co-Director Charmaine Capuchino reflected on what those four days meant: “When we created the PBF, we dreamed of a space where Filipino stories could truly live. Receiving messages of strong book sales, seeing readers meet their idols, and watching creators build new connections reminds me that the dream is real. Filipino stories are alive, wanted, and bringing people together—and we will keep building this dream, improving it, and taking it even further.”

National Book Awards

Jonaxx's Booth

Kids at Bahay Illustrador

PBF crowd we love

Kelvin Miranda, Bianca Umali, and Angel Guardian

PBF crowd we love

Nelson Canlas and Pepot Atienza

Stories on Stage

Beyond the bookshelves, the festival offered moments that lingered. Teatro Arellano staged an adaptation of “Malong: The Magic Cloth” by NBDB Governor Mary Ann Ordinario, with NBDB’s own Noesis Marquez and Mitch Balladares contributing to the production, a reminder that the stories the NBDB champions are not confined to the page. Rapper and poet Gloc-9 took the Fiesta Stage for a brief but memorable set shortly after launching his book “Makata sa Pilipinas,” turning a book launch into something closer to a concert. The same stage welcomed John Brixter Tino, a PWD poet and son of a fisherman from Quezon, who launched “Mulias: Mga Tula” and spoke about the life and circumstances that shaped it—one of the festival’s quieter but more affecting afternoons, and a reminder of exactly the kind of voice the PBF exists to amplify.

On the morning of March 14, the Fiesta Stage hosted the awarding ceremony of the 43rd National Book Awards. Officials of the Filipino Critics Circle (FCC) and NBDB Executive Director Charisse Aquino Tugade personally handed trophies to the authors of 30 winning titles. Among the honorees was Lucia Asul, whose debut graphic work,“Lucia Dreaming,” won Best Graphic Novel and Comics in English—a first-time winner stepping into the recognition that her work had long deserved. Jhoanna Lynn Cruz received the Elfren S. Cruz Prize for Best Book in Social Sciences for “More Mindanawon Than We Admit: History, Culture, and Identity in the Philippine South,” a timely recognition of a voice that has long given the Philippine South its due weight in the national literary conversation. The lifetime achievement award went to National Artist for Literature Virgilio Almario, with National Artists Kidlat Tahimik and Gemino Abad among those in attendance.

The Gubat ng Karunungan space also made room for the Philippine South. A talk on independent publishing in Mindanao, featuring NH Legaspi of Papel-Papel Publishing OPC, Gerald Galindez of Tridax Zines, and educator, translator, and illustrator Eric Gerard Nebran, moderated by Xi Zuq of Aklat Alamid, brought to the festival a conversation about regional publishing that is too rarely heard in Manila, and was all the more valuable for it.

Ricky Lee

Pol Medina & AJ Bacar

Rio Alma

Education at the Center

The festival also played a significant role in supporting the education sector. According to NBDB Director Carol Tapia, the agency provided free online and onsite training for 350 book evaluators and provided them a catalogue of all showcased titles ahead of the festival so they could arrive fully prepared for the book selection process. The setup of the Aral Aklat realm drew particular praise: ample tables and chairs positioned in front of every booth gave publishers the space to properly accommodate inquiries and book orders, making the evaluation process more efficient and productive.

The book evaluation and scoping process that the PBF has built into its model has become one of the festival’s consequential contributions to Philippine education. Many evaluators have since expressed interest in having the process extended to their respective regions, a sign that the demand for direct, hands-on access to quality Filipino-authored books extends well beyond the halls of Megatrade.

A Global Eye on Filipino Books

The festival also drew international notice. Claudia Kaiser, Vice-President for business development of the Frankfurt Buchmesse, was among this year’s visitors and offered a warm assessment of what she saw.“I’m very happy to be back here, and I hope to come back many more times to continue to see your culture and literature,” she said. Her visit reflects the sustained interest generated by the Philippines’ landmark Guest of Honour year at the 2025 Frankfurt Book Fair and signals that the PBF has earned a place in the broader conversation about where Philippine publishing is headed.

