Designing for the future: Why the Philippines needs more child-friendly spaces

 

By Anna Mae Lamentillo

Published Jun 27, 2025 12:04 am

Walk through any Philippine city, and you’ll quickly notice something missing: children. Or more precisely, spaces for children. Our streets are loud and dangerous, our sidewalks narrow or nonexistent, and our public parks—where they exist—are often neglected, overrun, or designed with more concrete than care. Yet children are everywhere, living in these environments, shaped by them daily.

If we truly believe that “ang kabataan ang pag-asa ng bayan,” then we must design spaces that reflect that belief. Because the spaces we create say a lot about the priorities we hold—and right now, we are not prioritizing our children nearly enough.

Why child-friendly spaces matter

Child-friendly spaces are not just playgrounds or amusement parks. They are environments—public and private—where children can safely explore, play, learn, and grow. These spaces consider a child’s scale, mobility, safety, and developmental needs. They invite creativity, spark curiosity, and nurture relationships. Importantly, they are accessible to all children, regardless of income or ability.

Children need space—not just in the physical sense, but space to be loud, silly, curious, and free. These moments of unstructured play are not trivial. They are foundational to emotional regulation, cognitive development, social skills, and even resilience. When we deprive children of safe, engaging spaces to play and be themselves, we are quietly sabotaging their future.

The Philippine reality

In the Philippines, especially in urban areas like Metro Manila, our built environment often treats children as afterthoughts. Open spaces are shrinking, playgrounds are seen as luxuries, and streets are hostile to small bodies. Cars dominate public roads, sidewalks are obstructed or unsafe, and malls have become the default weekend destination—not because they’re ideal, but because they’re one of the few places where families can be indoors, semi-safe, and away from pollution.

In rural areas and informal settlements, the situation is even more dire. Children play in dangerous streets, near construction zones, or on riversides with little supervision and zero safety infrastructure. These are not child-friendly spaces. These are survival zones.

Yet Filipino children are incredibly resilient. They make toys out of scrap, invent games with stones and sticks, and turn alleys into basketball courts. But resilience should not be an excuse for neglect. We owe them more than the bare minimum.

Child-friendly spaces are

community-friendly spaces

Designing for children has benefits far beyond the children themselves. Child-friendly spaces often lead to more inclusive, walkable, and community-oriented environments. When streets are made safe for kids, they’re also safer for the elderly, people with disabilities, and caregivers. When parks are designed for playful exploration, they also become spaces for rest, conversation, and connection.

In short, child-friendly spaces lead to people-friendly cities.

What can be done

We need to start with policy, but also imagination. LGUs must be empowered and incentivized to allocate space for children—not as an afterthought in planning but as a central design principle. Public parks should be properly maintained, well-lit, and free. Streets near schools should have lower speed limits, wide sidewalks, and traffic-calming features. Urban planners must consult with educators, caregivers, and even children themselves to understand how a space will be used.

Schools can also open up their playgrounds after hours for community use. Barangay halls can designate “play streets” on weekends. Developers can be required to include accessible green spaces—not just for aesthetics, but for play and interaction.

Private sector involvement matters too. Malls can reimagine themselves not just as consumption hubs, but as safe places for creative play and learning. Restaurants can make space for child-friendly amenities beyond just a high chair. We already know how to build; we just need to build with children in mind.

Design is a reflection of values

To design for children is to design with empathy, foresight, and humility. It says we care about our future not in slogans, but in sidewalks. Not in speeches, but in swings, slides, and shaded benches. It says we understand that children are not just passive observers of adult life—they are active participants in society, deserving of spaces that welcome, protect, and nurture them.

In the end, a child-friendly Philippines is not just a better place for kids—it’s a better place for all of us. Let’s start building that future now.

Characters from movies, series that redefined Pride

 

By Jonathan Hicap

Published Jun 26, 2025 11:04 am

“Agatha All Along,” Episode 6, Familiar By Thy Side

Agatha isn’t just the most dangerous witch in town—she’s canonically queer, deeply complex, and fiercely self-assured. The line, delivered during an intense moment of reckoning, reflects her own journey. After centuries of loss and survival, she still stands tall—defiant, sharp, and absolutely magnetic. She doesn’t tiptoe around her power—she revels in it. Pride, for Agatha, is about reclaiming space, trusting your voice, and owning every part of who you are. With flair, fire, and zero apologies.

