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.

De La Salle too strong for UST

By Manila Bulletin Sports

Published Feb 22, 2026 08:08 pm

De La Salle University fended off a late surge by University of Santo Tomas to complete a 25-14, 25-15, 26-24 sweep in the UAAP Season 88 Collegiate Women's Volleyball Tournament Sunday, Feb. 22, at the SM Mall of Asia Arena.

De La Salle University fended off a late surge by University of Santo Tomas to complete a 25-14, 25-15, 26-24 sweep in the UAAP Season 88 Collegiate Women’s Volleyball Tournament Sunday, Feb. 22, at the SM Mall of Asia Arena.

Just when the Lady Spikers appeared headed for a dominant straight-sets victory after building a 19-14 lead in the third set, the Golden Tigresses clawed their way back in front of 15,222 fans inside the Pasay City venue.

Angge Poyos and Xyza Gula fueled an 8-3 run to knot the score at 22-all before a Shane Reterta attack error gave UST a 23-22 edge.

Gula then pushed the Golden Tigresses to set point with a spike that grazed the fingers of Mikee Santos for a 24-22 advantage, but she misfired on the next play to hand La Salle a lifeline.

Shevana Laput eventually willed the Lady Spikers to victory, denying Gula in two straight sequences to seize match point at 25-24 before sealing the win with a deft drop shot to cap the 87-minute contest.

“Napaghandaan lang namin yung UST. Kumbaga, yung game plan ni coach na sinabi sa kanila, nasunod lang. So yun, ginusto nilang manalo. Ayun, nag-extend na naman yung third set. Kaya lang talagang ginusto manalo ng mga bata. So ayun yung resulta. Talagang kailangan nilang maghirap talaga,” said Lady Spikers assistant coach Noel Orcullo.

La Salle improved to 2-0, joining National University (3-0) and University of the Philippines (2-0) atop the standings.

Laput, the Lady Spikers’ captain, poured in 21 points built on 17 attacks and four blocks, while Angel Canino added 13 markers on nine spikes, three blocks, and an ace.

“Of course, we wanted to win all our games in three sets, and we knew that we have the capability to finish the set at 25 points, but we extended it. We just had to show the Lasallian puso. This is very much a team effort right now even though I got 21 points,” said Laput, who scored 10 points in the pivotal third set.

Reterta chipped in seven points to go with seven digs and six receptions, while Amie Provido contributed seven points on three attacks, three aces, and a block.

The Lady Spikers kept their errors to just 12 and dominated in spiking (39-33), blocking (11-5), and service aces (6-3).

La Salle and UP will break their tie in the standings on Wednesday with a 3 p.m. showdown at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

The Golden Tigresses dropped to 0-2. The last time UST opened a campaign with two straight losses was in Season 79 (2017).

Poyos was the lone UST player in double figures with 16 points on 13 attacks, two blocks, and an ace, while Regina Jurado added seven markers.

UST will look to secure its first win on Wednesday against fellow winless squad Ateneo de Manila University.

SSS record net income: Boon to workers, retirees

By Manila Bulletin

Published Feb 23, 2026 12:02 am | Updated Feb 22, 2026 02:51 pm

Social Security System (SSS) members and pensioners received good news last week. As the state-run pension fund recorded a sharp hike in net income to ₱143 billion — and its reserve fund also hit the ₱1-trillion mark for the first time in the state insurer’s history — SSS President and CEO Robert Joseph Montes announced that the ten percent yearly increases for retirement and disability pensions and five percent for survivor pensions that were given starting in 2025 will be implemented through 2027.

This unprecedented three-year boon to workers and retirees mitigates the sluggish GDP growth performance as well as the less than robust outlook for the economy for the next three years.

Aside from granting ₱304.9 billion in pensions and benefits to some 5.7 million members last year, the SSS extended ₱61.1 billion in loans to workers and their families. Moreover, loan access was given to an additional 1.2 members, just as the pension loan program was expanded to include survivor pensioners.

The declaration of record net income and the extending of substantial benefits over a three-year period to members reaffirms the State’s solemn covenant with Filipino workers. Built on solidarity, sustained by contributions and safeguarded by prudent stewardship, the attainment of record income levels and the provision of substantial benefits manifests the that the government’s commitment is guaranteed not just for the present but for future generations.

Social security’s core purpose is to provide social safety nets for millions of workers in the formal and informal sectors. It spells the difference between vulnerability and stability: keeping food on the table, medicines within reach, and grandchildren in school. Maternity and sickness benefits cushion income shocks. These are not abstract concepts, but lifelines integrated into the daily lives of Filipino families.

The attainment of record net income reflects institutional discipline. Prudential fund management brings about strong investment performance. Hence, the fund’s actuarial life is enhanced, thereby assuring members that social insurance is financially sustainable.

