DOST presents local BIOMED Innovations Supporting Safer Skin Testing, Newborn Care, and Clinical Training

The Department of Science and Technology (DOST), through the Biomedical Engineering for Health (BIOMED) Program of the DOST Philippine Council for Health Research and Development (PCHRD), showcased three research initiatives designed to improve biocompatibility testing, enhance clinical training, and address life-threatening congenital conditions during the Talakayang HeaRT Beat press conference.  

“Since 2020, the DOST has invested over ₱795 million in the development of locally produced biomedical devices aimed at strengthening the country’s healthcare system. These projects represent years of dedicated work by our partner researchers, whose commitment continues to drive innovations that improve the quality of healthcare for Filipinos,” DOST Secretary Renato U. Solidum, Jr. said.  

Under the DOST-PCHRD’s Biomedical Engineering for Health (BIOMED) Program, support is given to research endeavors that aim to address the increasing need for locally-developed medical tools. Projects supported under the program span a diverse range of priority areas, including the development of biomedical devices for emergency, imaging, medical training tools, rehabilitative and assistive care devices, orthopedics, and local implants.  

Three (3) projects under the BIOMED program were featured during the Talakayang HeaRT Beat press conference last April 29, 2026 via Zoom. One of the featured projects focuses on streamlining local biocompatibility testing for skin formulations, by developing a 3D human skin equivalent (HSE) as an alternative to animal studies and sourcing HSEs from abroad. By providing a local substitute to HSE, the project aims to reduce the cost and turnaround time for biocompatibility testing.   

Another project focuses on creating a phantom model system as a training tool that will help guide clinicians in gynecologic and obstetrics ultrasound procedures. Aiming to reduce the complications associated with these processes, the system will provide real-time scanning, enabling the simulation of real-time performance of procedures.   

Lastly, the third project aims to develop an assistive device which will correct the congenital condition, gastroschisis, which entails an abdominal wall defect at birth that may cause life-threatening complications, such as hypovolemia, hypothermia and sepsis.   

“We are thankful to our media partners who attended the press conference. We hope you help us translate how our initiatives on biomedical devices can positively impact our communities – from testing the efficacy of health products, ensuring the accuracy of diagnoses, up to developing medical devices that will improve quality of lives,” Sec. Solidum added. “We have already started the research. What we want to do now is to make sure that they eventually reach our target beneficiaries– the Filipino people, whom we are committed to serve.”  A replay of the Talakayang HeaRT Beat press conference may be accessed at the DOST-PCHRD’s Facebook Page.         

RCBC is lone Philippine Bank to receive Int’l Gold Quill

TAGUIG CITY, PHILIPPINES - Rizal Commercial Banking Corporation (RCBC) was recognized by the 2026 International Association of Business Communicators (IABC) Gold Quill Awards for outstanding customer relations for its digital banking solution RCBC Pulz. RCBC is the only Philippine  bank  in  the  roster  of  awardees  from  the  country  in  the prestigious international awards.  

RCBC received the laurel for pioneering the Philippines’ first U.S. Virtual Account by a private bank,  launched  through  RCBC  Pulz  in  partnership  with  the  U.S-based payments solutions provider Meridian. The bank bannered its huge mission to provide the growing number of 1.5 million Filipino freelancers, remote professionals, and virtual assistants as well as 12 million Overseas Filipino Workers and their families. 

The game-changing banking service from RCBC has enabled Filipinos with no U.S. address to open  a  U.S.  Virtual  Account,  which allows them to receive remittances in the U.S. Dollars real-time and have them converted anytime at their preferred rate.  

RCBC  President  and  CEO  Reggie  Cariaso  said the recognition affirms the bank’s push to expand  access  to  global  banking  for  Filipinos  through  digital  innovation.  “Being  the  only Philippine bank recognized at the IABC Gold Quill Awards this year reflects the strength of our 

strategy and our commitment to delivering solutions that meet our customers’ evolving needs, here and abroad,” Cariaso said.   