Elektra Abundance

“POSE,” Season 2, Episode 9

Elektra doesn’t just take up space, she claims it like a runway. This line, hurled like a dagger at the height of a ballroom showdown, is Elektra in her element: fierce, unfiltered, and immovable. In a world that tries to erase trans women like her, she turns the spotlight on herself and dares it to stay.

Her Pride is defiance in heels. A statement of survival, sisterhood, and power dressed in red and gold. Elektra doesn’t whisper her worth—she shouts it for the whole room to hear.

Charles Blow

“Late to the Party: Coming Out Later in Life”

Charles Blow’s journey isn’t about teenage rebellion—it’s a courageous reclamation in midlife, carving space for older LGBTQIA+ voices. Delivered at the culmination of the documentary, this line echoes resilience and self-love after decades of hiding. He reminds us that Pride doesn’t have an expiration date—it can be found at any time, and you’re exactly enough when you arrive.

Victor Salazar

“Love, Victor”

Victor isn’t just coming out—he’s coming into himself. In this pivotal moment, he finally lets go of everyone else’s expectations and chooses his own happiness. After seasons of navigating culture, family, and fear, this scene is his declaration. He doesn’t whisper it—he claims it.

Pride, for Victor, is the journey of saying “yes” to yourself, even when it’s terrifying. Especially when it’s terrifying.

Freddie Mercury

“Bohemian Rhapsody”

Before taking the stage at Live Aid, Freddie says this line—and it’s pure fire. It’s not about just performing; it’s about performing as himself. In a world that wanted him to tone it down, he turned the volume up. His Pride is in his presence. His voice. His glitter and grit. He was loud, queer, and unforgettable—and that’s what makes him legendary.

Santana Lopez

“Glee”

Coming out to her abuela in one of the show’s most emotional scenes, Santana’s voice shakes—but it never breaks. This moment crystallizes the terror and strength it takes to claim your truth in the face of rejection. She’s fierce. She’s vulnerable. She’s real. And that’s exactly what made her a queer icon for an entire generation. The right words, in the right moment, can spark something life-changing. These quotes—from queer characters and fierce allies—aren’t just catchphrases. They’re battle cries, love letters, and reminders that you’re not alone. So whether you’re out, questioning, healing, or holding space for someone else, may these stories remind you: your voice matters, your truth is valid, and your Pride is powerful.

Bites by the beach: Grab's Dine Out rolls into Boracay

 

With e-trikes, local flavors, and app-powered savings, Grab reimagines island dining for travelers and small businesses

By Feliciano Rodriguez III

Published Jun 25, 2025 07:28 am

On the sun-drenched shores of Boracay, a quiet shift is taking place. It begins not with sandcastles or surfboards, but with a green e-trike painted in Grab’s signature color pulling up to your hotel. This is how Grab welcomed media guests into a new kind of dining experience, introducing its Dine Out feature on the island as part of a larger effort to bring tech-powered tourism into more corners of the Philippines.

For Grab, the campaign is more than a soft launch. “This is the first step in a larger partnership with the Department of Tourism,” said CJ Lacsican, Grab Philippines’ vice president for cities. “We are enabling local and international travelers to connect with the Philippines in richer, more seamless ways.”

Dine Out is Grab’s newest in-app feature, now live in Boracay. The mechanics are simple. Diners already seated at partner restaurants can open the app, tap the Dine Out tab, select the venue, input the bill, and instantly enjoy up to 20 percent off. For those who prefer to plan ahead, discounted vouchers can be purchased in advance, with some featuring chef-curated must-try dishes.

The media preview kicked off with dinner at Nonie’s, where the plates focused on mindful, modern Filipino comfort food. The next day started with breakfast at The Black Attic on the quieter side of the island, in Bulabog Beach. From there, it was lunch at La-ud, which showcased deeply rooted Filipino flavors. Later, guests were treated to merienda at Muchos, followed by dessert at Kelana, a relaxed café with a sweet tooth and a view.

