Your honor

By Fr. Rolando V. De La Rosa, OP

Published Jun 14, 2026 12:05 am | Updated Jun 13, 2026 03:59 pm

THROUGH UNTRUE

During Senate hearings, witnesses respectfully address legislators as “Your Honor.” I often wonder whether our senators are familiar with the Latin saying Honor est in honorante, which means that the source and measure of honor lie in the person who bestows it, not in the one who receives it.

If our government leaders are addressed as “Your Honor,” they should remember that this mark of respect is directed, not to their own person, but to the sacred office entrusted to them by the people. Like everyone else, public officials cannot demand honor as though it were theirs by right. The most they can do is to live in such a way that they deserve it.

The Bible teaches us a radically different understanding of honor. Every human being is inherently honorable because we are created in the image and likeness of God, the source of all honor and dignity. Although sin has disfigured that divine image in us, Christ restored it through His saving grace.

This is affirmed in the Second Reading of today’s Mass: “God proves his love for us in that while we were still sinners Christ died for us. How much more then, since we are now justified by his blood...” (Romans 5:8–9). St. John expresses the same truth in even more moving words: “See what love the Father has bestowed on us that we should be called children of God!” (1 John 3:1).

Indeed, we are inherently honorable because we bear within us the splendor of God's own image. The tragedy is that we often fail to nurture this divine gift, and instead allow sin to disfigure that sacred image. Worse still, we are gradually erasing the very notion of sin from our moral consciousness, replacing it with psychological and legal terms to minimize its destructive power.

The Wall Street Journal once lamented this disturbing reality in one of its editorials: "Nowadays, people no longer talk, think, or worry about sin. But sin is important because it provides a framework for personal behavior. When this framework was dismantled, guilt, personal accountability, and shame vanished as well."

How true! Haven't you noticed how mainstream media and the internet often portray convicted criminals and those accused of heinous offenses as showing little or no visible sign of remorse, sense of accountability or shame? Some are treated almost like celebrities, escorted by a phalanx of security personnel who shield them from reporters and curious onlookers. Others are even granted press conferences where they boldly proclaim, “Don't judge me. Let the court decide whether I am guilty or not.”

To give judicial courts the supreme authority to determine one's guilt is to confuse sin with crime. A crime is adjudicated in a court of law, where a judge or jury renders a verdict based on the evidence presented. Yet it is common knowledge that many guilty individuals are acquitted, not because they are innocent, but because their shrewd lawyers succeed in casting doubt on the evidence or exploiting procedural loopholes.

When sin is reduced to nothing more than a legal offense, moral responsibility is diminished as well. It is no surprise, then, that even those convicted by judicial courts still feign innocence in public, prompting people to ask, “Don't they have a conscience?”

Conscience is not just an internal alarm that sounds when we do wrong. To borrow the image from today's Gospel, conscience is like a shepherd who gently guides his sheep (Matthew 9:36). Conscience directs our actions, intentions, aspirations, and hidden desires to what is true and good. It warns us before we stray and calls us back when we commit sin. It is a trustworthy moral compass when it is continually formed by prayer and obedience to God’s commands, and enlightened by the teachings of the Church.

Conscience safeguards the honor that God Himself has graciously bestowed upon us. But when its voice is repeatedly silenced, we act like wayward sheep, justifying what is wrong and sinful. When that happens, we cease to be truly honorable, even if the whole world continues to address us as “Your Honor.”

All isolated villages in Davao Occidental, Sarangani receive aid

 

RESIDENTS receive food boxes in Barangay E. Alegado, Glan, Sarangani on Saturday. (John Mark Cachuela)

By Keith Bacongco

Published Jun 13, 2026 02:47 pm

DAVAO CITY – Amid challenges to access in earthquake-hit areas, all isolated barangays in the provinces of Davao Occidental and Sarangani have already received relief aid, according to government agencies.

