QC Councilor Alfred Vargas Graduates as Valedictorian in UP, dedicates the milestone to his manager Lolit Solis

AFTER graduating from the University of the Philippines School of Urban and Regional Planning (SURP), Alfred Vargas dedicated the milestone to his manager Lolit Solis.

Alfred was the Valedictorian of the Diploma on Urban and Regional Planning (DURP) program of University of the Philippines Diliman’s School of Urban and Regional Planning (SURP). He achieved the highest academic standing whole class of 2025 with the General Weighted Average (GWA) of 1.0288 and received the Dean’s Medallion. 

Accepting his diploma and achievement, Alfred was emotional during his valedictory speech in UP Film Center last Saturday as he dedicated it to his manager of 21 years, Manay Lolit, who passed away last Wednesday.

“Nay Lolit, para sa ‘yo ang tagumpay na ito,” Alfred expressed tearfully.

The 5th district councilor also thanked his wife, Yasmine, and their children—Alexandra, Aryana, Cristiano and Aurora, for their support and understanding for the councilor.

In his speech, Councilor Vargas also gave emphasis to the importance of heart and compassion for effective urban planning.

Alfred also called to his fellow graduates and new urban planners, urging them to integrate kindness and compassion into their crucial role in shaping cities. 

 

"This graduation is meaningless if we choose indifference over kindness, if we prioritize ourselves over others, or if we abandon our principles and the fight for what is right," Alfred stated.

"Walang halaga ang ating pagtatapos kung hindi natin isasabuhay ang kabutihan at kagandahan ng loob. Simple pero totoo. Walang halaga ang lahat ng ito kung tayo ay mananatiling bulag at manhid sa mga nangyayaring kasinungalingan, katiwalian, pati na rin ang malawak na kahirapan,” he added in his valedictory address.

 

"Hindi sapat ang ating mga kamay. Kailangan natin ng puso," Alfred further affirmed. "Hindi sapat ang teknikal na kaalaman o malalim na expertise para maging urban planner—kailangan natin ng puso at malasakit.”

Alfred highlighted that kindness is the root of "malasakit, good governance, paninindigan para sa social justice, paggalang sa pagkapantay-pantay, at pagkilala sa dignidad ng bawat isa.”

 

He further highlighted the vital role of kindness in addressing pressing urban challenges, "Without kindness, we cannot find sustainable and inclusive solutions to the pressing challenges in urban planning—overpopulation, housing shortages, inadequate infrastructure, environmental degradation, traffic congestion, urban blight, resource scarcity, poor health and safety, substandard education, social inequality, and more.

"Go beyond tokenistic public consultations. Genuinely listen to and empower diverse community voices, especially those often marginalized, in the planning process," Alfred urged his fellow graduates.

 

Drawing from his own experience as a public servant, Alfred shared how "pakikinig at paninindigan sa tama ay sadyang napakahalaga.” He cited that the establishment of the Quezon City Persons with Disabilities Affairs Office (PDAO) last 2011 spurred by sincerely listening to the PWD community's needs, holding democratic consultations, and practicing people-participation mechanisms with all the stakeholders. It has now produced 25,000 PWD IDs, and given assistive devices to around 4,000 beneficiaries. He also used this same process of holding democratic consultations to pass the National Integrated Cancer Control Act when he was a congressman.

 

Councilor Alfred concluded his speech by calling to a new generation of urban planners: "Let this graduation be a natural ending to our graduate course and the beginning of a new breed of Filipino urban planners who can lead with kindness, expertise, and character."

 

"Nothing is impossible and everything is achievable when we spread kindness," Alfred said, emphasizing that planning decisions should reduce disparities and promote social equity, recognizing the inherent dignity of every individual.”

 

A dedicated public servant, actor, and scholar, Alfred excelled in the rigorous 2-year, 26-unit DURP program, which equips graduates to tackle complex urban and regional challenges. This academic achievement underscores his commitment to lifelong learning, building on his undergrad degree in AB Management Economics from Ateneo de Manila University in 2002 and Master’s degree in Public Administration from UP Diliman’s National College of Public Administration and Governance (NCPAG) in 2021. 

Currently, Alfred’s commitment to learning is on going as he pursues a PhD in Urban and Regional Planning at SURP.

Be one of the first to see JAMES GUNN’S “SUPERMAN”, starring DAVID CORENSWET! Get your tickets to midnight screenings, available now, “SUPERMAN” opens only in cinemas and IMAX July 9

 

#Superman

Photo credit: Warner Bros. Pictures

Meet you in Metropolis at midnight? 💫 Be one of the first to see James Gunn’s “Superman,” starring David Corenswet, Rachel Brosnahan and Nicholas Hoult! Get your tickets to midnight screenings. 

