Davao City hailed as top PH travel destination

 

World Travel Index report names best locations to visit

By Poch Eulalia

Published May 5, 2026 10:52 am

SERENITY NOW Calming river scenery at Baganga, Davao Region (Photo: Pexels)

Davao City has taken the top spot in the April 2026 World Travel Index report. It is its second year in a row placing first.

Joining Davao in the list are Puerto Princesa at second place and Makati City placing third. Factors for the ranking include affordability, enjoyment, safety, and overall tourism experience. Davao scored a total of 88.38 in affordability, enjoyment at 62.09, 79.22 for safety, and 72.96 for overall tourism experience. It rounds up to a total score of 75.66. Meanwhile, Puerto Princesa and Makati City scored a total of 74.68 and 73.82.

According to an official statement by the City Tourism Operations Office (CTOO), this continued success is due to the support of tourism stakeholders in the city. "This milestone is a testament to the unwavering support and dedication of our tourism and hospitality stakeholders, partners, and the entire community who continue to elevate Davao’s tourism landscape. Our heartfelt thanks as well to all travelers—both local and international—for choosing Davao City and making it part of your journey,” the statement reads.

Higher push for local travel

With gas prices still at an all-time high, some travel experts point out how domestic travel is likely to pop off in comparison to international travel. Reasons include the rising surcharge prices for airlines trying to keep up with oil prices. Currently, the Philippine Civil Aeronautics Board has fuel surcharge placed at level 18, putting international flight surcharge prices in the range of ₱1,958.44 to ₱14,561.87. 

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

 

By Manila Bulletin Newsroom

Published May 2, 2026 02:01 pm

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Mayon Volcano have blanketed several towns and cities

 

Thick plumes of ash from Mayon Volcano have blanketed several towns and cities in Albay and nearby provinces, prompting authorities to raise alert levels as the volcano continues to show signs of unrest.

The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS) reported that the volcano has been emitting steam-driven plumes and ash, driven by prevailing winds towards the southwest and west. This has resulted in heavy ashfall in Legazpi City, Daraga, Camalig, Guinobatan, and other areas within the 6-kilometer Permanent Danger Zone (PDZ) and beyond.

While Mayon is one of the most active volcanoes in the country, this latest eruption is considered one of the more significant events in recent years. Authorities remain on high alert, continuously monitoring seismic activity and ground deformation to assess any further escalation.

Getting to know Bea Millan-Windorski, Miss Universe Philippines 2026 Winner

By Neil Ramos

Published May 5, 2026 09:28 am

At A Glance

• Get to know Bea Millan-Windorski, Miss Universe Philippines 2026 winner and Filipino-American beauty queen. Discover her inspiring journey from Wisconsin to the global pageant stage, her education, advocacies, and rise as a representative for the Philippines at Miss Universe 2026.

Bea Millan-Windorski is now among most talked-about names in pageantry today and not just because she is this year's Miss Universe Philippines winner. With a rare blend of academic depth, Filipino-American identity, and a purpose-driven voice, she represents a new kind of beauty queen: one who leads with both intellect and impact.  

But who is she really?

Born to a Filipino immigrant family with roots in La Union, Bea grew up in Wisconsin, USA, where culture and identity played a major role in shaping her worldview. Her maternal grandparents had migrated from the Philippines, grounding her in a strong Filipino heritage despite growing up abroad.

At Whitefish Bay High School, she wasn’t just a student—she was a multi-talented achiever. She joined the varsity dance team, played cello in orchestra, and even sharpened her voice in debate competitions. Alongside academics, she trained in ballet and music at respected institutions, showing early signs of discipline and performance artistry that would later define her pageant career.

Before stepping into pageantry, Bea built a strong academic foundation at the University of Wisconsin–Madison, earning degrees in History and International Relations. Her interest in global affairs, particularly US–ASEAN relations, shaped her understanding of diplomacy, identity, and cultural exchange.  

She was also active in campus life as a member of Kappa Alpha Theta, further developing her leadership skills and social awareness—traits that would later become central to her advocacy work.