But Dine Out is not just about eating well. At its core, it supports local entrepreneurs. “We’re giving these businesses the ability to run smart, targeted promotions that deliver real results,” said CJ. “More tables filled. More revenue generated. More jobs supported.”

Grab Dine Out aims to make food discovery easier for travelers while giving small food businesses access to a wider market through the app. Currently available in Metro Manila, Cebu, and Davao, the service is now expanding into tourism-driven destinations like Boracay. The list of partner restaurants includes Cathy’s Bistro, Jeepney Stop, Totally Bananas, Kasbar, The Black Attic, La-ud, and Muchos, with more being added each week.

Merz-Regierung baut Bürgergeld um – eine Änderung davon betrifft auch Rentner

Stand:26.06.2025, 22:53 Uhr

Von: Nicola de Paoli 

Die Merz-Regierung baut das Bürgergeld zur „neuen Grundsicherung für Arbeitsuchende“ um. Zahlreiche Änderungen sind geplant – eine betrifft auch Rentner.

Berlin – Mit Ausgaben von 190,3 Milliarden Euro beansprucht Arbeitsministerin Bärbel Bas (SPD) über ein Drittel des Gesamthaushalts von 503 Milliarden Euro. Allein über 117 Milliarden fließen als Zuschüsse an die Rentenversicherung. Zweitgrößter Ausgabenposten ist das Bürgergeld, für das die Regierung wegen der schlechten wirtschaftlichen Lage mit einer steigenden Zahl von Beziehenden rechnet: Dafür werden daher insgesamt 42,6 Milliarden Euro für den Regelsatz und die Kosten für die Unterkunft veranschlagt. Es kommen auch noch Eingliederungsleistungen und Verwaltungskosten hinzu. Das sind noch einmal 9,35 Milliarden Euro, sodass sich die Gesamtkosten auf rund 52 Milliarden Euro belaufen. Gleichzeitig steht fest: Das Bürgergeld soll reformiert werden/

Das Bürgergeld soll reformiert werden – Koalitionsausschuss soll Zeitplan festlegen

Union und SPD hatten im Koalitionsvertrag vereinbart, das Bürgergeld umzubauen. Dabei sollen Mitwirkungspflichten und Sanktionen verschärft werden. Bürgergeld-Bezieherinnen und -Bezieher, die Termine beim Jobcenter versäumen, sollen künftig mit „spürbaren Konsequenzen“ rechnen müssen. Auch eine neue Berechnungsmethode des Regelsatzes ist geplant. 

Die Regierung wolle die im Koalitionsvertrag anvisierte Bürgergeld-Reform „sehr schnell, aber nicht überstürzt angehen“, sagte die SPD-Politikerin laut dpa. Wie die Bild am Sonntag unter Berufung auf Koalitionskreise berichtete, soll der Koalitionsausschuss am 2. Juli tagen. Dabei soll unter anderem der weitere Zeitplan für die Reform des Bürgergelds besprochen werden. 

Koalitionsvertrag: Regelsätze der Grundsicherung reformieren

Aktuell lässt sich das Bürgergeld auf eine einfache Formel herunterbrechen: Es geht darum, arbeitslose Menschen, die aber gleichwohl erwerbsfähig sind, in Arbeit zu bringen und sie zu unterstützen, wenn sie keinen Arbeitsplatz finden können oder mit ihrer Erwerbstätigkeit ein nicht bedarfsdeckendes Einkommen erzielen. 

Das Bürgergeld kann auch als ergänzende Leistung zum Einkommen gewährt werden. Im vergangenen Jahr nahmen das rund 826.000 Erwerbstätigen in Anspruch, weil ihr Einkommen nicht zum Leben reichte. Die Kosten dafür lagen bei rund sieben Milliarden Euro. Das Bürgergeld soll Ausgaben für die Ernährung, Kleidung, Körperpflege, Hausrat sowie die Teilnahme am sozialen und kulturellen Leben in der Gemeinschaft abdecken. Der monatliche Pauschalbetrag lag zuletzt bei einer alleinstehenden Person bei 563 Euro.

