Rescued PH hawk-eagle released in Agusan Marsh

 

By Philippine News Agency

Published Feb 5, 2026 06:41 pm

BUTUAN CITY – Personnel of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR)-13 (Caraga) have released a rescued Philippine hawk-eagle (Nisaetus philippensis) at the buffer zone of the Agusan Marsh Wildlife Sanctuary.

A resident of Barangay Magaud, Loreto, Agusan del Sur, Benjie Geral Dumogoy, rescued the raptor and turned it over to the Community Environment and Natural Resources Office (CENRO) in Loreto on Wednesday.

CENRO personnel assessed the bird, weighing approximately 1.1 kilos, and found it physically fit for immediate release in the designated area. The raptor is classified as vulnerable under DENR Administrative Order 2019-09.

“The release of the Philippine hawk-eagle at the Agusan Marsh Wildlife Sanctuary reinforced the ongoing efforts to protect the region’s rich wildlife and forest ecosystem,” the DENR-13 said in a statement Thursday.

Agency officials commended Dumogoy for turning over the hawk-eagle and CENRO-Loreto for its immediate action.

“Community participation is crucial to the success of wildlife conservation initiatives, and such cooperation helps ensure the safety of threatened species while upholding national laws that protect wildlife,” the statement added.

Considered an important indicator of healthy forest ecosystems, the Philippine hawk-eagle thrives in the Agusan Marsh, a key wetland and ecological landscape in Mindanao.

The DENR-13 encourages the public to immediately report sightings of injured, distressed, or illegally held wildlife to the nearest DENR office to ensure proper handling, rehabilitation, and lawful release. (PNA)

What poetry can teach us about love, money and things that last

 

FQ (Financial Quotient) - Rose Fres Fausto - Philstar.com

February 4, 2026 | 7:00am   

Listening to her, I realized that poetry and FQ have more in common than we might think.

We often imagine poetry as purely involving our Emotional Emong and finance as cold calculation by our Makatwirang Mak. But real poetry is not indulgent. It is restrained. It chooses what to include—and what to leave out. The same is true of sound financial decisions. Financial Intelligence is not so much about having more money. It is about giving meaning to the money we already have.

Poetry values clarity. It asks, What is essential?

So does FQ.

What parenting will look like in 2026

 

A shift toward emotional safety, growth, and resilience—without lowering standards

By Jane Kingsu-Cheng

Published Jan 24, 2026 01:18 pm

There is a subtle shift happening in Filipino homes. The idea that parenting must be perfect is finally being questioned. As families juggle long work hours, digital stress, and the lingering pressure of tradition, many parents are starting to choose a different path—one that values emotional connection, authenticity, and growth over performance.

We asked experts to share their parenting forecast for 2026, as families move toward gentler discipline, healthier expectations, and prioritizing each other’s wellbeing—by setting their own standards and defining personal family values.

Dr. Alexander Jack Herrin

Parenting forecast #1: Emotional regulation becomes a core parenting skill

By Dr. Alexander Jack Herrin, developmental pediatrician

From clinical practice and everyday interactions with families, there is growing awareness among parents that discipline and guidance cannot come solely from authority, rules, or reaction. While traditional structures remain, many parents are beginning to recognize the value of pausing, listening, and responding thoughtfully rather than reacting from frustration or anger. This shift is not yet universal, but it reflects the direction parents are increasingly working towards.

Why this is happening: Parents today are influenced by multiple forces—exposure to different parenting styles within extended families, schools, peer groups, and online communities has opened conversations that rarely happened before, while greater access to information about child development, mental health, and the long-term impact of discipline styles has encouraged reflection. At the same time, emotional regulation does not mean abandoning respect or authority, but it reframes respect as mutual, showing that listening to a child’s perspective can strengthen boundaries and cooperation rather than weaken them.

What this means: When parents regulate their emotions, decision-making becomes clearer and fairer. Rules, consequences, and rewards are set with intention rather than anger, which reduces regret and inconsistency. Children who experience this approach learn that disagreements can be discussed and not silenced. They develop self-restraint, empathy, and the ability to communicate during conflict. Emotional regulation becomes a legacy passed down and refined through generations, allowing parents to guide rather than control, discipline without fear, and build relationships grounded in respect and trust.

Practical tips:

• Model first. Children learn emotional regulation by observing how adults speak, listen, and handle frustration.

• Pause before responding. Avoid setting rules or consequences while angry. Take time to cool down so decisions are made with a clear mind.
• Present a united front. Parents or caregivers should align privately before addressing a child, supporting each other’s decisions rather than contradicting them in front of the child.
• Approach, don’t barge in. Simple actions like knocking, speaking calmly, and asking questions show respect and de-escalate tension.
• Focus on discussion, not dominance. Emotional regulation is not about having the last word, but about having a meaningful conversation where both sides are heard.

Jose Raphael “Raph” G. Doval-Santos

Parenting forecast #2: Parents let go of “perfect parenting” and aim for “good enough.”

