More news about how the COVID-19 pandemic in the Philippines is being handled by the public and the government.
The latest SWS survey shows that 22.6% of Filipino families experienced involuntary hunger in September 2026, up from 20.3% in June. This figure exceeds the 21.1% average recorded during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020.
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| https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/business/2026/10/14/philippine-hunger-rate-surges-surpasses-pandemic-peak-survey-1355 |
The proportion of Filipino families experiencing involuntary hunger rose to 22.6 percent in September, surpassing levels recorded during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic as self-rated poverty deepened, according to the latest survey from an independent polling agency.
The Social Weather Stations (SWS) said the third-quarter survey represents a 2.3 percentage point increase from 20.3 percent in June. It also tops the 20.2 percent national average recorded in 2025 and exceeds the record-high average of 21.1 percent logged in 2020 during pandemic lockdowns.
According to the survey of 1,500 adults conducted nationwide from September 21 to 27, 16.2 percent of families experienced "moderate hunger"—defined as going without food once or a few times over the preceding three months.
Meanwhile, "severe hunger"—going hungry often or always—rose to 6.4 percent, up nearly two points from 4.5 percent in June.
SWS attributed the overall national surge primarily to sharp spikes in Metro Manila and Luzon.
Hunger in Metro Manila jumped six percentage points to 27 percent, making it the most affected region in the country. In Luzon outside the capital, hunger surged 6.3 points to 23.6 percent.
By contrast, hunger in the central Visayas region dropped 6.3 points to 16.0 percent, while remaining virtually steady in southern Mindanao at 23.7 percent.
The survey showed a concurrent swell in self-rated poverty across the country. Fifty-five percent of Filipino families rated themselves as poor in September, up six points from June, while self-rated food poverty jumped eight points to 44 percent.
Among families self-identifying as poor, total hunger rose to 27.9 percent from 24.5 percent in June. Among those identifying as food-poor, hunger climbed to 33.2 percent from 29.9 percent.
SWS noted that the national increase was driven both by a higher number of families falling into self-rated poverty and deepening hunger within those impoverished groups.
The non-commissioned face-to-face survey carried a national margin of error of plus or minus three percentage points.
Severe hunger also rose sharply to 6.4%, while moderate hunger stood at 16.2%. The increase was driven mainly by higher rates in Metro Manila and the rest of Luzon, highlighting that food insecurity has now surpassed pandemic-era levels.
The Philippine Department of Health and the World Health Organization met to advance negotiations on a global pandemic agreement. Officials focused on the Pathogen Access and Benefit Sharing annex meant to improve future emergency response.
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| https://tribune.net.ph/2026/10/22/doh-who-discuss-pandemic-thrusts |
The Philippines and the World Health Organization (WHO) discussed negotiations on an international pandemic agreement, including provisions on pathogen access and benefit-sharing, as part of efforts to strengthen preparedness for future health emergencies.
Department of Health (DoH) Acting Secretary Edwin Mercado and WHO director general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus met during a dialogue at the WHO Western Pacific Office on Monday, 19 October.
Ghebreyesus described the meeting as fruitful, saying they discussed Philippine investments in pandemic preparedness, among other matters.
“We also discussed the importance of finalising the negotiations on Pathogen Access and Benefit Sharing annex of the Pandemic Agreement,” Ghebreyesus said.
The WHO said the agreement aims to establish a legally binding international framework for pandemic prevention, preparedness and response. Once negotiations are completed, it will be presented to countries for signing and ratification.
The DoH said the dialogue also covered equitable access to medical supplies through regional stockpiles and pooled procurement, as well as stronger regulatory systems.
The officials also discussed strengthening Universal Health Care and national health emergency preparedness, advancing disease control and reaching zero-dose children, improving hypertension, tobacco and mental health programs, and expanding international health partnerships and cooperation.
“This dialogue reaffirms the Philippines’ commitment to building an inclusive and globally aligned health system for every Filipino,” the department said.
They also discussed regional stockpiles, pooled procurement of medical supplies, and stronger national preparedness systems. The talks reaffirmed the country’s commitment to better pandemic readiness and equitable access to health resources.
When the COVID-19 pandemic caused widespread career uncertainty, Anna Magalona-Go revived a coffee business idea she had previously discussed with a friend in 2019. Starting small with just ₱6,000 in capital, she launched the home-based online café "But First, Coffee" to offer affordable, quality drinks.