In a further affirmation of the festival’s growing institutional significance, the Philippine Postal Corporation (PhilPost) formalized a partnership with the NBDB at PBF 2026, committing to the production of a commemorative stamp in honor of the festival, set for release next year.

Secretary Sony Angara & Executive Director Charisse Aquino-Tugade

A Platform that Keeps Growing

For the NBDB, the festival’s success reflects the strength of the partnerships that make it possible. Executive Director Aquino-Tugade emphasized that the Philippine Book Festival will continue to serve as a premier platform for Filipino-published books and a space where the country’s literary and creative communities can thrive.“Based on what we saw over these four days, we are confident that retail sales have grown by at least seven percent compared to last year, and that is only the beginning of what this festival is capable of,” she said.

“To our authors, illustrators, and publishers, we remain grateful for your trust. To Secretary Edgardo Angara and the Department of Education, your partnership makes the scale and reach of this work possible,” Aquino-Tugade added.

As the fourth edition of the Philippine Book Festival comes to a close, the message from the halls of Megatrade is clear: the Filipino reading community is growing, the local publishing industry is gaining strength, and the stories of Filipino creators continue to find new readers eager to discover them.

Here are the winners of the 43rd National Book Awards

By Manila Bulletin Newsroom

Published Mar 13, 2026 10:07 am

The National Book Development Board (NBDB) and the Filipino Critics Circle (FCC) proudly announce the 30 winning titles in the 43rd Annual National Book Awards (NBA), recognizing this cycle’s most outstanding locally published books across diverse genres and languages.

Of 385 titles submitted across 30 categories, written in Filipino, English, Hiligaynon, and Kinaray-a, 139 were selected as finalists. The final 30 winners represent the best-written and best-designed titles in their respective genres, spanning fiction and non-fiction categories including poetry, graphic novels and comics, translation, science, philosophy, history, humor, sports and lifestyle, spirituality and theology, art, food, design, journalism, and business.

The 43rd NBA winners are the following:

Literary Division

Best Novel in English - “Isabela” by Kaisa Aquino; Ateneo de Manila University Press

Best Novel in Filipino - “Antimarcos” by Khavn; Ateneo de Manila University Press

National Artist Cirilo F. Bautista Prize for Best Book of Short Fiction in English - “Sojourner, Settler, Seer” by Charlson Ong; Milflores Publishing, Inc.

Gerardo P. Cabochan Prize for Best Book of Short Fiction in Filipino - Tatlong Proposisyon ng Puting Hangin” by Luna Sicat Cleto; Isang Balangay Media Productions

Pablo A. Tan Prize for Best Book of Nonfiction Prose in English - “Weaving Basey: A Poet's History of Home” by Dinah Roma; Katig Writers Network Inc.

Best Book of Nonfiction Prose in Filipino - “Tokhang at Iba Pang Nanlabang Sanaysay” by Vim Nadera; The University of the Philippines Press

Best Anthology in English - “Mapping New Stars: A Sourcebook on Philippine Speculative Fiction” edited by Gabriela Lee, Anna Felicia Sanchez, and Sydney Paige Guerrero; The University of the Philippines Press

Best Anthology in Filipino - “Ragasa: Apat na Dekada ng Pagsulong ng mga Kuwentistang Katha” edited by Rolando B. Tolentino, Romulo P. Baquiran Jr., Honorio Bartolome de Dios, and Francine Y. Medina; The University of the Philippines Press

Best Book of Literary Criticism or Cultural Studies - “Ang Bayang Panitikan: Ang Pagtatanghal ng Kabanalan sa Pakil, Laguna” by Jerry C. Respeto; Ateneo de Manila University Press

Best Book of Literary History - “Collected Essays I: Philippine Theater History and Genres” by Nicanor G. Tiongson; Ateneo de Manila University Press

Best Book on Media Studies - “Disconnected Media and Other Essays” by Clodualdo del Mundo, Jr.; De La Salle University Publishing House

Philippine Literary Arts Council Prize for Best Book of Poetry in English - “With Decade” by Austere Rex Gamao; Grana-PH Book Publishing

Victorio C. Valledor Prize for Best Book of Poetry in Filipino - “Landas sa Ilang” by Ronald Araña Atilano; Linangan sa Imahen, Retorika, at Anyo (LIRA), Inc.