By Jose Raphael “Raph” G. Doval-Santos, clinical psychologist and psychotherapist

Across therapy sessions and lived experience, there is a growing recognition that perfect parenting is neither realistic nor healthy. Many parents—especially those juggling work, distance, migration, long commutes, or demanding professions—are beginning to admit that the idealized version of parenting they hold themselves to is impossible to sustain. Rather than aspiring to do everything flawlessly, parents are slowly confronting the shared reality that parenting is hard, imperfect, and human. This shift is not about lowering standards, but about redefining what success in parenting should be.

Why this is happening: Modern parenting expectations have risen dramatically. Beyond meeting basic needs, parents now feel pressure to be constantly present, emotionally attuned, academically supportive, and available for every milestone. These expectations assume time, resources, and flexibility that many families simply do not have. At the same time, many parents reflect on their own childhoods and recognize that their caregivers were also tired, overwhelmed, and imperfect. Seeing this across generations has fostered empathy rather than blame, and psychological theory supports this shift through ideas such as the “good enough parent,” which emphasizes that children need consistency and care, and not perfection.

What this means: Letting go of perfect parenting creates space for resilience to develop in both parents and children. When parents stop removing every obstacle from a child’s path, children learn how to cope with frustration, disappointment, and challenge. These are skills that build grit, flexibility, and problem-solving. Children also learn something powerful when parents admit mistakes: apologies, accountability, and repair model emotional maturity and humility. At its core, letting go of perfect parenting is an act of honesty as it allows parents to show up as real people and permits children to grow into resilient, capable individuals.

Practical tips:

• Practice self-compassion. Parents will lose patience, miss events, and fall short. Responding to these moments with kindness toward oneself—not shame—leads to better behavior and emotional health over time.
• Repair when you make mistakes. Saying “I’m sorry” to a child and explaining what went wrong teaches accountability, empathy, and emotional honesty. These moments can be deeply healing and transformative.
• Allow children to struggle safely. Not every problem needs to be solved for them. Age-appropriate challenges help children develop grit and internal resources.
• Ask for help when needed. Support does not have to come only from professionals—it can come from trusted family members, community leaders, or mentors. Some help is always better than none.
• Redefine success. A good parent is not one who removes all hardship, but one who provides love, support, and guidance through hardship.

Jun Angelo "AJ" Sunglao

Parenting forecast #3: Breaking the cycle becomes the default for young Filipino parents

By Jun Angelo "AJ" Sunglao, licensed psychologist, global mental health consultant, family therapist

Many parents now find themselves caught between the ghost of their own upbringing and the reality of what they know doesn’t work. For previous generations, parenting was an exercise in unquestioned authority—discipline was rooted in fear, shame, and silence, and emotional expression was seen as weakness. Today’s parents still carry those imprints, but they are no longer accepting them as the gold standard; they aren’t rejecting their parents, only the methods that left them emotionally constrained and psychologically hurt.

Why this is happening: ​​This tension is unfolding in an environment with little margin for error. With high living costs, long work hours, and the constant hum of digital stress, the old fear-based model is exhausting to maintain, and it backfires by escalating conflict, pushing burnout, and building resentment. At the same time, parents are beginning to see that shame and hiya do not create discipline—only guardedness and reactivity.

What this means: Allowing children to express frustration without the threat of shame isn’t lax parenting. It builds emotional safety and helps children learn to regulate themselves. Parents who admit their own mistakes and focus on repair are not weakening their authority, they are building trust and predictability. This shift protects both parents and children from the heavy burden of perfection, helping families stay engaged, resilient, and emotionally healthy.

Practical tips:

• Seek professional support through therapy. Therapy is not only for those experiencing clinical conditions. It is a valuable, evidence-based space for understanding personal history, identifying patterns, and developing healthier emotional responses—especially for parents navigating intergenerational dynamics.
• Learn from evidence-based parenting resources. Research shows that many parents default to the methods they experienced growing up, even when those approaches are no longer considered developmentally sound. Today, parenting classes and expert-led programs—both locally and online—offer practical, science-backed guidance.
• Practice self-compassion during the process. Unlearning ingrained parenting behaviors while adopting healthier ones is cognitively and emotionally demanding. Experts emphasize the importance of pacing change, recognizing effort, and allowing growth to happen gradually rather than perfectly.

Monica L. Javier

Parenting forecast #4: Redefining school success

By Monica L. Javier, educational consultant and certified conscious parenting coach

While academic achievement still matters, more parents and schools now recognize that success cannot be measured by grades alone. Today, success also includes wellbeing, confidence, emotional regulation, and a child’s belief in their ability to grow.

Why this is happening: When success is defined too narrowly, children begin to associate learning with pressure, fear of mistakes, and comparison. We are already seeing the effects: burnout comes early, anxiety around schoolwork increases. Many learners hesitate to try unless they are sure they will succeed. Parents should consider this shift, because children learn and thrive when they feel safe, supported, and allowed to grow at a developmentally appropriate pace.

