PesoWeekly #4 – Vancouver Lapu-Lapu Festival Tragedy, Science & Tech News, and Showbiz Highlights

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Now, onto today’s headlines 👇

Headline
Tragedy Strikes Vancouver's Lapu-Lapu Day Festival

On Saturday evening, April 26, a devastating incident occurred during the Lapu-Lapu Day festival in Vancouver, British Columbia. A black Audi SUV, driven by 30-year-old Kai-Ji Adam Lo, plowed through a crowd attending the Filipino heritage celebration, resulting in 11 fatalities and injuring over 30 individuals. The victims ranged in age from 5 to 65, including entire families and community members such as teacher Kira Salim and the Le family: Richard, Linh, and their 5-year-old daughter, Katie.

The Lapu-Lapu Day festival, named after the Filipino hero who resisted Spanish colonization, is a significant cultural event for Vancouver's Filipino community, which comprises over 172,000 individuals in British Columbia. The attack has deeply shaken this vibrant community, known for its contributions to Canada's caregiving and service sectors. Authorities have ruled out terrorism, citing Lo's history of mental health issues. He has been charged with eight counts of second-degree murder, with additional charges pending.

Free Train Rides Alert: April 30–May 3

President Bongbong Marcos has approved free rides on MRT-3, LRT-1, and LRT-2 from April 30 to May 3 in celebration of Labor Day. The Department of Transportation said this aims to honor Filipino workers and ease commuting costs for the public. This follows last year’s similar initiative that saw over 1 million commuters benefit from the fare holiday.

Translation: Libre sakay mga bes! Sulitin ang long weekend tipid-mode papuntang work o kahit gala.

Bolt Set to Enter Philippine Ride-Hailing Market

European mobility giant Bolt is making a surprise entry into the Philippine ride-hailing scene, according to industry sources cited by the Inquirer. Bolt, based in Estonia and operating in over 45 countries, is reportedly finalizing regulatory requirements to compete against Grab and other local players. Known for its lower commission rates and multi-service model (cars, scooters, food delivery), Bolt’s arrival could shake up an industry long dominated by a few big names.

Translation: Pag tapos na yung free train ride pwde kanang mag Bolt! Baka may cheaper option na sa susunod mong biyahe.

Bulusan Volcano Erupts Again, PHIVOLCS on Alert

Bulusan Volcano in Sorsogon had its second phreatic eruption in two days, according to PHIVOLCS. The blast on April 29 lasted 8 minutes and produced an ash plume reaching 500 meters high. Residents in Juban and nearby towns reported ashfall, prompting local authorities to distribute masks and advise caution. Alert Level 1 remains in effect, meaning sudden steam-driven eruptions are still possible. PHIVOLCS warns hikers and locals to steer clear of the 4-kilometer danger zone.

Translation: Kalma pero alerto—hindi pa explosive, pero wag basta lumapit.

Rain or Roast? PH Faces Wet & Scorching Weather Combo

Heads up: A low-pressure area (LPA) east of Mindanao and a trough from another LPA in the west are bringing rains across large swaths of the Philippines, according to PAGASA. Expect scattered showers in parts of Visayas, Mindanao, and Southern Luzon. Meanwhile, 18 areas—including Metro Manila, Pangasinan, and Cagayan—remain under “danger” heat index levels, with feels-like temps reaching 42–47°C.

Translation: Pwede kang maligo sa ulan o sa sariling pawis—your choice.

Markets
Local Market at a Glance (as of April 30, 2025)

PSEi: 6,354.99 ▲ +102.80 (+1.64%)
BSP Rates: 5.50% (borrowing) | 5.00% (deposit) | 6.00% (lending)

🌐 Global Markets

Bitcoin: $94,925.91 ▲ +0.56%
Gold: $3,313.94/oz ▼ -0.11%

💱 Exchange Rates (PHP per 1 unit)

🇺🇸 USD: ₱56.40
🇬🇧 GBP: ₱74.88
🇸🇦 SAR: ₱15.38
🇯🇵 JPY: ₱0.3915
🇪🇺 EUR: ₱63.86
🇦🇪 AED: ₱15.25
Note: Exchange rates may vary slightly depending on provider.