Best Graphic Novel and Comics in English - “Lucia Dreaming” by Lucia Asul; Adarna House

Best Graphic Novel and Comics in Filipino - “Elipsis” by Ran Manansala and illustrated by Jose T. Gamboa; Istorya Studios, Inc.

Best Translated Book - “Doña Perfecta” by Benito Pérez Galdós and translated by Wystan dela Peña; Ateneo de Manila University Press

Best Book on Drama and Film - “Natal/National: Three Plays by Guelan Varela-Luarca” by Guelan Varela-Luarca; Milflores Publishing, Inc.

Best Book of Poetry in Hiligaynon and Kinaray-a - “Humadapnon (Ginlawan) Sugidanon (Epics) of Panay Book 8, Volume 4” by researchers Alicia P. Magos and Anna Razel Limoso Ramirez, translation by Alicia Magos and team, and chanter: Federico “Tuohan” Caballero; The University of the Philippines Press

Non-Literary Division

Alfonso T. Ongpin Prize for Best Book on Art - “Haegue Yang: The Cone of Concern” by Magdalen Chua, Joselina Cruz, Esther Lu, Leilani Lynch, Daisy Nam, Padmapani Perez, Haegue Yang, and June Yap; De La Salle-College Of Saint Benilde Inc.

Elfren S. Cruz Prize for Best Book in the Social Sciences - “More Mindanawon Than We Admit: History, Culture, and Identity in the Philippine South” by Jhoanna Lynn B. Cruz; Vibal Foundation

Best Book in Philosophy - “Towards a Mindanawon/Lumad Philosophy: The Filipino Philosophy of Brother Karl Gaspar, CSsR.” by Jerry D. Imbong; Aletheia Printing and Publishing House

John C. Kaw Prize for Best Book on History - “Typhoons: Climate, Society, and History in the Philippines” by James Francis Warren; Ateneo de Manila University Press

Best Book on Humor, Sports, and Lifestyle - “The Call to Lead: Ignatian Wisdom and The Journey of Leading” by Jake de Guzman; Ateneo de Manila University Press

Best Book on Business - “Covering Nanay: The Philippine Microinsurance Journey” by Dr. Jaime Aristotle Alip, Lorenzo O. Chan Jr., and Pia Benitez Yupangco; The Bookmark, Inc.

Best Book on Food - “Secret Kitchens of Samar (Volumes 1 to 5)” by Clang Garcia; Province of Samar

Best Book in Science - “Birds of Subic Bay” by Vinz Pascua; Birds in Focus, Inc.

Best Book in Spirituality and Theology - “Discipleship For Today's Filipino: Ang Calling Ng Christian Para Sa Bayan” by Rico Villanueva and Jayeel Cornelio; OMF Literature Incorporated

Best Book on Professions - “The Road To Peace: Crafting the Bangsamoro Organic Law” by Juan Miguel F. Zubiri; Juan Miguel F. Zubiri

Hilarion and Esther Vibal Prize for Best Book in Journalism - “Carabeef Lengua” by Jose F. Lacaba; The University of the Philippines Press

Design

Best Book Design - “Matayog na Puno: The Life And Art Of Hugo C. Yonzon, Jr., Designer: Paula Yonzon; Yonzon Associates, Inc.

Co-administered by the NBDB and the FCC, the National Book Awards recognizes outstanding print titles for their literary merit, design excellence, and contributions to Philippine literature and scholarship. The awards celebrate works that enrich literacy across the country, particularly among young Filipinos.

The awarding ceremony will be held on March 14, 2026, at the Philippine Book Festival, Megatrade Hall, SM Megamall, Mandaluyong City.

For more information, visit books.gov.ph or contact awards@books.gov.ph.