What this means: Redefining success does not mean lowering standards. Excellence still matters, but it should be rooted in growth rather than competition. True excellence looks like setting personal goals, persisting through challenges, learning from feedback, and striving to be better than you were before. When success includes wellbeing, children develop resilience without fear, understanding that mistakes are part of learning and effort matters. In homes and schools that nurture persistence and confidence, learners become motivated, grounded, and capable—driven by growth, not comparison, and carrying that mindset long after the grades are gone.

Practical tips:

• Talk about success as growth, effort, and progress, not just outcomes.
• Encourage children to set personal goals and reflect on improvement.
• Praise perseverance, strategies, and consistency.
• Remind children that success is not about being better than others, but about becoming better versions of themselves.

Kit Malvar-Llanes

Parenting forecast #5: Parenting is becoming more personalized and values-led

By Kit Malvar-Llanes, conscious parenting advocate, certified coach and facilitator

Filipino parents are moving away from a one-size-fits-all approach to parenting and becoming more intentional about choosing what works for their own children—while staying grounded in shared family values.

Why it’s happening: Parenting today requires a lot of balance between collective and inclusive. We recognize the importance of support from the “village,” but are also more discerning about which advice, methods, and schools of thought they adopt. With greater access to information and diverse parenting philosophies, families are learning to personalize their approach rather than follow trends blindly.

What this means: This shift allows parents to respond more closely to each child’s needs, temperament, and emotional development. While approaches may differ from one household to another, shared values and principles remain the glue that holds families together. Children benefit from feeling seen as individuals rather than being measured against rigid standards.

Practical tips:

• Parents can start by identifying their non-negotiable family values—respect, responsibility, empathy—then allow flexibility in how these are practiced.
• Seek support from the community when needed, but filter advice through what aligns with your child’s needs and your family’s principles.

Conserve the PH Eagle: Integrating conservation lessons in schools

 

By Keith Bacongco

Published Jan 31, 2026 05:10 pm

DAVAO CITY – The Philippine Eagle is among the endangered species in the country.

Efforts are being made to conserve the national bird and the Philippine Eagle Foundation (PEF) believes that the youth could help in the effort to save it.

The PEF said the Sarangani Schools Division of the Department of Education is pilot testing the integration of the Philippine Eagle conservation lessons in select schools in the province.

Dr. Jayson Ibañez, director of operations of the Philippine Eagle Foundation, said the Eskwelahan para sa Kinaiyahan (EPK) program, aims to teach students about caring for nature by adding Philippine Eagle conservation lessons into regular school subjects under the Matatag curriculum.

The program is now in its second phase and it is being pilot tested in upland elementary schools in the town of Alabel.

“The testing involved a few teachers from pilot elementary schools in the uplands of Sarangani using the lesson plans with kids and testing its effectiveness,” Ibañez said.

Ibañez said the EPK is integrated in the lesson plans of Grades 1, 4 and 7 in Araling Panlipunan, Good Manners and Right Conduct (GMRC), Makabansa, Music Arts Physical Education and Health (MAPEH), and Science.

To further improve its implementation, Ibañez said at least 32 teachers from Sarangani gathered last Dec. 1 to 3 at the Philippine Eagle Center in Barangay Malagos here to look into the results of the testing and revise or improve the lesson plans if needed.

The gathering, he added, is under the Phase 2 of the EPK program, which focuses on refining the lessons as well as in preparing them for expansion to other schools in Sarangani province.

Dr. Letecia Afuang, lead facilitator and resource person of the workshop, underscored the value of instilling conservation values among the young generation.

Afuang, a seasoned wildlife conservationist, said that she is also sharing some of their experiences in integrating the Tamaraw conservation program in the lessons in Mindoro. She said that she is helping teachers finalize the lesson content as well as improve teaching materials.

Ibañez emphasized that the second phase of the program will also strengthen the teachers’ capacity and ensure that conservation education, especially the protection of the Philippine Eagle, is clearly and effectively taught to young learners.

“The EPK Program represents the Foundation’s developing strategy to influence mindsets and foster lifestyles that are more respectful of nature and supportive of Philippine Eagle conservation,” he said.

Should the EPK be successful in Sarangani, the PEF is looking to expand the EPK in different regions where the eagles are found.

The PEF, he added, is hoping to roll out the program across the country where eagles are found, and build a network of young citizens who value the eagle as a fellow Filipino who deserves to live decently and safe from harm.

However, Ibanez admitted that this program requires a lot of resources, especially in gathering the teachers and producing the learning materials.

Ibañez is appealing for support from the private sector to help integrate Philippine eagle and biodiversity conservation lessons into the regular Matatag curriculum.

Through the integration, it could help empower students to understand and protect the natural heritage that sustains their communities.

