BY ALEX ALAGON
THE DAVAO City Council on Tuesday urged Parada Dabawenyo participants on March 28 to participate in the parade on foot and to avoid driving vehicles during the entirety of the parade.
Proponent Councilor J Melchor Quitain Jr. said his proposal highlights the importance of saving fuel amid the ongoing war in the Middle East.
Quitain said the war depleted fuel supply and other oil products in the country, and it would be prudent to save and conserve these resources.
“The insufficiency of gasoline and other oil products has spiked the price/cost thereof over and above normal levels and consequently resulted in the uncontrollable rise of the price of prime commodities almost beyond reach,” Quitain said in a resolution.
He added that the war in the Middle East is threatening to escalate instead, urging the public to
help mitigate the impact of the hardships by limiting the usage of gasoline/diesel/oil until such time the situation improves or goes back to normal.
“Each Dabawenyo can, in his/her own small way, contribute to the mitigation of hardship that the country is confronted with, brought about by the shortage and rising cost of fuel, commodities, and utilities, which includes electricity,” he stressed.
During a sideline interview, Quitain emphasized that restricting the use of vehicles can not diminish the spirit of the Araw ng Davao celebration.
“I think it will not destroy the spirit of Araw ng Davao, it’s important that we are together, even without vehicles, we celebrate,” he said.
“This time, let’s just be thrifty. It’s a good example that whenever we use fuel for our vehicles, we use it for important things like going to work, bringing our children to school, I think the parade we can dispense with using our vehicle,” he added.
Harold Quibete, Parada Dabawenyo organizer, earlier said there are 318 registered contingents during the parade and expecting 20,000-25,000 parading participants.
The city council also called on the Department of Energy to attend the next regular session to discuss the fuel reserves and situational report amid the ongoing fuel price increase.
- Ma-a police handcuff high-value suspect
AUTHORITIES seized more than P7.1 million worth of suspected shabu from a high-value drug suspect following a buy-bust in Purok 28, Barangay Ma-a, Talomo District at around 1 a.m. on Thursday, March 19.
The suspect, identified only by the alias Alex, 47, a resident of Mintal, was arrested in a joint operation of the Ma-a Police Station (PS16), led by PMAJ Philip Dave A. Uddin, and the Davao City Drug Enforcement Unit (CDEU), under PLT Joel D. Lucero Jr.
Recovered from the suspect were two large sachets containing a substance believed to be shabu, according to the report.
The first sachet, used as the buy-bust item, has an estimated standard drug price of P340,000. Further search yielded the second sachet in his possession, which was valued at P6.8 million.
Aside from the illegal drugs, operatives recovered the P50,000 buy-bust money, a mobile phone, a driver’s license, and a gray Yamaha NMAX motorcycle used by the suspect.
Alex is facing a charge for violations of sections 5 and 11 of Republic Act 9165 (Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002). He is currently in the custody of the Ma-a Police Station.
Police authorities also coordinated with the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) XI in the buy-bust operation.
A LIFE-SIZED standee of former President Rodrigo Duterte has become a centerpiece for visitors at his ancestral residence along Taal Road in Central Park Subdivision, Bangkal, before his 81st birthday on March 28.
Supporters, residents, and tourists have begun a steady stream of visits to the iconic home, taking photos with the standee and paying their respects in the lead-up to the former leader’s milestone.
The influx of visitors coincides with the ongoing Araw ng Dabaw festivities, making the Bangkal residence an unofficial stop for those celebrating the city’s founding.
The site holds deep cultural and historical significance for many Dabawenyos.
It serves as the traditional venue for “Pahalipay sa Taal,” the Duterte family’s decades-long Christmas gift-giving tradition that gathers thousands of residents each year in a display of community spirit.
For many visitors, the home remains a landmark of shared heritage and local tradition.
“Supporters and tourists are welcome to visit the area, especially during the Araw ng Dabaw celebrations, as the home continues to stand as a symbol of connection for many in Davao City,” a local resident noted.
As the March 28 birthday approaches—which also coincides with this year’s rescheduled Araw ng Dabaw grand parade—security and city tourism officials expect the number of visitors in the city to increase further.
THE PUBLIC Employment Service Office (PESO) will conduct a special job fair for persons with disabilities (PWDs) and senior citizens on March 27 at Felcris Centrale.
Lilibeth Pantinople, PESO Davao City OIC, said the job fair will accommodate the second batch of PWDs under the city’s special employment program.
