More airlines join NAIA's self-check-in and automated gates

By Manila Bulletin Newsroom

More passengers can now use NAIA’s Self Check-in kiosks, automated Pre-Security screening gates, and Self-Boarding gates at Terminals 1, 2, and 3, as additional airlines complete system integration and join the airport’s automated passenger processing program.

The system, which has been progressively implemented across the airport, allows eligible passengers to check in, print boarding passes, tag their bags, clear initial security, and board flights through automated lanes, helping reduce queuing times and ease congestion at traditional counters. A phased activation of automated Bag Drop features is also ongoing.

The services are currently enabled for the following airlines and passenger categories:

Terminal 1

-Philippine Airlines: International destinations, excluding Middle East and Japan routes

-Asiana Airlines: Korean nationals and foreign passengers with no visa requirements

Terminal 2

-Philippine Airlines: All domestic destinations

-Cebu Pacific: All domestic destinations

-AirAsia: All domestic destinations

Terminal 3 

-Cebu Pacific: All domestic and international destinations

-AirAsia: All international destinations

-United Airlines: Foreign passengers with no visa requirements

-Qatar Airways: All passengers

-Air Canada: All passengers

“These systems are already operational, and we are seeing more airlines come on board as integration is completed,” New NAIA Infra Corp. (NNIC), the airport’s private operator, said. “As participation expands, more passengers will be able to move through check-in, security, and boarding more efficiently.”

The automated processing systems form part of NAIA’s broader efforts to improve passenger flow and align airport operations with biometric-enabled standards used at major international hubs across Asia, the Middle East, and North America.

Passengers on eligible flights are encouraged to use the Self Check-in kiosks located near the check-in areas of each terminal. After printing boarding passes and bag tags, they may proceed to Bag Drop counters or automated lanes before continuing through the Pre-Security and Self-Boarding gates. Additional airlines and routes will be enabled in the coming months as integration work continues.

Unaricci turns up a night of fashion, funk, and friendships

By Manila Bulletin Newsroom

It was a night of fashion, music, reunion, and new beginnings at Unaricci’s high-spirited event, co-presented by Philippine Fashion Week, last Jan. 24 at Dr. Wine Poblacion. The brand’s founder-CEO and designer, Nina Ricci Eleazar, launched a collection that she describes as “reinvention—working with linen in a high-fashion context and merging Unaricci’s early beginnings with fashion accessories with the brand’s current design aesthetic.”

Margaux Salazar, Nina Ricci Eleazar, and Monique Jamlang

Professional dancer Lema Diaz opened the program with an amazing freestyle performance to ‘90s hit “Ghetto Superstar” followed by the much-awaited mini fashion show. Live music was courtesy of Bacolod’s rising acoustic duo Russ and Daph, and sets by legendary DJs Mick Martinez, Elmer Dado, and James Mccranie made the night even more memorable with nostalgic tracks from the 1990s and early 2000s. The event also had special participation from Tropical Nomad, Wanderskye, Wine Drop, and Kanebo.

“I wanted to open the show with dance and movement, reminiscent of my college days as a former dancer (with Lema), “ says Nina. “The first part of the fashion show features a couture linen textile crafted through horizontal and vertical paneling, creating a patterned base that embraces a raw, distressed aesthetic with deliberately unfinished edges throughout. This was also accentuated by equally labor-intensive handmade florettes. The second part gives a glimpse of how Unaricci entered the retail industry with chunky fashion accessories, this time woven onto the clothing pieces, creating a luxuriously edgy yet comfortable look.”

Russ and Daph

PJ and Kim Tugade

Faith Cuneta

DJ James Mccranie

Joji Malinao, Gigi Bautista-So, and Michelle Bautista-Tañada

DJ Elmer Dado

Jasmine Maierhofer, Marie Field Faith, and Vanessa Tedesco clad in Unaricci

Lexie Eleazar, Candice Gil, and Kara Ponce Enrile

Nina and Unaricci’s Margaux Salazar describe the evening as a celebration of friendships, real connections, and sharing their passions with the community they have graciously built. This is also the start of the duo’s venture into doing more events and collaborating with brands and talents for uniquely curated experiences.

More airlines join NAIA's self-check-in and automated gates

By Manila Bulletin Newsroom

Published Feb 20, 2026 11:47 am

More passengers can now use NAIA’s Self Check-in kiosks, automated Pre-Security screening gates, and Self-Boarding gates at Terminals 1, 2, and 3, as additional airlines complete system integration and join the airport’s automated passenger processing program.

The system, which has been progressively implemented across the airport, allows eligible passengers to check in, print boarding passes, tag their bags, clear initial security, and board flights through automated lanes, helping reduce queuing times and ease congestion at traditional counters. A phased activation of automated Bag Drop features is also ongoing.

