Century Tuna Superbods marks its 20th year with a VIP night

This year's competition highlights the finalists' strengths, stories, and individuality

By John Legaspi

Published Aug 22, 2026 09:19 am

Wellness and fitness have gone beyond the physique. These days, true wellbeing is also centered on mental health, a better quality of life, and purpose. That shift is what Century Tuna Superbods is aiming to highlight as it marks its 20th year.

Anne Curtis with top 40 Superbod finalists (Photo: Century Tuna)

For years, the annual competition has been a movement that spotlights its mission of “wellness for all.” Last Aug. 6 at The Fifth at Rockwell, Century Tuna Superbods presented its roster of fitness enthusiasts whose strength isn’t just shaped by hours in the gym and healthy choices, but also by their life stories.

“We created this space to show that anyone, at any stage of life, can step into their own Superbod Era,” Carlo Endaya, vice president, general manager, and group business head of Century Pacific Food Inc., said. “Physical fitness gets you on stage, but our finalists are proving that true transformation is about leading by example and empowering every Filipino to take charge of their wellness journey.”

This season highlights the rich variety of life experiences among the finalists—bringing together individuals from diverse professions, life stages, abilities, and personal journeys, each of whom carries a unique story of strength. One who captured this story is the brand’s longtime ambassador, Anne Curtis.

“I've had a front-row seat to how this brand and this platform have grown,” the actress said. “What makes Superbods so special is how it brings real human stories to the center stage. Seeing these finalists step up with heart and genuine passion for their health advocacies is truly inspiring for everyone.”

Greg Banzon (Photo: John Legaspi/Manila Bulletin)

KC Montero and Inka Magnaye (Photo: John Legaspi/Manila Bulletin)

Carlo Endaya (Photo: John Legaspi/Manila Bulletin)

Also there to celebrate the launch of Century Tuna Superbods was Century Pacific Food Inc. executive vice president and chief operating officer Greg Banzon. Ambassadors, actress Alice Dixson and Filipino pole vaulter EJ Obiena, offered their support for this year’s finalists through video messages. Hosts KC Montero and Century Tuna Superbods 2024 People's Choice winner Inka Magnaye kept everyone on high spirits throughout the evening.

As the competition nears its grand finals, the stakes have never been higher for the finalists vying to become the ultimate faces of healthy living. Out of the 40 finalists, one male and one female will be named grand winners, each receiving ₱1,000,000, while the runners-up will receive ₱250,000.

9.7% live below poverty line: Does it reflect the true state of Filipinos?

By Manila Bulletin Newsroom

Published Aug 23, 2026 12:05 am | Updated Aug 22, 2026 04:43 pm

The Philippines has reached a milestone that deserves recognition: poverty incidence fell to 9.7 percent in 2025, the lowest on record and the first time the proportion of Filipinos living below the official poverty line has fallen into single digits. It also means the country achieved the Philippine Development Plan's 2028 poverty target ahead of schedule.

The Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) reported that the 2025 figure translates to about 11.08 million Filipinos living below the poverty line, down from 17.54 million in 2023. In two years, approximately 6.46 million people were lifted above the official poverty threshold. The decline is substantial and cannot just be dismissed as pure statistics.

This is an achievement the government and the Filipino people can rightly celebrate.

The improvement also indicates that economic growth, easing inflation and employment conditions, together with social protection, can produce tangible gains in household welfare. It demonstrates the value of policies that expand economic opportunities while protecting vulnerable families from economic shocks.

Yet precisely because the achievement is significant, it warrants a deeper question: Does the 9.7-percent poverty rate fully reflect the poverty that Filipinos actually experience?

This is not an argument against the PSA's statistics. Rather, the issue is whether the yardstick remains sufficiently comprehensive, and whether the poverty threshold itself remains sufficiently representative of what it actually costs to live with dignity in the Philippines.

Economist Edita A. Tan, in her 2017 study, “How We Measure Poverty Underestimates Its Extent and Depth,” published in the Philippine Review of Economics, argued that the official income threshold does not adequately account for nonfood needs and may therefore underestimate both the extent of poverty and the rate at which it is being reduced. She examined evidence involving nutrition, education, and housing and proposed alternative poverty thresholds, with particular attention to housing.