NEWS FLASH

SC Seat Up for Grabs: Marcos Jr. to Make First Supreme Court Pick
Justice Mario Lopez is retiring on June 4, opening a crucial Supreme Court seat—and President Marcos Jr.’s first shot at appointing a justice. Of the 17 contenders, 9 hail from the Court of Appeals, including Presiding Justice Fernanda Lampas Peralta. Also in the mix: justices from Sandiganbayan and Tax Appeals, law deans from UP and UA&P, a former DOF official, and ex-Court Administrator Raul Villanueva. The Judicial and Bar Council will shortlist the candidates. With most current justices appointed by Duterte, this pick could subtly shift the Court’s balance. (More)

Translation: Una sa SC legacy picks ni PBBM—abangan ang bagong bida.

Sari-Sari Stores Thrive Amid Scorching Heat
In 2024’s record-breaking heat, sari-sari stores became hydration hubs. Packworks data shows Sting energy drink sales soared 83% to ₱34M, with Mindanao regions leading: BARMM spiked 1,810%, Caraga 575%, and Northern Mindanao 554%. Nestea wasn’t far behind, climbing 76% to ₱30M, with top growth in Bicol, BARMM, and Western Visayas. March marked peak sales, aligning with PAGASA’s dry season start—Sting jumped 43%, Nestea 24%. As temps rise, sari-sari stores continue to quench the nation’s thirst one bottle (or sachet) at a time. (More)

Translation: Mainit ang panahon, mainit din ang benta sa tindahan.

Private Flight Plan
Laguindingan Airport just got a new captain—Aboitiz InfraCapital. The company officially took over operations this week under a 15-year concession deal with the government, with plans to modernize the Mindanao gateway into a world-class transport hub. Expect facility upgrades, digital systems, and better passenger experiences. This is the first airport to be privatized under the Marcos admin’s PPP push, and it sets the stage for more infra handoffs. Aboitiz says the goal is simple: smoother flights, stronger regional growth. (More)

Tagle Tapped for Vatican Duty
Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle is back in the Vatican spotlight—this time helping prep for the next papal conclave. The CBCP confirmed his appointment to a special commission tasked with organizing the highly secretive process of selecting a future pope. Tagle, once considered papabile himself, remains one of the most prominent Asian figures in the Catholic Church. While there’s no conclave on the calendar yet, the move signals the Vatican’s trust in Tagle’s leadership and global influence. (More)

BIR Cracks Down on Vape Tax Cheats; BOC Seizes ₱2.8M in Smuggled Cigarettes
The Bureau of Internal Revenue just went full no-chill mode—filing ₱8.68 billion worth of tax evasion cases against illicit vape brands Flava, Denkat, and Flare. The companies allegedly sold products without paying excise taxes or filing returns. BIR chief Romeo Lumagui Jr. warned that even celebrities and influencers promoting illegal vape products could face jail time. “Illicit vape ends now,” he declared. (More)

PH Teams Up with Emirates to Boost Tourism
The Philippines just signed a major partnership with Emirates Airlines to supercharge tourism from the Middle East, Mediterranean, and Europe. Under a new MoU, both sides will launch joint campaigns, expand flight routes, and promote the country as a must-visit destination—especially for OFWs and global travelers. Tourism Secretary Christina Frasco says the deal is part of a broader post-pandemic rebound strategy. Emirates, which has flown to the PH for nearly 35 years, sees strong potential in attracting leisure and business tourists. So far, over 21,000 UAE travelers have landed in the country this year alone, with revenues steadily climbing.(More)

Translation: More flights, more tourists, more kita—PH tourism is taking off (again).

