A Filipino villager plans to be nailed to a wooden cross for the 35th time to reenact Jesus Christ’s suffering in a brutal Good Friday tradition he said he would devote to pray for peace in Ukraine, Gaza and the disputed South China Sea. Ruben Enaje, a 63-year-old carpenter and sign painter, said he and seven other villagers have registered for the real-life crucifixions, which have become an annual religious spectacle that draws hundreds of tourists in three rural communities in Pampanga province north of Manila.

JUST IN: United Nations Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of human rights in the context of climate change Dr. Ian Fry recommends the abolition of National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC). | @bellacariaso

Dr. Ian Fry says investigation of NTF-ELCAC) should be done amid allegations of human rights violations. | @bellacariaso

The Air Traffic Management Center corrective maintenance on May 17th will now just be conducted from 2 in the morning to 4 in the morning, the CAAP says. | @_ralphedwin @_ralphedwin CAAP: Based on careful process reviews and simulations, the maintenance activity will now be conducted in a shorter period of time on May 17, from 2:00 AM to 4:00 AM. | @_ralphedwin

The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas says the 6.6% inflation in April is within its forecast range of 6.3-7.1%, consistent with the overall assessment that inflation will remain elevated over the near term before gradually decelerating back to target range in end 2023. | @lawagcaoili @lawagcaoili The balance of risks to the inflation outlook for 2023 and 2024 also remains tilted heavily towards the upside as the potential effect of ongoing supply shortages continues despite the slowdown in food inflation. | @lawagcaoili

HAPPENING NOW: President Marcos delivering statement on his five-day official visit here in the US | @alexisbromero @alexisbromero Marcos says his discussions with US officials 'productive' | @alexisbromero

CITY SKYLINE SUNSETS 🌇

A hobbyist photographer from Pangasinan captured this breathtaking sunset casting a serene glow over the bustling city of Antipolo on Tuesday. (Photos courtesy of Modz Magat) After a long day at work, uploader Modz Magat decided to take his Fujifilm camera with him and take pictures of the amazing sunset.

Each side appears to be battling for control of territory in the capital ahead of any possible negotiations, though the leaders of both factions have shown little public willingness to hold talks after more than two weeks of fighting. | via Reuters Heavy bombardments also rang out in the adjoining cities of Omdurman and Bahri. Both sides had agreed to a seven-day ceasefire, which has been violated.

HIDDEN PARADISE IN SORSOGON 🏝️

A landscape photographer captured scenic spots at the underrated yet magnificent San Bernardino Island in Sorsogon on April 29 and 30, 2023. (Photos courtesy of Michael Fugnit) "San Bernardino Island [is] an island in the Philippine Archipelago that holds mysteries that dates back to the time of pre-war. It is home to picturesque scenic landscapes and the historical San Bernardino Lighthouse," uploader Michael Fugnit said.

BUHAY PROBINSYA SA ALBAY 🌄

A resident of Albay took pride in the timeless beauty of Mayon Volcano, showing the tranquil life in the province on Wednesday. (Photo courtesy of Jayffe) Uploader Jayffe said that he was with his friends when they decided to wander around the province and take pictures with their phones.

Migrant Workers Secretary Susan Ople holds press briefing in Washington, D.C. | @alexisbromero @alexisbromero Ople says migrant workers department officials will go to Saudi Arabia this month to talk about the giving jobs to Filipinos affected by the Sudan conflict. | @alexisbromero

US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin to President Marcos: For decades, the Philippines has been an indispensable friend and ally to United States. Our alliance is rooted in our common democratic values and it draws strength from the deep bonds between our peoples. | @alexisbromero @alexisbromero Austin to Marcos: We’re more than allies, we’re family and we share a common vision for free and open Indo-Pacific because a region governed by rules and rights help provide security and prosperity for our two countries and for the whole region. | @alexisbromero

