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Developments within the Quezon Memorial Circle will include a new park, which will also serve as flood retention and detention basins during rainy season.

Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte recently disclosed updates on the ongoing development of a new park inside the historical landmark.

Aside from functioning as a green space, the park will also have retention and detention basins that can help minimize flooding in the area.

According to Belmonte, the retention pond will be able to store up to 651 cubic meters of water – equivalent to around 3,255 drums containing 200 liters each – to help alleviate flooding during heavy rainfall.

There is also a separate detention pond with a natural filtration system that can hold up to 282 cubic liters of water, which is equivalent to 1,410 drums.

Belmonte said the detention pond is connected with storage tanks so it can be used to water the landscaped areas at the Quezon Memorial Circle.

The city government been investing in detention and retention facilities as part of its drainage masterplan, which was developed by experts from University of the Philippines Resilience Institute.

A detention basin is also being constructed along G. Araneta Avenue, which is often flooded during heavy rainfall.

‘These are expected to be operational before the rainy season,’ Belmonte said.

The Philippines and the United States (US) are moving to accelerate the implementation and development of the Luzon Economic Corridor (LEC).

Finance Secretary Frederick Go, who also serves as the country’s investment czar, recently met with US Ambassador to Lao People’s Democratic Republic Heather Variava to advance coordination on the implementation of the LEC.

Variava was recently designated as advisor to the Assistant Secretary of State for Economic, Energy and Business Affairs on the LEC.

Go, head of the Philippines in the LEC Steering Committee, welcomed Variava’s designation, noting that it reflects the US’ continued commitment to the initiative.

Variava previously served as chargé d’affaires and deputy chief of mission at the US embassy in Manila.

During the meeting, Go and Variava discussed the upcoming LEC Steering Committee Meeting scheduled next month and the Investors Forum slated for the second half of the year.

Both events support efforts to accelerate priority investments under the LEC.

The upcoming LEC Steering Committee Meeting will convene high-level delegations from the Philippines, the US and Japan to reflect the continued coordination on the initiative.

During this event, there will be a series of meetings with Philippine counterparts, as well as site visits to priority project areas across LEC.

It is expected to accelerate the implementation of priority investments, particularly in infrastructure, energy, logistics and industrial development.

Meanwhile, the Investors Forum is expected to mobilize global capital and link international investors with strategic opportunities in the Philippines.

It is also expected to strengthen the pipeline of bankable projects and strengthen investor confidence in the LEC.

Variava reaffirmed the US’ commitment to sustaining momentum and delivering results through the LEC.

For his part, Go welcomed the continued engagement of partners for the LEC.

‘The LEC continues to gain strong traction, with increasing support from like-minded partners and the private sector,’ he said.

‘We are encouraged by this growing momentum and remain committed to advancing concrete initiatives that will strengthen connectivity, attract high-quality investments and create jobs across the region,’ he said further.

Last year, the US stepped up support for LEC through a $3.8 million technical assistance grant from the US Trade and Development Agency for the Subic-Clark-Manila-Batangas Railway, the LEC’s flagship project.

In the same year, the US also announced a $15 million allocation to catalyze private sector development in the LEC.

Launched in April 2024 by the Philippines, US and Japan, the LEC is an initiative under the G7 Partnership for Global Infrastructure and Investment. It is aimed at enhancing connectivity between Subic Bay, Clark, Manila and Batangas, as well as mobilizing strategic investments and accelerating the development of high-impact infrastructure projects.

The Commission on Human Rights (CHR) has initiated its own investigation into the reported armed encounter that left 19 people dead in Toboso, Negros Occidental last week.

The CHR said its regional office in the Negros Island Region opened the independent probe following reports of violations of the international humanitarian law.

‘The commission notes the inconsistencies in the identities of those dead. While the Armed Forces of the Philippines maintains that the casualties were members of an armed group, other organizations assert that some victims… were civilians engaged in community work,’ the CHR said.

‘Either of the claims requires thorough independent verification. Determination of status, circumstances of engagement and proportionality must be based on verifiable facts and due process. In case of doubt, persons shall be presumed civilians,’ it added.