This is another observation worth considering.

A household can rise above an official income threshold and still struggle to pay for adequate food, decent housing, education, healthcare, transportation and other necessities. It can remain one illness, job loss, disaster, or sudden price increase away from financial distress.

For many ordinary Filipinos, this distinction is not academic. A family that can technically meet a statistical threshold but cannot afford nutritious food, secure housing or necessary medical care would hardly regard itself as having escaped poverty.

The country should therefore celebrate the 9.7-percent figure without treating it as the final word on poverty.

The next step should be a serious review of how poverty is measured. Income-based poverty incidence remains indispensable, but it could be complemented by measures of housing adequacy, food security, access to healthcare and education, employment quality, debt vulnerability and exposure to economic shocks.

The objective should not be to make the poverty figure look worse. It should be to make it more truthful.

Reaching single-digit poverty ahead of 2028 is a milestone worthy of national recognition. But the more meaningful victory will come when fewer Filipinos are merely above the poverty line—and more are securely beyond the conditions that make poverty a daily reality.

The country has crossed an important statistical threshold. Now it must ensure that the threshold itself reflects the lives of the people it is meant to measure.

LaLaLa Fest brings Steve Lacy, FLO, Two Door Cinema Club to Manila

By Ian Ureta

Published Aug 22, 2026 02:48 pm

The Southeast Asian music festival held its first Philippine edition on Aug. 21 at the World Trade Center, with Steve Lacy, Two Door Cinema Club, FLO, Dermot Kennedy and Matthew Ifield leading a lineup that also featured some of the Philippines’ current OPM acts.

Presented by Wilbros Live, the Manila edition marked the festival’s first staging in the country.

For Steve Lacy, the festival appearance came as his song “oh yeah?” entered the Billboard Philippines Hot 100 at No. 39. The track is from his latest album, also titled “oh yeah?”  

The American singer, songwriter and producer was among the biggest names on the Manila bill, bringing his alternative R&B sound to a festival lineup that leaned heavily into contemporary and indie music.

British R&B trio FLO also made their Manila appearance as part of their “Therapy At The Club” tour. The group’s Philippine stop served as the opening date of the tour’s Asian leg.

Then there was Two Door Cinema Club, whose appearance gave the festival a dose of indie rock nostalgia. The Northern Irish band arrived in the Philippines during the 15th anniversary year of its debut album, “Tourist History.”

Irish singer-songwriter Dermot Kennedy and Australian artist Matthew Ifield were also part of the international lineup.  

But the Manila edition was not built entirely around foreign acts.

Ben&Ben, Maki, Over October, Dilaw and fitterkarma represented the local scene, while Indonesia’s Isyana Sarasvati, Thailand’s KIKI and South Korea’s HOA added more regional names to the bill.

The festival also featured a separate DJ stage, with OOKAY, Rave Republic, Harry Hayes and Lizzy Wang joining the program.

LaLaLa Fest began in Indonesia and has since expanded its reach across the region. Manila’s inclusion gives the festival another foothold in a country with a notoriously enthusiastic live-music audience.

For its first Philippine outing, the festival chose a lineup that did not stick too closely to one genre—or even one market.

That may be the most interesting thing about LaLaLa Fest’s Manila debut: it was less about fitting everything into one musical box and more about putting different sounds on the same bill and seeing where the audience followed.

Pops Fernandez and the art of staying power

 

By Neil Ramos

Published Aug 22, 2026 12:30 pm

In an industry where last week’s sensation can quickly become this week’s has-been, longevity is not easy.

The question is always there when you enter show business: How long can you last?

And once you have lasted, how do you keep going when there is always someone new waiting to take your place?   

Pops Fernandez has been in Philippine show business for 40 years. 

Four decades in show business is a long time by any measure. Pops has seen trends come and go, watched new stars arrive and, at certain points, stepped away from the spotlight herself.

So what is the secret?

“I really don’t know. Maybe there’s a formula but I don’t know,” she said.  

Pops does have one thing figured out, though. She does not put too much pressure on herself.

“I think the reason I’ve managed to stay this long is I don’t pressure myself. But I’m quite aware of what’s happening and what’s in. I’m aware that there will always be someone new. Those are the realities of the business.”

