Coronavirus Lockdown: Grocery Stores Struggle, COA Affirms Disallowance, and More!

More news about how the COVID-19 pandemic in the Philippines is being handled by the public and the government. 

The Lumpia Queen has taken over the world. Her reign began in 2022 during the pandemic. After her videos went viral she was able to convince her academic advisor to incorporate her content creation as part of her immersion project and turned it into a career. 

https://mb.com.ph/2026/02/28/abi-marquez-on-family-food-and-the-responsibility-of-representing-filipino-flavors-globally

On social media, she reigns as the Lumpia Queen. At just 25, Abi Marquez has transformed her love for Filipino food into a global platform, earning accolades from the Webby Awards, a coveted spot on Forbes 30 Under 30 Asia, and, most recently, Creator of the Year at the Adcolor Awards. She is also a 2025 Gold Stevie winner at the International Business Awards, where she was recognized as Most Innovative Content Creator of the Year.

But beyond the perfectly edited reels and viral recipes, who is Abi? What sparked her journey from filming home-cooked meals to representing Filipino cuisine on the global stage?

In celebration of International Women’s Month, Manila Bulletin Lifestyle sat down with the trailblazing creator for an intimate conversation about her beginnings during the pandemic, the challenges of building a brand from scratch, and the purpose that fuels her work today.

Inside a loving home, where it all began

“I started doing content in January 2022,” she recalls. “We ate rice three times a day at home. One night, I made pasta for dinner and thought, ‘this is special.’” Armed with her phone and curiosity, she uploaded the video. It went viral.

Instead of basking in the numbers, Abi studied them. “As the nerd that I am, I made a formula for it,” she says with a laugh. She repeated what resonated, refining her storytelling while staying rooted in Filipino flavors.

Food, after all, was always central to her life. The second of four children, Abi grew up in a household where meals were sacred. Her father, an engineer turned entrepreneur, encouraged patience and experimentation, even critiquing dishes with gentle suggestions. Her mother, a nurse who chose to raise the family full-time, cooked three meals a day. No one started eating until everyone was at the table. Even today, that rule stands.

The discipline followed her to school. A graduate of Santa Rosa Science and Technology High School, she took up the Accountancy, Business, and Management senior high school track before earning a degree in Hotel, Restaurant, and Institution Management (HRIM) at the University of the Philippines (UP) Diliman. Numbers excite her as much as narratives do. She understands bookkeeping, business models, and audience analytics with equal enthusiasm.

Yet she was never confined to the classroom. Abi joined filmmaking contests, dance competitions, the student government, and even founded the first Honor Society chapter for HRIM students in her college.

From thesis to lifetime career

When content creation began gaining traction during her final semester, she made a bold move. Faced with delays in a traditional internship, she convinced her dean to allow her to turn content creation into her immersion project. She wrote case studies and approached them with academic rigor. From the beginning, she treated it not as a hobby but as a career.

The early days were not glamorous. Without corporate experience, she navigated brand emails by instinct. “I basically pretended to know what I was doing,” she admits. Burnout soon followed. As a one-woman team, she shot, edited, wrote, negotiated, and posted her work. There were Saturdays spent editing instead of sitting at the family table. Those were the moments she cried.

“With the demand that I had with sponsorships and just the workload, it was a very difficult moment for me to catch up with everything, especially the fact that I would miss family occasions,” she shares. “I would miss weekends with my family because of work, which was really a big deal to me.”

Today, she leads a growing team and works with a management team that handles the business side. The challenge now is different. “It’s harder to explain your vision than to just do it yourself,” she says. Still, the improved quality of life affirms her belief that longevity in this industry requires collaboration.

Putting Filipino dishes on the world map

With visibility comes pressure. As one of the few Filipinos representing local cuisine on global platforms, Abi feels a responsibility to be inclusive and informed. “The biggest challenge I face is becoming a responsible, inclusive representative of Filipino cuisine on a global scale.”

Learning, for her, is an active pursuit. She reads, watches, travels, and most importantly, listens. Conversations with fellow Filipinos, whether abroad or in newsrooms, deepen her understanding of the stories behind the food. Each exchange shapes how she presents Filipino flavors to the world.

What’s next for the Lumpia Queen?

A cookbook is in the works, a tangible extension of her digital universe. She hopes to travel more, meet Filipinos overseas, and understand how food connects them to home. This year, she is also going offline, teaching culinary classes at UP Diliman, speaking to students at Ateneo, and organizing kitchen workshops for children in partnership with World Vision.

And yes, she confirms, a restaurant is part of the dream. While many creators expand into products, Abi envisions a space where people can taste her creations firsthand. “It’s more fulfilling for me to share the food that I cook and watch it change someone’s mood,” she says.

For women still searching for their place, her advice is simple. Stick to your story. In a world obsessed with virality and comparison, authenticity remains her secret ingredient. “Your set of experiences is yours alone,” she says. “Block out the noise. Believe you can do anything as long as you put your time and effort into it.”

From a humble pasta video to global recognition, Abi proves that when passion meets purpose, even the simplest dish can open doors to the world.

It's another story of a Filipina succeeding during the pandemic by turning food into money. 

In 2022 Legazpi CIty gave 64.5 million pesos in assistance to various groups. The COA has now disallowed that assistance. 

https://mb.com.ph/2026/02/28/coa-affirms-disallowance-on-p645-m-assistance-given-to-legazpi-city-employees-tricycle-drivers-seniors-in-2022

The Commission on Audit (COA) has affirmed its disallowance on the P38 million cash incentives given to the officials and employees of Legazpi City and the P26.58 million financial assistance (FA) given to tricycle drivers and senior citizens during the tail-end of the Covid-19 pandemic in 2022.