The third and 4th batch for senior citizens under the special employment program will also have a job fair on the same day.
“We have a special job fair for them this March 27 at Felcris Centrale, just bring their resume and arrive on or before 8 am for the interview with company partners,” Pantinople announced the development on Thursday during the culmination activity of the first batch of PWDs.
A total of 21 PWDs (deaf and hard of hearing) employed in various Jollibee Food Corporation food chains in the city have concluded their work in March.
Jollibee Foods Corporation includes Chowking, Greenwich, Burger King, and Jollibee. Jollibee Group agreed to extend the job opportunities to the PWD sector.
The PWDs were employed in November 2025 and worked for five months.
She added that these outgoing PWDs can still reapply for the third batch next year.
“We are thankful that they have special employment as it is difficult to market and find a job for them,” she said.
Pantinople said talks are ongoing with other private businesses on expanded partnerships to benefit more PWDs.
The agency is negotiating with SM Malls and Penongs, who have pledged five slots at present.
Councilor Diosdado Angelo Mahipus Jr, proponent of the Special Employment ordinance, said the council is eyeing to expand the opportunity to other PWDs, as it is currently limited to the deaf and difficulty hearing.
“Hopefully in the future, we can expand, especially since the mayor ordered to institutionalize the hiring of PWDs and senior citizens,” Mahipus said.
The city government and Jollibee Group officially signed the memorandum of agreement on Friday, Sept. 11, 2025, formally integrating the senior citizens and persons with disabilities (PWD) workforce.
To note, the first agreement, signed with the Golden Arches Development Corporation (the master franchisee of McDonald’s in the Philippines) on Sept. 9, 2025, pledged to generate at least 110 job openings for senior citizens.
THE CITY Tourism Operations Office (CTOO) announced on Wednesday that it expects over 200,000 visitors to flock to the city for this year’s Araw ng Dabaw celebration, bolstered by the high-profile Ironman 70.3 triathlon.
According to CTOO representative Charlotte Parba during the Davao Peace and Security Press briefing on Wednesday, this year’s festivities carry significant historical weight as the city marks the centennial anniversary of the Davao City Hall building.
To commemorate the milestone, a nightly 3D mapping projection is being held at the site, showcasing the architectural transition of City Hall from its construction in the 1920s, through the war years, and its eventual establishment in the 1970s.
The iconic building has also been repainted in its original historical color to highlight its 100-year legacy.
Tourism influx expected
The city is currently bracing for a massive influx of both local and foreign tourists by the end of the month.
The peak of the season is expected to hit between the Mutya ng Dabaw coronation on March 20 and the Ironman 70.3 triathlon, culminating in the grand parade on March 28.
“We are expecting 200,000 or even more because of the Ironman and the height of the Araw ng Dabaw celebration,” Parba said.
She added that the start of the summer break for many students is also expected to contribute to the growing crowd of vacationers.
THE PUBLIC Safety and Security Office (PSSO) reminded the public about the “dos and don’ts” for the 89th Araw ng Dabaw, although certain “considerations” will be applied specifically for the upcoming Ironman 70.3 triathlon.
During the Davao Peace and Security press briefing at The Royal Mandaya Hotel, PSSO chief Angel Sumagaysay said security forces are “leveling up” inspections to secure visitors and athletes.
Ironman 70.3 guidelines
With the Ironman events scheduled from March 20 to 22, Sumagaysay noted that soft deployments will begin as early as Thursday.
Unlike the general Araw ng Davaw festivities, where backpacks are strictly prohibited in event areas, the PSSO will allow some leeway for the sporting event.
“We discourage [backpacks], but if it cannot be avoided, they will undergo stringent inspection,” Sumagaysay said.
He explained that since the Ironman is an athletic competition involving gear like towels and uniforms, the executive committee agreed to allow bags, provided they pass through rigorous security checks.
The same rule applies to water containers. While the city encourages transparent tumblers for easier inspection, non-transparent ones will be permitted for athletes, provided security personnel verify that they only contain water.
Araw ng Dabaw rules
Sumagaysay was quick to clarify that these considerations do not apply to the general Araw ng Dabaw parade or non-sporting events.
“I think all people are already aware of the security protocols of Davao City. All city ordinances relating to security and safety will still be implemented. Nothing changes, especially when you enter the event area,” he added.