Sinulog 2026 comes alive across Cebu with back-to-back festivities

 

AweSM Cebu 2026 brings Sinulog spectacle to the max across SM Malls

By Manila Bulletin Newsroom

Published Jan 12, 2026 11:13 am

Sinulog dancers take over the SM malls, turning every hallway into a moving celebration of rhythm, color, and devotion, bringing the beat of Sinulog closer to everyone.

Sinulog season kicks into high gear as AweSM Cebu 2026 takes over SM City Cebu, SM Seaside, and SM J Mall, delivering curated experiences that grow in energy, scale, and excitement as the festivities unfold. Designed for families, foodies, creatives, and fans, the three malls’ celebration transforms everyday mall moments into a city-wide Sinulog gala.

At SM City Cebu, the energy reaches full, maxed-out festival mode, where shopping, spectacle, and star power take center stage. Festival enthusiasts can explore Sinulogtopia with Islands Souvenirs until Jan. 28 at the Lower Ground of the Main Mall, while the immersive Glow City: Sinulog Centerpiece at the North Wing Atrium sets the visual tone of the festivities until Jan. 21. Catch the electric moves of the AweSM Glow Dance Competition on Jan. 17 at the North Wing, and crowd excitement peaks with Coco Martin live on Jan. 17 at the Lower Ground of the Main Mall and the Kapuso Stars Mall Show on Jan. 18 at the Main Mall.

Sinulog comes alive at SM City Cebu where vibrant colors, festive beats, and local finds fill every corner with Cebuano pride. From pasalubong shopping to joyful moments inspired by the Santo Niño, the Sinulog spirit is truly AweSM.

Get ready for an ultimate Sinulog feast and celebrate the vibrant culture with every bite! Grab your favorite meals and gather your squad because these festive flavors are best shared with friends.

Meanwhile, SM Seaside City Cebu anchors anticipation through meaningful and distinctly Cebuano experiences. The Sto. Niño exhibit at the Cube Wing Atrium provides the spiritual heart of Sinulog until Jan. 28, while shoppers can check out the homegrown flavors at Nakakalokal Goes to SM Seaside from Jan. 16 to 18 at the Mountain Wing Atrium, and the crowd-favorite AweSM Lechon Fest from Jan. 12 to 18 at the Seaview Wing Atrium. Maxing out the star-studded energy, the Sinulog Kapamilya Caravan rolls into SM Seaside’s concert grounds on Jan. 17, while fur parents also get their moment at AweSM Petstival on Jan. 24 at the Mountain Wing Atrium.

At SM J Mall, the celebration opens on a reflective and artistic note. Vested in Devotion: Cebu’s “Fashion in Faith” exhibit runs until Jan. 31 at The Atrium, Upper Ground, followed by “Vested Devotion: Rhythms of Cebu” on Jan. 18, and culminating in “Vested in Devotion: Runway Edition” on Jan. 31, highlighting the movement, music, and meaning behind Cebu’s devotion. Shoppers can also ease into the season with the AweSM Cebu Sale 2026 from Jan. 12 to 18 at participating stores across SM J Mall, SM City Cebu, and SM Seaside.

Celebrating the vibrant spirit of Sinulog with the best squad in SM Seaside City Cebu.

Paws, costumes, and Sinulog flair take over AweSM Petstival at SM Seaside—where fur babies steal the spotlight and festive fun gets even cuter.

Light up your night with an unforgettable celebration at the Sky Park in SM Seaside City! Experience the ultimate vibe featuring live beats, electric energy, and the best view in the city.

The Sinulog spectacle reaches its ultimate high on Jan. 18, as SM City Cebu’s “Illuminight: Sinulog Drone and Pyro Show” takes center stage, fronting the North Wing expansion building at 7 p.m., and SM Seaside City Cebu’s AweSM Skypark Grand Pyro Display lights up the Cebu skyline at 9 p.m., delivering a breathtaking, city-wide finale built on maximum experiences that celebrate devotion, creativity, and festivity at its grandest.