SHOWBIZ CHIKA

Morissette Amon has been nominated for Best Actress at the 58th WorldFest-Houston International Film Festival for her role in Song of the Fireflies. In this film, she portrays Alma Taldo, a provincial teacher who transforms the Loboc Children’s Choir into an internationally acclaimed singing group despite hailing from a small town in Bohol. This marks her big-screen debut, and she is nominated alongside Suzana Piers from Brazil and Devin Sidell from the United States

Gene Hackman’s Cause of Death Revealed
Oscar-winning actor Gene Hackman died of heart disease and complications related to Alzheimer’s, according to an autopsy report released this week. The French Connection and Unforgiven star passed away at 95 in New Mexico, where he lived quietly with his wife Betsy Arakawa. Hackman had battled health issues for years, but remained fiercely independent, practicing fasting and staying active well into his 90s. Known for walking away from Hollywood on his own terms in 2004, Hackman left behind a legacy of powerhouse performances—and a blueprint for living life on your own terms.

Hakot Queen: Winwyn Marquez Dominates MUPH Prelims. Actress-beauty queen Winwyn Marquez just swept the Miss Universe Philippines 2025 prelims—bagging Best in Evening Gown, Best in Swimsuit, and Best in Interview, plus a string of sponsor awards. The daughter of Alma Moreno and Joey Marquez, Winwyn is no stranger to crowns (she was Reina Hispanoamericana 2017), but this marks a major comeback after a 6-year pageant break. Her poised performance and fan-favorite status are fueling buzz that she could clinch the main crown next month. The grand coronation is set for May 22 at the SM Mall of Asia Arena.

Translation: Winwyn didn't join to play—she joined to slay.

Gordon Ramsay Heats Up Cebu with Two New Restaurants
After the sizzling success of his Bar & Grill in Newport, celebrity chef Gordon Ramsay is doubling down in the Philippines—this time in Lapu-Lapu City, Cebu. Slated to open mid-2025, Gordon Ramsay Fish & Chips and Street Burger by Gordon Ramsay will debut side-by-side at a beachfront destination. Expect over-the-counter British classics like Lobster & Shrimp, Dirty Chips, and thick milkshakes on one side; and bold burger creations like the Idiot Burger and G.F.C. (Gordon’s Fried Chicken) on the other. Ramsay’s surprise visit to Manila earlier this year teased this expansion, and the Cebu launch marks a clear bet on Asia as a growth market for his global restaurant empire.

Translation: Ramsay’s coming to Cebu. Bring your appetite—and maybe your credit card.

WORLD NEWS
Top Story: Mystery Blackout Hits Iberia and France — Grid Glitch, Not a Hack or Weather Whim

A sudden, sweeping power cut left large parts of Spain, Portugal, and southern France in the dark Monday, knocking out around 60% of Spain’s electricity demand in five seconds. Red Eléctrica, Spain’s grid operator, ruled out a cyberattack and said there’s no sign of foul play—but also admitted they still don’t know exactly what triggered it.

So what went wrong?
Initial eyes turned to Spain’s southern solar-heavy grid, where two disconnection events happened within a second. These automatic safety shutdowns are triggered when grid frequency veers off balance—like when supply suddenly drops or surges. But renewables weren’t to blame, officials insist. Even Spain’s PM Pedro Sánchez said, “not a problem of excessive renewables.”

Then there’s the grid connection to France, which briefly tripped when the power dropped. Spain’s limited links through the Pyrenees—earning it the nickname “electricity island”—mean small issues can snowball fast. That disconnection may have worsened the situation before power was stabilized using links to France, Morocco, and fossil backup.

A viral claim that the cause was a “rare atmospheric vibration” was also debunked by Portugal’s grid operator REN, who denied issuing the statement. (More)

Translation: Grid went sabog, but it wasn’t hackers, the sun, or the weather. Still… walang nakaka-sigurado.

🇨🇦 Carney Wins Canada — and Scientists Breathe (Cautiously)
Mark Carney, former central banker turned Liberal party leader, is officially staying on as Canada’s prime minister following Monday’s election. The margin wasn’t clear as of press time, but the win is seen as a public nod to Carney’s economic chops—especially in fending off Trump-era threats like tariffs and political trolling (e.g., floating Canada as America’s 51st state). Scientists are tentatively optimistic: Carney’s Liberals have pledged a science talent fund to offset US cuts, though research barely registered during the campaign. Conservative rival Pierre Poilievre spooked academia with talk of ending “woke ideology” in grant funding—eerily echoing Trump’s science-slashing style. (More)

Translation: Canada dodged a research funding freeze… for now.