The PSSO chief urged the public to remain cooperative and avoid complacency. “This is a convergence. We did not lay down our guards; instead, we leveled it up slightly. It’s difficult if our regret comes at the end because we were complacent,” Sumagaysay warned.
The public is reminded that for the main Araw ng Dabaw event areas and the civic parade, the “No Backpack, No Jacket, and No Transparent Tumbler” policies—along with the prohibition of sharp objects and alcoholic drinks—remain strictly in effect.
THE EASTERN Mindanao Command (EastMinCom) has reached a significant milestone in its security operations, with nine provinces and over 20 municipalities now officially declared “insurgency-free” or under stable internal peace and security conditions (SIPSC).
Data released by EastMinCom spokesperson Lt. Col. Ryann Velez on Wednesday, March 18, 2026, reveals a comprehensive list of areas that have transitioned to peaceful status as part of the “AFP Vision 2028” roadmap.
As of the latest report, the cleared areas include nine provinces: Davao del Sur, Davao del Norte, Davao de Oro, Davao Occidental, Davao Oriental, Surigao del Norte, Dinagat Island, Camiguin, and Cotabato Province.
The transition to insurgency-free status in these regions began as early as 2015 with Camiguin, followed by a surge of declarations in 2022 across the Davao Region.
The most recent provincial declaration was in Cotabato Province on Oct. 9, 2024.
In addition to the provinces, three major cities —Davao City (March 2022), Surigao City (March 2024), and Valencia City (October 2025)—have been cleared of active insurgent influence.
The report also highlights 21 municipalities that have successfully met the SIPSC criteria. Bukidnon dominates the recent list of cleared towns, with several areas, including Don Carlos, Maramag, and Kitaotao, being declared insurgency-free in the first quarter of 2025.
Surigao del Sur also saw a major sweep in November 2025, with Barobo, Hinatuan, Bislig, and Tagbina all achieving peaceful status that month.
“So far in the area of Eastern Mindanao Command, we have a total of 9 provinces out of those, 17 have declared insurgency-free,” Velez said.
According to EastMinCom, these declarations are the result of intensified community-based security programs and coordinated military operations aimed at fostering a “world-class armed force” and a “source of national pride.”
The military remains focused on maintaining these “peace zones” to prevent the resurgence of insurgent groups while supporting local government units in delivering essential services to formerly conflict-ridden communities.
MANILA, PHILIPPINES — For years, people thought they knew Janine Berdin: a powerful vocalist shaped by competitions and mainstream expectations. But over the past year, she’s rewritten that narrative entirely–going indie, getting signed, and releasing Lab Songs ng mga Tanga, a debut that didn’t just resonate, it unraveled people.
This era of Janine is current, open, and emotionally unfiltered. These are songs written in the middle of the mess, not just about heartbreak, but about the moments after: the spirals, the humor, the self-awareness, the rage, the softness. The kind of writing that allows space for non-romantic heartbreak, too. Friendships, identity, loss, longing—all carried by a voice that sounds like it’s breaking and laughing at the same time.
Janine Berdin is building on the massive momentum of her debut album, Lab Songs Ng Mga Tanga. This era marks a significant shift for her, moving away from her “kontesera” (singing contestant) roots and fully owning the “Female Crashout” genre. This is peak yearning. This is crash-out music, the kind that doesn’t posture or pretend to be cool. Tears trap over thirst trap. Janine has quietly become one of the most ownable voices in OPM right now—raging, funny, and undeniably beautiful in her chaos. There’s a femininity to the way she crashes out that feels deeply hers. Nobody else is doing it like this.
The “Tanga” stats: Dominating the year-end honor roll
While others are chasing the next viral dance, Janine Berdin is busy defining a new genre. LAB SONGS NG MGA TANGA dominated the critical conversation of the past year. As of January 2026, the album has pulled in over 25 million streams, with her latest anthem “What if I miss you for the rest of my life?” currently soaring through the Spotify Viral Top 50 Philippines.
Most notably, Janine Berdin has become the first OPM female artist to have a song reach 400 million streams on Spotify, marking a historic milestone in Filipino music.
Her impact was reflected by a clean sweep of the 2025 Year-End Lists, earning top spots across the board: Billboard Philippines ranked “Hayup Ka!” among the 25 Best Filipino Songs of 2025, “tayo lang (may alam)” with Illest Morena & Fana is also part of Apple Music’s Best Songs of 2025 and Manila Bulletin & The Beat Asia both listed her debut album as a definitive favorite of 2025, noting how she turned emotional chaos into a brilliant, loud, and unapologetic body of work. She was also featured in Spotify’s EQUAL campaign, with her image displayed in New York City’s Times Square.