Moreover, retirees are sufficiently assured that their pensions are secure and that further improvements in benefits could be expected. Active members could appreciate the value of their sustained contributions. As the country struggles to rein in factors that could lead to inflation surges, the reliability of a pension system shelters members from economic headwinds.

Social security does not only equate with social protection. In a broader sense, it provides quiet economic stimulus, as members’ spending circulates through towns and cities throughout the archipelago. This supports local enterprises, neighborhood groceries, pharmacies and transport services.

As it fortifies its stability, the challenge to the SSS is to build on the momentum by expanding coverage, especially among informal workers and micro-entrepreneurs. By strengthening digital access and service delivery, efficiency of services will be upgraded and benefit extended will be more responsive.

As the SSS takes pride in achieving record earnings, it must rededicate itself to assuring that the lives of members have been uplifted and their secured futures will be sustained for decades to come.

When the Social Security System performs well, it more than pays benefits. It affirms the dignity of labor and honors the promise that those who have worked hard all their lives will not be left behind.

MV Trisha Kerstin 3 death toll reaches 65 with 14 still missing

 

PCG personnel carry one of the four cadavers recovered from the wreck site of the sunken ferry MV Trisha Kirsten 3 off Baluk-Baluk Island in Basilan on Feb. 17, 2026. (Photo: Philippine Coast Guard)

A body was retrieved inside the air-conditioned accommodation area of the sunken ferry MV Trisha Kerstin 3 off Baluk-Baluk Island in Basilan on Sunday, Feb. 22, pushing the death toll to 65 as underwater diving operations continue in search of 14 remaining missing passengers. Read more

PSYCHOLOGY FACTS

 

Ali Nawaz

 

Studied Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) 

1. Being forgetful is a sign of high intelligence.

2. Not arguing or fighting in a relationship represents a lack of interest.

3. People are more honest when they're tired.

4. You have a look-a-like with 7 other people in the world and you probably won't ever meet them.

5. When you're not prepared for a test, your fight or flight kicks in and you feel the need to run.

6. Some people can hear colour, see sound, and taste words (synesthesia)

7. Every 10 years we become a new person and our desires change.

WORLD PEACE AND UNDERSTANDING DAY

 WORLD PEACE AND UNDERSTANDING DAY

Observed every February 23, this day marks the first meeting of Rotary that later led to the formation of Rotary International in Chicago, USA.

It began as a small gathering of businessmen and grew into a global movement promoting humanitarian service, peace, and goodwill. Today, it’s celebrated as part of World Understanding Month every February.

#TheFreeman #Cebu

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Hearts2Hearts releases new single 'Rude!'

By Jonathan Hicap

Published Feb 21, 2026 04:10 pm   

K-pop’s rising stars Hearts2Hearts dropped their new single “Rude!,” their first music release in 2026. 

Hearts2Hearts won seven Rookie of the Year awards last year, establishing themselves as one of the industry’s most promising new acts.

“Rude!” captures the playful spirit of cheeky rule-benders who refuse to be confined by convention.     

While their previous house track “Focus” leaned into a sleek and chic mood, “Rude!” delivers brighter textures and a more dynamic take on the genre, showcasing a new dimension of the group’s evolving sound. 

In the music video for “Rude!,” the members appear as employees at a factory that manufactures social media “likes,” visualized as glowing hearts. When the emergence of a ‘fake heart’ causes the once-radiant ‘Super Heart’ to lose its glow, the members set out to restore it. The imaginative storyline mirrors the song’s vibrant, fearless energy – a reminder that authenticity always wins. 

Hearts2Hearts' "Rude!" (SM Entertainment)

Hearts2Hearts will debut the performance of “Rude!” live at their 2026 Hearts2Hearts Fanmeeting, which will be held on Feb. 21 and 22 at Olympic Hall in Seoul’s Olympic Park. 

The event marks the group’s first fan meeting and is expected to highlight both the song’s addictive appeal and the members’ growing stage presence.     

The comeback also arrives just ahead of a meaningful milestone. Hearts2Hearts will celebrate their first debut anniversary on Feb. 24 before heading overseas to meet global fans. 

They will hold North American showcases in New York on March 19 and Los Angeles on March 22. The US shows will be followed by a fan meeting in Jakarta on March 28, expanding their international momentum as they step confidently into their second year.

All eyes are on Hearts2Hearts as they continue to build their distinct music universe through a diverse range of releases, which include the mysterious and dream-like “The Chase,” the bubbly disco-house “Style” and five-track debut mini album “Focus.”  

Hearts2Hearts (SM Entertainment)

Hearts2Hearts (SM Entertainment)