Spouses Carmen Geraldine B. Rosal and Noel E. Rosal, the former mayors of Legazpi City, appealed the COA decisions on the disallowed payments.

They argued that the passage of the ordinances which allowed the welfare and financial assistance cannot connote bad moral judgment or negligence since it was made during the Covid-19 pandemic and the aftermath of several natural calamities.

They also argued good faith behind their actions, and, thus, they should not be held personally liable for money that was already distributed.

But the COA found their arguments without merit.

The COA stressed that Provincial Resolution No. 0384-2023 dated Feb. 7, 2023, issued by the Sangguniang Panlalawigan, declared as invalid and inoperative Ordinance No. 16-0013-2022 and Appropriations Ordinance No. 16-0023-2022 of the city, which granted the EWA and additional incentives.

As a result, the COA said that the grant of the FA to tricycle drivers and senior citizens was in violation of Section 261(v) of the Omnibus Election Code on the prohibition against the release, disbursement, and expenditure of public funds during the 45 days preceding a regular election.

It also said that good faith may not be appreciated in favor of the Rosal spouses, as the grant of EWA was immediately disbursed without the required review by the Sangguniang Panlalawigan. It added that the timing of the grant was also questionable.

"While the grant was incidentally made during the pandemic, it is worth emphasizing that it was made only on Dec. 22, 2022, which was already at the tail-end. Thus, there was hardly any urgency anymore that would justify non-compliance with the above discussed provisions of law," the COA pointed out.

The nine-page decision was signed by Chairperson Gamaliel A. Cordoba and Commissioner Douglas M.N. Mallillin.

The COA says this was actually a sneaky way to get around election laws by doling out cash. It was also done when the pandemic was basically over in December 2022! No word on whether this money will be returned. 

SMX Convention Center continues to recover and expand post-pandemic. 

https://mb.com.ph/2026/03/03/smx-breaks-event-record-expands-capacity-nationwide

SMX Convention Center sets new records in 2025 as demand for business and industry events accelerates nationwide.

SMX Convention Center, the meetings and exhibitions arm of SM Prime Holdings Inc. (SM Prime), reported that it hosted a record number of events and visitors in 2025—giving it greater confidence to continue expanding to serve untapped demand.

In a media briefing, SM Hotels and Convention Corp. (SMHCC) Senior Vice President Walid Wafik said, “we are adding capacity ahead of demand as part of our long-term plan because there are some markets that we didn’t tap on yet because of the limited capacity that we have.”

He noted that, “with sufficient capacity we think MICE [meetings, incentives, conferences, and exhibitions] can be a significant driver of tourism business activities and regional growth for the Philippines.”

“We are scaling capacity in step with demand, while focusing on developments that complement our current portfolio. This allows us to extend growth beyond the capital and strengthen our presence in key provincial markets,” said SMHCC Executive Vice President Peggy Angeles.

In Cebu province, SMX Convention Center Seaside Cebu will soon rise. It is poised to become the largest convention center in the Philippines and is scheduled to open in the fourth quarter of 2026.

In Pasay City, SMXCITE, or SMX Center for International Trade and Exhibitions, is under construction within SM Mall of Asia (MOA) complex. The 18,000-square-meter (sqm) facility is set to open in early 2027 and will be the country’s largest international exhibition venue.

Wafik said that while these facilities have yet to be completed, they have already started receiving bookings for both properties.

“This gives us confidence that the added capacity will attract additional shows and events plus this also gives us a good edge with international events that we have not been tapping or Manila wasn’t being considered because of the limited sizes of the venues. So this is opening great new doors for us,” he added.

SMX said its strong performance last year reinforces its position as a top destination for large-scale events in the country. It currently has eight convention centers and trade halls, three of which are in Metro Manila, including Megatrade Hall at SM Megamall in Mandaluyong City, while the others are in Davao, Bacolod, Clark, Olongapo, and Cebu’s Sky Hall.

Across these properties, SMX booked 1,632 events, up 10 percent from 1,480 in 2024. Booked events during the year were almost evenly divided between Metro Manila and regional venues, reflecting the rising popularity of provincial destinations.

Visitor traffic climbed 38 percent to 8.42 million from 6.1 million, as the expanded lineup of booked events and their strong audience pull translated into higher foot traffic.

“Since the pandemic reopening, we have seen sustained demand not only in Metro Manila but also in key regional destinations. The accessible locations of our venues also encouraged walk-in visitors, particularly for exhibitions and consumer shows open to the public,” said Angeles.

Major events staged at SMX venues in 2025 included flagship trade exhibitions and consumer shows such as Philconstruct, World Food Expo (WOFEX), SiGMA Asia, Manila International Auto Show (MIAS), and TravelTour Expo (TTE), along with bridal fairs and large-scale cosplay conventions.

MICE will certainly be the driving factor in their growth as business meeting and conferences converge on these convention centers. 

Grocery stores are struggling due to weak economic growth. 

https://mb.com.ph/2026/03/02/grocery-stores-struggle-as-filipino-consumers-cut-back-on-spending

Consumer spending in supermarkets at the start of the year remains clouded by uncertainty, as the ongoing political noise and weaker economic growth are prompting Filipinos to spend their money elsewhere, according to the Philippine Amalgamated Supermarket Association Inc. (Pagasa).

Pagasa President Steven Cua said spending in the first quarter will unlikely to rebound from the worse-than-expected holiday period during the latter part of last year, which is typically the highest sales period of any given year.

Cua said members of the supermarket group are still “uncertain” whether sales will gain upward momentum as early as next month.

“The political sentiment is really hurting us. People say that's separate, but bloggers, TikTok, everything on social media, is killing us,” he said in a chance interview last week.