The services are currently enabled for the following airlines and passenger categories:

Terminal 1

-Philippine Airlines: International destinations, excluding Middle East and Japan routes

-Asiana Airlines: Korean nationals and foreign passengers with no visa requirements

Terminal 2

-Philippine Airlines: All domestic destinations

-Cebu Pacific: All domestic destinations

-AirAsia: All domestic destinations

Terminal 3 

-Cebu Pacific: All domestic and international destinations

-AirAsia: All international destinations

-United Airlines: Foreign passengers with no visa requirements

-Qatar Airways: All passengers

-Air Canada: All passengers

“These systems are already operational, and we are seeing more airlines come on board as integration is completed,” New NAIA Infra Corp. (NNIC), the airport’s private operator, said. “As participation expands, more passengers will be able to move through check-in, security, and boarding more efficiently.”

The automated processing systems form part of NAIA’s broader efforts to improve passenger flow and align airport operations with biometric-enabled standards used at major international hubs across Asia, the Middle East, and North America.

Passengers on eligible flights are encouraged to use the Self Check-in kiosks located near the check-in areas of each terminal. After printing boarding passes and bag tags, they may proceed to Bag Drop counters or automated lanes before continuing through the Pre-Security and Self-Boarding gates. Additional airlines and routes will be enabled in the coming months as integration work continues.

Fuel prices to soar Tuesday: Diesel up ₱2.7/liter, gasoline ₱1.7/ liter

 

By Manila Bulletin Newsroom

Published Nov 3, 2025 11:56 am

by ₱1.7 per liter, diesel by a steeper ₱2.7 per liter, and kerosene by ₱2.1 per liter, marking the second straight weekly hike for both diesel and kerosene.

The adjustments will take effect starting Tuesday, Nov. 4. Chevron Philippines Inc. (Caltex) and Shell Pilipinas Corp. will implement the changes at 6 a.m., while Cleanfuel will follow at 4:01 p.m. Cleanfuel will apply the increases for gasoline and diesel.

The price hikes were broadly in line with projections from the Department of Energy-Oil Industry Management Bureau (DOE-OIMB), which had forecast increases of over ₱1 for gasoline and kerosene, and more than ₱2 for diesel.

The surge in prices is being primarily attributed to new sanctions imposed by the United States (US), the United Kingdom, and the European Union targeting Russia’s major oil firms, Rosneft and Lukoil, which have created “significant compliance risks and uncertainty” in the market, according to Jetti Petroleum President Leo Bellas.

Rosneft and Lukoil collectively account for over five percent of global oil output.

Moreover, the expected easing of trade tensions between the US and China, coupled with growing seasonal demand, is driving an uptick in consumption.

DOE-OIMB Director Rodela Romero noted that while stronger demand typically signals a positive economic outlook, the Russian sanctions are likely to result in supply disruption.

The latest round of increases follows last week's adjustments of ₱1.2 for gasoline, ₱2 for diesel, and ₱1.70 for kerosene.

These latest hikes further solidify the year-to-date trend of rising fuel costs for Filipino consumers. As of Oct. 28, 2025, the cumulative net price adjustments stood at a net increase of ₱16.50 per liter for gasoline.

Diesel’s net increase is ₱19.15 per liter, and kerosene's net increase is ₱6.55 per liter.

Davao artist Bing Taojo paints the circle of life in blooms

By Manila Bulletin Newsroom

Caroline "Bing" Galang Taojo’s “Becoming | Unbecoming” was unveiled on Sept. 11, 2025, at a sold-out show at the Galerie Raphael in Davao, a surprise that greeted the painter upon her arrival at the artist’s reception on opening day. “It was overwhelming, like I was showered with flowers by angels,” she confessed.

The 21-piece art exhibit is her third solo mounting following the 2024 Manila show, “Masterpieces in Motion,” where Michael Cinco’s couture gowns served as canvas for her images, and her debut show in 2023, “Essence of Being,” where she was resolved on holding it in Tagum, Davao del Norte, as a tribute to her hometown.

Looking back to her entry into the one-man exhibition art scene, the abstract-impressionist artist shared, “I had to muster enough confidence for a solo show. With the support of mentors, family and friends, I took on the challenge and mounted my first one-woman exhibition, ‘Essence of Being,’ when I turned 60. It was a precious and timely gift I gave myself, without knowing when the second or succeeding shows might come. I am quite blessed to make it to this third solo show.”

Monica Floirendo-Ugarte

Rhoda Magat and Len Neo

Rose Alcantara and Robbie Aguilar

Rochelle del Rosario

Chari Gavino and Chin-chin Talaver

In “Becoming | Unbecoming,” the artist’s flowers are symbolic vessels of time. They signify impermanence, fragility and renewal. They wither and bloom again. They are fragile yet resilient, fleeting yet radiant.

"I wish for the audience to be captivated by the beauty of blossoms in its passing moments, from its onset to its peak and the withering,” said the artist. “Each point in time is precious, fascinating, beautiful.”

Thrilled by the mounting of a third solo exhibition, everyone dear to the artist made the opening night more special. Family, friends, art lovers and collectors from Davao, Tagum, Siargao, Manila and Singapore gathered at Galerie Raphael to witness another milestone by the artist. Formally launching the exhibition with the artist were Jack Teotico, Rossana Tuason-Fores, Ching Cruz and Sylvia Lorenzana.