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| https://tribune.net.ph/2026/10/25/anna-magalona-gos-story-but-first-coffee |
For many people, the day does not truly begin until they have had their first cup of coffee. It is a familiar routine that has also inspired a business name built around the same idea: But First, Coffee. When Anna Magalona-Go launched the business in 2020, she was not trying to build a nationwide coffee brand. She wanted to start a business of her own, something she had dreamed of since childhood. With just P6,000 in capital, she took a chance on an idea that would eventually grow into a brand with 200 branches across the Philippines.
Originally from Bacolod City, Magalona-Go studied Marketing Management at the University of St. La Salle. While she had always wanted to become an entrepreneur, she initially pursued a corporate career after moving to Manila. She worked in an auditing firm, moved into the technology industry, and later joined a fintech company. Each job exposed her to different responsibilities, experiences she would later draw on when managing her own business.
When the pandemic happened, Magalona-Go faced uncertainty about her career. Eventually, she returned to a business idea she had discussed with a friend in 2019. When the opportunity finally came, she decided to move forward, even if it meant starting small.
“I’ll take the risk,” she recalled telling her friend, who was welcome to join whenever they were ready. Their priorities eventually changed, and she continued pursuing the business on her own.
Starting as a home-based online café, But First, Coffee faced the challenge of attracting customers in a market already filled with coffee shops. She saw an opportunity to offer what she felt was missing: Coffee that was both affordable and good quality. Drawing from her own experience as a young professional in Makati, she wanted customers to enjoy good coffee without spending too much.
To stand out, she offered affordable drinks with free delivery, promoted the business across social media platforms, and accepted thinner profit margins to make the introductory offer possible.
With no formal barista training or background in the food and beverage industry, she turned to Google to develop her initial recipes, asking friends and family to taste-test them. As sales grew, her P6,000 capital gradually increased to P8,000, P12,000 and P18,000. She eventually opened a small cart below the apartment where the online business operated, creating opportunities for the brand to expand.
Franchising became the next major step. As more people expressed interest in opening their own But First, Coffee outlets, she recognized the potential to scale beyond what she could manage alone. The business grew from a one-person operation into a company employing nearly 200 people, with around 200 branches nationwide at the time of the interview. Most outlets were franchised, while approximately 30 were company-owned.
But growth also changed the way she had to run the business. What initially relied on instinct, experimentation, and aesthetics needed more structure as the number of outlets increased. She began prioritizing organized teams, standardized processes, automation, and data-driven decisions to make expansion sustainable.
The scale of the business also brought challenges she had not necessarily anticipated, particularly in managing people, coordinating with suppliers and other business partners, and earning respect as a young woman in leadership. She described these experiences as humbling, teaching her to choose her battles and focus on doing what she believes is right.
From P6,000 to a nationwide presence, Magalona-Go’s journey shows that building a business takes more than a good idea. It takes the courage to begin, the resourcefulness to make the most of limited means, and the discipline to adapt as the business grows. For her, it all began with a familiar phrase and a simple idea: But First, Coffee.
Utilizing Google to develop recipes and social media for promotion, she successfully turned the venture into a thriving nationwide brand with roughly 200 branches.
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| https://www.philstar.com/entertainment/2026/10/26/2565652/pandemic-love-story-culminates-union |
Oct. 10, 2026, or 10-10-26, proved to be an auspicious date for Lyle Villarmino and Dresh Santos as they exchanged wedding vows at the Shrine of St. Therese of the Child Jesus. The celebration continued with an elegant reception at the Diplomatic Hall of the Manila Marriott Hotel, Newport World Resorts, where 130 guests gathered to celebrate the couple’s union.
Lyle and Dresh’s love story began during the pandemic, when a mutual friend introduced them. What started as casual conversations on Facebook Messenger gradually blossomed into something more as restrictions eased and they began meeting in person. They became exclusive in September 2020 and officially became a couple on Oct. 10 (10-10) of the same year. Their first proper date followed on Valentine’s Day 2021.
On Feb. 1, 2025, Lyle orchestrated a surprise proposal at Estancia de Lorenzo in Marikina City. He invited both families under the pretext of celebrating his brother’s upcoming birthday on Feb. 6. While Lyle’s sister-in-law, Danica, distracted Dresh by asking her to accompany her to the restroom, Lyle slipped away to prepare for the big moment.
When he finally popped the question, Dresh was thrilled. The proposal was everything she had dreamed of, made even more special by the ring she had always hoped for. It was a heartfelt gesture that reflected how well Lyle knew her and how attentively he listened to her wishes.