Merz-Regierung ändert Berechnung der Bürgergeld-Höhe – und trifft auch Rentner

Ein weiterer Aspekt der geplanten Reform ist die Rückkehr zur alten Berechnungsformel für den Regelsatz. Damit wird die aktuell stärker inflationsorientierte Anpassung rückgängig gemacht. „Wir werden den Anpassungsmechanismus der Regelsätze in Bezug auf die Inflation auf den Rechtsstand vor der Corona-Pandemie zurückführen“, heißt es dazu im Koalitionsvertrag. Mit der Bürgergeld-Einführung war es geändert worden, um die Inflation stärker zu berücksichtigen. Die Erhöhungen der vergangenen Jahre, die unter anderem zu einem Plus von 25 Prozent geführt hatten, hatten jedoch für Kritik gesorgt. 

Die Grundsicherung im Alter und bei Erwerbsminderung: Bestehende Ansprüche prüfen lassen

Vom Bürgergeld zu unterscheiden ist hingegen die Grundsicherung im Alter und bei Erwerbsminderung. Bürgergeld und Grundsicherung sind zwar jeweils Leistungen der sozialen Sicherung in Deutschland, aber sie richten sich an unterschiedliche Personengruppen. Die Grundsicherung ist eine Leistung für Menschen, die nicht erwerbsfähig sind, also beispielsweise aufgrund von Alter oder Erwerbsunfähigkeit nicht arbeiten können.

Als einfache Faustregel gilt: Wenn das gesamte Einkommen unter 1062 Euro liegt, lohnt es sich, prüfen zu lassen, ob ein Anspruch auf Grundsicherung besteht. Mithilfe der Grundsicherung können dann der Lebensunterhalt, Miete und Heizung sowie Kranken- und Pflegeversicherungsbeiträge finanziert werden. Die Miete, einschließlich Nebenkosten und Heizkosten, gehört zu den Leistungen der Grundsicherung, wenn die Kosten angemessen sind. Das Sozialamt übernimmt diese Kosten zusätzlich zum Regelbedarf, sofern die Wohnung die entsprechenden Richtlinien erfüllt.  

Höhe der Grundsicherung für Rentner entspricht dem Bürgergeld – somit auch die Änderungen

Die Höhe der Grundsicherung wird individuell berechnet. Sie orientiert sich am Regelsatz des Bürgergelds, der für Alleinlebende bei 563 Euro liegt. Für den gesamten Haushalt richtet sich die Höhe zudem unter anderem nach dem Personenstand und danach, ob eigenes Vermögen oder Einkommen wie beispielsweise Zinserträge, Kindergeld oder ein Sparguthaben vorhanden ist. Die Zahlung erfolgt grundsätzlich für zwölf Monate. Danach muss ein neuer Antrag gestellt werden.

Inflation & Kriege: Welche wirtschaftlichen Folgen kommen auf Sie zu?

Der Wirtschaft-Newsletter immer dienstags und donnerstags in Ihrem Postfach. Eine kurze Registrierung genügt.

Mit Klick auf den Button "Zum Newsletter anmelden" stimme ich den Datenschutzbestimmungen und dem Erhalt weiterer Medienangebote zu.

Auch die Methode, wie der Regelsatz ermittelt wird, entspricht dem Bürgergeld. Damit sind auch die Erwerbsgeminderten und Rentnerinnen und Rentner von der geplanten Änderung der Fortschreibung – und damit der Bürgergeld-Reform betroffen.

Celeste Legaspi proud of her second production venture

‘Song of the Fireflies’ is produced by veteran singer Celeste Legaspi and talent manager Girlie Rodis. Their first film venture was ‘Ang Larawan,’ the award-winning entry shown in the 2017 Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF). For their latest film collab, they found the story of Ma’am Alma Taldo and the Loboc Children’s Choir, which was about inspiring people and excellence in the. 

Leah C. Salterio - The Philippine Star    

June 26, 2025 | 12:00am  

Their first film was “Ang Larawan,” the award-winning entry shown in the 2017 Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF).

“We wanted to do a second film that would be worth it, like ‘Ang Larawan,’” producer Celeste said. “We thought that ‘Ang Larawan’ was about inspiring people and excellence in the craft. That was what we found in the story of ‘Ma’am Alma Taldo and the Loboc Children’s Choir. They are completely dedicated to excellence and committed to being the very best the Filipino can be.”