She has also never been afraid to disappear for a while.

“I just consider myself blessed because sometimes I’d disappear for a while. And when I feel like doing a concert again, I’d resurface and, thank God, tinatanggap pa din ako ng tao.”

She is returning to the stage on Nov. 26 at the Newport Performing Arts Theater for a concert.

The show comes just weeks before her 60th birthday on Dec. 12. It will bring together music, memories and special guests.  

But for all the talk about age and four decades in show business, Pops is not treating the concert like a look back at everything she has done.

She is still very much interested in what happens when she gets onstage.

“Every performance is different. You can be singing the same songs, but it’s never the same. The viewers are different, they react differently.”

And for Pops, one thing remains non-negotiable.

“Lip-syncing is a big no-no for me.”

She wants the performance to be live. She wants to hear the audience and feel their reaction. That is part of what keeps performing interesting for her.

Se is turning 60, but Pops does not sound like someone particularly bothered by the number.

“Age is really just a number. It's how you feel about yourself. It's how you take care of yourself,” she said.

“And I never felt young the way I feel now.”

And that is what makes this stage of her career interesting. Pops is not trying to convince anyone that she is still the same performer she was decades ago.

She has changed. The industry has changed, too, and so has her audience.

But she still loves being onstage.

“I will keep doing it for as long as I can,” she said.

For her upcoming concert, Homer Flores is handling the musical arrangements, while Calvin Neria oversees the creative direction and stage presentation.

The concert is produced through the collaboration of DSL, EchoJham and Nexus Collaboration.

Tickets and inquiries are available through Gretch at 0932 404 9551.  

Asia Rose Simpson makes Top 60 of Miss World Top Model challenge despite broken shoe

By Carissa Alcantara

PH bet Asia Rose Simpson (Instagram)

Despite walking the runway with a broken shoe, Philippine bet Asia Rose Simpson still managed to make it to the Top 60 of the Miss World 2026 Top Model fast-track competition.

During the first round of the challenge in Hai Phong, Vietnam, Asia revealed on social media that she had to finish her runway walk after the ankle strap of one of her 8-inch heels broke just before she went onstage.

“I just finished the fashion show and Top Model, and I had a great time walking the runway. But some behind the scenes for you—right before I went onstage, my ankle strap broke on one of my 8-inch heels!” Asia wrote.  

More than 111 delegates took part in the Top Model challenge, dubbed “The Green World,” which saw the candidates walk the runway at Dragon Ocean Do Son in creations by Vietnamese fashion designers.   

Despite the unexpected shoe mishap, Asia maintained her poise and stage presence, earning a spot among the Top 60 finalists.

The winners of the Top Model challenge will be announced on Aug. 28.  

Asia is hoping to bring home the Philippines’ second Miss World crown, 13 years after Megan Young made history as the country’s first winner.

The 73rd Miss World pageant will hold its grand finale on Sept. 5, 2026, marking the competition’s 75th anniversary.

Most Common Foreign Ethnicities

 

BORN ON A SUNDAY

 

Yes, in astrology and folklore, Sunday is widely considered a very lucky day to be born. Ruled by the Sun, people born on this day are often called "lucky ducks" who possess natural charm, strong vitality, and a bright, magnetic presence.

 
People born on Sunday are ruled by the Sun. They are naturally confident, creative, and charismatic leaders. They love new experiences, shine in social settings, and possess a bold, optimistic energy, though they can sometimes struggle with pride, short tempers, or finishing long projects.

If the sky is dark and it pours cats and dogs like yesterday and some days earlier, I try my very best to beat the blues. The taxi drivers tried to make detours, the flights were delayed or cancelled due bad weather conditions - yes, it seems the whole world is against us! I am pretty sure, each one of us experienced similar times.

I was born on a Sunday - a so-called "Sunday Child". There are sayings that those people will live a life of great success without problems, worries, and trials. Many years ago, someone told me, those born on Sunday are truly shining stars like the sun. They are never satisfied with anything ordinary. They want to shine with a distinguished brilliance amidst other people. These are highly creative individuals who wish to place themselves in the first pale in every domain of life

Well, is that really so?