Bea’s entry into pageantry was nothing short of historic. Representing Wisconsin, she joined Miss Earth USA 2024 and ultimately made history as the first Filipino-American to win the title.

Her preparation was deeply rooted in Filipino creativity and mentorship, working with industry professionals connected to Philippine pageantry. Her win wasn’t just a personal milestone—it marked the beginning of an international journey.

As Miss Earth USA, she represented the United States at Miss Earth 2024, where she continued to stand out on the global stage. She earned the Miss Earth – Water title, securing a top placement among international candidates.   

One of her most talked-about moments came during the final question-and-answer round, where she emphasized environmental responsibility and the need to reconsider humanity’s relationship with technology and nature. Her response reflected her consistent advocacy for sustainability and climate awareness.

Bea’s return to her roots marked a defining shift in her career. In 2026, she was officially chosen as La Union’s representative for the Miss Universe Philippines competition.

From the start, she was seen as a frontrunner—and she delivered.

She advanced through every major stage of the competition, impressing judges with her intelligence, authenticity, and advocacy-driven answers. During the final Q&A, she spoke about Filipino resilience and identity, emphasizing her pride in representing a nation she deeply connects with, despite growing up abroad.

Her powerful performance earned her the crown of Miss Universe Philippines 2026, succeeding Ahtisa Manalo.

What sets Bea apart in the world of pageantry is her commitment to meaningful causes. She is actively involved in environmental advocacy and migrant rights, drawing from both her Filipino heritage and her international upbringing.

She founded Open Doors, Open Hearts, a group focused on raising awareness about climate refugees and displaced communities. She has also supported conservation efforts for marine life in La Union through environmental projects like sea turtle protection initiatives.

Bea now prepares for her biggest international challenge yet: representing the Philippines at Miss Universe 2026.

Her journey is already shaping up to be more than a pageant run. It’s a story of identity, migration, purpose, and global representation.

Lovi Poe, 'Game of Thrones' star Maisie Williams unite for thriller 'Ignition'

 

By Carissa Alcantara

Published May 5, 2026 12:11 pm

After making her Hollywood debut in "Bad Man," Lovi Poe is set to appear in another international project. She will star alongside Maisie Williams in the thriller film "Ignition."

Poe shared the good news to fans via Instagram.

"'Ignition's' first look is out now—being introduced at Cannes this May. Can’t wait," she wrote. "Oh, and by the way… the North remembers. Had to bring a little 'Game of Thrones' energy," Lovi wrote.

According to a report by Variety, the film will be directed by Emmy-nominated director James Erskine.

The story follows Sylvie Johnson, played by Williams. What begins as a simple drive to London quickly turns into a nightmare when she receives a call from an unknown person who claims there is a bomb in her car. With no way to escape or ask for help, Sylvie is forced to simply follow instructions. She must deliver the bomb to the Royal Albert Hall. As the situation becomes more dangerous, she tries to survive while uncovering why she was chosen.

Also joining the cast is Rory Kinnear, known for his roles in the James Bond film series.

Erskine said the film was shot using a “live cinema” style. This method aims to make scenes feel more real and immediate.

"I wanted the audience to feel completely inside Sylvie’s experience as events unfold, capturing a sense of immediacy and psychological pressure that builds in real time. It creates the ideal platform for Maisie Williams’s extraordinary central performance," James explained.

Because filming took place in real locations and on active roads, the team used hidden, remotely controlled cameras. This allowed the actors to move freely and perform more naturally, without a visible film crew around them.

Peace I leave with you

 

By Manila Bulletin Newsroom

Published May 5, 2026 12:05 am | Updated May 4, 2026 07:05 pm

REFLECTIONS TODAY

Peace is often understood as freedom from war or public disturbance. But the Hebrew shalom (peace) is more encompassing. It is the right relationship with God and with people. Over all, it refers to one’s well-being in totality. In Israel, shalom is ordinarily used in greetings. When people ask, “How are you?” they say, Ha-shalom? (“Is there peace?”). When one answers, “I am okay,” he says, Shalom! But above all, peace is a gift of God to those who obey his will.