Check showtimes here: www.superman.com.ph 

Watch the trailer: https://youtu.be/KRCa-7ck7uM 

#Superman

Photo credit: Warner Bros. Pictures

#Superman

Photo credit: Warner Bros. Pictures

About “Superman”

“Superman,” DC Studios’ first feature film to hit the big screen, is set to soar into theaters worldwide this summer from Warner Bros. Pictures. In his signature style, James Gunn takes on the original superhero in the newly imagined DC universe with a singular blend of epic action, humor and heart, delivering a Superman who’s driven by compassion and an inherent belief in the goodness of humankind.

DC Studios heads Peter Safran and Gunn are producing the film, which Gunn directs from his own screenplay, based on characters from DC, Superman created by Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster.

The film stars David Corenswet (“Twisters,” “Hollywood”) in the dual role of Superman/Clark Kent, Rachel Brosnahan (“The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel”) as Lois Lane and Nicholas Hoult (the “X-Men” movies, “Juror #2”) as Lex Luthor. The film also stars Edi Gathegi (“For All Mankind”), Anthony Carrigan (“Barry,” “Gotham”), Nathan Fillion (the “Guardians of the Galaxy” films, “The Suicide Squad”), Isabela Merced (“Alien Romulus”), Skyler Gisondo (“Licorice Pizza,” “Booksmart”), Sara Sampaio (“At Midnight”), María Gabriela de Faría (“The Moodys”), Wendell Pierce (“Selma,” “Tom Clancy’s Jack Ryan”), Alan Tudyk (“Andor”), Pruitt Taylor Vince (“Bird Box”) and Neva Howell (“Greedy People”).

“Superman” is executive produced by Nikolas Korda, Chantal Nong Vo and Lars Winther. Behind the camera, Gunn is joined by frequent collaborators, including director of photography Henry Braham, production designer Beth Mickle, costume designer Judianna Makovsky and composer John Murphy, along with editors Craig Alpert (“Deadpool 2,” “Blue Beetle”), Jason Ballantine (the “IT” films, “The Flash”) and William Hoy (“The Batman”).

“Superman” will be in theaters and IMAX nationwide on July 9, 2025, distributed by Warner Bros. Pictures.

Join the conversation online and use the hashtag #Superman

Photo & Video Credit: “Warner Bros. Pictures”

Filipino youth empowered to “go for it” with Globe #GoForIt Student Fest 2025

OVER 250 student leaders from all over the country, kicking off in Metro Manila, ignited their potential at Globe #GoForIt Student Fest 2025, a youth assembly engineered to empower the next generation to boldly chase their dreams.

This flagship youth movement, held at the Power Mac Center Black Box Theatre in Ayala Malls Circuit Makati, gathered students aged 18 to 23, creating a space to dive into their aspirations, forge vital connections with peers, and be captivated by individuals who pursued their dreams and transformed them into reality.

 

Anchored on the theme “Let’s go for that dream. Go for it,” the event motivated students to take the next step in their journeys, with Globe providing support through technology, opportunities, tools, and digital literacy. The program aims to stress the role of connectivity and innovation in youth building and community development. 

 

“Globe #GoForIt Student Fest 2025 showed students what’s possible when passion meets opportunity. Through internships, mentorship, grants, and events, Globe helps Filipino students gain real-world experience and grow into future leaders,” said Roche Vandenberghe, Chief Marketing Officer.

Student leaders Juaquin Pineda, Benjamin Teodoro, Clareene Borromeo 

 

The event featured three inspiring speakers who each represented a major academic strand: Humanities and Social Sciences (HUMSS), Accountancy, Business, and Management (ABM), and Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM).

 

Singer-songwriter and producer Zack Tabudlo connected with HUMSS students through his presentation, “From Rejection to Recognition: Turning Setbacks into Soundtracks of Success, ” where he spoke about school and the early challenges he faced on the road to becoming a renowned music artist. 

Singer-songwriter and producer Zack Tabudlo

 

Student entrepreneur Soj Gamayon inspired ABM strand students with his talk, “Planting Hope and Harvesting Dreams: Using AI to Uplift the Filipino Farmer,” sharing how he built AgriConnect PH, an AI-powered platform helping local agribusinesses manage risk. 

In just 150 days, his startup won the Red Bull Basement World Finals, outshining 110,000 entries from 40 countries, and gained recognition in Silicon Valley for its potential to transform rural livelihoods. Soj reflected on his journey and hinted at future collaborations with tech enablers like Globe to scale impact through innovation.