The country’s economic growth expanded by just three percent in the fourth quarter of 2025, the slowest since the pandemic, in the aftermath of the flood control scandal that stalled government spending.

According to the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP), the consumer confidence index worsened to -22.2 percent in the quarter, down from -9.8 percent in the previous three months.

While the corruption scandal continues to affect sentiment, Cua pointed out that consumer confidence is also being weighed down by an even more divisive political climate en route to the 2028 presidential elections.

To recall, Vice President Sara Duterte has announced that she intends to run for the country’s top post in the elections, a move that is seen to dictate the status of her impeachment case.

At the same time, the International Criminal Court (ICC) recently concluded the confirmation of charges against her father, former president Rodrigo Duterte, over alleged crimes against humanity, which is expected to cast a shadow over the country’s political landscape.

To encourage consumer spending, Cua said the country is badly in need of some much-needed “good news.”

“When Manny Pacquiao has a fight, there's no crime, right? What goes up? The sales of alcohol. People want to drink and watch. So those are feel-good things,” he explained.

While supermarkets are reeling from the impact of weaker spending, Cua said this is the opposite for hard discounters who are on an upswing as consumers are now more keen to buy cheaper goods.

Hard discounters Dali and O! Save offers a no-frills shopping experience, selling private-label goods at prices lower than branded counterparts.

“They keep opening, they have the capital. We don't have the capital to burn, that's why we are wait-and-see,” said Cua.

He noted that hard discounters could continue growing at a faster rate this year as household budgets tighten, especially amid increases in oil prices.

If oil and transportation costs continue to take up a larger share of consumers’ wallets, he said shoppers will likely turn to alternative stores such as hard discounters rather than traditional supermarkets.

Amazing that the flood control scandal is now affecting grocery stores! That's the power of corruption. It has wiped out much post-pandemic growth. 

Coronavirus Lockdown: Balloon and Music Festival, Discounted Ticketing, and More!

More news about how the COVID-19 pandemic in the Philippines is being handled by the public and the government. 

Tourism is rebounding in the post-pandemic region of the ASEAN but the Philippines is lagging behind. 

https://globalnation.inquirer.net/309555/ph-lags-asean-in-tourism-rebound

The Philippines is among the slowest to recover in intra-Asean tourism, lagging behind most Southeast Asian neighbors despite a regionwide rebound, according to Asean tourism statistics from 2019 to 2024 by the Asean Statistics Division (ASEANstats).

An analysis by University of the Philippines associate professor and Inquirer data scientist Dr. Rogelio Alicor Panao showed that even before the pandemic, the Philippines trailed far behind regional tourism leaders. In 2019, it logged 526,832 intra-Asean visitors, a modest figure compared with Malaysia’s 17.9 million and Thailand’s 10.8 million.

The pandemic then dealt a deeper blow. Visitor numbers plunged to 7,773 in 2021, one of the steepest contractions in the region.

While Asean travel began recovering in 2022, the Philippines’ rebound remained subdued. Arrivals climbed to 188,205 in 2022 and 484,465 in 2024, still below pre-pandemic levels.

Meanwhile, Malaysia and Thailand had largely regained their 2019 volumes by 2024, while Cambodia and Vietnam doubled their 2022 figures within two years.

“In a region where intra-Asean travel has nearly returned to its pre-pandemic scale—reaching 48.5 million in 2024—the Philippines remains a relative laggard,” Panao said in his analysis.

He said the country’s slower recovery suggests structural constraints, including higher travel costs, weaker regional connectivity and delayed reopening compared with Asean peers.

A wider tourism gap

The pattern mirrors the country’s broader tourism performance

International arrivals to the Philippines remain below pre-pandemic levels even as neighboring destinations surge ahead. Data from the Department of Tourism (DOT) showed the country recorded 5.24 million visitors in the first 11 months of 2025, about 37% below 2019 levels, while Vietnam reached 22 million arrivals, surpassing its pre-COVID performance.

Tourism Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco earlier pointed to a “big disparity” between the Philippines and Asean neighbors, noting the country operates with a much smaller tourism promotion budget than competing destinations.

“While we are operating at only over P3 billion, we are competing with countries that have devoted far more, especially in terms of marketing and promotions,” she said last year.

In a press briefing earlier this month, Frasco said a 93% cut in the DOT’s budget left the department “with only 100 million in branding and marketing in 2025.”

When asked about the cuts, she said, “From 2023, it was 1.3 billion, and that became only 200 million in 2024, and 100 million in 2025. Our competitors outspent us anywhere from three to 10 times more.”

Despite those figures, she said, “Philippine tourism still managed to deliver” through several campaigns.

Infrastructure, costs, connectivity

Longstanding structural issues continue to shape the country’s competitiveness.

Curtis Chin, a senior adviser at the Milken Institute and former US ambassador to the Manila-based Asian Development Bank, said travel in the Philippines often feels “more hassle than fun,” citing congested airports, fragile interisland connectivity and uneven transport infrastructure.

Ease of movement remains a decisive factor in Southeast Asia’s tourism race. Travelers comparing destinations often find Vietnam and Thailand offer “a combination of affordability, convenience and well-established tourism infrastructure,” according to tourism attache Erwin Balane.

The two countries, Balane said, have “highly developed tourism industries with efficient transportation systems, a wide range of accommodations, and clearly organized tour services, making travel easy even for first-time visitors.”

Higher travel costs also weigh on demand. Balane said tour prices in the Philippines have risen since the pandemic due to operating expenses and higher service fees, while infrastructure development has not kept pace.

Recent policy moves also reflect growing attention to travel costs. Lawmakers are pushing to abolish the mandatory travel tax, currently P1,620 for economy passengers and P2,700 for first class, to reduce expenses and stimulate travel activity.