Celeste is the film’s executive producer.

“Their story came from a small town. All they had was talent, hard work and commitment. We thought that was a great story to put in film that will inspire the Filipinos when they watch the film,” she added. 

Hence, “Song of the Fireflies” came about. Sarge Lacuesta wrote the screenplay, King Palisoc worked at the helm.

Morissette makes her acting debut as Alma Taldo, the founder of the Loboc Children’s Choir.

“Our main responsibility was to portray Ma’am Alma (Taldo) as honestly as we could,” said Celeste. “She’s a very special person. Morissette embraced that challenge. She’s used to performing in concerts and on television, but she had to find that part of her that’s just about honesty. She hardly wore makeup. The clothes were very plain and simple. I will not wear those clothes. But Morissette embraced everything.”

“We really sat her down and told her the challenge that she would portray Alma as honestly as she can. She knew after meeting Ma’am Alma and learning from her,” continued she. “Morissette was really an asset for the film from the very beginning. Aside from the fact that she is Bisaya. She knew that. And we had to shoot in Bohol, also in Manila.”

The film boasts “great music,” as Celeste beamed. Morissette’s singing and rendition were so heartfelt. 

“It’s not a musical, but it’s about music,” Celeste pointed out. “We were able to get music from our National Artist Ryan Cayabyab, with original songs from Louie Ocampo, Jazz Nicolas (of Itchyworms), Raymund Marasigan (of The Eraserheads) and Krina Cayabyab.”

All the folk songs performed by the Loboc Children’s Choir  — Pobreng Alindahaw, Bahay Kubo and Sitsiritsit Alibangbang — were beautiful.

“That’s why I said let’s make the story of the Loboc Children’s Choir into a film,” Celeste said. “We always lacked money because there was no big firm backing us up. Financial was always the challenge. It still is a challenge.”

“But Cignal and MQuest Ventures came in. That really helped. I’m very proud of ‘Song of the Fireflies.’ It took a lot of hard work for us and heartache, as well. But I think it’s really worth it. I think I’ve seen it 50 times. Every time I watch it, I cry,” she shared.

“We love doing films that really inspire and show excellence in the Philippines, especially our music. We are courageous and at the same time, foolish. We begin our projects without money. That’s art. You have to make a leap of faith and believe that at the end of the jump, there will be an audience to support us.”

“But we have shown our tenacity for excellence and dedication for what is good about the Filipino that many people come and support us. That has been very heartwarming ever since ‘Ang Larawan’ and our musicals in the past.”

The experience of working with first-time actors like Morissette and the Loboc Children’s Choir was “refreshing” for director King Palisoc.

“Our experience shooting the film was full of authenticity,” said the director. “Since they were first-timers, the emotions that they gave in every scene were really very natural.”

Direk King initially gave a two-day workshop to his actors — Rachel Alejandro, Morissette, the Choir, Krystal Brimmer and Noel Comia Jr. — for everybody to get to know each other.

“In fact, through that workshop, that was where we added the cast for support roles,” disclosed King. “My role during the workshop was to give the actors the opportunity to be honest and authentic to themselves.”

“I think that showed. The other members of the choir, even in the small scenes, although they were originally scripted, the way they delivered the scenes, they were honest. Part of them, as choir members, they really delivered honest portrayals,” added King.

The director admitted he was “genuinely affected” by the performance of Morissette. “I really felt her sincerity in portraying Ma’am Alma,” he said. “I think that was the reason we cast her. In a lot of ways, she was really like Ma’am Alma in terms of how kind and generous she is. I guess, similar to the choir, it was really Morissette showing the sincere part of her being. The experience of working with them was very affecting.”

Original music was provided by National Artist Ryan Cayabyab, Louie Ocampo, Raimund Marasigan, Jazz Nicolas and Krina Cayabyab. Mr. C even penned a song, Alitaptap, which Morissette recorded for the film.

Morissette recorded another solo, Hanapin ang Sarili, written by Louie Ocampo and Sarge Lacuesta.