In the first few days after the magnitude-7.8 earthquake struck, relief aid and emergency response were delayed by massive landslides in several barangays in the hinterlands areas of Glan in Sarangani and Jose Abad Santos (JAS) in Davao Occidental.

Intermittent communications due to power outages contributed to the delayed updates on status of the affected areas, particularly in mountainous areas.

Almost a week since the disaster hit, the Department of Social Welfare and Development in Davao (Region 11) and Soccsksargen (Region 12) have carried out initial aid deliveries in cut-off areas.

Local government officials and government responders admitted that they faced difficulties in reaching isolated barangays in the first few days as many roads were damaged by landslides.

In the severely-devastated town of Glan, it took four days before the road was reopened to traffic as portions in Barangay Kapatan crumbled.

But DSWD-12 chief Loreto Cabaya Jr. said on Friday that affected barangays that share boundary with the town of JAS have already received relief aid.

Cabaya said they used helicopters from the Philippine Air Force and Philippine Coast Guard to deliver relief aid to isolated areas. Among the isolated barangays are Congan, Datal Bukay, E. Alegado, Laguimit, New Aklan, and Rio del Pilar.

A situation report from the Sarangani Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO) showed that as of 6 p.m. on June 12, roads leading to at least eight barangays in Glan are still impassable.

Some of them are only accessible through rivers or longer routes passing through some barangays, the PDRRMO said.

The Office of Civil Defense in Region-12 reported that the earthquake has affected about 104, 000 individuals in 118 barangays in the region.

OCD-Davao Region chief Ednar Dayanghirang said that the isolated barangays of Molmol, Quiapo, and San Isidro in JAS have received food packs. Dayanghirang said relief aid was transported using helicopters.

The DSWD-Davao said about 3,400 families from these isolated barangays are expected to receive food packs. The Philippine Air Force has airlifted 2,072 food packs.

JAS Mayor Jason John Joyce admitted that access to the remote barangays is already difficult even before the earthquake struck. The earthquake-induced landslides made access even more difficult.

DSWD-Davao said that the earthquake has affected 61,797 individuals in the region. At least 50,000 of these are in Davao Occidental.

A total of 2,437 houses were damaged, 325 which totally. Many of these damaged houses are in JAS.

The death toll from the earthquake that struck Maasim, Sarangani on June 8 has climbed to 55 in 13 cities and municipalities in Southern Mindanao.

Affected local governments have been placed under a state of calamity as authorities grapple with widespread destruction, disrupted transport links, and thousands of displaced families.

The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) reported Friday, June 12, that 1,120 people were injured and 38 remained missing following the earthquake, which affected 392,806 individuals or 86,135 families in 352 barangays in the Zamboanga Peninsula (Region 9), Davao, Soccsksargen, and the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM).

How Happy Andrada turned Juvenal Sansó's paintings into wearable art

By Jane Kingsu-Cheng

Published Jun 14, 2026 09:38 am

Fashion and art have always influenced each other, but for designer Happy Andrada, her latest collaboration with Fundación Sansó was less about borrowing imagery and more about reinterpreting it. The challenge was to transform Juvenal Sansó's paintings into garments that could be worn, touched, and experienced.

Happy Andrada

Unveiled at Discovery Primea on June 6, the Happy Andrada x Sansó collection draws inspiration from the works of the renowned Filipino artist, whose landscapes, florals, and richly textured compositions have captivated audiences for decades.

The collaboration began with what was meant to be a simple visit. Invited to explore Fundación Sansó, Happy found herself immersed not only in the artist's works but also in the story behind the man himself.

"What started as a simple conversation gradually evolved into a much bigger idea, a solo collaborative exhibition and collection. The moment it was presented to me, I became incredibly excited. Ideas started flowing immediately," Happy tells Manila Bulletin Lifestyle.

As she learned more about Sansó, she discovered unexpected parallels between their creative journeys. Sansó was a printmaker. Happy studied printmaking in London. He worked as a fashion illustrator and collaborated with Cristóbal Balenciaga, whose work she greatly admires. She also began her creative journey as a painter before focusing on fashion.

