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NEW DELHI, India — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. presented ASEAN’s priorities on peace, economic growth and regional resilience before world leaders at the 18th BRICS Summit in New Delhi, India.
Representing the Association of Southeast Asian Nations as its 2026 chair, Marcos called for stronger cooperation in addressing challenges confronting developing countries and emerging economies, including geopolitical tensions, economic uncertainty and disruptions to global trade.
He underscored ASEAN’s commitment to dialogue, the peaceful settlement of disputes and adherence to international law, while pushing for a rules-based international order.
Marcos also highlighted priorities such as food and energy security, disaster preparedness, climate action, responsible use of emerging technologies and inclusive economic growth.
The President left Manila on Friday, September 11, for the two-day BRICS Summit scheduled from September 12 to 13. Marcos and his delegation departed Villamor Air Base in Pasay City at around 7:50 p.m. upon the invitation of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
The Philippines was invited to the gathering both as the current ASEAN chair and as an Outreach Country, allowing Marcos to take part in summit discussions despite the Philippines not being a BRICS member.
Before leaving the country, Marcos said his participation would be an opportunity to bring ASEAN’s concerns before major emerging economies and strengthen cooperation with international partners.
The Philippine chairship of ASEAN this year is focused on Peace and Security Anchors, Prosperity Corridors and People Empowerment, covering regional stability, economic opportunities and programs aimed at improving the lives of people across Southeast Asia.
Marcos’ participation in the BRICS Summit also comes as the Philippines seeks to deepen its strategic partnership with India, including cooperation in trade, investment, defense, maritime security and technology. The two countries elevated their ties to a strategic partnership during Marcos’ state visit to India in August 2025.
MANILA — Customers of Maynilad Water Services Inc. and Manila Water Company Inc. will see higher water bills starting October 1 after the Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System (MWSS) approved fourth-quarter rate adjustments for both concessionaires.
The increases are due to the Foreign Currency Differential Adjustment (FCDA), a mechanism reviewed quarterly to account for gains or losses caused by movements in foreign exchange rates.
For Maynilad residential customers, the additional monthly charges will be:
Qualified beneficiaries under the enhanced lifeline program, including members of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps), will be exempt from the adjustment.
Maynilad serves the West Concession Area.
For Manila Water customers, the approved increases are:
Low-income households covered by Manila Water’s enhanced lifeline program will also be exempt from the rate adjustment.
Manila Water serves the East Concession Area.
MWSS Regulatory Office Chief Regulator Patrick Lester Ty said the MWSS Board of Trustees approved the implementation of the new FCDA rates beginning in the fourth quarter of 2026 after validating the concessionaires’ proposals.
The FCDA allows water concessionaires to recover foreign exchange losses or return gains resulting from fluctuations in the value of the peso against foreign currencies.
“It is a corrective mechanism formulated by the MWSS RO to avoid under-recovery or over-recovery caused by forex movements,” Ty said.
The new rates will take effect on October 1, 2026.
MANILA — Moviegoers can watch films for just ₱100 on Saturday, September 12, as cinemas across the Philippines mark the country’s first National Cinema Day.
For one day only, participating cinemas nationwide will offer ₱100 admission for regular 2D screenings, covering local and international movies scheduled that day. More than 100 cinemas are participating in the nationwide event.
National Cinema Day is organized by the Cinema Exhibitors Association of the Philippines (CEAP) together with industry and government partners as an effort to make the big-screen experience more accessible and encourage audiences to return to theaters.
Participating theater groups include SM Cinema, Ayala Malls Cinemas, Robinsons Movieworld, Vista Cinemas, Megaworld Cinemas, Cinema 2000 and CityMall Cinemas, among others. Moviegoers are advised to check their preferred cinema’s official schedule because participating branches, films and screening times may vary.
The nationwide ₱100 rate applies primarily to regular 2D cinemas.
Premium formats such as IMAX, 3D, 4DX, ScreenX, Director’s Club, A-Giant and other specialty screenings are not covered by the standard ₱100 National Cinema Day offer. Some cinema chains, however, are offering their own discounted rates for selected premium formats.
For example, SM Cinema announced ₱100 tickets for regular cinemas, while its Director’s Club screenings are priced at ₱300 and IMAX and ScreenX at ₱500 for the celebration.
The September 12 lineup includes currently screening Filipino and international films, while some cinemas are also bringing selected titles back to the big screen.
Among the films reported for the celebration are “Himala,” “Anak,” “One More Chance,” “Four Sisters and a Wedding,” and “Tanging Yaman,” alongside newer and international releases. Actual titles will depend on the participating cinema and branch.
Moviegoers should check the official website, app, social media page or box office of their preferred cinema for available films, screening schedules and participating branches.
Advance tickets are already available at some cinemas through box offices and authorized online ticketing platforms. Tickets remain subject to theater capacity and are generally available on a first-come, first-served basis.