Among those who were confirmed killed were student leader Alyssa Alano and community journalist RJ Nichole Ledesma.

The Communist Party of the Philippines denied the military’s claim that all 19 casualties were armed rebels, saying only a ‘small squad composed of revolutionary fighters led by Roger ‘Ka Jhong’ Fabillar’ were involved in the encounter.

The CHR stressed that, under the International Humanitarian Law (IHL), indiscriminate attacks are prohibited and civilians are protected unless they directly participate in hostilities.

‘Allegation of unlawful killing or violation of IHL and human rights law require prompt, effective, impartial and independent investigation, and accountability where violation is established,’ the rights body said.

The CHR expressed concern over the displacement of over a hundred families due to the military operations.

‘The commission calls on authorities to ensure adequate humanitarian assistance, protection from further displacement and access to basic services, in line with human rights and humanitarian standards’ the CHR said.

It called on ‘all parties to cooperate fully with the investigation, preserve evidence, ensure unimpeded access to information and sites, and comply strictly with IHL and human rights standards.’

Top seed Alberto “AJ” Lim Jr. pulled off a 7-6 (6), 6-1 victory over No. 2 Eric Jed Olivarez Jr. Sunday night to secure the Philta Men’s Open title at the Rizal Memorial Tennis Center.

Lim received P350,000 and 1,000 ranking points, while Olivarez got P175,000 and 750 points.

“Beyond the win today, I want to thank God, my family, my team, everyone who came to watch. Thank you for the support,” said Lim, who also beat Olivarez in the final of the Philta Men’s Masters Top 8 last February and 2025 PCA Open.

Olivarez put up a strong challenge but eventually fell to the four-time PCA Open champion.

“I’m really grateful because I had a lot of tough matches up to the finals,” said Olivarez, who defeated 2025 Gentry Open champion Arthur Craig “Iggy” Pantino in the quarters and Thailand SEA Games mixed doubles bronze medalist Francis Casey Alcantara in the semis.

“It’s been a long journey, I’m just grateful to be here, it’s not the best of course, I would have wanted to win, still grateful,” added Olivarez, who joined the M15 Singapore World Tennis Tour last week.

Lim and Olivarez also collected P80,000 and 750 points as doubles champions, prevailing over Pantino and Noel Damian, 6-3, 4-6 (11-9), in the Grand Slam-level event supported by Tecnifibre and the Philippine Sports Commission.

Lim, Olivarez, Alcantara and Pantino are members of the team that won the bronze medal in the Southeast Asian Games last year.

Deok Jin Seo won by decision over Henry Anduque to reinforce his position as one of the fastest-rising mainstays of the Universal Reality Combat Champion (URCC) Fight Club at the G Side Night Club in Tomas Morato, Quezon City recently.

Seo is a South Korean fighter who has been a notable figure in the Philippine mix martial arts aside from being involved in grassroots competition.

Quickly enough, Seo proved his mettle against Anduque, a Filipino stalwart, during their main event heavyweight bout. There, the former scored a unanimous decision victory highlighted by tremendous striking and takedowns.

‘Great win. I focused on my counters. I [hope to] challenge one of the country’s heavyweight fighters Sugar ‘The Mammoth’ Estroso,’ Seo said. ‘I will train hard for this.’

The win put the South Korean fighter in a projected confrontation with Sugar Ray ‘The Mammoth’ Estroso for the heavyweight title, according to URCC president Alvin Aguilar, who praised all the fighters for showing enough pride to win.

‘It was a hell of a fight and we’re thankful to all fighters who put up quality performances,’ Aguilar said. ‘We are looking forward to Seo’s potential challenge to Estroso next. It is going to be a classic thrilling matchup.’

Rufino Mante and Albert Patindol also hogged the limelight in the fight event organized by the country’s founding father of Filipino MMA as they came out victorious over their respective opponents in contrasting fashion.

Mante won by a third-round technical knockout win over Arsenio Balisacan in their bantamweight showdown, while Patindol submitted veteran striker Rene Catalan via a kimura in Round Two of their flyweight bout.