Sen. Francis Pangilinan said lowering the cost of international travel could “stimulate passenger volume, increase spending on transport, accommodation, food and services, and generate positive spillovers across the economy,” while helping position the Philippines as a more accessible and competitive destination.

A separate House measure estimates that removing the tax could lower ticket prices and expand travel demand, with projections showing potential economic gains from increased tourism-related spending.

The proposal—now among the administration’s priority legislative measures—underscores how cost competitiveness remains central to strengthening the country’s tourism recovery and regional positioning. 

Domestic tourism carrying the load

Despite weaker international arrivals, domestic tourism has helped sustain the industry.

Citing the World Travel and Tourism Council’s impact report, Frasco said last year that the Philippines leads Southeast Asia in domestic tourism spending, reaching $63.4 billion in 2024 from more than 134 million trips and accounting for 35.8% of Asean’s total domestic tourism expenditure.

“These figures underscore the love of Filipinos for their own country and their vital role in sustaining local destinations,” she said.

Tourism earnings also remained strong. In 2024, the sector generated more than P760 billion in revenue, even as arrival targets were missed.

Still, analysts say domestic travel alone cannot fully offset the economic impact of slower international arrivals.

External pressures

Beyond structural constraints, external forces—from geopolitics to safety perceptions—have also slowed the Philippines’ tourism recovery.

China, whose tourists once made up the country’s second-largest source of visitors, has sharply declined amid geopolitical tensions and reduced connectivity. Tourism officials said China-Philippines routes are operating at only about 45% of pre-pandemic levels, limiting arrivals from what used to be one of the country’s biggest markets.

Frasco earlier acknowledged the impact of geopolitics on visitor numbers, saying: “Nobody could have anticipated that geopolitics would ultimately affect the arrival of tourists from China, especially since electronic visas for the Chinese market were suspended. This is in stark contrast to the policies of our Asean neighbors, where Chinese visitors either don’t need a visa or can obtain one upon arrival.”

She added: “Originally, we projected that up to 2 million Chinese tourists would arrive, but by the end of 2024, only a little over 300,000 actually came.”

South Korea—the Philippines’ largest tourism market for more than a decade—has also shown signs of weakness. Visitor arrivals dropped due to safety concerns, disasters and changing travel preferences.

Balane, Manila’s tourism attache for South Korea, said natural disruptions played a role, explaining that “successive typhoons as well as earthquakes in Cebu and parts of Mindanao disrupted flights, damaged tourism facilities and altered travel itineraries.”

He said media coverage in South Korea reinforced those concerns, adding it “significantly heightened perceptions of risk.”

Security concerns have further influenced travel decisions. Balane told the Inquirer: “Such incidents have eroded traveler confidence and reinforced the belief that the Philippines is less safe than competing destinations in the region.”

Strong economic role, uneven recovery

Despite lagging international arrivals, tourism remains a major pillar of the Philippine economy.

According to the latest World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC) Economic Impact Report presented during the Asean Tourism Ministers’ Meeting in Cebu, tourism contributed $91.8 billion to the Philippine economy, the highest in Southeast Asia.

The sector accounted for 19.9% of the country’s GDP and supported about 11.22 million jobs, or roughly 23% of national employment.

“These figures clearly show that the Philippines ranks among Asean’s leading tourism economies,” Frasco said, noting that tourism remains “a powerful driver of inclusive growth, job creation, and economic resilience.”

Recent data also show continued strength in tourism revenues, even as the recovery in visitor arrivals remains uneven. The DOT reported that tourism earnings reached P65.3 billion in January 2025 alone, surpassing pre-pandemic levels for the same period in 2019 and marking a 151.46% increase from January 2019.

Still, tourism officials reported 1,167,908 foreign arrivals in the first two months of 2025, indicating steady improvement but also highlighting the slower pace of international visitor recovery compared with regional peers—particularly in intra-Asean travel, where the Philippines continues to trail much of Southeast Asia.

The regional challenge

For Panao, the numbers point to a broader regional challenge rather than a short-term fluctuation.

“The Philippine tourism trajectory suggests that recovery has been slower and structurally constrained, possibly reflecting higher travel costs, weaker regional connectivity, or delayed tourism reopening compared with its Asean peers,” he said.

As intra-Asean travel continues to rebound and regional mobility expands, how the Philippines addresses these structural gaps may determine whether it can narrow the distance with its neighbors in the years ahead.

Even before the pandemic the Philippines was lagging behind in intra-ASEAN tourism. So it's not about the pandemic or about people recovering from the financial trouble. It seems the problem is the Philippines itself.

Around the world the cinema has struggled to crawl back to the large pre-pandemic profits. Why go out when every movie comes out on steaming a month or two later? In the Philippines one movie became a hit after theaters experimented with ticket prices. 

https://deadline.com/2026/02/anne-curtis-viva-films-the-loved-one-discounted-tickets-1236730457/

Irene Emma Villamor’s The Loved One, starring Anne Curtis and Jericho Rosales, has crossed the symbolic PHP100M benchmark at the Philippines box office, making it the first locally produced hit of 2026 and encouraging the Philippine film industry to experiment further with discounted ticket sales.

The romantic drama, produced by Viva Films and Cornerstone Studios, was released nationwide on February 11 and grossed $1.9M (PHP110M) in just nine days. This figure was achieved even though tickets were being sold at discounted rates in the SM Cinemas and Robinsons Movieworld circuits.  

In SM Cinemas, tickets were being sold at $4.70 (PHP275) in Metro Manila and $4 (PHP230) in provincial branches. Robinsons has been offering 45% discounts in select theatres, with some ticket prices as low as $1.70 (PHP99). 