Student entrepreneur Soj Gamayon

 

Artist and tech influencer Mikael Daez, representing the STEM strand reached out to students through his session, “Leveling Up in Life: Turning Passions into Purpose in the Digital Age,” where he discussed how his curiosity for technology had piqued his interest towards dabbling in content creation, and how connectivity, access to information helped him. 

Artist and tech influencer Mikael Daez

 

Beyond the insightful talks, Globe curated engaging activities such as the immersive Dream Booth, where students captured their aspirations in short videos, stating their name, dream career, and commitment to their goals. Globe also facilitated connections through Human Bingo, an interactive game encouraging participants to meet new people, find peers with similar ambitions, and capture memories at the Dream Wall. Furthermore, Globe took the lead in introducing attendees to the Globe Community Builders Program, offering valuable opportunities including volunteer roles, internships, student grants, and ambassador positions.

 

Student-special offers in the form of Globe Rewards were also available through the GlobeOne app, where participants redeemed points for perks that match student needs and lifestyle.

 

Globe continues to create spaces where the student youth can learn, collaborate, and thrive, supporting not just their digital needs but also their aspirations in education, career, and creative expression.

 

To learn more about how Globe helps students reach their goals, visit www.globe.com.ph/community-builder#gref.

Kathryn Bernardo, Alden Richards, Vice Ganda lead honorees in 8th Eddys’ Box Office Hero award

THE 8th Entertainment Editors’ Choice (The Eddys) is training the spotlight on stars who proved their box-office dominance in 2024.

Topping the list are Kathryn Bernardo and Alden Richards, whose reunion film, Hello, Love, Again, didn’t just tug at heartstrings but also made history by grossing P1.6 billion worldwide. 

The romantic sequel, which rekindled the magic of their 2019 hit Hello, Love, Goodbye, achieved the largest opening weekend ever for a Filipino film in the U.S. and Canada, earning $2.4 million in North America and even landing at No. 8 on the region’s weekly box-office chart. It now holds the title of the highest-grossing Filipino film of all time.

Meanwhile, Vice Ganda continues his holiday box-office streak with And the Breadwinner Is…, which raked in P460 million, proving once again that his comedies draw crowds during the festive season.

Julia Barretto and Joshua Garcia also return to familiar territory with their hit romance Un/Happy for You, which surpassed P450 million globally. Their on-screen reunion drew cheers, tears, and long cinema lines, reminding audiences why their chemistry once ruled primetime and the big screen.

Rounding out the Box Office Heroes roster are industry veterans Vic Sotto and Piolo Pascual (The Kingdom), and Dennis Trillo and Ruru Madrid (Green Bones), the multi-awarded film that proved critical acclaim and commercial success can go hand in hand.

Now in its second iteration since the pandemic, the Box Office Hero Award recognizes actors whose films achieve both massive earnings and cultural impact, reinforcing their status as pillars of Philippine entertainment.

The awards ceremony is set for July 20 at the Ceremonial Hall of the Marriott Grand Ballroom in Pasay City. A delayed telecast will air on Kapamilya Channel and Jeepney TV, while iWant will stream the program for international viewers starting July 27.

The 8th Eddys is presented by Playtime PH in cooperation with Newport World Resorts and ABS-CBN. Co-presenters are Globe and Unilab. It is supported by Senator Camille Villar, Beautederm Corporation, Luxxe White, Puregold CinePanaloFilm Festival, Kat Corpus and My Daily Collagen, with co-production by Brightlight Entertainment under Pat-P Daza and direction by Eric Quizon.

The Eddys is organized annually by the Society of Philippine Entertainment Editors (SPEEd), a non-profit organization composed of past and current entertainment editors from national broadsheets, top tabloids, and leading online portals.

For more information, follow The Eddys on Facebook at The Eddys (The Entertainment Editors' Choice).

‘Green Bones’, ‘Hello, Love, Again’ earns top nominations at the 8th EDDYS: MARIAN, JUDY ANN, ALDEN, ARJO, DENNIS vie for top acting awards

The Society of Philippine Entertainment Editors (SPEEd) has released the full list of nominees for the 8th Entertainment Editors’ Choice Awards, also known as The EDDYS. The awards ceremony will take place on July 20 at the Ceremonial Hall of the Marriott Grand Ballroom in Pasay City.

A delayed telecast will air on the Kapamilya Channel and Jeepney TV, while global viewers can catch the show via iWantTFC starting July 27.

Among the top contenders for Best Actor are Sid Lucero (Outside), Dennis Trillo (Green Bones), Joel Torre (Lolo and the Kid), Arjo Atayde (Topakk), Vice Ganda (And the Bread Winner Is), Kokoy de Santos (Your Mother Son), and Alden Richards (Hello, Love, Again).