"Beyond the artworks themselves, it was his creative journey and multidisciplinary practice that truly inspired me," she says. "This is the first time I have directly created a collection inspired by a specific artist and his body of work."

The connection feels particularly fitting given Sansó's own multidisciplinary background. While best known for his paintings of flowers and landscapes, the artist also explored printmaking, textile design, theater design, and costume design throughout his career.

Rather than simply reproducing Sansó's paintings through prints or painted garments, Happy challenged herself to reinterpret his visual language through texture and craftsmanship.

For the collection, she explored airbrushing, felting, embroidery, crochet, beadwork, punch-needle work, borro, weaving, and hand painting. Since she was paying tribute to a painter, she consciously avoided relying solely on paint.

“Areas that felt soft, atmospheric, or fluid were interpreted through color and airbrushing, while elements that carried more depth, energy, or organic movement were translated into sculptural surfaces through felting and other textile techniques,” she explains about her execution.

Among Sansó's extensive body of work, it was his transitional floral paintings that resonated with the designer the most. "There's a quiet shift in energy, the darkness begins to soften, and color starts to emerge," Happy smiles. "The forms feel alive, almost like emotions unfolding into blooms."

The project also became a celebration of Philippine craftsmanship. Happy sourced materials from weaving communities across the country, incorporating piña, abaca, t'nalak, binakol, abel pinilian, yakan weaves, bamboo textiles, and other indigenous materials into the designs. Fabrics and weaves came from Ilocos, Baguio, Cavite, Sulu, Basilan, Palawan, Lake Sebu, and Aklan.

Initial discussions started in 2024, but the project was eventually moved to this year. The delay gave the concept room to develop more naturally—from an eight-piece collection that expanded to 30 looks.

When the Fundación Sansó team saw Happy’s first pieces and placed them beside Sansó's paintings, the designer knew she was on the right track. "That was a real 'aha' moment for me," she recalls. "Seeing that connection made everything click into place and gave me the confidence to move forward."

This collaboration also supports the community. Fundación Sansó continues the late artist's commitment to nurturing future generations through scholarship and grant programs that support emerging artists, curators, and museum workers. A significant portion of the proceeds from the collection will help fund these initiatives.

What began as a visit to Fundación Sansó eventually became a conversation between two artists separated by time but connected by craft. One worked with paint, the other with fabric. In Andrada's hands, Sansó's paintings leave the gallery wall and find another way of being seen.

 

Ateneo men's basketball coach Tab Baldwin (center) is seen with members of the team during a vigil in honor of Rene Baterbonia and Divine Adili. (The GUIDON Facebook)

Families of Baterbonia, Adili demand truth and justice

In separate statements, Sen. Risa Hontiveros and Sen. Pia Cayetano said it is imperative for authorities to provide closure to the families of the athletes who died supposedly during a team-building activity in Dipaculao, Aurora. Read more

Meanwhile, on June 13, the Torreon and Partners Law Firm representing the families of Baterbonia and Adili is demanding accountability and full disclosure on the drowning incident. Read more

In a related development, Efi Baldwin, the estranged wife of Ateneo head coach Tab Baldwin, revealed in a video posted on Saturday, June 13, that she had repeatedly warned the school to keep him away from children. Read more

Do Germans say einzwanzig instead of einundzwanzig?

Germans strictly never drop the "und" from 21. If you swear you heard someone say einzwanzig, your ears aren't deceiving you—but they probably weren't talking about 21.

When a German speaker says eins zwanzig (which sounds identical to einzwanzig in conversation), they are referring to the decimal 1.20. In everyday life, this shorthand pops up constantly in two specific situations: money and measurements. If you buy a pastry at a bakery, the cashier will tell you it costs eins zwanzig (1.20 €). If you ask someone how wide a dining table is, they will reply that it is eins zwanzig (1.20 meters). Occasionally, it is also used for time, as in 1:20, though zwanzig nach eins is much more common.