High ticket prices have been cited as a major factor holding back box office recovery in the Philippines, where annual box office is still only around half of pre-pandemic levels. Ticket prices rose substantially after the pandemic, sometimes to around $9 (PHP550) for premium releases, in a territory where the minimum wage in the country is around $12 (PHP700 pesos) per day.

Viva Films’ content aggregation chief Ronald Arguelles described the film’s success as a “triumph of combined marketing elements”. In addition to the lower ticket pricing, the film’s star power, the subject matter and the theme song Multo by Cup Of Joe, currently one of the Philippines’ hottest bands, are all contributing to the film’s success. 

“Multo is currently the most streamed song in the Philippines on Spotify; Filipinos love to see a bittersweet romantic drama on Valentines weekend; and the Gen Z audience identified this as a film for their generation,” Arguelles explained. 

Viva Films CEO Vincent del Rosario further elaborated: “The narrative is tailored to resonate with a Filipino audience, capturing the essence of a generation seeking a poignant romantic drama with characters that reflect their own experiences. Viva’s significant contribution has been instrumental in shaping the film’s potential for success, and Jericho Rosales and Anne Curtis’ involvement is a considerable factor in its anticipated box office performance.”

“The reduced cinema ticket prices also helped make the film more accessible to a wider audience,” del Rosario added. 

Commenting on the film’s subject matter, director Villamor, said: “The audience perceives the narrative and events depicted in the film as remarkably specific and personal, thereby rendering them relatable.”

The story follows a couple’s relationship from the romance of first encounters through to moving in together, then through the impact of real-life problems – jealousy, death of a parent, work-related issues, money, pregnancy and miscarriage – providing a more realistic portrayal of a relationship than the average romantic drama usually delivers. 

The film has also been released internationally in North America, United Arab Emirates and Australia. 

Viva Films is one of the Philippines’ most prolific production outfits, making films for both threatrical and streaming. Last year’s theatrical releases included Mikhail Red’s supernatural horror film Lilim, starring Heaven Paralejo, and Lino Cayetano’s crime drama Salvageland, co-produced with Rein Entertainment, and starring Elijah Canlas and Richard Gomez, which Netflix recently acquired for Southeast Asia.

Of course with the minimum wage being a measly P700 per day poor people have no time to go to the movies even if the price is brought down to P199. 

The Lubao International Balloon and Music Festival  is returning in 2026.  It first returned last year after a five year hiatus due to the pandemic. 

https://www.philstar.com/lifestyle/on-the-radar/2026/02/23/2508858/lubao-international-balloon-and-music-festival-2026-painting-sky-alive-summer/amp/

The Lubao International Balloon and Music Festival makes its highly anticipated return this summer, reaffirming its stance as one of the biggest and most iconic hot air balloon festivals in the Philippines!

Since its debut in 2014, the festival has captivated its thousands of audiences with its unique blend of aviation spectacle, live music and immersive on-ground experience.

After a five-year hiatus due to the pandemic, the festival made its successful return in the skies of Lubao last April 2025.

More than 70,000 people flocked to Pampanga to celebrate its much-awaited comeback. From hot air balloon flights to electrifying performances from your favorite local artists, the festival served it all.

This 2026, it’s keeping the streak and bringing you two days of breathtaking hot air balloon flights, thrilling attractions and an exciting lineup of artist performances you can’t resist.

Happening on March 7-8 at Pradera Verde in Lubao, Pampanga, the Lubao International Balloon and Music Festival is set to be a landmark celebration and a must-attend destination event.

Kicking off the festivities at sunrise, festival-goers can expect a mass ascension of over 25 colorful hot air balloons flown by both local and international pilots. Experience the skies of Lubao with spectacular balloon flights you can hop on right there and then.

Throughout the day, attendees can also enjoy a wide range of activities. Take in the magnificence of Pampanga’s landscape with helicopter and ultralight rides, bask in gastronomic food bazaars and immerse in nature with the crowd favorite outdoor zoo attraction.

Pradera Islands, the newest theme park destination in Pampanga, located within the sparkling grounds of Pradera Verde also welcomes thrill-seekers and families alike for adrenaline-pumping rides, immersive attractions and island-inspired adventures.

At sunset, the festival transforms into a dynamic concert experience, featuring acts from the biggest names in the Philippine music scene, delivering high-energy performances to cap off each day in unforgettable fashion.

This year’s lineup fulfills every OPM fan’s fantasy with musical acts from jikamarie, Illest Morena, Hev Abi, Flow G, Arthur Nery, December Avenue, Dionela, Maki, IV of Spades, Kamikazee and Parokya ni Edgar.

And for the first time ever, former Rivermaya bandmates Rico Blanco and Bamboo will share the same stage. Bamboo is set to perform on the first day (March 7) while Rico’s set takes place on the second day (March 8).

Festival tickets are priced at P500 for General Admission and P1,500 for VIP. To get the most out of Lubao, you can purchase two day passes for P800 for General Admission and P2,500 for VIP.

Get your tickets at all SM Ticket outlets nationwide and/or via online at

The Lubao International Balloon and Music Festival 2026 is organized by BLUE SKIES Hot Air Balloon AdVentures Association Inc. and Forthinker Inc., in partnership with Pradera Verde and Pradera Islands Theme Park, with the support of the Provincial Government of Pampanga.

I searched this blog's archives and found nothing about it returning last year so it must have been overlooked. 

Coronavirus Lockdown: Suspicious Financial Transactions, Divorce, and More!

More news about how the COVID-19 pandemic in the Philippines is being handled by the public and the government. 