Best Actress nominees include Judy Ann Santos (Espantaho), Mylene Dizon (The Hearing), Shamaine Buencamino (Pushcart Tales), Marian Rivera (Balota), Jane Oineza (Love Child), and Sue Prado (Your Mother’s Son).

Ruru Madrid (Green Bones), Aga Muhlach (Uninvited), Joross Gamboa (Hello, Love, Again), Ronnie Lazaro (The Gospel of the Beast), Miggy Jimenez (Your Mother Son), and Patrick Garcia (A Journey) are up for Best Supporting Actor.

Lorna Tolentino and Chanda Romero are both nominated for Espantaho in the Best Supporting Actress category, alongside Nadine Lustre (Uninvited), Kakki Teodoro (Isang Himala), Cristine Reyes (The Kingdom), and Elora Espanyo (Your Mother Son).

For Best Director, nominees include the filmmakers behind Green Bones, Under a Piaya Moon, Hello, Love, Again, Outside, Isang Himala, and Love Child.

Rounding out the major categories is the Best Picture race, with six films competing: Green Bones, Under a Piaya Moon, Hello, Love, Again, Outside, Isang Himala, and Love Child.

Nominees in technical and creative categories are as follows:

BEST SCREENPLAY

Arden Rod Condez, Arianna Martinez (Love Child)

Vicente Groyon (Under A Piaya Moon)

Carlo Ledesma, Anton Santamaria (Outside)

Ricky Lee, Angeli Atienza (Green Bones)

Ricky Lee, Jose Lorenzo Diokno (Isang Himala)

Carmi G. Raymundo, Crystal S. San Miguel (Hello, Love, Again)

BEST CINEMATOGRAPHY

Nathan Bringuer (Under A Piaya Moon)

Shing Fung Cheung (Outside)

Neil Daza (Espantaho)

Neil Daza (Green Bones)

Dan Villegas (Kono Basho)

BEST EDITING

Marya Ignacio (Hello, Love, Again)

Marya Ignacio (Pushcart Tales)

Vanessa Ubas de Leon (My Future You)

John Paul Ponce (Love Child)

Benjamin Tolentino (Green Bones)

BEST PRODUCTION DESIGN

Nestor Abrogena (The Kingdom)

Maolen Fadul (Green Bones)

Norico D. Santos (Hello, Love, Again)

Jed Sicangco, Kurt Soberano (Under A Piaya Moon)

Joseph Edward Sicangco (Outside)

BEST VISUAL EFFECTS

Rhance Cariño (Topakk)

Gaspar Mangarin, Walter Monte (Espantaho)

Mothership Inc. (Strange Frequencies: Taiwan Killer Hospital)

Riot, Inc. (The Kingdom)

Santelmo Studio Inc. (My Future You)

The Post Office (Outside)

BEST SOUND

Ditoy Aguila (Strange Frequencies: Taiwan Killer Hospital)

Mark Locsin, Teresa Barozzo, Narra Post (Isang Himala)

Jhon Eric Mancera, Donald Ilagan, Gerald Guardiano, Melvin Rivera, Albert Michael Idioma, Jannina Mikaella Minglanilla, Andrea Teresa Idioma (Topakk)

Narra Post, Studios by Wildsound (The Kingdom)

Alex Yomboc, Lamberto Casa Jr. (Espantaho)

BEST MUSICAL SCORE

Teresa Barrozo (And The Breadwinner Is…)

Len Calvo (Green Bones)

Vincent de Jesus (Isang Himala)

Jessie Lasaten (Hello, Love, Again)

Ammie Ruth Suarez (Un/Happy For You)

BEST ORIGINAL THEME SONG

"Ang Himala Ay Nasa Puso" (Isang Himala), music and lyrics by Vincent de Jesus, performed by Juan Karlos

"Hahamakin Ang Lahat" (Uninvited), music and lyrics by Quest and Arthur Nery, performed by KZ Tandingan and Arthur Nery

"Luha sa Dilim" (Guilty Pleasures), music and lyrics by Julian Juangco, performed by Yanco

"Mahal Kita" (Road to Happy), music and lyrics by Macky Alca, performed by VJ Mendoza

"Topak" (Topakk), music and lyrics by Lordivino Ignacio, Muriel Anne Jamito and Romarico Superable, performed by Bassilyo, Sisa and CrazyMix

The 8th EDDYS is co-presented by Newport World Resorts and ABS-CBN, produced by Brightlight Entertainment under Pat-P Daza, and directed by Eric Quizon.