German builds its numbers from 21 to 99 in reverse order compared to English, linking the ones and the tens with und (and). Twenty-one is always einundzwanzig ("one-and-twenty"). Dropping the connector entirely is not a recognized grammatical variation or regional dialect.

However, acoustic illusions happen during fast, informal speech. When native speakers count quickly or speak in a casual register, the crisp syllables of ein-und-zwan-zig often compress. The d and the u can get swallowed up, leaving something closer to ein'n'zwanzig. A native ear instinctively picks up on that brief, nasal n sound acting as a bridge between the numbers. To a non-native speaker focused on parsing unfamiliar vocabulary at full speed, that split-second linking syllable is easily missed, making the word sound exactly like einzwanzig.

So if the context is a price tag or a tape measure, you heard 1.20. If someone was counting physical objects or stating their age, they definitely squeezed an und in there—they just did it too fast for you to catch.

A collection of euro coins, including the 1 euro and 20 cent coins that make up 'eins zwanzig.' Source: Wikimedia Commons.

No time to lose

By Manila Bulletin Newsroom

Published Jun 13, 2026 12:05 am | Updated Jun 12, 2026 04:50 pm

The magnitude-7.8 earthquake that struck Mindanao early this week is a tragedy that calls for both compassion and reflection. Lives were lost, families were displaced, and homes, businesses, and public infrastructure suffered damage. As affected communities begin the difficult task of recovery, the nation mourns with them and hopes for their swift rebuilding.

In moments like this, it is important to remember that earthquakes are among the few natural disasters humanity cannot predict or prevent. What can be controlled, however, is the degree of preparedness before disaster strikes.

The Philippines sits squarely along the Pacific Ring of Fire, making it highly vulnerable to earthquakes and volcanic eruptions. At the same time, the country lies in the path of powerful typhoons. This combination makes disaster preparedness not merely a policy objective but a national necessity.

The recent earthquake should remind us that seismic risks are not confined to one region. Metro Manila, home to more than 14 million people and the center of much of the country’s economic activity, faces its own long-recognized threat from West Valley Fault.

Experts have repeatedly warned of “The Big One,” a potentially devastating earthquake that could strike National Capital Region (NCR) and nearby provinces. Estimates cited by the World Bank suggest such a disaster could claim as many as 51,500 lives, injure about 114,000 people, and inflict economic losses equivalent to roughly 12 percent of the country’s gross domestic product (GDP). Essential services, transportation networks, schools, hospitals, and businesses could also be severely disrupted.

These figures are not meant to alarm. Rather, they illustrate what is at stake and why investments in disaster resilience cannot be delayed indefinitely.

Preparedness goes beyond emergency drills, evacuation plans, and go-bags. It also means strengthening public infrastructure, retrofitting vulnerable buildings, improving emergency response systems, and ensuring that schools and other public facilities can better withstand powerful earthquakes.

This is why delays in earthquake-resilience projects are particularly concerning.

Five years after the approval of a World Bank-supported project aimed at strengthening earthquake preparedness in Metro Manila, implementation remains behind schedule. The latest World Bank assessment acknowledged recent progress, including advances in school retrofitting and other project activities. Yet the project continues to carry a “moderately unsatisfactory” rating, while a substantial portion of the available financing remains undisbursed.

The World Bank’s latest review noted that implementation has improved but that remaining activities must be accelerated to achieve the project’s objectives. Every delay represents lost time and missed opportunities to reduce risks before disaster strikes.

Had critical resilience measures been completed sooner, more public facilities and communities would already be better protected today. While no project can eliminate the destructive force of a major earthquake, timely implementation can save lives, reduce damage, and speed recovery.

The objective should not be to assign blame. Large-scale infrastructure and disaster-risk reduction projects are often complex undertakings that face technical and administrative challenges. Nevertheless, complexity cannot become an excuse for complacency.