During and since the pandemic cyberfraud has "became the leading predicate offenses tied to money laundering in the Philippines." The amount is in the billions. 

https://business.inquirer.net/574022/anti-money-laundering-council-flags-p35b-suspicious-financial-transactions

Various forms of cyberfraud became the leading predicate offenses tied to money laundering in the Philippines during the pandemic and its economic aftermath, underscoring how lockdowns accelerated a broad shift to digital platforms that criminals were quick to exploit.

In its latest evaluation of the country’s exposure to dirty money flows, the Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC) said it had received 1,295,627 suspicious transaction reports (STRs) with a total value of P35.49 billion from 2021 through the first half of 2024.

Of the total, 758,621 STRs or 58.55 percent came from covered entities like banks that flagged cyber-enabled financial crimes, including phishing, vishing (voice phishing), business email compromise and user account hacking.

Swindling ranked second, comprising 24.17 percent of the total volume, while child exploitation activities made up 6.55 percent. Together, the three predicate offenses accounted for the majority of suspicious transaction reports analyzed by the council.

P14-B swindling transactions

By value, however, swindling topped the list, with transactions amounting to P14 billion, or 39.49 percent of the total. Cyberfraud followed with P8.1 billion, representing 22.86 percent, while graft and corrupt practices accounted for P4.1 billion, or 11.68 percent.

The council said year-on-year data showed a sharp increase in both the volume and value of cyberfraud-related STRs between 2021 and 2023, particularly in domestic transactions.

Yet even as the number of reports surged from 2021 to 2022, their total value fell by more than half—a shift that suggested a proliferation of smaller, lower-value transactions.

Cyber threat

A closer look at transaction flows underscored the largely homegrown nature of the cyber threat. The council said 99.88 percent of STRs linked to e-commerce violations were domestic transactions, amounting to 757,705 reports with a combined value of P6.57 billion, or 81.04 percent of the total peso value recorded.

“This points to a strong internal threat landscape,” the AMLC said.

The council’s assessment is intended to provide data-driven insights to help regulators, financial institutions and other stakeholders strengthen antimoney laundering, counterterrorism financing and counterproliferation financing strategies.

This is a depressing state of affairs and this article offers no solutions to the problem. But at least the public knows it's happening. 

A celebrity couple has finally divorced. The wife wanted to do it during the pandemic but was forced to wait. 

https://www.philstar.com/entertainment/2026/02/14/2507955/priscilla-meirelles-confirms-john-estrada-divorce-actors-multiple-affairs

Celebrity couple John Estrada and Priscilla Meirelles are officially no longer married, the Brazilian host-model announced.

Priscilla said as much during her February 13 guesting on "Fast Talk with Boy Abunda," stating her right as a Brazilian national to divorce.

She confirmed returning to Brazil in 2024 to process divorce papers, explaining while she and John married in the Philippines, Priscilla registered their union in her home country after a law was updated.

Divorce is legal in Brazil, in fact, only the Philippines and Vatican City are the only nations where divorce is prohibited.

The host-model admitted attempting to file for annulment, which is allowed in the Philippines; however, the pandemic intervened.

"I don't see myself sharing a life with that person anymore," Priscilla explained, feeling the marriage was no longer valid.

John was not pleased with Priscilla's decision, she revealed, even as she reiterated not being able to see John as a partner and companion in the future.

The former beauty queen listed all the attempts she made to save their marriage, including couple's therapy and going to church, all to no avail.

"My mindset was one thing, his was different," Priscilla continued. "I wanted to save my family, and he was having fun mag-isa."

Boy then asked if a third party was involved and Priscilla laughed as she answered that there was more than individual in the picture.

She acknowledged that John had a "colorful life" and a failed marriage to Janice de Belen, but upon entering a relationship, Priscilla mentioned that John promised to become a different man for her.

That vow in her eyes never materialized and was just one of the many elements why their own marriage never worked, though it did produce a child in Samantha Anechka whom Priscilla said understood the reason for her parents' separation.

"I do believe that John loves me as a person... but what I'm looking for is a partner who respects, loves, considers, and treats me as an equal," Priscilla carried on. "I don't want to just be in a sidecar like a spectator in someone else's life."

Boy and Priscilla also talked about an interview John gave before where he mentioned wanting to "remarry" Priscilla if given the chance, as apparently at the time both were aware of Priscilla's plan to divorce.

The host-model admitted feeling sad hearing that was John's response, but after he reached out she stressed "what's done is done" and instead shifted the focus on co-parenting Anechka, praising John as a good provider.

Priscilla did joke that hopefully John would date someone pretty for Valentine's Day, and as for herself wished she'll end up with a godly man.

But the pandemic has been over for years! It appears this happened a while ago back in 2024. 

It appears China has not been as financially invested in the Philippines since the pandemic as in the past. 

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1269099

Think-tank Stratbase Institute rejected claims made by the Chinese Embassy in Manila that millions of Filipinos would lose their jobs should Philippine-Chinese diplomatic relations sour.

Stratbase, in a Facebook post late Sunday night, said the assertion is not supported by official economic data from the Philippine government.

Per the latest data coming from the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas, foreign direct investment (FDI) inflows from China for the period January to November 2025 amounted to USD3.10 million, or 52.43 percent lower than the USD6.52 million recorded during the same period in 2024. 

The inflows represented only 0.27 percent of total FDI received by the Philippines.

"In 2024, China accounted for just 0.55 percent of total net FDI inflows. This continues a steady downward trend in China’s investment share, which declined from 12.04 percent in 2019 to just over one percent in 2023, before falling further in 2024. The data clearly indicate that China currently plays a relatively minor role in overall FDI inflows to the Philippines," Stratbase said.

The think-tank added China also lags behind other countries in terms of approved but unrealized investment commitments.