I remember very difficult, problematic and questionable times in my life. A cheating taxi driver or cancelled flight have been just peanuts if I compare. In those difficult times I almost lost all my strength to get down to work on all problems. Life's path became narrow. Fears grew: it's enough. Really enough!

I started becoming awkward and jerky. I struggled against almost everybody around me. I was reluctant to go against other's good ideas. I felt driven into a corner. People with indifference, arrogance and unqualified comments passed my way. Yes, also here in the Philippines... . Suddenly everything can become a problem and our voices  bellow and our groans are getting louder and louder too.

But hey, I learned something. Admittedly groans can lighten our burden! For even a short moment only, I did feel how my inner life - and inside pressure eased off. A short moment only... Suddenly more trials and problems overwhelmed us and our families and friends: illnesses, death, bankruptcy, "war at the working place", efforts giving us a bad name, destroying the reputation, intrigues... .

"You prepare a banquet for me, where all my enemies can see me", (Psalm 23:5). Really? Amazing! We don't know about more and new spitefulness through my next "enemy on duty" in future.  Actually I also don't want to know it, because negativism blocks life and its future plans.

But I know Psalm 23. I read it, every time, if I am having a problem. Not if I meet again a detouring taxi or, if my flight is delayed.... .

Psalm 23 should be printed in each and every one's heart, mind and soul. Psalm 23 was my confirmation saying... .

+++

You can email me, if you wish: doringklaus@gmail.com, or follow me on Facebook, LinkedIn  or X - Twitter or visit one of my websites www.germanexpatinthephilippines.blogspot.com or www.klausdoringsclassicalmusic.blogspot.com . 

You have found favor with God

By Manila Bulletin Newsroom

Published Aug 22, 2026 12:05 am | Updated Aug 21, 2026 04:27 pm

REFLECTIONS TODAY

The feast of the Queenship of the Blessed Virgin Mary, instituted by Pope Pius XII in 1954, honors Mary not only as the Mother of God but also as our Queen, reigning with Christ in glory. This feast draws inspiration from Scriptures. The book of Revelation speaks of “a woman clothed with the sun, with the moon under her feet, and on her head a crown of twelve stars” (12:1). This image fittingly illustrates Mary, the mother of the Messiah, now gloriously crowned in heaven. In his Letter to the Romans, Paul writes about God’s purpose and predestination, reminding us of Mary’s unique role in salvation history (8:28-30). The Gospel, in turn, points not to a grand lady, but to a humble handmaid of the Lord who obeys his bidding. But because the Lord looks upon her lowliness, people of all ages will call her blessed (Lk 1:48).

Mary’s queenship, as all her other states and privileges, is intimately associated with Jesus. As Jesus’ kingship is marked by his being the Good Shepherd, Mary’s queenship is characterized by maternal care that embraces all her children, especially those in need. She is our advocate, our sweetness, and our hope. She listens to our prayers, comforts us in our sorrows, and leads us to her Son. Just as she interceded for the bride and groom at the wedding feast in Cana, she is present in our lives, interceding for us before her Son, Jesus.

First Reading • Is 9:1-6 [or Ez 43:1-7ab]

The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; upon those who dwelt in the land of gloom a light has shone. You have brought them abundant joy and great rejoicing, as they rejoice before you as at the harvest, as people make merry when dividing spoils. For the yoke that burdened them, the pole on their shoulder, and the rod of their taskmaster you have smashed, as on the day of Midian. For every boot that tramped in battle, every cloak rolled in blood, will be burned as fuel for flames.

For a child is born to us, a son is given us; upon his shoulder dominion rests. They name him Wonder-Counselor, God-Hero, Father-Forever, Prince of Peace. His dominion is vast and forever peaceful, from David’s throne, and over his kingdom, which he confirms and sustains by judgment and justice, both now and forever. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will do this!

Responsorial Psalm • Ps 113 [or 85]

“Blessed be the name of the Lord for ever.” or “Alleluia.”