Mr. C’s Iduyan Mo, an original by Basil Valdez, was reimagined by the Loboc Children’s Choir, while Raimund Marasigan penned Kingang with Sarge Lacuesta and Raimund recorded it.

Raimund and Sarge also wrote an original, Lihim, recorded by Rachel Alejandto.

Rachel and Morissette did a duet of Umawit Ka, composed by Krina Cayabyab and Mr. C.

Krystal and Noel also recorded Ano Ba Tayo Talaga?, an emotionally resonant track written by Mookie Katigbak-Lacuesta and Jazz Nicolas.

“Song of the Fireflies” is bankrolled by Culturtain Musicat Productions, with MQuest Ventures in cooperation with the Quezon City Film Development Commission, CMB Film Services and Hartman Communications.

“Song of the Fireflies” is now showing in theaters. It will also be shown in Toronto, Canada in July.

So far, “Song of the Fireflies” has been shown in Los Angeles, California and Houston, Texas. Morissette’s deeply moving performance earned her a Best Actress recognition at the Second Manila International Film Festival Audience Award.

In the same awards, Alejandro bagged Best Supporting Actress honors and “Song of the Fireflies” won Second Best Picture and Noel Comia Jr. was Best Supporting Actor.

At the 58th Worldfest Houston International Film Festival, the film bagged the Platinum Remi Award.  

MOVIEGOER: 'Song of the Fireflies,' a glow in the dark

Rachel Alejandro (left), as Equit  Butalid and Morisette as Alma Taldo in 'Song of the Fireflies'
 

By Nestor Cuartero

Published Jun 26, 2025 07:40 am

It’s not a musical film, but one that’s full of music. Lovely, beautiful music skillfully interwoven into a moving narrative that brings one to the highs and lows of dreams, passion, and determination.

‘Lovely and beautiful’ similarly sums up the film itself as it tells a luminous story of resilience and hope, and the power of dreaming.

We attended the premiere of ‘Song of the Fireflies’ on June 23 at Gateway 2 in Cubao with hopes held high, considering that its producers, Celeste Legaspi and Girlie Rodis of Culturtain Musicat Productions, have a reputation for excellence in every project they plunge into. In 2017, the same creative team brought us ‘Ang Larawan,’ a breakthrough musical film based on a literary classic by Nick Joaquin.

When you go to preview a film about a rural choir’s success story, you know more or less what to expect. The story is written in your mind, and you don’t have to wait for someone to tell it to you.

What’s good about King Palisoc’s direction and Sarge Lacuesta’s scripting lies in the way they have made the storytelling engaging through quick pacing and editing.

Subplots are introduced through careful foreshadowing and are resolved by the film’s end. The film’s two young leads, played by Noel Comia Jr and Krystal Brimner, are allowed back and tangential side stories that allow their characters to shine and reveal themselves effortlessly. These add up to the film’s level of interest and engagement.

Yet, the story is not really about the two young lovers.

‘Song of the Fireflies’ is a tribute to the extraordinary journey of the Loboc Children’s Choir, which began in the 1980s in the quiet riverside town of Loboc, Bohol. Composed of children as young as 9 to 13 years old, the choir had to rise above poverty, limited resources, and natural calamities – all in pursuit of a single dream: to let their voices be heard.

Their dreams burned brightly, fanned by the steadfast guidance of their teacher, Ma’am Alma (played by Morisette), and the unwavering support of Equet Butalid (Rachel Alejandro, co-producer), a local cultural advocate.

As luck would have it, the LCC would go on to conquer Manila and international competitions abroad.

And now, the music. What a welcome relief that the film is so rich in local color portrayed lavishly through songs, folk dancing, some rituals, lots of rural scenery. They are interspersed with a happy mix of folk songs and contemporary songs written by renowned composers Ryan Cayabyab, Louie Ocampo, Raimund Marasigan, Jazz Nicolas, and Krina Cayabyab.

Their compositions are laid back-to-back with Filipino folk tunes taught to pupils in public elementary schools that strike a joyous, nostalgic chord in people of a certain age. How long has it been since the time you heard songs like Pobreng Alindahaw, Bahay Kubo, Sitsiritsit Alibangbang, among a few others, performed in a Filipino film? The one who sang them the most, Ms. Pilita Corrales, died just recently.