Data recently released by the Philippine Statistics Authority showed that in 2025, Chinese investment pledges amounted to PHP10.25 billion, or just 3.76 percent of the total PHP272.58 billion in pledges received by the Philippines.

While Chinese investment commitments surged during the administration of former president Rodrigo R. Duterte, rising from PHP2.33 billion in 2017 to PHP50.69 billion in 2018 and peaking at PHP88.67 billion that represented 22.7 percent of total pledges in 2019, the commitments fell sharply to PHP15.59 billion in 2020 amid the Covid-19 pandemic and global lockdowns.

Since then, Chinese pledges have remained comparatively low. At the same time, Stratbase said the Philippines faces structural vulnerabilities, particularly a widening trade deficit largely driven by imports from China.

"While China is often cited as among the country’s top trading partner(s), the relationship is heavily skewed toward imports. This persistent and expanding imbalance, especially after former President Duterte’s pivot toward Beijing in 2019, heightened dependence on foreign goods, increased exposure to supply chain disruptions and put pressure on the country’s balance of payments," it added.

Taken together, Stratbase said government data showed that China’s contribution to Philippine investment inflows is limited, while trade relations remain structurally imbalanced.

"Claims that diplomatic strain would automatically lead to catastrophic job losses are therefore exaggerated and not supported by empirical evidence," it noted.

Of course this is all swagger from the Chinese government to get the Philippines to remain quiet about the issues in the West Philippine Sea. 

Coronavirus Lockdown: Bring Back Debt to Pre-Pandemic Levels, Don't be Afraid, and More!

More news about how the COVID-19 pandemic in the Philippines is being handled by the public and the government. 

A hydropower project delayed by the pandemic is now back on the table. 

https://business.inquirer.net/572798/p64-b-hydropower-project-to-rise-in-benguet

Filipino-Korean firm Coheco Badeo Corp. is still pursuing its plan to build a P64.3-billion pumped-storage hydropower project in Benguet — a project that was delayed by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Now, the company has requested the Department of Environment and Natural Resources for public scoping for its 500-megawatt Kibungan Badeo pumped-storage hydroelectric power project.

Based on the document submitted to the agency, Coheo Badeo said the proposed facility—which secured a service contract in 2016—would be located in Barangay Badeo, beside the Amburayan River in Kibungan.

It would feature upper and lower dams, an underground powerhouse, an underground pressure shaft and a penstock.

Once up and running, the firm said the project would provide additional electricity to the Luzon grid.

With a storage facility, electricity can be stored and only released to the grid when the demand surges.

“Coheco Badeo Corp. supports the government’s thrust for clean energy and promotion of renewable energy and is aggressively developing a portfolio of hydroelectric power plants,” it said.

“The pumped storage project will provide not only electricity but also a source of water that may be accessed during heavily lean months due to climate change,” the group added.

The company hopes to complete the project by 2031.

The proposed facility was also one of the winners in the government’s green energy auction program (GEAP) round three.

GEAP is an initiative meant to encourage more investments in the renewable energy space by providing fixed rates to emerging clean power sources.

The current administration is targeting to increase the contribution of renewable energy to the power generation mix to 35 percent by 2030 from the current 22 percent. 

This project was contracted back in 2016. Why the decades long delay? What was happening before the pandemic and why wasn't it fast tracked once the pandemic officially ended four years ago?

During the pandemic there was a sharp decline in travel tax revenue. Now the House says it is imperative to review how these funds are being used. 

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/2179022/house-to-look-into-how-travel-tax-funds-are-spent-lawmaker

The House of Representatives is set to review how travel tax collections averaging about P4 billion to P5 billion annually have been spent, amid questions on whether the funds reached areas most in need of tourism development.

House tourism committee vice chair and Palawan Rep. Gil Acosta said lawmakers should examine both pre-pandemic and post-pandemic use of the revenues to determine whether these were properly allocated and resulted in tangible improvements for the tourism industry.

During a press conference, Acosta said the travel tax proceeds are allocated among the Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority, the Commission on Higher Education, and the cultural sector.

He noted a sharp decline in collections from 2020 to 2023 due to pandemic-related travel restrictions, making it more important to reassess how funds were used in earlier years and what impact they had on tourism development.

“These are issues that Congress needs to look into closely,” Acosta said.

While acknowledging efforts by the Department of Tourism, Acosta said government-built tourism facilities remain limited in provinces heavily promoted as major destinations.

In Palawan, which is often cited as one of the country’s premier island destinations, Acosta said there are only two government-built tourism comfort room facilities—one in the north and one in the south of the province.

This gap between Palawan’s global reputation and the actual state of its infrastructure, he said, underscored the need to revisit how travel tax revenues are allocated.

Acosta said the tourism committee plans to take up these concerns as part of broader discussions on whether the decades-old travel tax should be reformed or scrapped.

Several measures are pending before the committee, including House Bill No. 7443 filed by House Majority Leader Ferdinand Alexander “Sandro” Marcos, which seeks to abolish the travel tax imposed under Presidential Decree No. 1183 and related provisions of the Tourism Act of 2009.

Under the bill, the travel tax—currently set at P2,700 for first-class passengers and P1,620 for economy travelers—would be repealed.

Acosta said the levy has become one of the factors driving up the cost of travel in the Philippines, putting the country at a disadvantage compared with its Southeast Asian neighbors.

“Among Asean countries, we’re basically the only one left with an outgoing travel tax,” he said. “It adds to the cost. It may not be the main reason tourism numbers are low, but it is definitely one of the causes.”

The Palawan lawmaker said the policy, introduced in 1977, no longer reflects present-day realities, particularly as travel has become more accessible and, in many cases, work-related rather than a luxury.