Reflecting on her journey, Janine Berdin was candid about the transition from being “just a performer” to becoming a singer-songwriter in her own right.
“I had boxes that I wasn’t allowed to step out of. I was a little more restrained, and I was a little filtered,” Janine admitted. “But I’m confident enough now… this record really fully represents who I am now, sonically and personally.”
Janine brings this momentum to the stage with “Bar Tour ng mga Tanga,” a series of curated live nights—Shoegaze, J-Rock, and All-Girls editions—designed for intimacy, connection, and emotional release. The impact speaks for itself. Now, she’s taking that energy where it belongs.
The stage is set, the crowd is listening, and the era has officially begun. In 2026, Janine Berdin isn’t just performing anymore; she’s shaping the future of OPM in real time. The impact speaks for itself: she has successfully filled up Saguijo, Unknown13, and Apotheka, with more shows to be announced soon via @islandrecordsph on Instagram.
For updates on new music, live shows, and announcements, follow Janine Berdin on her official pages:
Instagram / X / TikTok: @janineberdin
HOLY WEEK offers a rare pause from the usual rhythm of daily life. It is a time for reflection, rest, and meaningful moments with loved ones. At Discovery Samal, the season unfolds by the sea, where calm surroundings and open spaces create a peaceful setting for both quiet retreat and Easter celebration. Tucked along Samal’s coastline, the resort becomes a natural place to slow down, whether through quiet mornings, restful stays, or shared experiences that bring families together over the long break.
Playful Easter moments for families by the shore
As Easter draws near, the resort shifts into full festive mode with its Grand Easter Bunny Hop on April 5, from 11:30 am to 5 pm at the Main Lobby. Families can kick off the celebration with a hearty lunch buffet before diving into an afternoon of high-energy Easter fun designed especially for kids. From exciting egg hunts and magical performances to a bubble show, inflatables, and a photobooth, the event promises a lively mix of entertainment and family-friendly moments. Special loot bags add an extra surprise, making the day feel even more memorable. Priced at Php 3,200 net for one child and one adult, the package includes the buffet and drinks, offering a fun-filled Easter experience that feels festive, engaging, and well worth the visit.
For families who want a longer escape, they can avail of the Solace by the Sea Room Package, which offers the perfect excuse to stay during Holy Week. With rates starting at Php 24,108 net per night for a minimum of two nights, guests can turn the long holiday into a seaside getaway, complete with relaxing sea views and easy access to the beach and pool. Paired with Haribar Lounge’s Glamping Soiree for two, the package transforms a single day of celebration into a more memorable summer holiday by the coast.
Guests may also explore the Samal Escape’s Happy Summer Wellness Promo, featuring the Solasta Tropical treatment: a one-hour massage paired with a complimentary 15-minute foot treatment designed to ease tension and encourage rest. Offered at Php 4,480 for couples, it offers a quieter space to pause, reset, and ease into the reflective rhythm of Holy Week.
Evenings of seaside dining and cultural rhythms under the stars
For guests who want to keep the Easter celebrations going, Discovery Samal offers a more unique after-dark experience with its The Last Supper: A Holy Week Musical Glamping Soirée at the Haribar Lounge. Running from April 1 to 4, from 6 pm to 9 pm, the event transforms the shoreline into a vibrant evening destination where dining, entertainment, and family-friendly fun come together by the sea.
The experience begins with a laid-back seaside barbecue dinner buffet and live music from duo singers, setting the tone for a festive night outdoors. As the evening unfolds, guests can enjoy a dynamic lineup of performances, from the powerful rhythms of drum beaters to the spectacle of fire dancers and special musical from The Last Supper. The night then builds into an energetic finale with a DJ set, keeping the atmosphere vibrant and lively for guests to dance, unwind, and celebrate by the sea.
Priced at Php 2,500 net per person, the package includes the dinner buffet, live entertainment, and access to all evening activities, making it a lively and memorable way to celebrate Easter by the shore.Discovery Samal offers a gentle invitation this Holy Week to pause, reflect, and spend time by the sea in quiet moments of rest or in shared experiences with family and friends. For inquiries and reservations, email reservations@discoverysamal.com or call +63 84 308 2998.
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