Catalan, however, contested the result, claiming he did not tap and is thus calling for a rematch.

Jose Ravinar Austria captured the low gross title and led Lakewood in reclaiming the team competition in the 20th Sta. Lucia Golf Tour (SLGT) at Ba Na Hills and Legend Danang Golf Clubs in Vietnam.

Austria scored 54 points in Ba Na Hills on Friday then 55 at Legends Danang Saturday with Tomas Joson IV also starring for Lakewood with a 102 total to rule Class A.

Overall, Lakewood pooled 542 in the 36-hole tournament, heralding their return to the throne they won in 2024. Orchard, the 2025 winner, was dethroned, settling for second place with 518, 18 ahead of third placer Rancho Palos Verdes.

Also emerging triumphant in the golf tour participated in by the 11 Sta. Lucia golf clubs across the country were Orchard’s Nixon Lee as the overall individual champion with 112, Lakewood’s Jaemar Guiller Ayroso as Class B winner with 108, Lakewood’s Wilson Charles Lim as Class C ruler with 112 and Orchard’s Jose Lim as Class C champ with 98.

Orchard’s Hazel Grecia topped the ladies division with 105, Lakewood’s Oscar Gallo reigned among seniors with 99, Orchard’s Emi Castaneda ruled the super seniors with 101, and Dansker Tonelete of Okada topped the sponsor division with 10

In the pursuit of integrating human-centered Artificial Intelligence (AI) into daily government operations, Cebu City has been selected as one of the first three local government units to undergo the AI Acceleration Program.

Alongside Baguio City and Lanao del Sur, the city is taking part in a 12-week project-based training program.

The program is designed to help government personnel integrate human-centered AI into daily operations, beginning with a session led by Limitless Lab, where employees were introduced to generative AI and prompt engineering.

Guided by the AI in a Box framework, Cebu City’s team will move through phases of learning, building, and testing, culminating in prototypes developed on no-code platforms that directly address community challenges.

This initiative builds on Cebu City’s earlier digital transformation efforts.

In 2024, the city partnered with PLDT Enterprise to adopt Google Cloud Platform and Google Workspace, a move then Mayor Michael Rama described as a milestone in Cebu’s ambition to become a smart city. Those tools were intended to streamline operations, strengthen disaster recovery, and ensure business continuity.

The AI program now extends that foundation, shifting from cloud adoption to applied innovation.

PLDT and Smart have also invested in AI upskilling across their workforce, with workshops led by Microsoft Philippines and Huawei that explored agentic AI, cybersecurity, and digital transformation.

Company executives have emphasized that responsible AI adoption is not only about technology but also about preparing leaders and employees to create value in a rapidly changing environment.

For Cebu City, the implications are significant.

Embedding AI into governance promises faster transactions, more accessible services, and stronger citizen engagement.

By embracing this initiative, Cebu City signals its commitment to building a modern, inclusive, and resilient public service system, positioning itself as a regional model for smart governance.

A cooler Filipino home uses less electricity. A kitchen built around efficient appliances uses less gas and power. A bedroom fitted with the right curtains, the right bedding, and the right fan stays comfortable on a fraction of the load an overworked AC demands. Sustainable living and summer comfort, it turns out, are the same project.

This is the thesis behind SM Home’s Smart Summer Home Edit, first articulated in full at the recent Smart Summer Home Masterclass with interior designer Raiza Poquiz (@studioraizapoquiz), lifestyle creator Rachel Kelly Davis (@haven_hnl), and food personality Geri Lamata (@babasbites).

The products below are the proof – a working toolkit for Filipino households looking to run cooler, lighte and cleaner through peak heat. All are available now at all 78 SM Home branches nationwide and online.

Start with the envelope of the roomEnergy efficiency begins with what keeps heat out-or in. The Cashmere Full Blackout Curtain (P1,599) blocks 100% of light and provides thermal insulation that noticeably reduces indoor temperature through midday and afternoon peaks. The Living Essentials Blackout Curtains (from P1,199) offer the same core benefit in varied sizes, crafted from heavy, durable fabric. For rooms where full blackout feels excessive, the Royal Linen Supreme Sheer Curtain (P599) filters direct sunlight while keeping airflow uninterrupted.