The IABC Gold Quill Awards have globally recognized dedication, innovation, and passion in strategic communication in the past five decades. Annually, it receives hundreds of competitive entries  globally  across  the  industry,  which  are  then  assessed  by  leading  communication professionals. 

The Customer Relations category strongly focuses on programs that “educate, inform, engage, or  otherwise”  bridge  entities  such  as  RCBC  and  its  employees  with  the  target  consumer segment. RCBC showed that its U.S. Virtual Account campaign has demonstrated influence, reputation, brand awareness, and loyalty.  

Lito Villanueva, Executive Vice President and Chief Innovations and Inclusion Officer of RCBC, expressed gratitude to IABC Gold Quill Awards for the recognition. He said he is witnessing more marketing communications and public relations organizations noticing and celebrating the communications work of RCBC in bridging consumers to transformative inclusive digital banking solutions.  

“We were elated to have received the recognition amid highly competitive award entries from all over the world. On behalf of the bank and its employees, I would like to thank the award-giving body for acknowledging the efforts and commitment we have invested to offer the pioneering U.S. Virtual Account through RCBC Pulz and Meridian,” Villanueva said.  

“RCBC’s  campaigns  to  financially  include  and  empower  Filipinos  are  not  only  garnering attention  within  the  global  fintech and digital finance space, but also breaking barriers and pushing the boundaries of communications in the global stage. Communications organizations are starting to take notice, marking a new exciting chapter for all Philippine banks,” Villanueva added.  

RCBC took home five Anvil Awards from the Public Relations Society of the Philippines earlier this year, as well as a Quill Award from the 21st Philippine Quill Awards.  

About RCBC 

Rizal  Commercial  Banking  Corporation (RCBC)  is  one of the top banks in the Philippines. Currently ranked as the fifth largest privately owned bank in the country, RCBC offers a full range of financial products and services to individuals and businesses nationwide for 65 years and counting.   Recognized  as  the  Best  Bank  for  Digital  and  Best  Bank  for  Customer Experience, RCBC continues to drive innovation through customer-focused, technology-driven solutions. The bank is a proud member of the Yuchengco Group of Companies (YGC), one of Southeast Asia’s most established conglomerates. 

48th ASEAN Summit schedule in Cebu bared

Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) 2026 National Organizing Council Director General for Operations Hellen De La Vega on Tuesday laid out the schedule of activities for the 48th ASEAN Summit and Related Meetings to be held in Lapu-Lapu City in Cebu this week.

President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., who chairs this year’s ASEAN, is set to meet with leaders of ASEAN member states — Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Singapore, Thailand, Timor-Leste, and Vietnam — for the biannual summit, where pressing issues such as regional security, energy and food concerns, safety of ASEAN nationals and economic cooperation are expected to be discussed.

Speaking during the opening of the International Media Center (IMC), De La Vega said Senior Officials’ and Ministerial Preparatory Meetings will take place simultaneously on May 6 to 7 at Dusit Thani Mactan and Shangri-La Mactan.

She said the meetings will be followed by the Special BIMP-EAGA Summit on the afternoon of May 7 at Shangri-La Mactan, which will be attended by leaders from Brunei, Indonesia,  Malaysia, and the Philippines.

The 48th ASEAN Summit will officially begin on May 8 with an opening ceremony at the newly constructed Mactan Expo located within Mactan Newtown in Lapu-Lapu City. Leaders will hold their meetings and working lunch there before proceeding to Shangri-La Mactan for the Retreat Session.

President Marcos is scheduled to hold a press conference at the IMC at 4 p.m., while a gala dinner hosted by the President and First Lady Louise Araneta-Marcos will cap the summit.

Meanwhile, De La Vega also highlighted the role of the media in covering the summit, particularly amid evolving geopolitical challenges.