Katrina Taojo and Joyce Taojo

Arnie Lim and Michelle Escandor

Caprice Ledesma, Arianna del Rosario, Kat Laurel- Tuason, and Denise Taojo-Kaur

Christian Pasumbal, Jennifer Floirendo, Emil Sitjar, Otoy Mercado, and Kenneth Ong

The artist's husband, Butchoy Taojo, and Philip Cruz

Len Bosquit, Tess Cruz, and Aaron Cruz

Gallerist Andy Tuason with Jingy Tuason and Semil Tuason

Harry Morris, Iñigo Taojo, and Andreas Taojo

Never has the gallery seen so many attendees in all its exhibit openings. Not only did “Becoming | Unbecoming” break the opening day attendance record, it may also have been the first time the gallery has hosted an exhibition that sold all its exhibited works before the inaugural ribbon was cut.

“Becoming | Unbecoming” art exhibition by Bing Taojo at Galerie Raphael, Azuela Cove, Davao City runs until Sept. 25, 2025

NAIA cuts overnight parking to ₱600 for 'verified' travelers

 

Cars parked at the Manila airport terminal 2 (New NAIA Infra Corp. photo) 

By Manila Bulletin Newsroom

The Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) significantly lowered its overnight parking rates for verified passengers and other legitimate airport users, effective Friday, Aug. 1.

In a Facebook post, the New NAIA Infra Corp. (NNIC) said the new parking system aims to enable more efficient management of parking facilities while ensuring accessibility for those who genuinely use the airport.

The NNIC noted the new system helps keep parking slots available and convenient for NAIA’s intended users.

To get the discounted rates, verified passengers who park their vehicles at any of the NAIA Terminals—Terminal 1, 2, or 3—must park and keep their ticket. They then need to bring their ticket and boarding pass on their trip and present both at the validation counter upon return. Once verified, passengers will pay only half the standard overnight rate.

This new overnight parking rate for verified passengers is ₱600. While this is still more expensive than the original ₱300 overnight rate, it represents a 50 percent reduction compared to the ₱1,200 rate the NNIC implemented last October.

Inside HoYoFEST 2025

 

By Manila Bulletin Newsroom

Published Jul 28, 2025 01:41 pm

By Jared John K Cheng, 16

Grade 11

Xavier School San Juan

HoYo Fest is MiHoYo’s official fan convention, bringing together fans of its biggest gacha games—”Genshin Impact,” “Honkai: Star Rail,” “Zenless Zone Zero,” and “Honkai Impact 3rd”. It’s all about the community, with offline events like Artist Alley, exclusive merchandise drops, cosplayers, and game-themed activities. This year, it’s focused on Southeast Asia and is only happening in six countries, which include Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam, and the Philippines.

This year’s HoYo Fest was held at SMX Convention Center Manila, Hall 3 in Pasay City, and from what I saw, the venue had about twice the space compared to last year’s location at SM Megamall’s Mega Fashion Hall. The additional space was definitely appreciated—it felt less crowded overall and made it easier to move around and enjoy the event.

Nearby the entrance/exit was the HoYoverse Experience Zone where you jump in and play using the laptop, phone, tablet, or a portable gaming console provided. There were open-stage performances where attendees competed against each other. Acrylic standees were awarded to the winners.

Official merchandise for “Genshin Impact,” “Honkai: Star Rail,” and “Zenless Zone Zero” with limited stocks per day. Each purchase, depending on the amount, included freebies such as a HoYo Fest postcard or a 2025 Badge Blind Box containing one of four badges.

The game booths had quest-style missions in either offline or online activities. These tasks included showing your UID (user identification number) in exchange for a hologram ticket that came with in-game rewards.“Genshin Impact,” “Honkai: Star Rail,” “Zenless Zone Zero,” and “Honkai Impact 3rd” had their own booths. Collecting all four tickets lets you get a free photo at the HoYoverse photo booth.

The Artist Alley was a great addition this year. It’s a dedicated area for fan artists and creators to showcase and sell their HoYoverse-themed art prints, keychains, pins, and stickers.

With the bigger venues, more activities, and the addition of the artist alley, HoYo Fest keeps on getting bigger and better. I am definitely looking forward to what they will bring to us next year.

Jared John K. Cheng, 16, is a Grade 11 student at Xavier School San Juan. He covers school events as a photographer, with a growing passion for visual storytelling. His interests span sports—especially basketball, badminton, and go-karting—as well as motorsports, where he is particularly drawn to the engineering behind Formula 1. Outside the lens, Jared is immersed in gaming, anime, and Japanese pop culture. He is also exploring mechanical engineering and 3D printing as creative and technical outlets.

‘Voices’ is Manila Bulletin Lifestyle’s dedicated space for young writers and future journalists as they talk about the topics that matter to their generation—from pop culture and social trends to mental health, education, and everything in between.

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