HAPPENING LATER: President Marcos to meet with US defense officials here in Pentagon. | @alexisbromero @alexisbromero HAPPENING LATER: President Marcos will be given full military honors here in Pentagon. | @alexisbromero

The campaign manager of Manila mayor Isko Moreno believed the ratings of survey frontrunner Ferdinand Marcos Jr. are bound to go down because of his refusal to face the media and presidential fora with other candidates. #BilangPilipino2022 | @mjaysoncayabyab @mjaysoncayabyab Speaking to ANC’s Headstart, Lito Banayo said the voting public does not want a candidate for president to be afraid of facing opponents. “No way,” Banayo said when asked if he thinks the late dictator's namesake is the runaway winner based on latest surveys. | @mjaysoncayabyab

Bongbong Marcos camp slams ex-SC Justice Tony Carpio for allegedly spreading lies that Marcos will surrender West Phl Sea to China if he wins as president #BilangPilipino2022 | @edupunay @edupunay Marcos spox Atty. Vic Rodriguez: Ret. SC Justice Tony Carpio is peddling his lies again. The integrity of the national territory and our sovereignty are non-negotiable. The interest of Filipino people are first and foremost to Bongbong Marcos #BilangPilipino2022 | @edupunay

WORTH THE WAIT 🍗🍔

This overseas Filipino worker from Malaysia proved that she is a certified Jolly fan!

Catherine Broqueza was among the hundreds of customers who flocked to the Sunway Pyramid during the first opening of Jollibee in West Malaysia on February 8, 2022. Broqueza said that she lined up for almost seven hours just to satisfy her cravings for the famous Chickenjoy, Yumburger and other food items of the fastfood giant.

'VIOLENCE IN HOMES IS NORMALIZED IN OUR COUNTRY'

Hollywood star Angelina Jolie urged US lawmakers at a press briefing in the US Capitol on Wednesday to immediately pass measures against domestic violence and help abused victims. | via @AFP @AFP The 46-year-old "Eternals" star has accused her ex-husband Brad Pitt of intentionally hitting their son Maddox, then 15 -- although Pitt has been cleared of the allegations.

Acting presidential spokesman Karlo Nograles joins the Laging Handa public briefing. | @alexisbromero @alexisbromero Nograles says the IATF has approved the recommendation of the DFA to recognize the national COVID-19 certificates of Brazil, Israel, South Korea, and Timor Leste for arrival protocols and interzonal/intrazonal movement. | @alexisbromero

'#BOTHERED'

Filmmaker Erik Matti called out Toni Gonzaga who hinted at being unbothered amid criticisms over her support to presidential aspirant Bongbong Marcos, son of late dictator Ferdinand Marcos. Gonzaga reshared on her Instagram story a post of her fan describing her as "unbothered" following her controversial hosting stint at the Marcos-Duterte proclamation rally.

On proposals to place the NCR under Alert Level 1. DOJ Secretary Menardo Guevarra says: I would really want to see the NCR liberated to Alert Level 1 so that we could keep the momentum of economic recovery going. | @EZMacairan @EZMacairan Guevarra: But I think we need a little more time to observe the effects of recent mass gatherings relating to the start of the election campaign period. | @EZMacairan

LOOK: Average monthly wage rate in the country down 9% to P16,486 in 2020 following the pandemic's impact on the labor market. | @maureensimeon @maureensimeon LOOK: Top 10 highest-paying occupations in the Philippines. | @maureensimeon

NBI holds briefing to present the person linked to alleged assassination plot vs Ferdinand Marcos Jr. over TikTok. The person counters claim of Marcos camp that he was the user behind the video, adds that his name was just being used. | @mjaysoncayabyab @mjaysoncayabyab NBI Deputy Director for Investigative Service Vicente De Guzman III identified the TikTok user as a "certain Bong Ricafort" who "voluntarily surrendered" to the NBI to yesterday clear his name. | @mjaysoncayabyab