Vatican Sets May 7 for Secret Conclave to Elect New Pope
The Sistine Chapel is officially on lockdown: cardinals will begin the papal conclave on May 7 to elect the next head of the Roman Catholic Church, following Pope Francis’ funeral last weekend. 135 cardinals under age 80 will vote in secrecy, many meeting for the first time—thanks to Francis’ global-minded appointments from places like Haiti, Myanmar, and Sweden. Some expect a longer deliberation than the two-day elections of 2005 and 2013. (More)

The Church faces deep divides: one camp wants to continue Francis’ inclusive reforms (think LGBTQ outreach, women in clergy talks), while conservatives, like Germany’s Cardinal Müller, want to hit the brakes. As for the faithful? 400,000 showed up for Francis’ funeral.

Translation: It’s Pope vs. Pope-posites in a global Church sequel.

SCIENCE & TECH

UK Startup Unveils First Wireless Bionic Arm That Can Move on Its Own. Open Bionics has launched Hero, the world’s first wireless bionic arm—and yes, its hand can crawl around solo like Thing from The Addams Family. Influencer Tilly Lockey, 19, a long-time user and double amputee, demonstrated its sci-fi features, including 360-degree wrist rotation and water resistance. It’s fully muscle-operated via wireless EMG sensors—no implants needed. Lockey controls it using simple arm movements, and says, “It can go on its own missions… which is kinda crazy.” (Read More)

Translation: May sariling trip ang kamay. Literal.

Scientists Found Weird Brain Differences in Authoritarian Thinkers. A new study from Spain scanned the brains of 100 young adults and found something strange: people with extreme political views—left or right—have differences in brain areas linked to empathy, emotions, and decision-making. Right-wing types had less brain matter for understanding others, while left-wing types showed less control in emotional situations. (More)

Translation: Kapag sobrang extreme ang paniniwalang pulitikal, iba rin ang galaw ng utak.

This 1987 BBC Tech Prediction Will Make You LOL and Say “Wait, They Got It Right?”A 1987 episode of BBC’s Tomorrow’s World imagined tech in 2024—and somehow nailed it and missed hilariously. The host unveiled a briefcase with a fingerprint scanner, satellite-connected smartwatch, VR visor, and... a bulky portable printer. While the fashion and props were peak '80s, the show eerily predicted biometric security, wearable tech, and virtual reality. The biggest miss? Assuming we’d still need to print messages on the go. Still, it’s wild how close they got to today’s gadget-filled lives—minus the briefcase printer. (More)

MIND POPCORN

TikTok’s “Trap Man” Breaks the Mold—Literally

A 19-year-old TikToker known as @TheCrookedMon10 is going viral for flipping male beauty standards on their muscular head—by training only the left side of his body. Nicknamed “Trap Man,” the teen has spent over 160 days exclusively bulking up his left trapezius muscle, resulting in an exaggerated, almost cartoonish asymmetry. His bizarre journey is part of a growing countertrend called #looksminimizing, a satirical response to the “looksmaxxing” culture that dominates Gen Z social media feeds.

Why do it? According to Trap Man: “Everyone’s obsessed with being hotter. I thought—what if I did the opposite?” While science notes a cross-training effect (where one side of the body indirectly benefits), his results are anything but subtle. Critics have raised red flags over potential long-term injuries, but Trap Man is unfazed. His next stunt? Training only his right leg. Check Photo

Translation: Hindi lang si Popeye ang pwedeng one-sided. TikTok boy sabi: abs are out, lopsided traps are in.

Before You Go…

Thanks for sticking with us! As you’ve probably noticed, we’re covering a wide range of stories—from peso moves to quirky science, major headlines to niche gems. That’s no accident—we’re still experimenting to figure out which topics and sections are most helpful, interesting, and worth your scroll. In the coming weeks, we’ll be shaping PesoWeekly into a tighter, sharper newsletter based on your feedback.
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Until next time, stay sharp and stay curious.

PesoWeekly Team