He also said high travel costs affect domestic tourism, with airfare abroad sometimes cheaper than flights to local destinations. 

All that money and not enough proper infrastructure to accommodate tourists. The pandemic exposed weaknesses because revenue dried up and forced a closer look at past spending. Could it be another flood scandal all over again?

A Bacolod chef has urged others to follow their dreams.

https://tribune.net.ph/2026/02/06/dont-be-afraid-young-bacolod-chef-urges-fellow-dreamers

Every start of the year, people revisit and redraft their new year’s resolutions, eager to fulfill what they have always dreamt of with a renewed optimism to start anew.

Every year, CJ Jimenez is among those who have kept putting off what’s in their bucket lists — because, as he admitted, he was scared. 

Born and raised in Bacolod, CJ took up Hospitality Management (HM) at University of St. La Salle in Bacolod.

“While HM is into hotels, I’m more inclined towards cooking, culinary,” he shared in an exclusive interview with DAILY TRIBUNE.

“As a hobby, I pursued culinary, just cooking at home, cooking for the family.”

Like many home cooks, CJ’s dream was to open his own restaurant. But because he was scared to start — probably of risks, among other things — he was unable to open his own business until November 2019 — just before the Covid-19 pandemic.

“I’ve been cooking non-professionally since high school… It just kind of blossomed into a business,” he recalled.

Inspired by the Philippines’ colonizers, Spanish, Americans and Japanese, CJ founded the food kiosk brand Vaca Japonesa, Spanish words that literally mean “Japanese Beef.” The Spanish influence is mirrored by chorizos and tapas in the menu; the Japanese comes in the form of Yakiniku; while the American inspiration shines through the steaks and burgers.

Using Wagyu beef from Mindanao, CJ gives traditional Negrense dishes like Kansi and chorizo a premium restaurant flair.

“Because I’ve been afraid that’s why it took a while for me to put up this business. But if I were braver back then, maybe I already have a restaurant, maybe a franchise or a large conglomerate of restaurants,” he fretted.

It’s never too late though for CJ — because his business now has two branches in Bacolod, and from his hometown, his recipes have traveled far and wide and were recently even featured in his very own booth at the recent Negros Fair in SM Aura, Taguig City.

Imagine opening your dream restaurant and then four months later the economy is shut down. He seems to be doing better now though. 

The Philippine Institute for Development Studies said restoring the Philippines’ debt to pre-pandemic levels through continued fiscal consolidation should remain a key policy priority for the government to ensure long-term fiscal sustainability and economic stability.

https://malaya.com.ph/business/think-tank-pids-urges-ph-govt-bring-debt-back-to-pre-pandemic-levels/

A state-funded think tank said restoring the Philippines’ debt to pre-pandemic levels through continued fiscal consolidation should remain a key policy priority for the government to ensure long-term fiscal sustainability and economic stability.

The Philippine Institute for Development Studies (PIDS) made the recommendation in a study, citing the need for a credible medium- to long-term plan to anchor market confidence.

Backing its premise, the paper provided historical data showing the country’s debt-to-GDP ratio climbed to 60.5 percent in 2021 from 39.6 percent in 2019 as the government ramped up spending to cushion the economy from the COVID-19 shock. The surge in borrowing also pushed the budget deficit to 7.5 percent of GDP in 2020 from 3.4 percent in 2019, it said.

By the end of 2022, the debt ratio had risen further to 60.9 percent, slightly breaching the government’s indicative 60 percent ceiling, it said.

As of end-2025, debt-to-GDP stood at 63.2 percent, while the deficit-to-GDP ratio was 5.4 percent in the third quarter of 2025, based on data from the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP).

PIDS economists Margarita Debuque-Gonzales, Charlotte Justine Diokno-Sicat, John Paul Corpus, Robert Hector Palomar, Mark Gerald Ruiz, and Ramona Malira Milar—the study’s authors—stressed, however, that the current debt episode differs materially from the crises of the 1980s.

They noted that today’s liabilities were not triggered by excessive foreign borrowing combined with sharp interest-rate shocks, which previously caused debt servicing costs to spiral.

Instead, the share of foreign-currency debt has been steadily declining, while the government has shifted toward domestic borrowing, longer maturities, and more balanced issuance.

These changes, they said, have reduced structural risks in the public debt portfolio.

The authors also pointed out that pandemic-era debt did not stem from so-called “hidden deficits” tied to failing state-owned firms, unlike in the late 1980s and early 1990s, when losses from public enterprises were eventually absorbed by the national government.

They cited inherited obligations from the Marcos era, including liabilities linked to the former Central Bank, as well as restructuring at institutions such as the Development Bank of the Philippines, the Philippine National Bank, and the National Power Corporation.

Improved finances at government corporations and financial institutions, supported in part by privatization, have since helped ease debt-related vulnerabilities, they added.

While the country’s current debt profile is “less worrisome” than in past crises, the authors cautioned against rushing to restore pre-COVID debt ratios.

They argued that aggressive fiscal tightening could undermine recovery efforts, particularly as the government continues to address pandemic scarring and support economic normalization.

“Given the need to spend to prevent possible scarring from the pandemic and provide the economy with time and room to recover from the pandemic crisis, it may not be feasible to return immediately to pre-COVID-19 debt ratios,” they said.

Instead, they called for a credible medium- to long-term fiscal consolidation framework to guide expectations and reinforce confidence.

“This underscores the need for a sound medium- to long-term fiscal consolidation plan to anchor sentiments,” they added.

However, there is no rush due to the need "to prevent possible scarring from the pandemic and provide the economy with time and room to recover from the pandemic crisis." Essentially it means the negative economic effects of the lockdowns will continue into the foreseeable future.