The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), together with other implementing agencies and stakeholders, must continue to fast-track implementation while maintaining transparency, accountability, and quality. More broadly, earthquake preparedness must remain a national priority—not only in Metro Manila but throughout the country.

The tragedy in Mindanao reminds us that natural disasters are not abstract risks discussed only in studies and reports. They affect real communities and real lives. The next major earthquake may come years from now or without warning. What remains within our control is how prepared we choose to be when it does.

Relief yacht enroute to quake-hit areas catches fire

By Philippine News Agency

Published Jun 12, 2026 09:26 pm

Forty-two volunteers were safely rescued after a yacht carrying them and the relief supplies caught fire while on its way to deliver aid to earthquake-hit communities in Southern Mindanao on Friday.

Video footage posted on the official social media page of the Adventists Southern Asia-Pacific Philippines Facebook showed volunteers transferring from the vessel to a smaller boat after heavy smoke was observed coming from the yacht between 11:30 a.m. and 12 noon.

All 42 volunteers on board were safely rescued and bought to Barangay Pangyan in Glan, Sarangani, the hardest-hit province by the magnitude-7.8 earthquake on June 8. No injury or casualty were reported.

In a social media post, the Philippine Coast Guard said it continues to coordinate with local authorities to determine the cause of the incident and assess further assistance required.

Pastor Nildo Mamac, president of the Southern Mindanao Mission, said only about five percent of the relief supplies were recovered.

“Although we have lost supplies and equipment, we are grateful that every volunteer was spared. Material things can be replaced, but lives cannot,” Mamac said in a news article posted on the Seventh-day Adventist Church Southern Asia-Pacific website.

“The safety of our volunteers remains our greatest blessing in this situation,” he added.

The religious group used the vessel, owned by the Adventist-laymen's Services & Industries president, Edsel Lim, to transport the relief supplies, as several major roads remain impassable following the earthquake.

“Despite the loss of much of the relief cargo, church leaders and volunteers remain committed to delivering assistance to affected families and are working to establish alternative logistical arrangements to continue the humanitarian operation,” the group said.

The Office of Civil Defense said the number of deaths being verified due to the strong earthquake has climbed to 47, along with 688 injured, and 31 persons, as of June 11. (PNA)

Rhythm is gonna get us!

By Philip Cu Unjieng

Published Jun 12, 2026 05:54 pm    

The strand of global music labeled as Latin Pop is now firmly part of the mainstream. One only has to look at artists like Shakira and Bad Bunny, who regularly perform at major international sporting events, to see how far the genre has come. Even those who are not avid fans would likely recognize their names, alongside stars such as Camila Cabello, and acknowledge their worldwide popularity.

What many younger listeners may not realize, however, is that Latin Pop was not always embraced this way.

In the 1990s, artists such as Ricky Martin, Enrique Iglesias, and the late Selena were often viewed as rare crossover success stories rather than representatives of a thriving global genre.

Go back even further to the 1980s, and one of the artists who helped lay the groundwork for Latin Pop's mainstream acceptance was Gloria Estefan alongside the Miami Sound Machine.   

Gloria and her husband, Emilio Estefan, charted a path that many others would eventually follow. Through a string of hit records and sustained international success, they helped open doors for future generations of Latin artists.

Their story comes to life in "On Your Feet! The Story of Emilio and Gloria Estefan," presented by Rockwell and 9 Works Theatrical. The musical runs on weekends from July 10 to Aug. 2 at the Proscenium Theater in Rockwell Center, Makati. Featuring many of Gloria Estefan and the Miami Sound Machine's biggest hits, the production promises a lively mix of music, storytelling, and vibrant choreography.

Screenshot

Alternating in the role of Gloria are Molly Langley and Kayla Rivera, both bringing vocal power and stage charisma to the production. Portraying Emilio is Cuban-American actor Jason Canela, who reprises a role he previously played during the Miami premiere of "On Your Feet!" He was also the first actor of Cuban descent to portray Emilio in that production.