At the talk back, I asked Celeste and Girlie where they’re getting the courage, if not the money, to produce  films like ‘Ang Larawan’ and ‘Song of the Fireflies?’

At one point, Celeste said it was kind of foolish to do so, but in one’s pursuit of art, she said, you take a great leap of faith.

With wonderful cinematography capturing the essence of Bohol’s fabled Loboc river at night or at the break of dawn, lush in its poetic beauty, not to mention the breathtaking swarm of fireflies flickering in the dark, ‘Song of the Fireflies’ goes one step closer to lyric poetry, something so missing in today’s film scenery.

'Song of the Fireflies' swept the 2025 Manila International Film Festival with multiple wins: Audience Award for Best Picture, Best Actress (Morissette), Best Supporting Actress (Rachel Alejandro), Best Supporting Actor (Noel Comia Jr.). It also won the Platinum Remi Award at the WorldFest-Houston International Film Festival.

‘Song of the Fireflies’ is now glowing in cinemas.

Art und Zeitgeist

 

ART AND THE ZEITGEIST   Young artists finish a mural titled “Ang Liwanag ng Bahaghari” alongside Mendiola Bridge in Manila. The artwork depicts the LGBTQ+ symbol of the rainbow as a ray of hope amid today’s toxic political environment. —MARIANNE BERMUDEZ

Do Filipinos enjoy eating chicken feet, heart, liver, kidney, etc. cooked with vinegar and onions? If so, what is the reason for their preference for these offal parts?

 

Ghemma Marie

 

Philippines

Is it only the Filipinos? Almost our neighboring Asians eat animal parts that are considered by other nations as discard.

I think it's not about preference. It is about survival that makes people eat something that is considered taboo to other nationalities. The Filipinos in the past had experienced extreme hunger because of war, famine, natural calamities and mostly survived on fruits, root crops, grains than can be easily found in the sorroundings. It is unlikely that meat is a common part of the diet as during those days people live like a nomadic lifestyle (fleeing from place to place). Before the introduction of raising animals for food consumption, they hunt wild animals and fish as a source of protein, and from there, they consider every part of the carcass as edible because, come on, it's rare and it is a part of a tasty meal as well.

In regards to the mentioned “vinegar and onion" with the addition of ginger, and black pepper, salt to taste and also birds eye chillies. Literally it is not common to only add vinegar and onion to cook Filipino dishes. There are dishes or appetizers as we called, that uses native vinegar and onion, with the addition of other ingredients of course, like fish ceviché jumping salad, and paksiw dishes.

A jumping salad is pouring a mixture of vinegar, salt, onion, chili, ginger into a bowl of fresh (moving) small shrimps making the animals to jump while they're eaten alive.

Back to the main topic, yes, almost every part of the slaughtered animal are eaten. Balls, brain, eyes, nose, ears, tonque, heart, gizzard, kidneys, intestines, trotter, knuckles, blood, snout. These are meat discards but Filipinos, along with other Asian countries have a unique way of preparing it and transforming it into an exotic and tasty dish.

Let's take a look;

1. India's Rakti or blood fry.

2. Singapore's pig organ soup.

3. Japan's Horumon Yaki

4. Taiwan's Milkfish deep fried and soup intestines.

5. China's stewed lung and intestines.

6. Indonesia goat liver Satay and fried pig tongue Padang

7. Philippines’s meat and pig brain dinakdakan

Chicken intestine isaw

Blood stew dinuguan

Goat/ cow meat and intestine pinapaitan. (Using bile as a one of the flavourings to attain that slightly bitter taste, the name came from the root word “pait” means bitter.

Chicken gizzard and liver adobo.

Bopis, a spicy dish of minced pork, heart, kidney and lungs.

Braised chicken feet

6. Arab’s Pacha (grilled sheep's eyeballs).

Now, have you heard of placenta? Just kidding.

PAL cancels, Cebu Pacific flies on Dubai route amid Mideast conflict

 

By Manila Bulletin and The Associated Press

Published Jun 24, 2025 01:26 pm

Cebu Pacific (CEB) announced on Tuesday, June 24, that all its flights to and from Dubai will continue to operate as scheduled, assuring passengers that its flight routes do not traverse conflict-affected areas in the Middle East.