“During this time of uncertainty, we recognize the significant role of the media as our partner during our Chairship of ASEAN 2026,” she said.

"Beyond reaching international and regional audiences, the media plays a crucial role in helping not only Filipinos but also ASEAN nationals better understand how the ASEAN Summit and its Related Meetings translate into tangible benefits for all,” she added.

She also cited government efforts to ensure prudent use of resources, saying preparations are guided by austerity measures in line with a declared state of national energy emergency and energy conservation directives of President Marcos.

Despite constraints, ASEAN member states agreed on the need for in-person discussions to address urgent concerns, including the Middle East conflict and its impact on energy and food security, and safe mobility of ASEAN nationals.

“The President directed us to proceed with a bare-bones and business-like 48th ASEAN Summit focused on the pressing issues that needed to be addressed and without the need for much frills or fanfare,” De La Vega said. 

NAPC, ITI, Earthsavers DREAMS Ensemble hold Techno-ResiliArt Workshop on SDGs

MANILA — In partnership with the International Theatre Institute (ITI) and Earthsavers DREAMS Ensemble, the National Anti-Poverty Commission (NAPC) gathered the representatives from various national government agencies and civil society organizations for the Techno-ResiliArt Methodology Workshop on Championing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), starting April 27 until April 30. 

Anchored on the theme “Forging Unity and Weaving ASEAN Perspective into the Global Cultural Panorama for Poverty Eradication and Peace through Care of People & Planet,” the workshop underscores the vital role of arts and culture in promoting sustainable development and social transformation.

NAPC OIC Deputy Director General Asec. Mary Rose Villaflor delivered the message of Secretary Lope Santos III, emphasizing that the SDGs can be effectively communicated and advanced through creative expression, such as the Techno-ResiliArt workshop initiative.

Meanwhile, Philippine Center of the International Theatre Institute Deputy Director General Cecil Guidote-Alvarez expressed her appreciation to the representatives of the basic sectors for actively participating in the workshop. She highlighted that the Techno-ResiliArt approach provides a meaningful platform for communities to promote their advocacies and cultural identity, while conveying their messages through artistic forms like dance.

The workshop was facilitated by International Theatre Institute Vice President Frank Rivera, Kulture Revival Events Core Inc. CEO and Executive Artistic Director Sai Collado, and foreign delegates, namely:  Le Quy Duong from Vietnam, Agung Gunawan from Indonesia, and Kalyani Rao from India. 

Philippine National Artist for Film Kidlat Tahimik also performed a short skit reflecting his journey from studying film to becoming a filmmaker.

Also present during the workshop were NAPC Head Executive Assistant and Policy Planning Service OIC Director Nolan Banda, along with the members of NAPC Secretariat.

The Techno-ResiliArt workshop is part of the ongoing efforts to integrate arts and culture into sustainable development initiatives, fostering inclusive participation and empowering communities to contribute to national and global development goals. 

#NAPC27

#AksyonLabanSaKahirapan

#BagongPilipinas

#ASEANUnity

#InternationalDanceFestival2026

#SDGs

#ResiliArt

SEC Warns Public Against Fake Shopwise Task and Recharge Scam

The regulator advised the public against an unregistered entity impersonating a legitimate retailer to execute an online investment scam.

The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) of the Philippines has issued an advisory against a fraudulent online platform performing scams by impersonating a legitimate retail corporation, Shopwise Online Work Platform.

The fake platform is said to have deceived the public through a job offer and a recharging scam.

A recent SEC Philippines warning clarified that the bogus entity pretending to be SHOPWISE and conducting scams has no connection to the registered retailer Shopwise Inc.

According to the regulator, the group recruits individuals by offering fake part-time jobs through social media platforms like Facebook and messaging applications.

The scheme requires victims to register and invest an initial capital of PHP 119 into a digital wallet.

The platform then assigns them tasks, such as grabbing product orders, with the promise of earning between PHP 320 and PHP 650.