Canela's connection to the material goes beyond the stage. Having met Gloria and Emilio Estefan in Miami and counting them among his friends, he brings a unique level of authenticity to the role.

Screenshot

The production is directed by Robbie Guevara, with musical direction by Daniel Bartolome. Nunoy van den Burgh handles choreography, Mio Infante serves as scenographer, and Toma Cayabyab oversees vocal supervision. Supporting cast members include Ayen Laurel as Gloria Fajardo, Pinky Marquez as Consuelo Garcia, and John Joven-Uy as Jose Fajardo.  

Audiences can look forward to beloved hits such as "Rhythm Is Gonna Get You," "Conga," "1-2-3," "Don't Wanna Lose You," and "Get On Your Feet."

For younger theatergoers, the musical offers a chance to discover the artists who helped shape modern pop music. For older audiences, it is likely to spark a wave of nostalgia. Either way, "On Your Feet!" makes for an entertaining theater experience filled with memorable songs, energetic performances, and a fascinating chapter of pop music history.

Months after her passing, Nora Aunor's legacy remains unmatched as another posthumous honor awaits

By Neil Ramos

Published Jun 12, 2026 05:32 pm

At A Glance

• Months after her passing, National Artist Nora Aunor is set to receive another major posthumous honor as the World Class Excellence Japan Awards recognizes her lasting contributions to Philippine cinema and the performing arts.

National Artist Nora Aunor continues to prove that her influence on Philippine entertainment extends far beyond her lifetime.

The late screen legend is set to receive the 2026 World-Class Icon of Philippine Cinema and Performing Arts Award, a posthumous recognition that adds to the growing list of honors celebrating her remarkable contributions to film, television, music, and theater.

The award will be presented during the 10th World Class Excellence Japan Awards on June 18 at The Heritage Hotel Manila, with her son, Ian de Leon, expected to accept the recognition on her behalf.   

For many Filipinos, the honor comes as little surprise.

Long regarded as the "Superstar" of Philippine entertainment, Aunor built one of the most acclaimed careers in the country's cultural history. From her humble beginnings as a singing sensation to becoming one of the most respected actresses of her generation, she carved out a body of work that resonated with audiences across decades.

Her performances in landmark films helped redefine what it meant to be a leading lady in Philippine cinema. Rather than relying solely on glamour, Aunor became known for portraying complex, relatable characters whose struggles reflected the realities faced by ordinary Filipinos.

Even after her death, her work continues to inspire a new generation of actors, filmmakers, and artists.   

Organizers of the World Class Excellence Japan Awards said the recognition honors Aunor's lasting impact on Philippine cinema and the performing arts, as well as the legacy she leaves behind for future generations.

The posthumous honor underscores Aunor's enduring place in Philippine culture. 

Widely regarded as one of the greatest Filipino artists of all time, Aunor's influence extends beyond the screen. Her films continue to be revisited, her performances studied, and her legacy remains a touchstone in discussions about Philippine cinema.

The latest recognition serves as another testament to the lasting impact of an artist whose work continues to resonate with audiences long after her final bow.

Also set to be recognized during the awards ceremony are the late Pilita Corrales, who will receive the 2026 World-Class Queen of Songs Lifetime Achievement Award posthumously, broadcaster Ben Tulfo, lawyer Persida Acosta, Bulacan Gov. Daniel Fernando, businessman and public servant Sam Verzosa, singer Imelda Papin, and actors Rio Locsin, Angel Aquino, and Mon Confiado, among others.

 

Kanlaon emits ash plume; Alert Level 2 stays in effect

Kanlaon Volcano as shown emitting an ash plume on Friday, June 12, 2025.

Kanlaon Volcano emitted an ash plume from its summit crater on Friday morning, June 12, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) reported. Read more