In bidding goodbye to his disciples, Jesus says, “Peace I leave with you… Do not let your hearts be troubled or afraid” (v 27). Jesus says this at the eve of his departure, which will involve his arrest, his trial, and his being condemned to death. That very night, his disciples will abandon him when he is arrested in the Garden of Olives. Peace is not for them at this moment; rather, it anticipates the peace of his resurrection, when Jesus will appear to them and say, “Peace be with you!” And he gives them the Holy Spirit with the power to forgive sins (Jn 20:22-23). The risen Lord does not just give peace; he himself is the Shalom. By his cross and resurrection, he has set all men and women free. He has broken the “dividing wall” of enmity that separates people from God and from one another (Eph 2:14).

“Not as the world gives do I give it to you” (v 27). The Roman Empire built an altar to Pax Augusta to mark the victory of Octavius Augustus Caesar that ended the civil war in Rome. The peace that the world gives is imposed by arms, by threats, and by severe punishment. The peace of Jesus, the fruit of his suffering, is the one that sets us free, and gives us confidence and security in the midst of life’s troubles.

First Reading • Acts 14:19-28

In those days, some Jews from Antioch and Iconium arrived and won over the crowds. They stoned Paul and dragged him out of the city, supposing that he was dead. But when the disciples gathered around him, he got up and entered the city. On the following day he left with Barnabas for Derbe.

After they had proclaimed the good news to that city and made a considerable number of disciples, they returned to Lystra and to Iconium and to Antioch. They strengthened the spirits of the disciples and exhorted them to persevere in the faith, saying, “It is necessary for us to undergo many hardships to enter the Kingdom of God.” They appointed presbyters for them in each Church and, with prayer and fasting, commended them to the Lord in whom they had put their faith. Then they traveled through Pisidia and reached Pamphylia. After proclaiming the word at Perga they went down to Attalia. From there they sailed to Antioch, where they had been commended to the grace of God for the work they had now accomplished. And when they arrived, they called the Church together and reported what God had done with them and how he had opened the door of faith to the Gentiles. Then they spent no little time with the disciples.

Gospel • Jn 14:27-31a

Jesus said to his disciples: “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give it to you. Do not let your hearts be troubled or afraid. You heard me tell you, ‘I am going away and I will come back to you.’ If you loved me, you would rejoice that I am going to the Father; for the Father is greater than I. And now I have told you this before it happens, so that when it happens you may believe. I will no longer speak much with you, for the ruler of the world is coming. He has no power over me, but the world must know that I love the Father and that I do just as the Father has commanded me.”

Source: “365 Days with the Lord 2026,” St. Paul’s, 7708 St. Paul Rd., SAV, Makati City (Phils.); Tel.: 632-895-9701; E-mail: publishing@stpauls.ph; Website: http://www.stpauls.ph.

PSYCHOLOGY TRICKS THAT QUIETLY CHANGE YOUR LIFE

Mahi Khan

 

1.Pause briefly before responding

‎2.Speak at a slower pace to convey confidence

‎3.Choose curiosity over arguments—ask questions

‎4.Echo a few of their words to encourage them to open up

‎5.Hold steady eye contact when listening

‎6.Move at a calm, unhurried pace to show composure

‎7.Keep a gentle, natural smile in conversations

8.‎Use people’s names to build connection

‎9.Take a moment before answering tough questions

‎10.Say less, but speak with clarity and purpose

‎11.Pay close attention to body language

‎13.Stay calm, even in tense situations

‎13.Give small nods to show you’re engaged

14.‎Reflect calm and composed body language

‎15.Keep your facial expressions relaxed

‎16.Close conversations in a polite but confident way

‎upvote.

Friendster is back. What does this mean outside nostalgia?