While the operators allow early participants to withdraw small earnings to build trust, they eventually require victims to deposit more money to access their funds.

The commission stated that the entity has not registered as a corporation or partnership. It also lacks the necessary authority to solicit investments from the public.

The regulator urged anyone the group has approached to report the activities directly to its Enforcement and Investor Protection Department.

#SecuritiesandExchangeCommissionSEC #FinTechAlliancePH

PETA Brings a Cultural Phenomenon to the Stage with Ang Babae Sa Septic Tank 4: Oh Sh*t! It’s Live Sa Cheter!

QUEZON CITY, Philippines — At a time when Filipino theater is thriving across the country, the Philippine Educational Theater Association (PETA) proudly unveils one of the most anticipated theatrical events of 2026: “Ang Babae Sa Septic Tank 4: Oh Sh*t! It’s Live Sa Cheter!” a fearless, hilarious, and razor-sharp evolution of a franchise that has defined satire across film, digital, and now live theater.

Headlined by Eugene Domingo, the franchise takes a bold leap from screen to stage in this highly anticipated fourth installment.

From A Cult Classic to Cultural Touchstone

What began in 2011 as a groundbreaking independent film has evolved into a multi-platform cultural phenomenon. The original Ang Babae Sa Septic Tank captured the indie film boom, satirizing the industry’s fixation on “poverty porn” and its pursuit of international acclaim. Its sequel skewered mainstream romantic comedies, while its third installment examined historical revisionism in the digital age.

Now, the franchise steps into live performance, turning its lens toward Philippine theater.

True to its DNA, the series remains a satire with purpose. “Septic Tank has always been about satirizing institutions,” shares playwright Chris Martinez. “This time, it is about the state of Philippine theater, where it is, and where it’s going.”

For director Maribel Legarda, this staging is not replication but transformation. “Film and theater speak different languages. What excites me is how something familiar can evolve and find new meaning in liveness.” She adds, “In theater, ‘live’ is not just a descriptor. It is a condition. It breathes, it trembles, it risks failure, and in doing so, it allows for discovery.”

A Mirror to a “Golden Age”

The arrival of Ang Babae Sa Septic Tank 4 comes at a pivotal moment. Widely described as a “golden age” for Philippine theater, recent years have seen a surge in productions and audiences, bringing with it new challenges for the industry.

“It’s exciting, but it’s also a good time to analyze,” says Chris Martinez. “Is it really a golden age? There is good, there is bad, and maybe this play can offer a clearer perspective on the power of theater.”

Legarda underscores the urgency of live performance in today’s content-saturated landscape. “When we laugh, we let our guard down and sometimes recognize uncomfortable truths. That is where comedy becomes a mirror.”

In this sense, Septic Tank 4 is both a celebration and a commentary, a funny, self-aware take on an art form that is vibrant, ever-shifting, and not without its own “sh*t.”

A Powerhouse Collaboration

Sharing the stage with Eugene Domingo is an exceptional lineup of theater-makers, including Melvin Lee, Andoy Ranay, Meann Espinosa, JC Santos, Stella Cañete-Mendoza, Joshua Lim So, and Marlon Rivera, alongside a vibrant PETA ensemble: Ron Alfonso, Kiki Baento, Roi Calilong, Jay Cortez, Nyla Festejo, James Lanante, Carlon Matobato, Eli Namoc, Reggie Ondevilla, Air Paz, and Ada Tayao.

Guided by the vision of Maribel Legarda and written by Chris Martinez, the production is brought to life by a dynamic creative team including: Assistant Director Johnnie Moran; Set and Costume Designer Gino Gonzales; Deputy Costume Designer Martha Cruz; Assistant Set Designer Leslie Centeno; Lighting Designer Barbie Tan-Tiongco; Sound and Music by Angel Dayao; Lyricist Michelle Ngu Nario; Choreographer Raflesia Bravo; and Video Design and Mapping by Bene Manaois.