Gospel • Lk 1:26-38 [or Mt 23:1-12]

The angel Gabriel was sent from God to a town of Galilee called Nazareth, to a virgin betrothed to a man named Joseph, of the house of David, and the virgin’s name was Mary. And coming to her, he said, “Hail, full of grace! The Lord is with you.” But she was greatly troubled at what was said and pondered what sort of greeting this might be. Then the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. Behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall name him Jesus. He will be great and will be called Son of the Most High, and the Lord God will give him the throne of David his father, and he will rule over the house of Jacob forever, and of his Kingdom there will be no end.” But Mary said to the angel, “How can this be, since I have no relations with a man?” And the angel said to her in reply, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. Therefore the child to be born will be called holy, the Son of God. And behold, Elizabeth, your relative, has also conceived a son in her old age, and this is the sixth month for her who was called barren; for nothing will be impossible for God.” Mary said, “Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord. May it be done to me according to your word.” Then the angel departed from her.

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.

Davao pushes air connectivity with Malaysia

 

By Ivy Tejano

Published Aug 21, 2026 12:59 pm | Updated Aug 21, 2026 01:04 pm

Malaysia Tourism Deputy Director General Lee Thai Hung and Davao City Tourism Operations Office Chief Willenito Tormis (center), with two Malaysian delegates, pose for a photo during the Visit Malaysia 2026 Destination Seminar and Travel Mart on Thursday, August 20, at Dusit Thani Residence Davao in Lanang. (Photo via Ivy Tejano / MB)

DAVAO CITY – The Davao City government is pursuing the revival of direct air connectivity with Malaysia to expand international tourism, attract more visitors, and strengthen business ties with neighboring Southeast Asian markets.

Davao City Tourism Operations Office head Willenito Tormis told Manila Bulletin that the city is currently in discussions with Malaysia, Indonesia, Japan, Australia, and other countries to improve international access.

“The city is looking to revive direct flights between Kuala Lumpur and Davao City and establish a possible Manado–Davao route,” Tormis said during the Visit Malaysia 2026 Destination Seminar on Thursday, Aug. 20, at Dusit Thani Residence Davao.  

According to the tourism official, the city has been coordinating with Malaysian counterparts and airline stakeholders about the direct flights. However, no definite timeline has been set for the return of the Kuala Lumpur–Davao route, he added.

“The challenge is showing enough passenger demand in both directions to support a direct route,” Tormis said. “While many Davao residents want to travel to Malaysia, Davao also needs to attract enough Malaysian tourists to make the route viable.”

To increase demand, the city is developing tourism products and promotional activities, including roadshows in Malaysia, festival promotions, and a Davao halal mapping project aimed at making the city more accessible to Muslim travelers.

The initiative was highlighted during Malaysia’s Sales Mission in Davao on the same day, which featured a destination seminar, Malaysia My Second Home, and business‑to‑business meetings with local tourism stakeholders.   

Lee Thai Hung, deputy director general of Malaysia Tourism, said in a separate interview that the Sales Mission is part of ongoing promotional activities in Manila, Davao, and Cebu, held in connection with the Visit Malaysia 2026 campaign.

The event brought 21 Malaysian tourism sellers—from travel agencies, hotels and resorts, medical tourism providers, and the Islamic Tourism Center—to meet with local tourism businesses and build direct business connections between Malaysia and Davao.

Hung said stronger air connectivity between Malaysia and Davao would depend on steady passenger demand from both sides and closer cooperation among tourism stakeholders, travel agencies, and airlines.

“We encourage Philippine tourism businesses to promote Davao’s destinations and travel products in Malaysia, while Malaysian tourism operators seek to promote their destinations to Davao‑based travel agencies,” Hung said.

The Malaysia Tourism official added that business matching is expected to help local travel operators establish direct contact with Malaysian suppliers and develop tour packages without relying heavily on intermediaries.

Malaysia seeks more Filipino tourists  

Hung emphasized that Malaysia is promoting a range of tourism products to Filipino travelers, including family attractions, highland destinations, beaches, food, and religious and cultural tourism.

The Malaysian delegation also highlighted destinations outside Kuala Lumpur, including Genting Highlands and Ipoh, as well as areas offering ecotourism, gastronomy, theme parks, and other leisure activities.

He said tourism operators are also creating experience‑based trips as travelers look for activities beyond sightseeing. One example is coffee tourism, which combines Malaysian coffee culture with food and local experiences.

“Malaysia is also promoting its My Second Home program, which offers qualified foreign participants options for long‑term residence, education, property ownership, and, under certain categories, business activities,” Hung said.