“Your support strengthens local pride, builds science-based environmental values, and nurtures a generation capable of safeguarding our forests and wildlife. By investing in conservation education today, you help secure a healthier, more resilient future for both people and the Philippine Eagle,” Ibañez emphasized.

The integration of Philippine Eagle lessons could help students learn more about the national bird.

Last year, a wild and untagged pair of Philippine Eagles was spotted somewhere in the hinterlands of Bukidnon province. The PEF said they were the first confirmed sighting in nearly two decades. For the eagles’ safety, it did not disclose their exact location.

“This remarkable rediscovery happened within the Buhita (Bukidnon Higaonon Tribal Association) ancestral domain,” the PEF said.

The PEF added that they were soaring mutually, which is an indication of a graceful courtship ritual where two lifelong partners glide side by side. “Together, they mark their territory while reaffirming their bond. It’s a beautiful and powerful dance in the sky, signaling that a new nesting season may be on the horizon.”

Ibañez said that the last time a pair of eagles and their eaglet were validated by PEF and Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) within the Buhita ancestral domain was in 1996.

“And succeeding annual checks detected only single birds, until monitoring efforts stopped because of security and personnel safety issues,” Ibañez said.

He said that the sighting was due to the expedition of a composite team of PEF, DENR, and local volunteers. The seasoned PEF conservationist said that the expedition was launched following the increased reports of eagle sightings.

“The old nest used in 1996 was still standing but appeared abandoned. The team did daily observations until they detected the eagle pair in an elegant aerial courtship display within the last week of the expedition.”

This most recent confirmed sighting brings the number of pairs to at least 21 in Bukidnon, which is the home to the highest number of eagle pairs in the country, Ibañez said.

Viva artist Jacqueline Gulrajani to represent Tacloban province in Miss Universe Philippines 2026

By Robert Requintina

Published Jan 29, 2026 11:28 am

Miss Universe Philippines Tacloban has announced that Filipino-Indian Jacqueline Gulrajani has been chosen as the province's official representative in the prestigious national pageant later this year.

Miss Universe Philippines Tacloban 2026 Jacqueline Gulrajani

Jacqueline was welcomed by Mags Cue, Miss Universe Philippines Vice President for Global and National Search, and Rachelle Erica Chua Pineda, Local Director of Miss Universe Philippines Tacloban, during a media conference in Quezon City recently. The Viva artist said she is excited to meet her pageant sisters.

"I'm very excited to meet them. Last year, I had the opportunity to host the swimsuit competition backstage. I got to meet the girls. This year, I'm sure we will have a lot of amazing ladies with their specific advocacies. I cannot wait to meet them and learn from them," she said.

This is the first time Jacqueline is joining a national pageant, though she said she never really expected to compete in the Miss Universe Philippines contest. "I think things are just aligning this year. Now I understand that this platform is powerful. I really think this year is definitely it."

Asked how old she is, the beauty queen answered, "I feel very young."

Jacqueline also said she asked Viva Films for permission to join the competition "so there's no problem." She mentioned Miss Universe 2025 third runner-up as her favorite beauty queen.

A mentor, educator, host, and model, Jacqueline is the daughter of a saleslady and a businessman. Her mother had her at 18 and chose motherhood over college.

Growing up, Jacqueline learned at an early age the quiet cost women pay when access to education and representation is limited.

Born and raised in Tacloban, Jaqueline later moved to Manila after graduating from the University of the Philippines, with P10,000, a broken suitcase, and a borrowed place to stay.

Jacqueline applied for a one-day hiring role the next morning and worked her way from taking calls to leadership roles, mentoring emerging and senior leaders along the way.

Alongside her corporate career, she began modeling and hosting, building her name as Jacqy Raj while sharing beauty and skincare content to help young women make more informed choices.

These experiences shape Jacqueline’s advocacy today, grounded in a vision of a world where women are free to choose themselves through access to education.

Higherley provides access to education and skills, empowering people to build a living of their own. In Pen & Pearl, she writes stories that speak to readers as they heal their inner child.

Miss Universe Philippines Tacloban 2026 Jacqueline Gulrajani is flanked by Mags Cue (left), Miss Universe Philippines Vice President for Global and National Search, and Rachelle Erica Chua Pineda, the local director for Miss Universe Philippines.

Through Glow Up Diaries and her podcast, she shares her personal inner and outer glow-up journey, helping women feel safer, more informed, and more confident as they create their own paths.

“As Miss Universe Philippines Tacloban continues to rise, it stands as a testament to unity, vision, and unwavering dedication," said Rachelle. "Tacloban City moves forward with pride and confidence. Tacloban is ready. Tacloban will be seen."

The magic of moving forward

 

The other day, I was driving when I saw a familiar face on the street. It was my ex. Seeing him felt like seeing any other random pedestrian passing by.

I remembered an old joke I used to tell my friends: that if I ever saw him while I was driving, I would run him over just to feel his bones cracking beneath my tires. Quite brutal, right? But the moment I saw him; those thoughts never occurred to me. I simply continued driving.