Theater About Theater—Bold, Daring, Unmissable

Structured as a “play within a play,” Septic Tank 4 explores the process of theater-making, with actors portraying heightened versions of themselves and blurring the line between reality and performance. It is irreverent and unapologetically meta, filled with humor, spectacle, and playful commentary.

In a time of endless content and streaming options, Ang Babae Sa Septic Tank 4 serves as a reminder of what live theater uniquely offers: the thrill of immediacy, shared laughter, and the magic of experiencing a story unfold in real time. It reminds us that live theater is personal, powerful, and can only be experienced in person.

As Legarda puts it, “This production is an invitation: to laugh, to reflect, and to engage.” With its fearless humor and powerhouse ensemble, the show invites audiences to think, respond, and rediscover the power of live theater.

Ang Babae Sa Septic Tank 4: Oh Sh*t! It’s Live Sa Cheter! will run for 50 shows from June 19 to August 16, 2026, at the PETA Theater Center. Matinee shows are at 2:00 pm, evening shows at 7:30 pm.

Ticket prices are P3,500 (VIP), P2,800 (Orchestra and Balcony Center), P2,500 (Orchestra Side), and P1,800 (Balcony Side).

For more updates, follow @petatheater on social media.

ABOUT PETA THEATER
The Philippine Educational Theater Association (PETA) is a non-profit organization and a respected institution in Philippine theater. For over five decades, PETA Theater has been at the forefront of developing Philippine theater arts, producing plays that tackle social issues and promote cultural awareness. PETA Theater is committed to using theater as a tool for education, social change, and community development, nurturing both artists and audiences.

ABOUT ANG BABAE SA SEPTIC TANK 4

Ang Babae Sa Septic Tank is a critically acclaimed Filipino satire created by Chris Martinez, first released as a film in 2011. It follows a group of filmmakers attempting to create an “award-winning” poverty porn movie, exposing the absurdities, pretensions, and ethical contradictions within the local film industry. Anchored by the breakout performance of Eugene Domingo, the film became a cultural phenomenon for its sharp humor, meta storytelling, and fearless critique of how Filipino stories are packaged for both local and international audiences.

The franchise continued with Ang Babae Sa Septic Tank 2, which turned its focus to the excesses and formulas of mainstream commercial cinema, and Ang Babae Sa Septic Tank 3: The Real Untold Story of Josephine Bracken, which tackled historical narratives and revisionism—satirizing how history is shaped, distorted, and performed for contemporary audiences.

“Ang Babae Sa Septic Tank 4: Oh Sh*t! It’s Live Sa Cheter!” marks the franchise’s evolution into live theater. This time, it turns its lens on the stage itself—examining the chaos, contradictions, and creative tensions of contemporary theater-making, while continuing the series’ signature tradition of sharp, self-aware cultural critique.

SHOW DETAILS
Ang Babae Sa Septic Tank 4: Oh Sh*t! It’s Live Sa Cheter!
Show dates: June 19 - August 16, 2026
Show times: 2:00 PM & 7:30 PM
Venue: PETA Theater Center, New Manila, Quezon City

Ticket Prices
VIP - ₱ 3,500
Orchestra Center - ₱ 2,800
Orchestra Side - ₱ 2,500
Balcony Center - ₱ 2,800
Balcony Side - ₱ 1,800

Tickets will be available via TicketWorld at bit.ly/SepticTank4Tickets or through our showbuyers: http://bit.ly/SepticTank4Showbuyers

LIST OF CAST
“As Themselves”
Eugene Domingo
Melvin Lee
Andoy Ranay
Meann Espinosa
JC Santos
Stella Cañete-Mendoza
Joshua Lim So
Marlon Rivera

Ensemble
Ron Alfonso
Kiki Baento
Roi Calilong
Jay Cortez
Nyla Festejo
James Lanante
Carlon Matobato
Eli Namoc
Reggie Ondevilla
Air Paz
Ada Tayao