For Dresh, one of Lyle’s most endearing qualities is his sense of humor. She also treasures the way he cares for her and makes her family feel equally valued. Lyle, meanwhile, describes Dresh as loving, affectionate and caring. She expresses her love through selfless acts of service and cherishes being close to the people who matter most to her.
Beyond their shared joys, Lyle and Dresh have also found strength in one another through life’s most difficult moments. Both have experienced the loss of a parent: Dresh lost her mother, Hazel Villaflor, a dear friend of mine who passed away two years ago, while Lyle lost his father, Gerrico Villarmino.
Having known Hazel personally, I find it especially touching that Dresh has found in Lyle a partner who understands her grief and gives her the space to heal in her own time. Rather than rushing each other to move on, they learned to respect one another’s individual grieving processes. They offered comfort, a listening ear and a shoulder to cry on, gently encouraging each other to find hope even on the darkest days. They also learned to be patient when grief unexpectedly resurfaced.
In each other, they found not only a life partner but also someone who understood the weight of loss and the importance of allowing love and healing to unfold in their own time.
On her wedding day, Dresh walked down the aisle in a custom-made, fairy-tale-inspired gown by renowned designer Leo Almodal. Adorned with Swarovski crystals and shimmering embellishments, the gown fulfilled her dream of looking and feeling like a princess.
Leo was a particularly meaningful choice for Dresh, as her late mother had chosen him, believing in her heart that her daughter would one day marry Lyle. The gown thus carried with it a touching reminder of the mother whose love remained part of the celebration.
As guests gathered at the foyer of the Diplomatic Hall, they enjoyed an assortment of finger foods and cocktails, along with offerings from Annitta Café and The Cheese Florist. For a memorable take-home gift, guests could choose their own perfume from Florescent PH.
The reception hall offered a spectacular welcome. A canopy of pink and lilac blooms, exquisitely styled by renowned event designer Gideon Hermosa, transformed the venue into a dreamy floral haven. Hydrangeas, pink roses and white orchids adorned the tables, creating an atmosphere of romance and understated grandeur.
The inspiration was Paris at night, a setting that had captured the couple’s hearts during a family trip with Dresh’s family. Drawing on Dresh’s favorite color, purple, Gideon recreated the enchanting mood of the City of Light, complete with the dreamy floral arrangements that have become a signature of his work.
The Manila String Machine provided the evening’s musical accompaniment as host Issa Litton welcomed the guests. Three long, wavy banquet tables accommodated the attendees, setting the stage for an intimate evening of fine dining and heartfelt celebration.
The dinner began with Atlantic Salmon Terzetto, featuring miso-cured salmon, horseradish crème, lumpfish caviar, smoked chives mousse in saffron crepe, salmon tartare, tomato glaze, pumpernickel crumbs, Granny Smith apples and tarragon aioli.
A hearty shrimp bisque with herb cream cheese crumble followed. For the main courses, guests enjoyed oven-baked Australian barramundi fillet served with carrot and potato mousseline, green asparagus and lemon butter sauce. Raspberry sorbet provided a refreshing interlude before the centerpiece dish: pan-fried US tenderloin prepared scampi-style in duck fat, accompanied by scallops, pea purée, layered potato casserole and fresh garden vegetables. Cheesecake brûlée provided a sweet finale to the sumptuous meal.
As dinner was served, guests watched a video presentation chronicling Lyle and Dresh’s journey from childhood to their engagement. Heartfelt tributes followed from the best man, Keil Villarmino, Lyle’s brother; matron of honor Loisel Canada, Dresh’s sister; and maid of honor Daphnie Villaflor, Dresh’s cousin.
The evening was made even more memorable by a special performance from Amiel Sol, a good friend of the groom. He serenaded the newlyweds and their guests with his hit songs Sa Bawat Sandali and Nahanap Kita, adding another romantic touch to the celebration.
It was a beautiful evening celebrating not only the union of two people but also the love, patience and understanding that had brought them to this moment. May Lyle and Dresh’s marriage be filled with enduring love, abundant happiness, and the blessings of a beautiful, healthy, and happy family in the years to come.
Lyle proposed with a carefully planned surprise in February 2025, leading up to their grand Paris-themed wedding celebration at Newport World Resorts. Surrounded by family and friends, the ceremony beautifully honored both their journey together and the memory of Dresh’s late mother.