I told the friend sitting next to me that I had seen him and even joked about the old “hit and run” threat, but the truth is, I did not want to. I just smirked, feeling a wave of pride. Who would have thought that despite everything I went through, I would finally see myself healed from the things that used to break me?

It was a moment that made me truly proud. At first, life felt unimaginable without the people I once cared for. I used to yearn for them, praying that things would work out again, only to lose my self-respect in the process. There were moments when I felt completely alone, and the stages of grief felt agonizingly real. I never imagined that life would reintroduce me to those people, only to show me that our lines will never intersect again. Seeing their faces and recognizing them only as someone I used to know is a strange gift.

Back when the wound was fresh, I knew I would not have been able to control my tears or temper. This time, our eyes may have even met, but the magic was gone. Even the familiarity had vanished; he felt like a place I had visited once, a long time ago.

On a random Sunday afternoon on the porch of a new house, or in the driver’s seat of a brand-new car, the things that used to hurt you will lose their power. You will feel the magic of moving forward.

You will wake up fine, no longer comparing your hands to the ones they hold now. You will simply smile at the memories and the pain they caused, because those experiences made you who you are. The strong, wary person you have become exists because of the trials you faced. Surprisingly, you might even say “thank you.” You were once too comfortable believing things would never go wrong, but they did. And when they did, you thought it was the end of the world, but you were wrong. The moment it ended, something beautiful began. You noticed new patterns, you were introduced to people you never would have met otherwise, and you met a better version of yourself. The things you thought were impossible became your reality.

You can thank them for the catalyst but never give them credit for the person you have become. They may have contributed to the pain, but they were absent in the grueling process of your healing. Thank yourself because you are the one who survived. You held on when you were drowning, and you managed to save yourself. You were brave enough to let go and run toward something better.

That unimaginable moment of clarity arrived on a random Friday in December. I was not looking for him, but there he was, a familiar silhouette in the distance. I just drove past and smiled. The peace I have now is more important than anything that happened in the past. I have forgiven him for breaking my heart, and I appreciate the lessons he left behind. I am now familiar with the patterns he showed me. I recognize the “tricks” so that I am ready if someone else ever tries to deceive me the same way.

Life feels wonderful because one day it hurts, and the next, you are laughing about it. This does not just apply to an ex, but to everything we once thought we could not live without. You can rest easy knowing you were genuine and kind; if they could not see that, it was their loss.

One day, the people who hurt us will realize the weight of what they did. No matter how they try to start over, how much they give to charity, or how they flip the script to fit their narrative, there will always be a hollow space where they failed you. While they deal with the ghost of their mistakes, you are miles ahead. You are driving your car to places they will never see, leaving the prison they once built for you. Your heart finally feels victorious.

You realize you are lightyears away from the person you were when they left. And it feels good. If they ever decide to knock on your door again, your guard is up, and you are brave enough not to answer the call. Their names no longer carry any pain. Despite everything, you are still here, standing whole, and that is all that matters.

ATF Forum 2026: 'Navigating our tourism future together'

By Manila Bulletin

Published Jan 29, 2026 12:01 am | Updated Jan 28, 2026 04:02 pm

The ASEAN Tourism Forum (ATF) that was opened by President Marcos, Jr. in Cebu on Jan. 28 has adopted a theme that captures both the urgency of the moment and the promise of the region: Navigating our tourism future together. It is a fitting call to action at a time when global economic uncertainty, geopolitical tensions, climate risks, and shifting travel patterns continue to test the resilience of nations and industries alike.

The forum’s artistic and thematic logo—drawing from the ancient balangay or balanghai, the seafaring vessel that carried early Filipinos across open waters—offers a powerful metaphor. Just as the balangay relied on collective effort, shared direction, and trust among those on board, ASEAN’s tourism future depends on solidarity, coordination, and a common sense of purpose. No single country can weather global storms alone; progress requires moving forward together.

At the heart of ATF 2026 is the ASEAN Tourism Sectoral Plan for 2026–2030, a strategic roadmap that elevates tourism from a recovery tool to a long-term driver of sustainable and inclusive growth. The plan recognizes tourism as one of ASEAN’s most people-centered industries—one that creates hundreds of jobs quickly; supports micro, small, and medium enterprises; and strengthens cultural and community ties across borders.

Before the pandemic, tourism accounted for roughly 12 percent of ASEAN’s gross domestic product and sustained the livelihood of millions of families. Its rebound in recent years has been among the clearest indicators of regional recovery. Yet the lesson of recent disruptions is clear. Resilience cannot be improvised. It must be built deliberately through cooperation, innovation, and foresight.

The tourism sectoral plan seeks to do just that. By promoting ASEAN as a single yet diverse destination, enhancing digital transformation, prioritizing sustainability, and improving connectivity—especially to secondary destinations—it encourages longer stays, multi-country travel, and broader economic spillovers. In uncertain times, this collective approach stabilizes demand, strengthens investor confidence, and anchors growth in shared regional strengths.