LIST OF ARTISTIC STAFF
Director: Maribel Legarda
Playwright: Chris Martinez
Assistant Director: Johnnie Moran
Set and Costume Designer: Gino Gonzales
Deputy Costume Designer: Martha Cruz
Assistant Set Designer: Leslie Centeno
Lighting Designer: Barbie Tan-Tiongco
Sound and Music: Angel Dayao
Lyricist: Michelle Ngu Nario
Choreographer: Raflesia Bravo
Video Design and Mapping: Bene Manaois

#PETASepticTank4
#AngBabaeSaSepticTank4

FinTech leader urges APEC, ASEAN Finance Ministers to boost cross-border payments

TAGUIG CITY, PHILIPPINES - Rizal Commercial Banking Corporation (RCBC)’s Executive Vice President  and  Chief Innovations, Lito Villanueva, laid out proposals in accelerating regional digital finance during the ASEAN-BAC–APEC Business Advisory Council Philippines Annual Asia-Pacific  Financial  Forum  (APFF)  Southeast  Asia  last  April  8, 2026 at the Grand Hyatt Manila, Taguig City. 

 Villanueva joined the high-level conference attended by Finance Ministers of the Association of Southeast  Asian  Nations  (ASEAN)  and  Asia-Pacific  Economic  Cooperation  (APEC)  as  a keynote speaker as well as a panelist in a session focused on digital payment connectivity. In both  speaking  engagements,  Villanueva  demonstrated  and  lauded  present  and  successful efforts  nationally  to  push  the  boundaries  of  digital  finance  whilst  proposed  regulatory frameworks that would propel regional digital finance further. 

 In  his  keynote  speech,  Villanueva  underscored  the  importance  of interoperability  within regulatory  frameworks,  the  adoption  of  cross-border  digital  signatures  and  reciprocal  KYC protocols, and the establishment of a regional Fraud Intelligence Sharing (FIDS) network.     

“We must embed interoperability by design at the core of our regulatory frameworks, moving beyond voluntary standards  toward  a  mandatory,  unified  architecture where  systems  are  engineered to be borderless from inception,” Villanueva emphasized in his speech.  

“Simultaneously,  we  must  enable  cross-border  digital signatures  and  reciprocal  KYC  protocols,  adopting  a "Check  Once,  Use  Everywhere"  model  that  can significantly reduce compliance burdens and turn days of onboarding friction into seconds of seamless access,” Villanueva added. 

 “Finally,  we  must  operationalize  a  regional  Fraud Intelligence 

Sharing (FIDS)  network,  treating cybersecurity  not  as  a  competitive  secret  but  as  a collective  "Mutual  Defense  Pact"  where  anonymized threat  data  moves  faster  than  the  fraudsters themselves,” Villanueva concluded.  

Villanueva, who is also the FinTech Alliance PH Chairman, presented these proposals within the context of the ASEAN as the fastest-growing internet market globally, projected to reach US$ 1 trillion, potentially doubling to US$ 2 trillion after the successful implementation of the ASEAN Digital  Economy  Framework  Agenda  (DEFA). 

 In  addition,  Villanueva  stressed  regional cooperation in combatting and preparing for fraudulent activity as a result of the successful launch of the FIDS in the Philippines.  Villanueva also shared his insights and experiences on how regulators can help support banks in  the  continent  to  prepare  for  seamless,  secure,  and  inclusive  cross-border  payment connectivity in a panel session entitled “Advancing Readiness for Digital Payment Connectivity” moderated by veteran broadcast journalist Rico Hizon, alongside Andrew McCormack, Chief Executive Officer of Nexus Global Payments; Runchana Pongsaparn, Group Head and Lead Economist  at  the  ASEAN+3  Macroeconomic  Research  Office  (AMRO);  and  Chatchai Dusadenoad, Managing Director of National ITMX Co., Ltd.  

#todayph26