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PAMPANGA, Philippines — Flooding near the San Simon Interchange in Pampanga caused heavy traffic along the North Luzon Expressway, leaving motorists stranded for several hours.
Some motorists reportedly spent up to six hours on the road as vehicles slowly passed through the flooded section of the expressway.
NLEX traffic operations official Robin Ignacio said floodwaters outside the tollway rose and eventually overflowed into portions of NLEX. Flooding began Friday and worsened over the weekend due to continuous rains brought by the southwest monsoon, or habagat.
The northbound traffic queue extended for more than seven kilometers and reached the Candaba area. Southbound congestion, meanwhile, stretched for about five to six kilometers.
NLEX personnel installed sandbags along the affected section and continued pumping out water in an effort to keep the flood level inside the expressway lower than in surrounding areas.
Class 1 vehicles, including cars and other light vehicles, were directed to use the innermost lane. Trucks and buses were allowed to pass through the second lane.
Motorists approaching the flooded section may also exit at San Simon and reenter the expressway through the San Simon Entry to avoid the affected portion.
Ignacio advised the public to postpone nonessential trips. Those who need to travel were urged to prepare for extended delays and bring enough food and drinking water.
MANILA, Philippines — Dasmariñas City Mayor Jennifer “Jenny” Barzaga has won the special election for Cavite’s 4th Congressional District, taking the seat vacated by her expelled son, Francisco “Kiko” Barzaga Jr.
The District Board of Canvassers proclaimed Barzaga at around 3:30AM Sunday after she received 201,893 votes in Saturday’s election.
Barzaga defeated four other candidates, with former Dasmariñas City Vice Mayor Raul Rex Mangubat finishing second and Jacinto Frani Jr. placing third.
The Commission on Elections reported a voter turnout of 57.75%. The district has 447,387 registered voters.
Comelec implemented exclusive early voting from 5AM-7AM for vulnerable sectors. Voting was also extended from the original 3 p.m. closing time to 5 p.m. due to heavy rains.
The special election was held after the House of Representatives expelled the younger Barzaga on June 2 for disorderly behavior and conduct unbecoming of a House member.
MANILA, Philippines — Six landmark Filipino films from 1976 are returning to the big screen as the Film Development Council of the Philippines (FDCP) commemorates the 50th anniversary of the Second Golden Age of Philippine Cinema.
The films will be shown for free during the Philippine Film Industry Month 2026 Tribute Screenings and Film Talkbacks at FDCP Cinematheque Centres nationwide from September 5 to 26.
The lineup includes:
Released during a significant period in Philippine history, the films tackled poverty, war, colonialism, identity, faith and social inequality. Their filmmakers helped establish an era known for socially conscious storytelling and artistic experimentation.
Among the featured works, Brocka’s Insiang made history in 1978 as the first Filipino film selected for the Cannes Directors’ Fortnight. The film portrayed poverty, violence and betrayal in a densely populated Manila community.
Romero’s Ganito Kami Noon… Paano Kayo Ngayon? examined Filipino identity during the final years of Spanish colonial rule. O’Hara’s Tatlong Taong Walang Diyos, meanwhile, followed Filipinos facing difficult personal and moral choices during the Japanese occupation.
Aquino-Kashiwahara’s Minsa’y Isang Gamu-Gamo explored the effects of the American military presence in the Philippines, while De Leon’s Itim and Bernal’s Nunal sa Tubig demonstrated the visual and thematic range of Filipino cinema during the period.
The screenings will be accompanied by talkbacks designed to deepen public understanding of the films and their place in Philippine history.
The commemoration forms part of PFIM 2026, themed “Pelikula: Ginintuang Ikalawa.” The celebration will also feature restored classics, short-film programs, educational activities and events honoring members of the film industry.
Through the tribute screenings, the FDCP aims to introduce the classics to a new generation while recognizing the filmmakers whose work helped shape modern Philippine cinema.
Admission is free. Screening schedules and other details will be announced through the FDCP and its Cinematheque Centres.
The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) has inspected the Aquino Bridge in Tarlac City after a portion of the structure was damaged amid continuous rains and strong river currents.
The DPWH Tarlac 1st District Engineering Office said the decades-old bridge sustained structural damage Friday evening due to rains brought by the southwest monsoon, or habagat, and the strong current of the Tarlac River.
The bridge was closed to vehicular traffic at 11:56 p.m. Friday. DPWH personnel conducted an inspection and structural assessment shortly after midnight Saturday.
Barricades were immediately installed to prevent motorists from entering the damaged section and ensure public safety.
Authorities also imposed traffic restrictions at the Molave Y-junction in Barangay San Isidro, preventing buses, trucks and heavy equipment from proceeding toward the bridge. Access to the area remains open to local residents.
Motorists were advised to take alternative routes, including the Agana Bridge.
The DPWH said it is coordinating with local agencies to manage traffic flow while conducting a detailed assessment and preparing for the immediate repair of the bridge.
KATHMANDU, Nepal — Nearly 3,000 people remained missing Saturday after catastrophic flooding swept through communities along the Nepal-Tibet border, as rescuers continued searching through thick mud and widespread debris.
The confirmed death toll has reached 682, including 675 deaths in Nepal and seven in Tibet, according to the latest figures reported by authorities. Seven other bodies believed to have been carried downstream from Nepal were recovered in India.
In Nepal, 2,426 people remained unaccounted for, while Chinese authorities reported 554 missing in Tibet. The missing include hundreds of foreign nationals, tourists, pilgrims and workers at hydropower projects.
More than 3,700 people have been rescued in Nepal, but search operations remain difficult because of destroyed roads and bridges, mountainous terrain, deep mud and unstable weather conditions.
Rescuers were also working to reach about 100 people believed to be trapped inside a mud-filled tunnel at the Trishuli 3A hydropower project. A specialized rescue team from India arrived to assist in the operation.
The floods struck Wednesday after a glacial collapse unleashed a powerful torrent of water, ice, mud and debris through river valleys in the Himalayan region, according to the United States Geological Survey.
The disaster devastated villages, border facilities and major infrastructure, including the Gyirong border crossing in Tibet. Authorities are monitoring newly formed lakes amid concerns that further flooding could threaten affected communities and rescue teams.
The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies estimated that as many as 93,000 people may have been affected by the disaster.