 

BY CARL MARTIN AGUSTIN

MAY 5, 2026

The new-look Friendster promises “social networking without the nonsense” | Photo by Getty Images/Unsplash+

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Social media in the past years has greatly changed in terms of what we see on our feeds. Popular platforms such as Facebook, Twitter (pre-Elon), and Instagram, amassed widespread appeal on the promise of connecting both friends and strangers. Today, however, that promise has taken a backseat where we see intrusive ads and unwanted recommendations before getting to our friend’s latest updates—that is, on top of the widely accepted reality that our data is quietly being sold for profit.

Friendster, a social media pioneer that predated the many platforms we use today, had hundreds of millions of users in its heyday before ultimately bowing out to the industry giant that is Facebook.

More than a decade after its shutdown, Friendster has just made a comeback, and it’s promising a return-to-roots approach to social connection.

PSEi climbs on easing US-Iran conflict

 

BY EMMANUEL JOHN ABRIS

MAY 5, 2026

Read Next

Gov’t scales back T-bill award as yields climb

Local stocks closed higher on Monday as easing concerns over the United States-Iran conflict helped lift market sentiment.

The benchmark Philippine Stock Exchange Index (PSEi) climbed 108.52 points or 1.86 percent, to finish at 5,942.16.

Philstocks financial research manager Japhet Tantiangco said the broader market traded in positive territory following reports that Iran proposed a 14-point plan to the US in a bid to reach a diplomatic resolution.

THE POWER OF LISTENING

 

By

 Mindanao Daily News

 -

May 4, 2026

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Great leaders are great listeners, and therefore my message today is a simple one – talk less and listen more. The best leaders are proactive, strategic, and intuitive listeners. They recognize knowledge and wisdom are not gained by talking, but by listening. Take a moment and reflect back on any great leader who comes to mind…you’ll find they are very adept at reading between the lines. They have the uncanny ability to understand what is not said, witnessed, or heard. In today’s post, I’ll quickly examine the merits of developing your listening skills. Warning: this post isn’t going to coddle you and leave you feeling warm and fuzzy – it is rather blunt and to the point.

Want to become a better leader? Stop talking and start listening. Being a leader should not be viewed as a license to increase the volume of rhetoric. Rather astute leaders know there is far more to be gained by surrendering the floor than by dominating it. In this age of instant communication, everyone seems to be in such a rush to communicate what’s on their mind, they fail to realize the value of everything that can be gleaned from the minds of others. Show me a leader who doesn’t recognize the value of listening to others and I’ll show you a train-wreck in the making.

Do you sometimes feel like this, my dear readers, that you want to discuss something, but the people opposite to you simply cannot listen to you? Sometimes, I would love to tell them, “first, learn to listen”!

Listening is indeed the key in effective communication. A person does not have to speak all the time to be the smartest person in the room. Lack of listening may result in frustration, disappointment, and resentment in our relationships. When we listen, we are able to create stronger emotional connections with people.

Many times during my teaching, I’m happy when my students have one or more questions for me – so, I can listen to them first. Active listening promotes mindful thinking, which can reduce anxiety and depression in students. It can also help students build relationships because as they engage themselves in conversation, their peers are more likely to view them as open and interested.

However, every time you use active listening, it gets a little easier. It can help you to navigate through difficult conversations. More than that, it helps improve overall communication, builds a better understanding and ultimately leads to better relationships with family, friends and co-workers too.

Listening is an active process by which we make sense of, assess, and respond to what we hear. The listening process involves five stages: receiving, understanding, evaluating, remembering, and responding. Not only in school or at the workplace. But especially talking about the workplace: Listening helps managers to solicit feedback and proactively find out about problems before they escalate. It’s also the only way for management to get to know people as individuals and ensure that they feel genuinely valued.

Listening and the supreme gift of wisdom belongs together. You can only become a wise person, if you know how to listen. Do you still remember the university lectures in your old student days once upon a time? Anybody can become wise, Proverbs says. Wisdom is not reserved for a brainy elite. Becoming wise requires self-discipline to study and humbly seek wisdom at every opportunity. And allow me to repeat: and, first, learn to listen.