For the Philippines, hosting ATF 2026 in Cebu is both symbolic and strategic. Cebu’s selection reflects international confidence in its tourism infrastructure and its capacity to showcase the best of Filipino hospitality, culture, and creativity. The immediate economic boost—from hotel bookings and transport services to local food and retail—will be felt across the city and nearby communities.

More importantly, the forum reinforces tourism’s central role in Philippine economic growth. Tourism generates employment faster than many sectors and disperses income more widely, reaching local communities that are often left behind by capital-intensive industries. In a period marked by fiscal pressures, infrastructure gaps, and climate vulnerability, tourism remains one of the country’s most practical engines for inclusive development.

The balangay imagery also carries a quiet reminder for our policymakers. Regional cooperation can amplify national efforts—but only if the Philippines rows in step. This means easing travel frictions, improving connectivity, investing in digital platforms, safeguarding environmental assets, and ensuring that tourism growth translates into decent jobs and resilient communities.

ATF 2026 is more than a showcase of destinations. It is a reaffirmation of ASEAN’s collective journey. As the region navigates uncertain waters, the message from Cebu and the Philippines is clear. The voyage toward a sustainable, resilient tourism future is best undertaken together, guided by shared values, common direction, and the enduring spirit of the balangay.

Miss Globe 2025 Chayathanus 'Cheraim' Saradatta makes first PH visit, spends birthday with Bb. Pilipinas

By Annalyn S. Jusay

Published Jan 27, 2026 08:31 am

Reigning Miss Globe 2025 Chayathanus “Cheraim” Saradatta of Thailand arrived last Sunday on her first visit to the Philippines. She also marked two milestones as she celebrated her birthday and witnessed the renewal of The Miss Globe Organization’s partnership with Binibining Pilipinas Charities, Inc. (BPCI).

Reigning Miss Globe 2025 Chayathanus 'Cheraim' Saradatta of Thailand (Images courtesy of Facebook)

Cheraim was warmly welcomed by BPCI officials and queens during a media conference at World Kitchens in Gateway Mall 2, Araneta City on Jan. 26.

The Miss Globe Vice President Frenki Bozo, announced in the event a new three-year contract extension between BPCI and The Miss Globe. "Unofficially, I think this will last a lifetime," he stated of the 12-year partnership, describing the Philippines as "a second home."

Cheraim arrived in Manila on Jan. 25, which happened to be her birthday, and marked the occasion with a dinner alongside BPCI executives and Binibining Pilipinas queens.

At the welcome party, Cheraim was greeted by a friendly lineup of Bb. Pilipinas queens, namely: Maureen Montagne (The Miss Globe 2021). Katrina Anne Johnson (Binibining Pilipinas International 2025), Anna Valencia Lakrini (The Miss Globe 2023 2nd runner-up), Jasmin Castro Bungay (The Miss Globe 2024 2nd Runner-Up) , and Dalia Varde Khattab (Binibining Pilipinas 2025 1st Runner-Up). Annabelle Mae McDonnell (Binibining Pilipinas Globe 2025) greeted Cheraim via video.

Cheraim expressed her delight at the reception, saying, “If Thailand is my first home, the Philippines can be my second home. You make me feel welcome and comfortable all the time.”

Miss Globe 2025 Chayathanus 'Cheraim' Saradatta of Thailand celebrates her birthday with Bb Pilipinas queens.

She shared her fondness for Filipino cuisine, naming adobo and halo-halo among her favorites, and proudly recited a few Filipino phrases including "salamat po."

"I love adobo. And then halo-halo. And actually, back when I was a model, a friend bought me sisig!," Cheraim revealed.

She is scheduled to remain in Manila until Jan. 29, during which time she will join BPCI for tours and charity activities.

Addressing rivalries among international pageant fans, Cheraim relayed a message of unity and respect.

“Being proud of your country is very good,” she said. “But seeing diversity from all around the world gives us a chance to open our hearts. You can cheer for your country, but also cheer for others.”

Miss Globe Vice President Frenki Bozo

Cheraim outlined her international travel plans, noting that after visits to Nepal, Vietnam, and Thailand, she will continue to China and Malaysia before embarking on European and South African tours.

She named Maria Ehren as her favorite Thai beauty queen and role model for her dedication to advocacy and empowerment.

“For a queen, it’s not only about beauty or gowns,” she said. “It’s about the goals you advocate for and how much you empower others.”

Cheraim fondly recalled friendships formed during the Miss Globe finals, especially with candidates from Albania, Indonesia, Australia, the Czech Republic, and other countries.

"It was a very good time. I think the friendship between queens is what keeps you going every day because of the competition. They are tiring sometimes. But if you have someone who helps you, understands you, and encourages you, you can get through many things," she reminisced.