Layer in the Family Home Cooling Blanket (from P2,899) and either the Royal Linen Smart Memory Foam Pillow or the Royal Linen Cool Memory Foam Pillow (both P2,499), and the result is a sleep environment that stays comfortable overnight without the air conditioner running at full tilt.

Cook more with lessThe Filipino kitchen is one of the most energy-intensive rooms in the house – which makes it one of the highest-leverage places to reduce consumption. The appliances below are engineered for efficiency.

The Tefal Home Chef Smart Multi-Cooker (P13,999) delivers up to 80% faster cooking with 17 functions in one unit – replacing multiple appliances and reducing overall energy use per meal. The Midea Retro Digital Blue 20L Microwave (P5,299) prepares meals in seconds while saving energy, and retains more nutrients with up to 10% less fat than frying.

The Hanabishi Inverter Microwave (P4,599) goes further still, with inverter technology that saves up to 10% energy consumption while delivering even defrost across 5 power levels.

The Dowell Induction Cooker with Pot (P3,199) and the Imarflex Built-In Induction Cooker (P8,299) heat quickly and cleanly with thermal fuse protection and energy-efficient operation. The Daewoo Hot Pot with Pan (P4,799) lets families cook more while using less energy in a 2-in-1 design with adjustable heat levels and safe, efficient heating technology.

And for insulation beyond the stove, the Thermos Vacuum Insulated Bottle (P2,499) keeps drinks hot or cold for hours with vacuum insulation – reducing the need to reheat or re-chill throughout the day.

Airflow before airconThe single highest-impact shift any Filipino household can make this summer: reach for airflow before reaching for the compressor.

The Hanabishi Inverter Tower Fan (P5,599) delivers powerful airflow with 150° wide-angle oscillation for full-room cooling comfort-at a fraction of the wattage of air conditioning. The Dowell Circulator Fan (P3,599) and Dowell Circulator Stand Fan (P3,599) are engineered for efficient, full-room circulation. The Daewoo 6-inch Tablefan with Remote (P3,999) keeps workstations and bedside tables cool through the longest afternoons.

For days when a fan alone isn’t enough, the 3D Air Cooler Remote (P5,599) and the Dowell White Air Cooler (P8,299.75) offer energy-efficient alternatives to air conditioning, easing the heat, adding moisture to the room, and keeping spaces comfortably cool all day long without the compressor draw.

The small items that quietly saveSustainability at home is often a story of the least glamorous items. The Lock and Lock Microwave Stainless Steel containers (from P579) enable batch-cooking and reduce food waste-airtight, leak-proof and built for microwave-to-freezer convenience.

The Daewoo 1.5L Lunch Box (P1,999) encourages bringing meals from home rather than ordering in. The Kyowa Juice Extractor (P2,499) brings fresh juicing into the kitchen- an everyday alternative to packaged drinks, with less plastic, less transport, and none of the additives.

Efficiency is the new aspiration

‘We are being deliberate this season,’ says Christopher S. Ang, vice-president for marketing at SM Home. ‘This is not a sale campaign dressed up in green language. This is SM Home putting forward a real proposition: that the most beautiful Filipino summer home is also the most efficient one, and that our job as a home retailer is to carry the products that make that true. The Home Smart direction will continue beyond this summer. The bills aren’t going away. Neither is the heat. We intend to keep helping.’

All featured products are available now across the SM Home network of 78 branches nationwide and online. Customers are invited to Rediscover SM Home-and a cooler, lighter, more efficient way of living through the Filipino summer.

Analysts expect the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) to deliver additional rate hikes in the coming months after kicking off a new tightening cycle, as inflation risks remain elevated and increasingly broad-based.

Citi said the central bank’s 25-basis-point (bp) hike to 4.5 percent is unlikely to be a one-off move, with a follow-up increase already penciled in for the next policy meeting.

‘Following BSP’s 25-bp policy rate hike to 4.5 percent in April, we now add to our base case a follow-up 25-bp hike in June, before pausing,’ Citi said.