Hung also highlighted Malaysia’s multicultural heritage, influenced by Malay, Chinese, Indian, and other cultures. He said the country is promoting religious and heritage tourism, including halal‑friendly food, historic mosques, churches, and other heritage sites.

The Philippines remained among Malaysia’s top 10 international tourist markets in 2025, according to Hung, who said stronger business engagement and destination promotion could further increase Filipino arrivals.

Hung noted that this Sales Mission follows a previous business‑to‑business session in Davao in May 2023. He added that they plan to continue participating in Philippine travel exhibitions and other industry events to maintain ties with local tourism stakeholders.

This year’s Sales Mission covers Manila, Davao, and Cebu, with Davao serving as one of three key Philippine stops for the Malaysian delegation to promote tourism products and strengthen business ties with local stakeholders.

Hung said the event also comes as the Philippines prepares to take over the Association of Southeast Asian Nations chairmanship, highlighting efforts to boost regional cooperation, tourism exchanges, and economic ties in Southeast Asia.

Tourism officials from Davao and Malaysia said stronger tourism exchanges could boost passenger demand for a future direct Kuala Lumpur–Davao route and create more opportunities for tourism businesses in both markets.

Marcos declares Sept 14 a special non-working day for first BARMM parliamentary polls

By Argyll Cyrus Geducos

Published Aug 21, 2026 09:44 am

At A Glance

• President Marcos declared Sept. 14, 2026, a special non-working day in BARMM to allow residents to vote in the region's first regular parliamentary elections.
• Malacañang said the polls will proceed as scheduled despite the recent ambush of Interim Chief Minister Abdulraof "Sammy Gambar" Macacua.
• The elections have been postponed four times since they were originally scheduled for May 9, 2022.

File photos

President Marcos has declared Sept. 14, 2026, a special non-working day in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) to allow residents to participate in the region’s first regular parliamentary elections.

Proclamation No. 1395, signed on Aug. 18 by Acting Executive Secretary Ralph Recto by authority of the President, said the declaration would give Bangsamoro residents the opportunity to fully exercise their right to vote.

“In order to give the people of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao the opportunity to actively and fully participate in the election and exercise their right to vote, it is but fitting and proper to declare Monday, 14 September 2026, as a special (non-working) day,” the proclamation stated.   

The Sept. 14 polls were set under Republic Act (RA) No. 12317, which further amended the Bangsamoro Organic Law and moved the first regular elections to the second Monday of September 2026.

Malacañang on Monday, Aug. 17,  said the elections would proceed as scheduled despite the attempted ambush of BARMM Interim Chief Minister Abdulraof “Sammy Gambar” Macacua on Aug. 15.

Presidential Communications Office (PCO) Undersecretary and Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said President Marcos wanted the elections to continue as part of the region’s transition toward democratic governance.

“Katulad ng nabanggit natin na mensahe ng Pangulo, hindi po ito (ambush) makakapigil sa anumang balak na magkaroon ng tuloy-tuloy na pagbabago para sa pagkakaroon ng pamahalaang demokratiko sa komunidad ng BARMM (As we have mentioned in the President’s message, this [ambush] will not prevent the continuing changes toward democratic governance in the BARMM community),” she said.   

The Commission on Elections (Comelec) had described the ambush as an isolated incident and maintained that the region remained generally peaceful.

Macacua survived the attempted ambush when gunmen fired assault rifles at his convoy along the national highway in Barangay Bitu, Datu Odin Sinsuat, Maguindanao del Norte, with three vehicles, including his bulletproof Toyota Land Cruiser, hit by gunfire.

Castro said the Philippine National Police (PNP) was continuing its investigation to identify those behind the attack, while President Marcos had ordered government agencies to strengthen security in BARMM and conduct a thorough investigation.

The first BARMM parliamentary elections have been postponed four times, beginning with the original May 9, 2022, schedule, which was moved to May 12, 2025, under RA No. 11593.

The polls were then moved to Oct. 13, 2025, under RA No. 12123, before subsequent legal and redistricting issues led to further delays and eventually the current Sept. 14, 2026, schedule.

The repeated postponements have prolonged the BARMM transition period, which was originally intended to end with the assumption of office of elected regional officials in 2022.