Despite continuing operations, the Gokongwei-led airline stated that Cebu Pacific is actively monitoring the situation.

“We understand that some travelers may still have concerns,” Cebu Pacific said in an advisory. “We continue to actively monitor the situation and will share further updates as necessary.”

To address potential passenger concerns, Cebu Pacific is offering flexible options for those booked on Dubai flights scheduled for June 24, 2025.

These options include free rebooking and conversion of tickets to a travel fund. Passengers can avail of these flexible options online up to two hours before their scheduled departure time.

The airline emphasized its commitment to passenger safety, stating that the current routes for Dubai flights are clear of any conflict zones in the Middle East, allowing for safe operations.

Passengers are encouraged to regularly check their flight status on the official Cebu Pacific website, and to update their contact details via the Manage Booking portal to ensure they receive timely flight notifications regarding any changes or advisories.

Meanwhile, flag carrier Philippine Airlines (PAL) announced the cancellation of several flights to and from key Middle Eastern destinations on Tuesday, June 24, and Wednesday, June 25, 2025, due to the developing situation in the Middle East.

The cancelled flights for June 24, 2025, include PR 684 Manila-Doha, PR 658/659 Manila-Dubai-Manila, and PR 654/655 Manila-Riyadh-Manila. Additionally, PR 685 Doha-Manila, originally scheduled for June 25, 2025, has also been cancelled.

Lucio Tan-led PAL advised affected passengers not to proceed to the airport, instead urging them to utilize the provided rebooking and refund options.

PAL said passengers have three main choices: rebook to another flight with available space within 60 days from the original flight date, convert their ticket to travel credits equivalent to the unused base fare with a one-year validity from issuance, or request a refund without penalties (excluding ticketing service charge).

The United States’ (US) entry into Israel’s war with Iran has caused travel disruptions to pile up globally.

As deadly attacks escalated between Israel and Iran, sections of airspace and airports throughout the region have temporarily closed. And airlines canceled more flights in recent days, with some halting select routes through the middle of the week—particularly in Qatar and the United Arab Emirates (UAE), just across the Persian Gulf from Iran.

The Middle East carriers were severely affected with cancellations and delays.

Such disruptions have snarled travel, particularly as central hubs in the Middle East often connect flights worldwide—but experts stress that these kinds of airspace closures and flight diversions are critical to ensuring safety, especially if future escalation emerges suddenly.

“It is the responsibility of states, countries to ensure that their airspace is safe for passage of aircraft,” Hassan Shahidi, president and chief executive officer (CEO) of the Flight Safety Foundation.

The Philippines now has the fastest-growing number of HIV cases in the Asia-Pacific

 The Philippines now has the fastest-growing number of HIV cases in the Asia-Pacific, with at least 57 new diagnoses every day.

From 4,400 in 2010 to 29,600 in 2024, cases have surged by over 550%. By 2025, around 252,800 Filipinos are expected to be living with HIV.

These numbers are alarming, but they must be understood in context

The rise in HIV cases does not mean the virus is spreading faster. It reflects progress in testing, awareness, and reducing stigma. Earlier data came from a time when services were limited and public understanding was low.

This is not the time to fuel fear or allow harmful narratives to resurface. And this is certainly not a call to spread homophobic dogma.

HIV is not a “gay disease.”

It affects everyone. It affects people of all genders, orientations, and backgrounds. Stigma and shame only push people away from the care they need.

Now is the time to act with compassion, urgency, and unity.

Here’s how we move forward:

Expand free and confidential HIV testing in all communities, especially for those most at risk.

Integrate HIV education in schools, workplaces, and barangays.

Strengthen healthcare systems to ensure accessible and stigma-free treatment.

Train health workers to provide inclusive, respectful care for everyone, including the LGBTQ+ community.

We must rise to this challenge with compassion and courage as we all build a society that does not punish people for seeking help, but instead empowers them to live healthy, dignified lives

#GeraldineRoman

#PambansangCongresswoman

#SerbisyongMayPuso

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