Miss Globe 2025 Chayathanus 'Cheraim' Saradatta of Thailand attends the media conference at World Kitchens in Araneta City.

Cheraim offered practical advice to aspiring pageant candidates, stressing the importance of preparation and time management.

“Being a queen doesn’t happen overnight,” she said. “It comes from years of dedication. So always manage your time, be ready for anything, and be your best version. Because you never know, like, maybe the chance is hiding somewhere you can't see, you know? You need to be in your best version all the time and know that it's not just about how you perform. It's all about your daily life," she advised.

Her beauty regimen, she said, focuses on rest and consistent skincare, particularly before makeup application.

Asked about her birthday wish, Cheraim replied: "One thing that I wish for is that I wish that my reign is full of experience. So that after I give the crown to others, I can still retain the knowledge I gained from Miss Globe. And also, I wish that I could give so many things to my next queen, even from Miss Globe Thailand. So you need to invite me back so I can learn a little bit more. I would love to come back."

Cheraim’s visit coincides with the early buzz leading up to the 62nd Binibining Pilipinas pageant, the details of which are expected to be formally announced soon.

Renewable energy: Toward a sustainable PH energy future

 

By Manila Bulletin

Published Jan 26, 2026 12:05 am

Jan. 26 is marked globally as International Day of Clean Energy to underscore the growing importance of renewable energy. The International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) was established to promote the widespread and sustainable use of renewables; it has since become a key multilateral platform guiding countries toward cleaner, more resilient energy systems.

For the Philippines, this observance is more than symbolic. It is a timely reminder of the urgency to recalibrate an energy mix still heavily dependent on coal and imported oil.

Despite the country’s abundant natural endowments—sun, wind, water, and geothermal resources—the Philippines remains overly reliant on fossil fuels. Coal continues to account for a dominant share of power generation, while oil dependence exposes the economy to volatile global prices and geopolitical disruptions. This structural vulnerability is magnified by climate risks, as the Philippines ranks among the most climate-exposed countries in the world. Energy security, economic stability, and climate resilience are thus inseparable concerns.

The case for scaling up renewable energy is compelling.

Renewable sources reduce exposure to imported fuel shocks, lower greenhouse gas emissions, and create opportunities for inclusive growth through green jobs and local energy development. Over the past decade, policy reforms such as the Renewable Energy Act, the Green Energy Auction Program, and the opening of renewable projects to greater foreign investment have signaled progress. Yet renewables still account for a modest share of the overall energy mix, far short of what is required to meet long-term sustainability and climate goals.

What, then, are the imperatives the Philippines must achieve to accelerate the transition?

First, policy consistency and regulatory certainty are paramount. Investors—both local and foreign—require a stable and predictable policy environment. Streamlining permitting processes, reducing bureaucratic delays, and ensuring transparency in power contracts will help unlock long-term capital for renewable projects.

Second, grid readiness and infrastructure development must keep pace with ambition. Renewable energy cannot scale without a modernized grid capable of handling variable power from solar and wind. Investments in transmission, storage technologies, and smart grid systems are essential to ensure reliability while increasing renewable penetration.

Third, financing mechanisms must be expanded and democratized. While large-scale projects attract institutional capital, community-based and distributed energy systems—such as rooftop solar and microgrids—need access to affordable financing. Blended finance, green bonds, and partnerships with development institutions can bridge this gap and make the energy transition more inclusive.

Fourth, local capacity building and technology transfer must be prioritized. Beyond importing equipment, the Philippines should cultivate domestic expertise in renewable engineering, project management, and maintenance. This strengthens energy sovereignty and ensures that the benefits of the transition extend to Filipino workers and enterprises.

Finally, public awareness and political will must converge. Energy transition is not merely a technical undertaking; it is a societal choice. Consumers, local governments, and industry must be aligned behind a shared vision of sustainability, supported by leaders willing to make long-term decisions beyond short-term costs. The Department of Energy’s recent moves to enforce accountability among those required to establish renewable energy facilities follow this trajectory.

Indeed, renewable energy is no longer aspirational; it is achievable and necessary. For the Philippines, embracing this reality is both a responsibility and an opportunity. A cleaner, more diversified energy mix is not only vital to confronting climate change, but to securing a resilient and sustainable future for generations to come.

The sin that cannot be forgiven

 

By Fr. Roy Cimagala

Chaplain

Center for Industrial Technology and Enterprise (CITE)

Talamban, Cebu City

Email: roycimagala@gmail.com

CHRIST mentioned this kind of sin in that episode where he was accused by some scribes that he cast out devils by Beelzebub, the prince of devils. (cfr. Mk 3,22) He said: “All sins shall be forgiven unto the sons of men…but he that shall blaspheme against the Holy Spirit shall never have forgiveness, but shall be guilty of an everlasting sin.” (Mk 3,29) That’s because they accused him of having an unclean spirit.