The global bank said that risks are tilted toward further tightening beyond June, noting that ‘the balance of risks is higher for an additional 25-bp hike in August, compared to a pause after June.’

Citi said the BSP’s latest move reflects growing concerns over the spillover of supply shocks into broader inflation, particularly as higher energy costs filter through to transport and food prices. The hike was also aimed at preventing a de-anchoring of inflation expectations.

Despite the tightening bias, Citi noted that the BSP is likely to proceed cautiously, emphasizing gradual adjustments to avoid undermining economic growth.

‘We sense that the BSP move was not meant to be a one-off, though there was also an apparent emphasis on gradualism,’ it said, citing signals that the central bank will ‘proceed in steps’ and ‘won’t make very large moves.’

Similarly, ING said the BSP’s rate hike marks the start of a new tightening cycle as it seeks to reassert control over inflation amid rising oil prices and geopolitical risks.

In a report, Deepali Bhargava, ING regional head of research at Asia-Pacific noted that inflation pressures are becoming more entrenched, driven by rising transport costs and fertilizer prices, which are feeding into broader price increases.

With inflation forecasts revised higher to 6.3 percent in 2026 and 4.3 percent in 2027, both above the target range, Bhargava expects further tightening ahead.

‘We now expect an additional 50 bps of hikes in 2026, assuming material de escalation in the US-Iran conflict by the end of second quarter,’ she said, adding that the BSP is likely to move in a ‘front loaded but measured manner.’

‘However, should disruptions persist, and Brent prices remain above $100 per barrel for most of 2026, a deeper and more aggressive hiking cycle would likely follow,’ she said.

For its part, Manulife Investment Management said the central bank’s latest move is a preemptive step to prevent inflation from becoming more persistent.

Jean de Castro, head of fixed income at Manulife Investment, said the rate hike signals tighter financial conditions ahead, with higher borrowing costs and a more cautious credit cycle likely to follow.

‘A single 25-bp hike is unlikely to quickly pull inflation back into target… and BSP indicated that further hikes are part of the calculation with the pace being largely data dependent,’ she said.

She added that market pricing suggests a ‘higher-for-longer rate environment,’ but not an uncontrolled inflation spiral, with bond yields reflecting elevated risks tied to oil price uncertainty.

Taken together, analysts said the BSP’s latest move underscores a clear policy shift toward tightening, even as the central bank seeks to balance inflation control with the need to support economic growth.

The Monetary Board will next meet on June 18 and is widely expected to continue adjusting rates in measured steps, with the path ultimately hinging on how global oil prices evolve and whether second-round effects take hold in the coming months.

Government programs would not be disrupted even if the administration is dealing with the wide-reaching impact of the war in the Middle East, President Marcos gave assurance yesterday.

In a vlog posted on his YouTube and social media accounts, Marcos said efforts to take care of the sick and students, fight crime, support athletes, culture, arts and tourism sectors would continue.

‘Even if our energy crisis is burdensome, the work in government should not stop,’ the President said.

‘Work in all branches of government continues. That’s the way it should be. We will not allow the services provided by the government to be paralyzed, regardless of the problem being faced,’ he added.

The three-minute vlog went on to discuss the nationwide housing program, the first in a series that aims to highlight projects that Marcos said have brought positive change to people’s lives despite the crisis.

According to the video, Marcos launched the Expanded Pambansang Pabahay Para sa Pilipino or 4PH to make decent houses and to give Filipino families hope and dignity. Marcos visited a project site in Pampanga last week to ensure that the beneficiaries have access to safe and quality houses, the vlog added.

The vlog also mentioned the government’s move to lower the socialized housing project’s subsidized interest rate to one to three percent to make housing more affordable to qualified beneficiaries.

In the same video, Marcos vowed to find a way to address the housing backlog and to make housing accessible.

The administration originally sought to construct one million houses annually in six years to address the housing backlog, which has hit 6.5 million. However, the goal was lowered to 3.2 million houses because of procedural issues and the impact of disasters like typhoons.