The inaugural celebration is backed by organizations including the Film Academy of the Philippines, Film Development Council of the Philippines, Movie and Television Review and Classification Board, and the Metro Manila Film Festival through the MMDA.
The initiative comes as the Philippine film industry continues efforts to bring audiences back to cinemas following changes in movie-watching habits in recent years.
For those planning a weekend movie trip, September 12 offers a chance to catch a regular 2D film for ₱100 — but check your chosen cinema first to confirm its participating branch, movie lineup and schedule.
MANILA — Former House Speaker and Leyte Rep. Martin Romualdez is experiencing stress and difficulty sleeping while confined at Cardinal Santos Medical Center, according to one of his attending physicians.
Dr. Rogelio Libarnes said there is also concern that Romualdez could suffer what he described as a “silent stroke” because of the lawmaker’s medical history.
The warning refers to a possible risk and not a confirmed new stroke.
Romualdez has a history of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular conditions. Previous reports citing his medical records said he has coronary artery disease and cerebrovascular ischemic disease and underwent angioplasty in 2024. Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla also earlier said Romualdez suffered a transient ischemic attack in July 2026.
His medical condition came under scrutiny during a Sandiganbayan hearing on his request to remain confined at Cardinal Santos Medical Center while facing a plunder case.
Doctors who testified before the anti-graft court described Romualdez’s condition as serious but not an emergency. Another attending physician, Dr. Rosalio Torres, said Romualdez has unstable angina with underlying coronary disease and is at high risk of a possible heart attack.
Romualdez was unable to personally attend the September 10 hearing after Cardinal Santos certified that he was medically unfit to travel.
The Sandiganbayan has since transferred custody of Romualdez from the Philippine National Police to the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology. He remains confined at Cardinal Santos pending further orders from the court.
Romualdez has been hospitalized since September 7, the same day the Sandiganbayan issued and authorities served an arrest warrant against him in connection with a P7.4-billion plunder case.
The court has yet to make a final determination on whether his medical condition warrants continued confinement at the private hospital.
MANILA — Ten Filipinos have been named National Artists, receiving the country’s highest recognition for individuals who have made significant contributions to Philippine arts and culture.
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. conferred the honors through Proclamation No. 1414, which he signed on Sept. 1, according to Malacañang. The new National Artists represent eight fields: literature, visual arts, architecture, dance, design, film and broadcast arts, theater, and music.
The new National Artists are:
Nicanor Tiongson — Literature
A scholar, writer and critic known for his extensive work on Philippine theater, film and popular culture. Tiongson also served as an editor of the multi-volume CCP Encyclopedia of Philippine Art.
Gregorio Brillantes — Literature
The acclaimed fiction writer is recognized for his contributions to Philippine literature, particularly through short stories examining Filipino life, faith and society. His recognition was conferred posthumously.
Imelda Cajipe Endaya — Visual Arts
A visual artist whose works span painting, printmaking, installation and mixed media, often addressing women's experiences and social issues. She is also the first woman proclaimed National Artist in the Visual Arts category.
Nunelucio “Nune” Alvarado — Visual Arts
The Negrense social realist artist is known for works portraying sugar workers, rural communities and social conditions in Negros.
Gabriel “Gabby” Formoso — Architecture
Formoso helped shape Philippine modern architecture, with works including major commercial, institutional and hospitality developments. His award was given posthumously.
Rafael “Nonoy” Froilan — Dance
A longtime dancer and choreographer associated with Ballet Philippines, Froilan performed leading roles in major Filipino ballet productions and became one of the prominent figures in Philippine dance.
Maria Beatriz “Patis” Tesoro — Design
Known for promoting Filipino fashion and traditional textiles, Tesoro has championed the terno, barong Tagalog, piña fabric and other indigenous materials and techniques in her designs.
Armando “Bing” Lao — Film and Broadcast Arts
The late screenwriter, filmmaker and mentor was known for scripts including Serbis, Kinatay and Kubrador and for developing the “Found Story” filmmaking approach. His recognition was conferred posthumously.
Teodoro “Teddy” Hilado — Theater
Hilado was recognized for his work in theatrical lighting design, an area that has rarely been represented among National Artists for Theater. He received the honor posthumously.
Alfredo S. Buenaventura — Music
A composer and conductor whose body of work includes operas, symphonies, concertos, ballets, choral works and other compositions.
Of the 10 honorees, Brillantes, Formoso, Lao and Hilado were recognized posthumously.
The Order of National Artists is the Philippines’ highest national recognition for Filipinos who have made distinct and significant contributions to the development of Philippine arts and letters.
The President confers the recognition upon the recommendation of the Cultural Center of the Philippines and the National Commission for Culture and the Arts.
National Artists receive the title and rank of National Artist, a citation, a Grand Collar and a gold-plated medallion minted by the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas.
Living National Artists are also entitled under current guidelines to a minimum P200,000 cash award, a P50,000 lifetime monthly stipend, medical and hospitalization benefits of up to P750,000 annually, and other privileges.
The latest group is the first new batch of National Artists since 2022.