Obviously, it is an unforgivable sin since it involves a deliberate and complete rejection of God’s mercy, making it impossible for the person to repent and receive forgiveness. This kind of sin is committed when we attribute God’s miracles to the devil, when we refuse to acknowledge Christ as the Messiah, and when we reject God’s offer of salvation.

This unforgivable sin is precisely the sin of the demons themselves who refuse to believe in God in spite of everything God would do to help them. In other words, one who commits this unforgivable sin, that is, who blasphemes against the Holy Spirit, is like the demon himself.

Let us always remember that God always likes to forgive. Remember Christ offering forgiveness to those who crucified him just moments before his death: “Forgive them, Father, for they know not what they do.” (Lk 23,24)

In this case, those who crucified him did not really know what they were doing. And, in fact, they were converted when after Christ died, they confessed that he was truly the Son of God. (cfr Mt 27,54; Mk 15,39) But in the case of those who saw the miracle on the Sabbath, they persisted in their disbelief.

We have to see to it that we avoid falling into committing this unforgivable sin. We may not understand everything in our life and that is why we commit sins, but let us not directly, formally and openly reject God in the face of the many good things and blessings that we also enjoy.

Let us make our sins an occasion to get closer to God instead, to understand better his will and ways, and even to attain sanctity. Sin, of course, does not cause sanctity. But if handled well, it can occasion the way to holiness. It can trigger a strong impulse toward developing a greater love for God and for others, which is what holiness is all about.

It’s really a matter of how we react to our sinfulness. If we are sorry for our sins and try to make up for them, then sanctity would be at our reach. God, always a loving father to us, will never deny his mercy. Neither will he deny his grace to make us as we ought to be—true image and likeness of his, and a good child of his.

In fact, if we go by the reasoning of St. Paul, God seems to have the habit of choosing the foolish things of the world, the weak, the lowly and the despised, in order to confound and shame the wise, the strong and the proud of this world. (cfr 1 Cor 1,27-28) Along this line, He can also choose a sinner to confound those who pride themselves in a worldly way as saints.

Let’s be quick to ask forgiveness the moment we realize we fall into sin. And when faced with a mystery that is hard, if not impossible, to understand or to cope despite all our efforts, let’s be humble enough to abandon ourselves in God’s hands, in God’s providence.

When illness becomes the wake up call we never wanted

By Millie Manahan

Published Jan 23, 2026 12:05 am | Updated Jan 22, 2026 06:27 pm

GUEST COLUMNIST

I came across a quote online that said, “Make time for your health, or it will make time for you.” It is a familiar sentiment, often shared casually, yet rarely acted upon. For many of us, self care only becomes urgent when illness forces it into focus—when health, long neglected, demands attention.

I came to understand this more clearly in the quiet corridors of an oncology ward in Australia, where I was caring for my father during his cancer treatment.

I expected the ward to be filled mostly with the elderly. I expected faces marked with time, bodies worn down, and conversations hushed and restrained. Instead, I saw children as young as seven, smiling and joking with nurses, carrying a lightness that seemed almost impossible given the pain their bodies endured. Morphine had become their constant companion, yet their spirits remained intact, unbroken by the severity of their circumstances.

One man beside us was given only minutes to decide whether to stay in the hospital and wait for the inevitable, or go home—to a home that, in any meaningful sense, no longer existed. Watching him struggle with that decision made the limits of human control painfully clear.

Another patient, a woman likely in her late 40s, spent much of her time on video calls with her daughter. She asked whether their house would be livable for her, whether her daughter would have help or a caregiver when she could no longer manage on her own. Each conversation carried the weight of a life continuing beyond the hospital walls.

Across from us was a man whose pain never seemed to rest. He cried out often, and throughout our 14-day stay, no family came to visit him. The nurses were his only constant. At first, I was hesitant, unsure of how to speak to someone so exhausted by suffering. And then one day, he looked at me and said, “I just have cancer. You can still talk to me.”

I noticed that whenever someone spoke to him, even briefly, his pain seemed to ease. A simple conversation, a shared moment, becomes a small but meaningful relief.

Each day brought different faces, different struggles, different realizations. And each day served as a reminder of how fragile life is—and how profoundly presence, however small, can matter.

Being a caregiver teaches humility. It shows that presence—simply staying—is often the truest form of love. It reveals how little control we truly have over life, and yet how much comfort can come from a hand to hold or a quiet conversation can make.

Cancer may not be the leading cause of death in the Philippines, but it remains a powerful reminder of how precious, and how fragile, health can be. While some have access to timely care and insurance, many others live day to day with uncertainty.

This reality underscores the importance of valuing every check-up, every preventive measure, and every effort to care for ourselves and those we love.

Life is unpredictable. But the small choices we make in favor of health and presence are never wasted.

Between hospital walls, life reveals itself in its most honest form, fleeting, fragile and worth cherishing.

(Millie Manahan is a freelance writer who regularly contributes to Manila Bulletin’s TechNews and Environment sections.)